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Advice on Wyoming Sheep and Bison Applications Due Next Monday

(posted February 24, 2016)

One of the most important deadlines in the Western US occurs February 29, and we want to remind our Email Extra subscribers, lest the date slip by. The 2016 deadline for Wyoming bighorn sheep, moose, bison and Rocky Mountain goat is midnight Mountain time, Monday February 29. All applications must be filed online and all license fees paid, by credit card, at the time of application. (Click here to apply.) Unsuccessful applicants will receive a credit card refund following the drawing.

Wyoming offers nonresidents ample bighorn and Shiras moose permits, though a few important details need to be considered. First, all permits in designated wilderness areas (and much of the area surrounding Yellowstone National Park as well as the high country in the Bighorn and Wyoming Ranges is wilderness) require nonresidents to hire an outfitter or to hunt with a resident who has obtained a temporary guiding license. Second, many of the permits will go to applicants with the most points. If you're just starting to apply in Wyoming, pick the areas with the most permits, as a percentage of those will be available in the general draw.

Finally, Wyoming is interested in decreasing bison numbers in the area around the park and I expect a number of licenses to be available. The hunt is a bit different in that you're drawn for either an "any bison" license or a "female or calf bison" license. If you are successful in the license drawing, you may apply for a permit to hunt the National Elk Refuge through a special arrangement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Those permits are also handled by Wyoming Game and Fish through their "Private Lands Public Access Program."

Hunters not yet ready to apply for a hunt can purchase a bonus point for each species July 1 - October 31, 2016. Bonus points significantly improve the odds of drawing, but for some species, such as bighorn sheep, this is still a decade-long (or more) process. Good luck! - Mike Bodenchuk, Editor-at-Large

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My brother just got notified today that he drew an Elk tag for area 103 just below Jackson.