Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-11
Effective Date: 06/10/2026 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.11.06102026
Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of Wyoming Statutes § 23-1-302 and § 23-2-105.
(a) Bag and Possession Limit. Only one (1) daily bag limit of each species of upland game birds and small game may be taken per day regardless of the number of hunt areas hunted in a single day. When hunting more than one (1) hunt area, a person's daily and possession limits shall be equal to, but shall not exceed, the largest daily and possession limit prescribed for any one (1) of the specified hunt areas in which the hunting and possession occurs.
(b) Evidence of sex and species shall remain naturally attached to the carcass of any upland game bird in the field and during transportation. For pheasant, this shall include the feathered head, feathered wing or foot. For all other upland game bird species, this shall include one fully feathered wing.
(c) No person shall possess or use shot other than nontoxic shot for hunting game birds and small game with a shotgun on the Commission's Table Mountain and Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Areas and on all national wildlife refuges open for hunting.
(d) Required Clothing. Any person hunting pheasants within the boundaries of any Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Habitat Management Area, or on Bureau of Reclamation Withdrawal lands bordering and including Glendo State Park, shall wear in a visible manner at least one (1) outer garment of fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink color which shall include a hat, shirt, jacket, coat, vest or sweater.
(a) Sage Grouse Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limits and Limitations.
| SAGE GROUSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 19 | Sep. 30 | 2 | 4 | Any sage grouse |
| 2, 3, 4 | CLOSED |
(i) Sage Grouse Hunt Area Descriptions.
Area 1. Includes all of Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, Sweetwater and Uinta counties, all of Washakie County except that portion east of the 33 Mile Road (Natrona County Road 110) and east of Hazelton Road (Washakie County Road 81), as well as that portion of
Albany County north of U.S. Highway 30-287 and west of the Fetterman Road (Albany County Road 61), that portion of Converse County south and west of the Balsh Road (U.S.F.S. Road 660), all of Carbon County except that portion east of the Medicine Bow River and South of U.S. Highway 30-287, all of Lincoln and Fremont counties except those portions within the Snake River drainage, all of Sublette County except that portion within the Fish Creek Drainage, and all of Natrona County except that portion east of Interstate Highway 25, north of the Smoky Gap Road (Natrona County Road 115), north of the Wild Horse Trail Road (Natrona County Road 113), and north of the 33 Mile Road (Natrona County Road 110). Area 1 also excludes that portion of Natrona County south of Interstate Highway 25 in the Muddy Creek drainage.
Area 2. The entire state of Wyoming excluding the lands described in Areas 1, 3 and 4.
Area 3. All lands in the Snake River drainage within Lincoln, Fremont and Teton counties and that portion of Sublette County within the Fish Creek Drainage.
Area 4. Beginning at the intersection of the Sheridan-Big Horn county line with the Wyoming-Montana state line; easterly along said state line to the Rocky Point Road in Crook County; southerly along said road to the “D” Road; southerly along said road to Interstate Highway 90; easterly along said highway to U.S. Highway 16 at Moorcroft; southeasterly along said highway to U.S. Highway 85 at Newcastle; southerly along said highway to the Weston-Niobrara-Campbell-Converse-Natrona-Johnson county lines; westerly along said county lines to Interstate Highway 25; southerly along said highway to the Midwest interchange and the Smoky Gap Road (Natrona County Road 115); westerly along said road to the Wild Horse Trail Road (Natrona County Road 113); westerly along said road to the 33 Mile Road (Natrona County Road 110); northwesterly along said road to the Hazelton Road (Washakie County Road 81); northerly along said road to the Gold Mine Road (U.S.F.S. Road 452); northerly along said road to the Canyon Creek Road (U.S.F.S. Road 25); northerly along said road to U.S. Highway 16; easterly along said highway to the divide along the Bighorn Mountain Range at Powder River Pass; northwesterly along said divide to the Big Horn County line; northwesterly along said county line to the Wyoming-Montana state line.
(b) A sage grouse hunting permit shall be required of any licensed hunter who participates in hunting sage grouse. The sage grouse hunting permit shall be in possession of any person while hunting sage grouse, and shall be immediately produced for inspection upon request from any authorized Department representative. The permit shall be available at headquarters, regional offices and the department website.
(c) Blue (Dusky) Grouse Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limit and Limitations.
| BLUE (DUSKY) GROUSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any blue (dusky) grouse |
(i) Blue (Dusky) Grouse Hunt Area Description.
Area 1. The entire state of Wyoming.
(d) Ruffed Grouse Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limits and Limitations.
| RUFFED GROUSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any ruffed grouse |
(i) Ruffed Grouse Hunt Area Description.
Area 1. The entire state of Wyoming.
(e) Partridge Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limit and Limitations.
| CHUKAR PARTRIDGE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 15 | Jan. 31 | 5 | 15 | Any chukar partridge |
| GRAY PARTRIDGE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 15 | Jan. 31 | 5 | 15 | Any gray partridge |
(i) Partridge Hunt Area Description.
Area 1. The entire state of Wyoming.
(f) Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limit and Limitations.
| SHARP-TAILED GROUSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| 1 | Sep. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any sharp-tailed grouse |
(i) Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunt Area Description.
Area 1. That portion of Wyoming east of the Continental Divide.
(g) Pheasant Hunt Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limit, Limitations and Shooting Hours.
| PHEASANT | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | Shooting Hours | |||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | Start | End | ||
| 1 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except those areas in Sheridan and Johnson counties that require a Pheasant Special Management Permit in Section 4 shall be open for any pheasant. (Youth Hunt-Refer to Section 7) | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| 2 | Nov. 1 | Nov. 30 | 2 | 6 | Any pheasant (Youth Hunt-Refer to Section 7) | Week Days 8:00 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Weekend Days 8:00 a.m. | Sunset | ||||||
| 2 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 31 | 2 | 6 | Male pheasant only | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| 5 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except that portion of Area 5 north of the Shoshone River and west of the Yellowtail Reservoir shall be open for any pheasant (Youth Hunt-Refer to Section 7) | Veterans Day (State Observed Holiday), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Weekend Days ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| Week Days 11:00 a.m. | Sunset | ||||||
| 7 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except that portion of Area 7 on the Table Mountain WHMA shall be open for any pheasant | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| Table Mountain WHMA 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | ||||||
| 8 | Oct. 15 | Oct. 31 | 3 | Season Limit 9 | Any pheasant (Springer permits) Refer to Section 5 | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | Nov. 30 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| PHEASANT | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | Shooting Hours | |||
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | Start | End | ||
| 9 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant (Youth Hunt - Refer to Section 6) | 8:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| 11 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
(i) Pheasant Hunt Area Descriptions.
Area 1. All of Fremont County, excluding those lands described in pheasant Hunt Area 2. All of Sheridan, Johnson, Park, Washakie and Hot Springs counties, and all of Big Horn County excluding those lands described in pheasant Hunt Area 5.
Area 2. All lands in the Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area, the Mile High Ranch Access Area, the Killebrew Ranches Access Area and all lands in the Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area east of the Bass Lake Road.
Area 5. All of the lands included in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area north of U.S. Highway 14A.
Area 7. All of Goshen County excluding Hunt Area 8.
Area 8. All of the lands included in the Springer/Bump-Sullivan Wildlife Habitat Management Area.
Area 9. All Bureau of Reclamation Withdrawal lands bordering and including Glendo State Park and the adjoining Department's Access Yes Walk-in Area.
Area 11. The entire State of Wyoming excluding the lands described in Areas 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9.
(ii) Closed Areas.
(A) The waters and lands within one-half (1/2) mile of the aeration system on the north side of Ocean Lake shall be closed to pheasant hunting beginning December 15 through December 31 of each year.
(B) The Downar Bird Farm and Springer Headquarters in Goshen County shall be closed to pheasant hunting as marked by signs.
(C) The lands on the Springer/Bump-Sullivan Wildlife Habitat Management Area south of Goshen County Road 42 and west of Goshen County Road 37 shall be closed to pheasant hunting after November 13.
(D) Pond Number 1 and adjacent lands on the Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Goshen County, as marked by colored signs and posts, shall be closed to pheasant hunting after November 13.
(E) The Sheridan Bird Farm in Sheridan County shall be closed to pheasant hunting, except during hunts sponsored and supervised by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Section 4. Pheasant Special Management Permit. A Pheasant Special Management Permit shall be required of any person, except those exempted in this section, who participates in the hunting of pheasants in those areas listed in subsection (a) of this section. Owners of lands enrolled in the Department's Access Yes Walk-In Areas, and members of their immediate families (landowner's spouse, parents, grandparents, lineal descendants and their spouses or siblings) are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Pheasant Special Management Permit when they are hunting pheasants on the deeded land of the landowner. The Pheasant Special Management Permit shall be in possession of any person while hunting pheasants, and shall be immediately produced for inspection upon request from any authorized Department representative. The permit shall be available at Headquarters, Department Regional Offices and designated license selling agents.
(a) Pheasant Special Management Permit Areas. A Pheasant Special Management Permit shall be required to hunt pheasants in the areas listed in this subsection:
(i) Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Johnson County.
(ii) Glendo State Park; including all Bureau of Reclamation Withdrawal lands bordering the Park and the adjoining Department's Access Yes Walk-In Area in Platte County.
(iii) Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area, the Mile High Ranch Access Area and the Killebrew Ranches Access Area in Fremont County.
(iv) Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Goshen County.
(v) Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Goshen County.
(vi) Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area, excluding any private lands included within the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area, in Big Horn County.
(vii) All lands in the Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area east of the Bass Lake Road in Fremont County.
(viii) All lands open to the hunting of pheasants that are enrolled in the Department's Access Yes Program, excluding Walk-In Access Areas in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties on which pheasants are not released by the Department.
(ix) All State Trust land in Sheridan County.
(x) Welch Ranch Management Area in Sheridan County.
Section 5. Springer Permit Pheasant Season. There shall be a Springer permit pheasant season in Hunt Area 8 beginning October 15 through October 31. In order to participate in this season, a person shall possess and present upon request a valid Springer permit, a valid bird license and conservation stamp (unless otherwise exempted by state statute) and a Pheasant Special Management Permit. The Springer permit shall only be valid for the day printed on the permit by the Department.
(a) Application for Springer Permits. Applications shall be submitted through the Electronic Licensing Service (ELS). Only youths may apply for Springer permits for youth only hunt days as set forth in Section 5 (c) of this Chapter. A drawing shall be utilized to determine successful applicants. A person shall only submit a single application. Successful applicants shall be notified by mail of their hunting date and furnished a set of special instructions.
(b) Issuance of Springer Permits. A maximum of one hundred twenty (120) permits shall be issued to successful applicants in the drawing for each day of the Springer permit pheasant season. A maximum of one hundred twenty (120) hunters shall be allowed to hunt at any one time during the Springer permit pheasant season. When a hunter checks out of the Springer Check Station, the Department may issue a permit to another person at the check station. If all one hundred twenty (120) permits for a single day have not been issued by the Department, or if the check station attendants are advised that a permitted hunter will not participate, the Department may issue a permit to another person at the check station on a first-come, first-served basis, not to exceed a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) permitted hunters. Permitted hunters may begin hunting at 8:00 a.m. Hunters who are issued permits through the drawing must check in at the check station by 8:00 a.m. on the date their permit is valid. Permits that are unclaimed after 8:00 a.m. may be issued to other hunters on a first-come, first-served basis.
(c) Youth Only Hunt Days. Only youths shall be allowed to take pheasants on the youth hunt days. Youths under the age of fourteen (14) shall be accompanied by an adult. No adult shall take any pheasant during the youth only hunt days. The youth only hunt days are October 17, 25 and 31.
(d) Springer Check Station. The Springer Check Station is located one and one-quarter (1-1/4) miles west of U.S. Highway 85 on the south boundary of the Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The hours of operation of the check station shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily during the Springer permit pheasant season. Persons participating in the Springer permit pheasant season shall check in at the check station prior to hunting. Prior to leaving the Springer permit pheasant area, each hunter shall check out at the check station by 4:30 p.m. on the same day that the hunter registered and shall accurately report all harvested pheasants and return all special hunt materials to the check station.
(e) Parking Assignment. Parking lot assignments and tags shall be issued by the Department for each vehicle utilized by hunters. Parking lot tags shall be displayed in a visible manner in each vehicle. All vehicles shall be parked in assigned parking lots.
Section 6. Glendo Pheasant Hunt Area 9 Youth Pheasant Hunt. Only youths shall be allowed to take pheasants on the dates listed in this section. Youths under the age of fourteen (14) shall be accompanied by an adult. No adults shall take any pheasant during the youth only hunt days. Youth only hunt days shall be the following Sundays; November 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Section 7. Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area, Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area and Pheasant Hunt Area 2 Youth Pheasant Hunt. Only youths shall be allowed to take pheasants on the dates listed in this section. Youths under the age of fourteen (14) shall be accompanied by an adult. No adults shall take any pheasant during the youth only hunt days.
(a) The Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area and pheasant Hunt Area 2 youth only hunt day is Saturday, November 14.
(b) The Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area youth only hunt days are November 13-15 and shall take place on all lands included in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area north of the Shoshone River.
(a) Small Game Species, Seasons Dates, Bag Limits and Limitations.
| Species | Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| Cottontail Rabbit | Sep. 1 | Mar. 31 | 10 | 20 | Any cottontail rabbit |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sep. 1 | Mar. 31 | 4 | 8 | Any snowshoe hare |
| Red, Grey and Fox Squirrel | Sep. 1 | Mar. 31 | 10 | 20 | Any red, grey or fox squirrel |
(i) Small Game Hunt Area Description.
Area 1. The entire state of Wyoming.
Section 9. Archery Regulations. Upland game birds and small game may be taken with archery equipment in accordance with limitations set forth in this Chapter.
(a) Upland game birds may be taken with falcons in accordance with Section 3 of this Chapter. Persons hunting with falcons may take any pheasant.
(b) Except for sage grouse, the falconry season shall open September 1 and close March 1 in those open hunt areas listed in Section 3 of this Chapter and subject to the closures listed in Subsection 10(c) of this Chapter. The sage grouse falconry season shall open September 1 and close January 31 in sage grouse hunt area 1 as listed in Section 3 of this Chapter.
(c) Closed Areas.
| Species | Hunt Area | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | 8, 9 | Closed to falconry hunting |
| Sage Grouse | 2, 3, 4 | Closed to falconry hunting |
Also refer to closed areas in Section 3.
(d) The daily bag and possession limits for upland game birds other than sage grouse, shall be as set forth in Section 3 of this Chapter. The daily bag limit shall be one (1) sage grouse and the possession limit shall be two (2) sage grouse.
(e) Persons taking sage grouse with falcons shall respond to Department hunting/harvest information surveys not later than May 1 following the previous falconry sage grouse hunting season as listed in subsection (b).
(f) Small game animals may be taken with falcons in accordance with the open seasons in the table below.
| Species | Falconry Season Dates | Bag Limit | Limitations | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opens | Closes | Daily | Possession | ||
| Cottontail Rabbit | Sep. 1 | Mar. 1 | 10 | 20 | Any cottontail rabbit |
| Mar. 2 | Aug. 31 | 1 | 2 | Any cottontail rabbit | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sep. 1 | Mar. 1 | 10 | 20 | Any snowshoe hare |
| Mar. 2 | Aug. 31 | 1 | 2 | Any snowshoe hare | |
| Red, Grey and Fox Squirrel | Sep. 1 | Mar. 1 | 10 | 20 | Any red, grey or fox squirrel |
| Mar. 2 | Aug. 31 | 1 | 2 | Any red, grey or fox squirrel |
WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
By: _______
Mark E. Jolovich, President
Dated: April 22, 2026