Game and Fish Commission

Game and Fish Commission Regulations

Chapter 11: Sage Grouse Hunting Seasons

Effective Date: 09/17/2003 to 01/15/2004

Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 040.0001.11.09172003

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

CHAPTER 11

SAGE GROUSE HUNTING SEASONS

EMERGENCY RULE

(For the 120 days the emergency rules are in effect, the following rules shall apply. Emergency rules are not longer in effect 120 days after filing with the Secretary of State.)

Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of W.S. §23-1-302 and §23-2-105(d).

Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:

1. (a) "Daily bag limit" means the maximum number of sage grouse that may be legally taken in a single day.
2. (b) "Nontoxic shot" means steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-iron-nickel-tin and tungsten-polymer shot or any other federally approved nontoxic shot.
3. (c) "Possession limit" means the maximum number of sage grouse that may be legally in possession. Sage grouse in transit or storage shall be considered in possession.

Section 3. Hunting Seasons Established. There shall be open seasons for the hunting of sage grouse as set forth in the Hunting Regulations (Section 4), Archery Regulations (Section 5), Falconry Seasons (Section 6) and Hunt Area Descriptions (Section 7) of this Chapter.

Section 4. Hunting Regulations.

1. (a) Shooting Hours. Shooting hours for the hunting of sage grouse shall be one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.
2. (b) Nontoxic shot shall be required for hunting sage grouse on all of the national wildlife refuges open for hunting. No person shall possess shot shells loaded with shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting sage grouse on all national wildlife refuges open for hunting.
3. (c) Open Areas, Season Dates, Bag Limits and Limitations.

Hunt Area	Date of Seasons		Bag Limits		Limitations
	Opens	Closes	Daily	Possession
1	Sept. 27	Oct. 5	2	4	Any sage grouse
2, 3, 4					CLOSED

Section 5. Archery Regulations.

(a) Sage grouse may be taken with archery equipment in accordance with Section 4 of this Chapter.

Section 6. Falconry Seasons.

(a) Sage grouse may be taken with falcons in accordance with limitations set forth in Section 4 of this Chapter. (b) The falconry season shall open September 1 and close March 1 in those hunt areas listed in Section 4 of this Chapter. (c) The daily bag limit shall be one (1) sage grouse and the possession limit shall be two (2) sage grouse. (d) Persons taking sage grouse with falcons shall provide the Biological Services Office at the Department Headquarters with a written report by March 15, 2004, of the total number of days hunted and the total number of sage grouse harvested by month.

Section 7. Hunt Area Descriptions.

(a) Area and Number.

Area 1. The entire State of Wyoming, excluding the lands described in Area 2, Area 3 and Area 4.

Area 2. Beginning where the Goshen-Niobrara County line intersects the Wyoming-Nebraska state line; southerly along said state line to the point where the Wyoming-Nebraska-Colorado state lines intersect; westerly along the Wyoming-Colorado state line to the divide between the North Platte and Laramie Rivers; northerly along said divide to the head of Rock Creek; northerly down said creek to Interstate Highway 80; westerly along said interstate to Wyoming Highway 13; northeasterly along said highway to U.S. Highway 30-287; northerly along said highway to the Fetterman Road (Albany County Road 61); northeasterly along said road to the Palmer Canyon Road (Albany County Road 721); northeasterly along said road to the Albany-Platte County line; northerly along said line to the Platte-Converse County line; northerly then easterly along said line to the Platte-Niobrara County line; easterly along said line to the Goshen-Niobrara County line; easterly along said line to the Wyoming-Nebraska state line.

Area 3. All lands in the Snake River drainage within Lincoln, Sublette and Teton Counties.

Area 4. All of Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan Counties.

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

By:

Jerry Sanders, President

Dated: September 11, 2003