Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-15
Effective Date: 02/06/1997 to 12/02/1997
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.15.02061997
Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of W.S. 23-1-101 and 23-1-302.
Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions will be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes.
Section 3. Reduction Season Established and Effective Date. There will be a wild bison reduction season as established under Section 4 through Section 12 of this regulation. This regulation shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Commission.
Section 4. Supervision of License Holders. Wild bison reduction will be done under the supervision of Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel. All applicants contacted to take a bison will be required to complete a bison hunt orientation session, including a demonstration of shooting proficiency, conducted at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Regional Office closest to the area where the hunt will occur and immediately prior to the actual hunt.
Section 5. Applications and Selection of Licenses. When the Department determines a wild bison reduction opportunity may exist, applications for resident and nonresident wild bison licenses will be accepted on forms provided by the Department. Applicants will have the choice of applying for a male wild bison or a cow/calf wild bison. Applications accompanied by cashier's check, money order or certified check in the proper amount for the nonrefundable entry fee of five (5) dollars will be accepted at the Cheyenne office of the Department. A computer random number selection will be utilized to determine name placement on the priority list. Each applicant will be notified of their placement on the priority list. The priority list will remain in effect for a 12 month period beginning November 1. Eighty percent of the wild bison licenses are reserved for residents. If the number of resident applications does not exceed the resident allocation, the remaining resident allocation may be issued to nonresidents. If the number of nonresident applications does not exceed the nonresident allocation, the remaining allocation may be issued to residents.
Section 6. Notification. Applicants on the priority list will be notified in order of priority by telephone when the Department determines a reduction opportunity is likely. Telephone calls will be made during the evening hours between 6 P.M. and 10 P.M. A minimum of three attempts by telephone will be made that evening and the subsequent evening to contact and notify any individual applicant. Notification attempts will be spaced at a minimum of half-hour intervals. Department personnel must speak directly to the applicant during the notification call. If an individual cannot be contacted, the next individual on the list will be notified and those who could not be contacted will retain their positions on the priority list. An applicant who declines participation will have his/her name removed from the list. Individuals who participate in the season and are unsuccessful, may remain on the list but may not participate in the season again until all others on the priority list have had an opportunity to hunt. Applicants will be advised during the notification call of the following procedures:
(a) The date and time the applicant must be present at the designated check-in location.
(b) The date, time, and location the applicant must appear to participate in the bison hunt orientation session and demonstrate shooting proficiency.
(c) Wild bison harvest selection will be determined for the applicant in the order in which he/she was selected during the drawing. In the event there is more than one licensee afield at the same time and same location, then the ranking of the individual licensee on the priority list will dictate the order of bison selection.
(d) Numbers and age classes of wild bison available when the applicant arrives may differ from those available at the time of the notification call. If a licensee declines to take an available bison during a specific hunt within 72 hours, the licensee's opportunity to participate will be forfeited and the licensee will be removed from the priority list.
Section 7. Firearms. Only center-fire cartridges not less than two (2) inches in overall length, including a soft or expanding point bullet seated to a normal depth with a minimum .27 caliber barrel bore diameter and a minimum of a 150 grain bullet will be allowed.
Section 8. Licensing. Licenses will be issued upon payment of the proper license fee at the designated check-in location and must be obtained from Department personnel prior to participating in the reduction season. A conservation stamp must be in possession of the licensee while exercising the rights under the wild bison license.
Section 9. Tagging Requirements. When any wild bison is killed under a license, the licensee shall detach, sign and date the carcass coupon and attach the coupon to the carcass before leaving the site of the kill. The coupon shall remain on the bison carcass at all times until the meat undergoes processing, except that during transportation of the carcass the coupon may be removed to prevent its loss. If the coupon is removed for transportation of the carcass, it must be in the possession of the person accompanying the carcass at all times.
Section 10. Transportation and Exportation.
(a) No person shall ship, transport, or receive for shipment or transportation within Wyoming, any wild bison or part thereof, unless tagged with a Wyoming interstate game tag, or unless:
(i) The transportation is by a person accompanying the carcass of a wild bison who is in possession of a proper coupon.
(b) No wild bison or any part thereof shall be shipped or transported from the state unless accompanied by the licensee who harvested the animal, in possession of a proper coupon, or unless:
(i) The part to be exported from the state is of a nonedible trophy or hidelike nature and properly tagged with a Wyoming interstate game tag.
(ii) The bison was legally harvested by a nonresident and is tagged with a Wyoming interstate game tag.
Section 11. Hunting Regulations.
(a) Shooting Hours. Shooting hours for the hunting of bison will be from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
(b) Bag and Possession Limits. The bag and possession limit for wild bison will be one (1) bison during any one harvest year (November 1 - October 31).
(c) Open Areas, Season Dates and Limitations.
| Hunt Areas | Type | Dates of Season | Limitations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opens | Closes | |||
| 1 | 1 | Nov. 1 | Oct. 31 | Male Bison; other limitations specified during notification |
| 1 | 2 | Nov. 1 | Oct. 31 | Female/Calf Bison; other limitations specified during notification. |
| 2 | CLOSED |
Area 1. Northwestern Wyoming. All federally-owned lands within Park, Hot Springs, and Fremont Counties, except the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Area 2. Jackson. All federally-owned lands within Sublette and Teton Counties.
DAN KENNEDY PRESIDENT
Date: December 10, 1996