Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-32
Effective Date: 01/11/2013 to 04/01/2016
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.32.01112013
Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of W.S. §23-1-302, W.S. §23-2-104, W.S. §23-3-110 and W.S. §23-3-111.
Section 2. Regulation. The Commission hereby adopts the following regulation governing firearm cartridges and archery equipment for the taking of big or trophy game animals and game birds. This regulation shall remain in effect until modified or repealed by the Commission.
Section 3. Definition. For the purpose of this regulation, definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, and the Commission also adopts the following definition:
(a) "Archery Equipment" means crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows and arrows.
Section 4. Firearms, muzzle-loaders and cartridges that are legal for the taking of big or trophy game animals.
(a) For the taking of bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mountain goat, black bear or grizzly bear by the use of a firearm, a hunter shall use:
(i) Any center-fire firearm of at least .24 caliber and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length, or any other cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one and one-half (1.5) inches in overall length, or a cartridge that generally delivers at least five hundred (500) foot pounds of impact at one hundred (100) yards; and using a lead or expanding point bullet; or,
(ii) Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing a lead or expanding point bullet using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent; or,
(iii) Any shotgun firing "00" or larger buckshot, or a slug.
(b) For the taking of antelope, deer, mountain lion, or gray wolf where designated as a trophy game animal, a hunter shall use:
(i) Any center-fire firearm of at least .22 caliber and having a bullet weight of at least sixty (60) grains and firing a cartridge at least two (2) inches in overall length, or any other cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one and one-half (1.5) inches in overall length, or a cartridge that generally delivers at least five hundred (500) foot pounds of impact at one hundred (100) yards; and using a lead or expanding point bullet; or,
(ii) Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing a lead or expanding point bullet using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent; or,
(iii) Any shotgun firing "00" or larger buckshot, or a slug.
Section 5. Firearms, cartridges and archery equipment that are legal for the taking of game birds.
(a) For the taking of game birds, excluding wild turkey, blue grouse and ruffed grouse, a hunter shall use:
(i) Any center-fire or muzzle loading shotgun not larger than a ten (10) gauge plugged to admit no more than one (1) shell in the chamber and two (2) shells in the magazine; or,
(ii) Any archery equipment.
(b) For the taking of wild turkey, a hunter shall use any shotgun, center-fire firearm, .22 WMR or .17 HMR rimfire firearm, any muzzle-loader, or any archery equipment.
(c) Blue grouse and ruffed grouse may be taken with a projectile fired by any weapon.
Section 6. Archery equipment that is legal for the taking of big or trophy game animals.
(a) For the taking of antelope, big horn sheep, black bear, deer, mountain goat, mountain lion, or gray wolf where designated as a trophy game animal, a hunter shall use a longbow, recurve bow or compound bow of not less than forty (40) pounds draw weight and an arrow equipped with a broadhead or expanding point designed to have a minimum cutting width of one (1) inch after impact.
(b) For the taking of elk, grizzly bear or moose, a hunter shall use a longbow, recurve bow or compound bow of not less than fifty (50) pounds draw weight and an arrow equipped with a broadhead or expanding point designed to have a minimum cutting width of one (1) inch after impact.
(c) For the taking of any big or trophy game animal with a crossbow, a hunter shall use a crossbow having a peak draw weight of at least ninety (90) pounds and a bolt of at least sixteen (16) inches in length equipped with a broadhead or expanding point designed to have a minimum cutting width of one (1) inch after impact.
Section 7. Violation of Commission Regulations. Failure to abide by the provisions of this regulation shall be punishable as provided by Wyoming statutes for violation of Commission regulations.
Section 8. Savings Clause. If any provision of this regulation shall be held to be illegal or unconstitutional, such a ruling shall not affect other provisions of this regulation which can be given effect without the illegal or unconstitutional provision; and, to this end, the provisions of this regulation shall be severable.
WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
By: Aaron Clark, President
Dated: November 15, 2012