Wyo. Code R. 040-0001-32
Effective Date: 07/02/2012 to 09/19/2012
Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 040.0001.32.07022012
(Emergency rules are no longer in effect 120 days after filing with Secretary of State.)
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 and Effective Date. 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 This regulation shall remain in effect until modified or repealed by the Commission.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.
Section 4. Firearms and cartridges that are legal for the taking of big or trophy game animals.
(a) Big or trophy game animals shall only be taken by the use of a firearm which has a barrel bore diameter of at least twenty-three hundredths (23/100) of an inch and is chambered to fire a center-fire cartridge not less than two (2) inches in overall length, including a soft or expanding point bullet seated to a normal depth, or a muzzle-loading rifle which has a barrel bore diameter of at least forty hundredths (40/100) of an inch and a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or equivalent, or a muzzle-loading specialty single shot handgun which has a barrel length of not less than ten (10) inches, a bore diameter of at least forty-five hundredths (45/100) of an inch and which propels a projectile of two hundred forty (240) grains at not less than five hundred (500) foot pounds at one hundred (100) yards.
(b) In addition, the Commission authorizes any other cartridge fired from a firearm that has a barrel bore diameter of at least thirty-five hundredths (35/100) of an inch and the cartridge generally delivers at least five hundred (500) foot pounds of impact at one hundred (100) yards and cartridges used are loaded with a soft, or expanding point bullet.
Section 5. Firearms and cartridges that are legal for the taking of game birds.
(a) Game birds, excluding blue and ruffed grouse, may only be taken with a shotgun not larger than ten (10) gauge. Automatic loading, pump or repeating shotguns must be plugged to admit no more than one (1) shell in the chamber and two (2) shells in the magazine.
(b) Firearms using center-fire cartridges, muzzle-loading arms or firearms of twenty-two (.22) magnum caliber may be used to take wild turkeys.
Section 6. Archery equipment that is legal for the taking of big or trophy game animals.
(a) For the taking of antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, deer, mountain goat or mountain lion, the longbow hunter shall be equipped with a longbow of not less than forty (40) pounds draw weight or possessing the ability to cast an arrow of four hundred (400) grain weight at least one hundred sixty (160) yards.
(b) For the taking of elk, grizzly bear or moose, the longbow hunter shall be equipped with a longbow of not less than fifty (50) pounds draw weight or possessing the ability to cast a hunting arrow of five hundred (500) grain weight at least one hundred sixty (160) yards.
(c) For the taking of any big or trophy game animal with the use of a crossbow, the crossbow hunter shall be equipped with a crossbow of not less than ninety (90) pounds draw weight which has a minimum draw length of fourteen (14) inches (from front of bow to back of string in the cocked position) and a positive safety mechanism. Crossbow bolts shall be at least sixteen (16) inches long.
(d) The broadhead of arrows or crossbow bolts used to take any big or trophy game animals shall be made of sharp steel and have a minimum cutting width of one (1) inch.
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
Aaron Clark, President
Dated: June 26, 2012