Wyoming Wilderness Restriction on Non-res

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, the animals belong to the state even though the land belongs to the feds.  But to a degree, because animals in national parks are under control of the feds.  Or is it that the feds in areas outside of parks just cede animals to the state?

[bigtex]

Yeah, the animals belong to the state even though the land belongs to the feds.  But to a degree, because animals in national parks are under control of the feds.  Or is it that the feds in areas outside of parks just cede animals to the state?

Well we're talking about Wilderness Areas not National Parks so that really doesn't matter.

But to your question. It all depends on the jurisdiction of the National Park. Exclusive jurisdiction parks are 100% federal control, local and state government has no authority. In order for the feds to get exclusive jurisdiction the state has to cede it to the feds. This is typically the larger older parks. Federal law actually says the NPS should work towards eliminating exclusive jurisdiction, problem is many states and counties don't want to take it back because now they're responsible for it. In WA only Olympic and Mt. Rainier are exclusive, WDFW can obviously help but the feds are the head hanchos.

[ridgefire]

Imo it's complete joke. I wonder how much they patrol it and what the fine is.

[time2hunt]

Imo it's complete joke. I wonder how much they patrol it and what the fine is.

The guides patrol it real well if they see out state plate they turn it in or deal with the matter them self. I know a group that had every tire slashed on there trucks and trailer for going into the wilderness unguided.   


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Knocker of rocks]

You are right, not illegal to hunt but you must be accompanied by an outfitter or resident licensed guide.

Probably better to say "registered" guide.  limiting commercial access to Federal lands based solely on state residency is against the law

[Mr Mykiss]

unless it creeps again 

By "creeps" you mean the odds of drawing get better when you have more points right?

[Mr Mykiss]

Or you mean creeps like...

[DOUBLELUNG]

It's so the outfitters don't have competition from un-guided non-resident hunters. And you actually can hunt in wilderness- just not for big game. I don't like it but really don't have a problem with it. States have the right to regulate hunting any way they want. They could just as easily make it so that non-residents cannot buy a deer or elk tag unless you go through an outfitter. But instead, they are very generous with the percentage of deer and elk tags that are allocated for non-residents. Their fees are also reasonable. So I don't hold it against them too much that we can't hunt wilderness areas. Although it's obvious that it's simply outfitter welfare. I believe if you were to ask the WGFD the reasoning for the regulation, they would say it's to prevent incompetent non-resident hunters from becoming lost and/or injured in the wilderness.

Bob got it mostly right, however, as I used to answer that question for WGFD, the answer they give is that WYOGA (the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association) petitioned the Legislature to pass it and they did.  It is true that WYOGA did give that safety concern as a reason, but there's not much argument it was passed to economically benefit outfitters - period.  The resident guide license (a Wyoming resident can take up to two nonresidents big game hunting in wilderness areas per season, no compensation can be given) was added by the Legislature in response to constituents concerned about not being able to hunt with their friends or relatives who had moved out of state. 

There was one challenge in federal court under the Commerce clause that failed.  I do believe it can be repealed but would require a nonresident plaintiff to appeal in federal court on the basis of violation of the equal protection clause.   

[trophyhunt]

I've been applying for ten years for elk, when I draw, I'm probably hunting the wilderness if that's where I have to go to find the elk.

[longrange7mm]

It's so the outfitters don't have competition from un-guided non-resident hunters. And you actually can hunt in wilderness- just not for big game. I don't like it but really don't have a problem with it. States have the right to regulate hunting any way they want. They could just as easily make it so that non-residents cannot buy a deer or elk tag unless you go through an outfitter. But instead, they are very generous with the percentage of deer and elk tags that are allocated for non-residents. Their fees are also reasonable. So I don't hold it against them too much that we can't hunt wilderness areas. Although it's obvious that it's simply outfitter welfare. I believe if you were to ask the WGFD the reasoning for the regulation, they would say it's to prevent incompetent non-resident hunters from becoming lost and/or injured in the wilderness.

I guess i can understand it but the idea of not being able to hunt federal land really chaffs me. I wonder if its ever been challenged in court, ill have to do some research.

Good luck with that hope you have some $ to piss away! There are ways around it, Find a willing resident and they can take/ accompany you into the wilderness. I not only like this rule but love it. The resident guide permit is nothing more than running into the G&F office showing ID to prove residence sign an affidavit you will not except money and they print you one off. I have done this several times as a resident for buddies.

[huntnphool]

 I'd be curious to know how many Wyoming "outfitters" are actually non residents.

 This was the issue in Montana a few years back that led to Initiative 161.

[longrange7mm]

I'd be curious to know how many Wyoming "outfitters" are actually non residents.

 This was the issue in Montana a few years back that led to Initiative 161.

According to the states outfitter directing there are 303 licensed outfitters, 27 of them are non resident outfitters. There are 3 that operate in wilderness according to there description. and out of those 3, I personally know one of them and the owner lives in Cody. I did notice the majority of those 27 non resident outfitters advertise private land hunts only and a select few operate on National forest. I highly doubt there will be any changes to this law 

http://outfitters.state.wy.us/

[Miles]

Imo it's complete joke. I wonder how much they patrol it and what the fine is.

The guides patrol it real well if they see out state plate they turn it in or deal with the matter them self. I know a group that had every tire slashed on there trucks and trailer for going into the wilderness unguided.   


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's pretty dumb considering a resident military person could be stationed there and have out of state plates.   I have a good friend there that is a resident with Alaska plates...

[longrange7mm]

Imo it's complete joke. I wonder how much they patrol it and what the fine is.

The guides patrol it real well if they see out state plate they turn it in or deal with the matter them self. I know a group that had every tire slashed on there trucks and trailer for going into the wilderness unguided.   


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's pretty dumb considering a resident military person could be stationed there and have out of state plates.   I have a good friend there that is a resident with Alaska plates...

I dont buy that bro, My work truck has Montana plates and Im always parked at different wilderness trail-heads with it. I have never once had an issue. Stay out of Big Horn county though them county niners are a bunch of redneck hillbilly *censored*s 

[NRA4LIFE]

I don't like it either.  I solved the problem.  I stopped hunting in WY.  I haven't given a dime to that state in 15 years or better.