Wyoming Elk 2023

[vandeman17]

Ok, I may be old, but I can still read !!    Look at this Karl, I see zero general non res tags given out to peeps with less than 4 points.  Am I seeing it wrong?

In the preference point pool that is correct but in the random its just that, random. You have the same chance as someone with 10 points as long as they didn't draw the tag using those preference points

[Ghost Hunter]

Officially in for bust on a special random draw for Type 1 undisclosed unit.  Waiting on son to see if his schedule fits.  September archery/crossbow option will kick in if he doesn't make the party. 

[trophyhunt]

I’m in!!

[Mtnwalker]

I'm curious how the regular/special will trend this year with the (previously) pending changes.. will more people lean special to guarantee burning their points? Or will regular just get flooded... hmm

[Ghost Hunter]

Yes and yes

[vandeman17]

From what I have been hearing, the 2024 changes were not implemented

[Mtnwalker]

From what I have been hearing, the 2024 changes were not implemented

I still think there will be an influx of apps that were in before they made that decision... hopefully I'm wrong

[vandeman17]

From what I have been hearing, the 2024 changes were not implemented

I still think there will be an influx of apps that were in before they made that decision... hopefully I'm wrong

Very possible yes or people still applying while not knowing of the change.

[idahohuntr]

From what I have been hearing, the 2024 changes were not implemented

I believe the original bill was pulled, but a nearly identical house bill was introduced last week and some WY gurus are still saying the price increases are very likely.  Sounds like something more procedural in removing the original bill and replacing it with the new one...either way, plan on $2k elk tags and $1.2k deer/antelope in 2024.

[vandeman17]

From what I have been hearing, the 2024 changes were not implemented

I believe the original bill was pulled, but a nearly identical house bill was introduced last week and some WY gurus are still saying the price increases are very likely.  Sounds like something more procedural in removing the original bill and replacing it with the new one...either way, plan on $2k elk tags and $1.2k deer/antelope in 2024.

Back and forth and back and forth... 

[dvolmer]

https://blog.eastmans.com/good-news-for-wyoming-non-resident-hunters/?mc_cid=d5f672acd0&mc_eid=9ed2ad9e32

[bobcat]

https://blog.eastmans.com/good-news-for-wyoming-non-resident-hunters/?mc_cid=d5f672acd0&mc_eid=9ed2ad9e32

But it has resurfaced, unfortunately.

[dvolmer]

https://blog.eastmans.com/good-news-for-wyoming-non-resident-hunters/?mc_cid=d5f672acd0&mc_eid=9ed2ad9e32

But it has resurfaced, unfortunately.

  yes but I think this article is saying the resurfaced version was shot down also. This article came out today.  But that doesn’t mean we won’t see it again. I think there were issues with it being generated in the state Senate when a bill like this has to start in the State House.  It was questioned to be unconstitutional in Wyoming because this revenue bill needs to start in the House.  If not this year, probably see it next year.

[Stein]

It is going to be a trend as odds decrease due to more residents, they will want to move the nonresident tags into the resident pool and since they are the ones that vote, they will get it.  Even if it's a question of revenue, they will be willing to pay more.

Some states might go faster than others and at different levels, but it's only a matter of time.  Tags will move out of the DIY nonresident pool.

[dvolmer]

It is going to be a trend as odds decrease due to more residents, they will want to move the nonresident tags into the resident pool and since they are the ones that vote, they will get it.  Even if it's a question of revenue, they will be willing to pay more.

Some states might go faster than others and at different levels, but it's only a matter of time.  Tags will move out of the DIY nonresident pool.

Stein, You have some good points here.  I do think Wyoming is unique in one way compared to other western states.  Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, etc etc are having a huge influx of new residents that are causing the game dept's to take a look at NR opportunities and tag allocations.  In these states I think you will see prices go higher and the number of NR tag opportunities decrease.  Wyoming is unique in that they are not growing in population and staying pretty stagnant at less than 600K total population in a very big state.  For this reason, it is my opinion that 90/10 for deer, antelope, and elk will not come to pass anytime soon if ever at all.  It was just about immediately dismissed by the Task Force.  I can see why they did it for moose and sheep with such small tag quotas but for D/A/E the residents of the state still have unbelievable opportunities to hunt these three species year after year the way the allocations are currently.  It would be like having the state of Washington with no cities in it except Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Walla Walla.  No Spokane, no King County, nothing at all!  On top of that imagine Washington with triple the amount of elk, deer, and additional half million antelope at least and no off-reservation native harvest.  Hard to really comprehend actually. They have so much opportunity as residents in Wyoming that changing the current quotas to 90/10 really wouldn't be that noticeable.   But the loss of revenue due to 90/10 would be big to the States budget.  Just the cost to run a state like that with so few residents would be massive and shared with just the 600K residents would be burdensome.  I do believe the tag costs will increase considerably over the next few years and I mean all of the tags and not just the special.  They are just too valuable in the 49 state market.  They could double all of their tag costs and they would still be overrun with applicants.  Business wise this is a no-brainer in my opinion.

Some guys think this will be the "End of Hunting" and say "Its became a rich mans sport only" but this really isn't true.  It will be a rich mans sport to hunt out of state as a non-resident but everyone has the opportunity to hunt in the state THEY CHOOSE to live in for a reasonable price that doesn't break the bank.  These states can charge what they want for the animals they own that they decide to sell to residents of other states.  The residents of the state own the animals of the state no matter where in that state they reside.  They own the animals on private property, state lands, and federal lands within their state boundaries.  So the arguments that I see by some that the animals are on federal lands and so forth are not valid.  As the prices of the tags go through the roof and the quotas reduced along with all of the massive influx of new applicants arise, you can blame it all on the things you have come to love and use so much: Social media, the internet, OnX, HuntingPhool, GoHunt, Randy Newberg, Youtube, hunting TV, etc etc.....  If you were the kind of guy that hunted hard 10 or more years ago and did all of your own sweat and blood research, scouting, landowner PR, and so forth, you have seen what you loved go to Hell and a Hand-basket.  They have glorified the resource along with spoon-feeding the dummies. These two things have just about ruined western hunting.