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2003 Legislature Bolsters G&F Funding; Assists Access, Disabled Hunters and Anglers
WGFD
03/21/2003
CHEYENNE – As license fees and wolves dominated the spotlight of wildlife legislation in the 2003 Wyoming Legislature, several other bills passed that will benefit everyone with an interest in wildlife.
“Overall this was a good, productive legislative session for the Game and Fish Department and Wyoming’s hunters and anglers,” said Bill Wichers, G&F deputy director. “Funding was our No. 1 concern, and the majority of funding bills passed which will ensure the agency can continue its current level of programs and services.”
Foremost was the bill that increases all hunting and fishing licenses approximately 20 percent, except for youth licenses and most 1-day tags.
The legislature also expanded Wyoming’s “special license” concept. Now, 40 percent of the nonresident deer and anteleope licenses will be available in a special drawing at $200 more than the regular fee. Forty percent of nonresident elk licenses will be available at $400 more than the regular fee.
A bill that would have permitted a preference point system for nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses was defeated. “Most nonresidents were behind this proposal as it would give them more predictability regarding when they would draw a license,” Wichers said.
He adds the G&F is happy about the wolf legislation that passed. “This bill helps establish a common-sense framework to get the gray wolf managed by the state,” he said. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel have indicated this bill should satisfy their requirements regarding classification and management of wolves, and allow their delisting process on the species to proceed.”
Of bills that didn’t receive the notoriety of funding and wolves, Wichers says the G&F is pleased the legislature established a Wyoming free fishing day. The bill allows the G&F Commission to designate one day annually where residents and nonresidents can fish without a license or conservation stamp. Anglers will still be governed by all fishing limits and regulations on the free day, which begins this year. The G&F Commission will designate the day at their April 21-22 meeting.
More free fishing resulted from this session for resident veterans who are 50 percent or more disabled, who will be able to get a free lifetime fishing license in 2004.
Wildlife violators will be contributing to the G&F’s access easement program beginning in 2004, too. County and district court ordered restitution money that formerly went to the state’s general fund, is now earmarked to the G&F’s access easement program under a new law that passed. The G&F expects this to be about a $50,000 annual boost to the program. Wildlife fines will still go to the school district where the violation occurred. Disabled hunters will get an assist with “disabled hunter companion permits.” A person with this free permit can kill and retrieve an animal that a disabled hunter has wounded.
The price of the lifetime conservation stamp – available to both residents and nonresidents – will go from $75 to $150 in 2004. The bill directs half the price to the G&F’s access easement account and the other half to the G&F trust account.
Beginning in 2004, residents who have lived in Wyoming for at least the last 10 years can buy a lifetime game bird/small game license for $250. The G&F currently offers a lifetime fishing and lifetime combination fishing/game bird/small game.
A bill establishes two classes of pioneer big game licenses. Those Wyomingites born before 1930 and who have 40 years of continuous Cowboy State residency can apply for $2 antelope and deer licenses and $5 elk licenses. Those hunters 70 and over with 50 years of continuous residency will qualify for elk, deer and antelope licenses “not less than 60 percent nor more than 65 percent of the price of a regular license.” When the bill goes into effect next year, it will mean an antelope license will cost this group of pioneers $16 and an elk license about $26.
Another bill prohibits the use of aircraft to aid in the taking of wildlife.
WGFD
03/21/2003
CHEYENNE – As license fees and wolves dominated the spotlight of wildlife legislation in the 2003 Wyoming Legislature, several other bills passed that will benefit everyone with an interest in wildlife.
“Overall this was a good, productive legislative session for the Game and Fish Department and Wyoming’s hunters and anglers,” said Bill Wichers, G&F deputy director. “Funding was our No. 1 concern, and the majority of funding bills passed which will ensure the agency can continue its current level of programs and services.”
Foremost was the bill that increases all hunting and fishing licenses approximately 20 percent, except for youth licenses and most 1-day tags.
The legislature also expanded Wyoming’s “special license” concept. Now, 40 percent of the nonresident deer and anteleope licenses will be available in a special drawing at $200 more than the regular fee. Forty percent of nonresident elk licenses will be available at $400 more than the regular fee.
A bill that would have permitted a preference point system for nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses was defeated. “Most nonresidents were behind this proposal as it would give them more predictability regarding when they would draw a license,” Wichers said.
He adds the G&F is happy about the wolf legislation that passed. “This bill helps establish a common-sense framework to get the gray wolf managed by the state,” he said. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel have indicated this bill should satisfy their requirements regarding classification and management of wolves, and allow their delisting process on the species to proceed.”
Of bills that didn’t receive the notoriety of funding and wolves, Wichers says the G&F is pleased the legislature established a Wyoming free fishing day. The bill allows the G&F Commission to designate one day annually where residents and nonresidents can fish without a license or conservation stamp. Anglers will still be governed by all fishing limits and regulations on the free day, which begins this year. The G&F Commission will designate the day at their April 21-22 meeting.
More free fishing resulted from this session for resident veterans who are 50 percent or more disabled, who will be able to get a free lifetime fishing license in 2004.
Wildlife violators will be contributing to the G&F’s access easement program beginning in 2004, too. County and district court ordered restitution money that formerly went to the state’s general fund, is now earmarked to the G&F’s access easement program under a new law that passed. The G&F expects this to be about a $50,000 annual boost to the program. Wildlife fines will still go to the school district where the violation occurred. Disabled hunters will get an assist with “disabled hunter companion permits.” A person with this free permit can kill and retrieve an animal that a disabled hunter has wounded.
The price of the lifetime conservation stamp – available to both residents and nonresidents – will go from $75 to $150 in 2004. The bill directs half the price to the G&F’s access easement account and the other half to the G&F trust account.
Beginning in 2004, residents who have lived in Wyoming for at least the last 10 years can buy a lifetime game bird/small game license for $250. The G&F currently offers a lifetime fishing and lifetime combination fishing/game bird/small game.
A bill establishes two classes of pioneer big game licenses. Those Wyomingites born before 1930 and who have 40 years of continuous Cowboy State residency can apply for $2 antelope and deer licenses and $5 elk licenses. Those hunters 70 and over with 50 years of continuous residency will qualify for elk, deer and antelope licenses “not less than 60 percent nor more than 65 percent of the price of a regular license.” When the bill goes into effect next year, it will mean an antelope license will cost this group of pioneers $16 and an elk license about $26.
Another bill prohibits the use of aircraft to aid in the taking of wildlife.
