CHEYENNE, Wyo. - For many hunters, May signifies the unofficial start of the big game hunting season. No big game hunting takes place in May, but it is the month when residents start making plans for their fall hunting trips. The month of May is the resident application period for limited quota elk, deer and antelope licenses.
The application deadline is normally May 31, but since that falls on a holiday this year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will accept applications received by 5 p.m. mountain time on June 1. The Game and Fish advises hunters that all applications must be received in the Cheyenne office by the deadline date to be entered in the drawing, regardless of the postmark date.
To reduce the uncertainty of mailed applications getting in on time, license manager Jean Cole encourages hunters to use the online process for applying for licenses. "Applying online will ensure against potential delays with mail service," Cole said.
Online applications also help eliminate errors on applications. When a hunter fills out an application field incorrectly, the error or omission is noted on the online application and the hunter must make the correction before proceeding. While the majority of hunters are applying online, (more than 72 percent applied online last year) hunters who choose to apply by mail are advised to get their applications in early to avoid possible delays. To apply online, hunters need to go to the Wyoming Game and Fish website http://gf.state.wy.us <http://gf.state.wy.us/> .
According to Cole, applying online offers a number of advantages over the mail-in applications. "They can be processed faster and require less manpower," Cole said. "Not only does this represent a significant cost saving for the department, it also expedites the timing of the drawings."
In addition, online applicants who apply and then change their mind on area selection can easily go into the department website and modify the application any time during the application period.
Cole said that all applications, whether paper or online, must be received by the deadline date to be valid.
Hunters should be aware that some areas have changes from previous years. Hunters should carefully examine summary maps to verify season dates and license quotas in effect for 2010. Big game summary maps for elk, deer and antelope, listing seasons and quotas for 2010, are now available at Game and Fish offices and license selling agents. Information on hunting seasons and license quota is also available online. For more information, contact Al Langston at 307.777.4540.
