"Guides Required" rule for non-residents
slickhorn
7/12/09 10:25am
I'm new to this forum and this is my first post, so I'd like to say hello to everyone. Looks like a really cool website with lots of good folks.
As a non-resident hunter, I am curious to hear from ya'll about finding places to hunt non-guided. I am aware that the law states that non-residents must hire a licensed professional guide when hunting on any designated wilderness area, national forest, national game refuge, or national park. With that said, what areas does that leave to hunt without a guide and how are the boundaries defined? I'm not against hiring a guide, but would prefer to hunt without one.
I'm planning to rely heavily on the biologist for the region I was drawn for to help me with info since I won't be able to do any scouting. My buddies and I will be coming from Texas for our first time to Wyoming. It will definitely be a learning experience and maybe one of us will get lucky.
As a non-resident hunter, I am curious to hear from ya'll about finding places to hunt non-guided. I am aware that the law states that non-residents must hire a licensed professional guide when hunting on any designated wilderness area, national forest, national game refuge, or national park. With that said, what areas does that leave to hunt without a guide and how are the boundaries defined? I'm not against hiring a guide, but would prefer to hunt without one.
I'm planning to rely heavily on the biologist for the region I was drawn for to help me with info since I won't be able to do any scouting. My buddies and I will be coming from Texas for our first time to Wyoming. It will definitely be a learning experience and maybe one of us will get lucky.
3,508
Guides are only required for desinated wilderness areas in the state of Wyoming
You DO NOT HAVE TO HIRE A GUIDE to hunt wilderness areas in Wyoming but either a Resident guide or licensed outfitter is required to hunt a wilderness area in the state of Wyoming.
Wyoming statute says nonresidents must have a licensed guide or resident companion to hunt big or trophy game in national forest wilderness areas. The resident companion will need to get a free non-commercial guide license from a Game and Fish office. The law does not prohibit nonresidents from hiking, fishing or hunting game birds or coyotes in wilderness areas. Only nonresident big and trophy game hunters must have a licensed guide or resident companion.
23-2-401.Guides required; exceptions; issuance of resident guide license.
(a) No nonresident shall hunt big or trophy game animals on any designated wilderness area, as defined by federal or state law, in this state unless accompanied by a licensed professional guide or a resident guide.
Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor as prescribed
under W.S. 23-2-417
(a).The Minium Fine is $110 and a misdemeanor charge for a first offense for a Non Resident caught hunting a wilderness area for Big game with out a Reisdent guide, Licensed Outfitter or a Licensed Guide.
23-2-401. Guides required; exceptions; issuance of resident guide license.
(b)Any resident possessing a valid resident big or trophy game animal license may apply for and receive a resident guide license. The resident guide license shall be issued without charge or bond by the commission, any district supervisor or resident game warden upon receipt of an affidavit from the resident stating the names and addresses of the nonresident hunters to be guided, the game to be hunted, the area to be hunted, and that the resident has not received nor will accept directly or indirectly any compensation for his services as a guide.
A resident guide shall not guide more than two (2) nonresident hunters in any calendar year on any national forest, wilderness area, national game refuge, or national park, except as provided in W.S. 23-2-401, nor shall he accept any compensation or gratuity for his services. The name and license number of the nonresident hunter shall be placed on the back of the resident guide license and stamped or signed by the issuer.
Cheyenne Headquarters Office(307) 777-4600
5400 Bishop Blvd, Cheyenne, WY 82006-0001
Jackson Regional Office 307) 733-2321
P.O. Box 67, 420 N. Cache, Jackson, WY 83001
Most of the Wyoming Wilderness is under
this offices jurisdiction.
I guess I need to learn the difference between areas designated wilderness & non wilderness, and then learn where those areas are located.
I'm just happy to be going up there. Should be a great experience.