Apply now For Resident Limited Quota Elk, Deer, Antelope licenses
by Wyoming Game & Fish
May 3, 2012
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 many residents start making plans for their fall hunting trips.
The Game and Fish has been accepting resident applications online since the first of the year, but the month of May is when the WGFD starts accepting paper applications.
May 31, at 5 p.m.is the deadline date for applications to be included in the drawing. This deadline is applicable for both paper and online applications. For hunters that choose to apply through the mail, 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 insure against potential delays with mail services," Cole said.
Applying online also helps eliminate errors. 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, 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 Game and Fish website http://wgfd.wyo.gov. Currently, more than 80 percent of applications processed are received online.
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 Game and Fish, 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 Game and Fish website and modify the application any time during the application period.
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 2012. Big game summary maps for elk, deer, and antelope, listing seasons and quotas for 2012, should be available by May 7 at Game and Fish offices and license selling agents. Information on hunting seasons and license quotas should also be available online by the first week of May.
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