Hunters required to apply online in 2014
by Wyoming Game & Fish
December 23, 2013
Beginning January 2014, hunters will be required to use an online application process to apply to hunt in Wyoming.
"Due to the recent budget cuts, printing and distribution costs and temporary clerical staff for processing paper applications was cut," said Jennifer Doering, license section manager for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
"We had planned to go paperless with our application process in 2015, the cuts moved our timeline up one year."
The majority of hunters already submit applications through the department’s electronic licensing system (ELS) with 95 percent of applications from both resident and non-residents coming in via the ELS. The ELS is accessible via the WGFD website at wgfd.wyo.govwgfd.wyo.gov.
All nine WGFD offices are prepared to help those who need assistance.
"We anticipate some of our customers will need help with the process, so we have very knowledgeable and professional staff members in all of our offices across the state and in our call center who are ready to help," Doering added. "In addition to our staff, each office will have a computer station available for walk-ins to apply right on the spot. We are trying to make it as easy as possible."
"An advantage of using the online process is the flexibility to wait until the very last minute to plan out a hunt and actually apply," Doering said. "A separate, helpful tool is the Plan Your Hunt section of our website."
Private, third-party application services exist to help hunters navigate the application processes of various states. Those who wish to use a Wyoming outfitter for their hunt may also find the outfitter’s assistance valuable during the application process. For a list of outfitters in Wyoming, visit the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association website (wgfd.wyo.govwww.wyoga.org).
Application deadlines for each species will remain unchanged from previous years. The deadlines for non-resident elk and resident spring wild turkey applications (5 p.m. January 31, 2014) will be the first for which the online-only application process is in effect. For a full list of application deadlines, see wgfd.wyo.gov (select "Hunting" then "Plan Your Hunt").
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