This bill amends existing Wyoming game and fish laws to establish separate hunting licenses and seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. Key provisions include the creation of new definitions for these species as "big game animals," and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is empowered to promulgate rules for the issuance of separate hunting licenses and seasons specifically for mule deer and whitetail deer. Additionally, the bill introduces various amendments to existing sections, including the establishment of fees for both resident and nonresident licenses for each deer species, as well as provisions for preference point programs for nonresident hunters.

The bill also includes provisions for the issuance of complimentary licenses, the management of hunting licenses for youth with life-threatening illnesses, and the handling of landowner coupons associated with deer hunting. It specifies that 40% of available nonresident licenses for both mule and whitetail deer will be set aside for a national bow hunt. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the management and regulation of deer hunting in Wyoming by differentiating between the two species.

Statutes affected:
25LSO-0059 v0.5: 23-1-101, 23-1-302, 23-1-703, 23-1-705, 23-2-101, 23-3-102, 23-3-105, 23-3-301, 35-7-1302