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 the establishment of distinct hunting seasons for both types of deer. Additionally, the bill introduces specific license fees for residents and nonresidents, including a fee structure for youth licenses, and sets aside a portion of nonresident licenses for a national bow hunt.

The bill also includes various amendments to existing statutes, such as the inclusion of mule and whitetail deer in the context of hunting licenses, preference point programs, and penalties for illegal hunting. It specifies that 40% of available nonresident licenses for both mule and whitetail deer will be allocated to nonresident applicants, and it outlines the process for landowners to receive compensation for deer killed on their property. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

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