The bill amends existing Wyoming game and fish laws to establish separate hunting licenses and seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. It introduces new legal language that empowers the commission to create rules for the issuance of these separate licenses and to set distinct hunting seasons for each deer type. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for nonresident hunting licenses, specifying that 40% of available licenses for both mule and whitetail deer will be allocated to nonresident applicants. The fees for these licenses are also defined, with both resident and nonresident licenses set at $40 and $372, respectively.

Furthermore, the bill makes conforming amendments throughout various sections of the law, including definitions of wildlife, limitations on license numbers, and the issuance of complimentary licenses. It also addresses the penalties for illegal hunting of these deer species and outlines the process for landowners to receive compensation for deer killed on their property. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 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