The bill mandates the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to issue bear coupons for specific hunting licenses, particularly for elk licenses issued in 2026 and 2027 outside the greater Yellowstone ecosystem recovery zone. These bear coupons will allow hunters to take one bear (brown, black, or grizzly) in designated areas without requiring an additional license fee. The bill also stipulates that the commission must provide evidence of grizzly bear population recovery to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service before issuing these coupons, and it emphasizes that no grizzly bears can be taken within the greater Yellowstone ecosystem recovery zone.

Additionally, the bill includes amendments to existing statutes regarding hunting licenses and establishes a timeline for the Game and Fish Commission to adopt necessary rules by January 1, 2026. The act will take effect immediately upon completion of legislative processes, with specific provisions becoming effective either ten days after the commission certifies the removal of grizzly bears from the endangered species list or on January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 23-1-703, 23-2-101, 23-3-105