Embarking on Wyoming Deer Season 2023-2024 opens the door to a realm where the majesty of Mule Deer and the distinctive features of White-tailed Deer become the focus of every hunter’s quest. Wyoming offers exceptional mule deer and white-tailed deer hunting opportunities across diverse landscapes. As the 2023-2024 deer seasons approach, here is a comprehensive guide covering key dates, regulations, licenses, and more to plan your Wyoming deer hunt.
Wyoming Deer Hunting Dates
The following table outlines the various 2023-2024 Wyoming deer seasons and legal hunting dates based on season type and method:
Deer Season:
General Season:
- Opening Date: August 15, 2023
- Closing Date: January 15, 2024
Archery Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Regular Firearm Season:
- Opening Date: November 1, 2023
- Closing Date: November 30, 2023
Special Archery Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Youth Archery Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Youth Regular Firearm Season:
- Opening Date: November 1, 2023
- Closing Date: November 30, 2023
Quota Limited Quota Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: November 30, 2023
Doe/Fawn Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: December 31, 2023
Antelope Season:
General Season:
- Opening Date: August 15, 2023
- Closing Date: December 31, 2023
- Emergency Rule in effect from May 25, 2023, with updates to hunt areas 53, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 101.
Archery Season:
- Opening Date: August 15, 2023
- Closing Date: October 14, 2023
- Emergency Rule in effect from May 25, 2023, with updates to hunt areas 53, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 101.
Elk Season:
General Cow/Calf Season:
- Opening Date: August 15, 2023
- Closing Date: January 31, 2024
Limited Cow/Calf Season:
- Opening Date: August 15, 2023
- Closing Date: January 31, 2024
Archery 1 Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Archery 4 Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 14, 2023
Archery 2 Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 25, 2025
Archery 3 Season:
- Opening Date: September 1, 2023
- Closing Date: September 19, 2023
Limited Any Elk Season:
- Opening Date: September 15, 2023
- Closing Date: January 31, 2024
General Any Elk Season:
- Opening Date: September 15, 2023
- Closing Date: January 31, 2024
Archery 6 Season:
- Opening Date: September 15, 2023
- Closing Date: September 30, 2023
Detailed Wyoming Deer Regulations
Overarching regulations related to mule deer and white-tailed deer hunting in Wyoming include:
- Hunters are required to have proof of completing an approved hunter safety course, while actively hunting. Exceptions apply to hunters born on or before January 1, 1966, and certain youth.
- It is the hunter’s responsibility to clearly identify the target as a legal deer prior to pulling the trigger. Shooting a deer by mistake is not a legally valid defense for killing any big game animal without a proper license.
- Unarmed big game hunting assistants may accompany a deer hunter in the field to assist in retrieving game or packing equipment, provided they have a valid bird or small game license if they intend to carry a firearm.
- Party hunting for big game animals is illegal in Wyoming. Each individual big game animal may only be harvested by the individual possessing the valid tag for that species.
- Crossbows are considered archery equipment in Wyoming. However, those born after January 1, 1966, must complete an archery certification program to use a crossbow.
Strict adherence to all Wyoming deer hunting regulations is advised, along with knowing the detailed restrictions for your specific hunt area before venturing out.
Wyoming Deer Bag Limits
Annual deer hunting bag limits in Wyoming are:
- General deer license holders: One antlered or any deer.
- Limited quota deer license holders: One antlered or any deer unless otherwise specified on license.
- Archery license holders: One antlered or any deer. License only valid in conjunction with general or limited quota deer license.
- Deer license holders have the option to apply for one limited quota ewe/lamb or doe/fawn license. If drawn, this limits options for buck harvest in specific hunt areas during overlapping seasons.
It is essential to review all deer hunting regulations before attempting harvest, as violations carry heavy penalties.
WY Deer, Antelope & Elk Licenses
Sure, let’s summarize the deer, antelope, and elk license fees from the provided list:
Deer Licenses:
Nonresident:
- Regular: $374.00
- Doe/Fawn: $34.00
- Landowner: $374.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $34.00
- Special: $662.00
- Youth: $110.00
- Youth Doe/Fawn: $19.00
- Youth Landowner: $110.00
- Youth Landowner Doe/Fawn: $19.00
Pioneer:
- Regular: $7.00
- Doe/Fawn: $7.00
- Heritage: $26.00
- Heritage Doe/Fawn: $18.00
- Heritage Landowner: $26.00
- Heritage Landowner Doe/Fawn: $18.00
- Landowner: $7.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $7.00
Resident:
- Regular: $42.00
- Doe/Fawn: $22.00
- Landowner: $42.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $22.00
- Youth: $15.00
- Youth Doe/Fawn: $14.00
- Youth Landowner: $15.00
- Youth Landowner Doe/Fawn: $14.00
Antelope Licenses:
Nonresident:
- Regular: $326.00
- Doe/Fawn: $34.00
- Landowner: $326.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $34.00
- Special: $614.00
- Youth: $110.00
- Youth Doe/Fawn: $19.00
- Youth Landowner: $110.00
- Youth Landowner Doe/Fawn: $19.00
Pioneer:
- Regular: $7.00
- Doe/Fawn: $7.00
- Heritage: $22.00
- Heritage Doe/Fawn: $18.00
- Heritage Landowner: $22.00
- Heritage Landowner Doe/Fawn: $18.00
- Landowner: $7.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $7.00
Resident:
- Regular: $37.00
- Doe/Fawn: $22.00
- Landowner: $37.00
- Landowner Doe/Fawn: $22.00
- Youth: $15.00
- Youth Doe/Fawn: $14.00
- Youth Landowner: $15.00
- Youth Landowner Doe/Fawn: $14.00
Elk Licenses:
Nonresident:
- Regular: $692.00
- Cow/Calf: $288.00
- Landowner: $692.00
- Landowner Cow/Calf: $288.00
- Special: $1,268.00
- Youth: $275.00
- Youth Cow/Calf: $100.00
- Youth Landowner: $275.00
- Youth Landowner Cow/Calf: $100.00
Pioneer:
- Regular: $10.00
- Landowner: $10.00
- Landowner Cow/Calf: $10.00
- Cow/Calf: $10.00
- Heritage: $35.00
- Heritage Cow/Calf: $27.00
- Heritage Landowner: $35.00
- Heritage Landowner Cow/Calf: $27.00
Resident:
- Regular: $57.00
- Landowner: $57.00
- Landowner Cow/Calf: $43.00
- Cow/Calf: $43.00
- Youth: $25.00
- Youth Cow/Calf: $20.00
- Youth Landowner: $25.00
- Youth Landowner Cow/Calf: $20.00
Please note that these prices are subject to additional application fees and conditions as mentioned in the provided information.
Wyoming Hunting Tags
After harvesting a deer, hunters must detach and completely fill out the tag from their license immediately upon leaving the site of kill. Tags contain unique identifying numbers that must match the number of the license validated for hunting. General deer tags are validated automatically upon purchase. Limited quota deer tags require additional fee validation.
The tag must be securely attached to the carcass in such a manner that it cannot be removed before the animal is transported or processed for storage from the site of kill. Keep your tag and license on your person at all times while scouting and hunting too.
Region-wise Quotas for Nonresident General Deer Licenses
Strict quotas are enforced across regions for nonresident general deer licenses in Wyoming. The quotas per region for 2023 are highlighted below:
Region A:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 1-5, 7-12, 16-27, 30, 34
- Quota: 800
Region B:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 6, 13, 28, 29, 72
- Quota: 1,800
Region C:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 31-33, 35-40, 43, 47, 49-51, 53-59, 63, 64
- Quota: 7,200
Region D:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 64A, 65, 66, 68, 69, 75, 76
- Quota: 700
Region E:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 70-73
- Quota: 700
Region F:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 77-79
- Quota: 300
Region G:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 80-82
- Quota: 800
Region H:
- Associated Hunt Areas: 83-86
- Quota: 2,100
These quotas represent the number of permits or licenses available for hunting in the specified hunt areas within each region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few queries related to the Wyoming Deer Season 2023-2024:
1. When does the general deer hunting season start and end in Wyoming for the year 2023-2024?
The general deer hunting season starts on August 15, 2023, and ends on January 15, 2024.
2. What are the specific dates for the archery season during the Wyoming Deer Season 2023-2024?
The archery season starts on September 1, 2023, and concludes on September 30, 2023.
3. Are there any special archery seasons for deer hunting, and what are the associated restrictions?
Yes, special archery seasons exist, starting on September 1, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2023. Archers must possess a limited quota or general deer license along with an archery license, and restrictions apply based on the hunt area and license type.
4. What is the duration of the general regular firearm season for deer hunting in Wyoming?
The general regular firearm season starts on November 1, 2023, and concludes on November 30, 2023.
5. Can youth hunters participate in the Wyoming Deer Season during the archery and regular firearm seasons?
Yes, youth hunters can participate in both archery and regular firearm seasons. The archery season for youth is from September 1 to September 30, and the regular firearm season for youth is from November 1 to November 30.
6. What is the hunting season extension permit, and how does it benefit hunters during the Wyoming Deer Season?
The Hunting Season Extension Permit allows qualified individuals to hunt deer five days prior to the earliest opening regular season date, subject to license type limitations. The permit must be produced for inspection upon request.
7. What are the characteristics that distinguish Mule Deer from White-tailed Deer in Wyoming?
Mule Deer have antlers that fork and fork again, a mostly white face, large ears, and a visible white area on the rear with a thin white tail and a black tip. White-tailed Deer have antlers with one main beam, a mostly brown face, proportional ears, and a dark tail covering a white patch on the rear.
8. What are the hunting dates for the Wyoming Antelope Season in 2023?
The Wyoming Antelope Season starts on August 15, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2023.
9. Are there any emergency rules or updates for the Antelope Season, and which hunt areas do they affect?
Yes, emergency rules effective May 25, 2023, impact hunt areas 53, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 101 for both general and archery seasons.
10. What are the start and end dates for the Wyoming Elk Season in 2023-2024?
The Elk Season includes various categories such as General Cow/Calf, Limited Cow/Calf, Archery 1, Archery 4, Archery 2, Archery 3, Limited Any Elk, General Any Elk, and Archery 6, with start dates ranging from August 15, 2023, to September 15, 2023, and end dates ranging from January 31, 2024, to September 30, 2023.
11. What are the characteristics that distinguish Mule Deer from White-tailed Deer in Wyoming?
Mule Deer characteristics include antlers that fork and fork again, a mostly white face, large ears, and a visible white area on the rear with a thin white tail and a black tip. White-tailed Deer have antlers with one main beam, a mostly brown face, proportional ears, and a dark tail covering a white patch on the rear.
12. What are the special archery seasons for deer hunting in Wyoming?
Special archery seasons for deer hunting in Wyoming vary by license type and individual hunt areas. Archers must possess a limited quota deer license or a general deer license along with an archery license during these seasons, and restrictions apply based on the hunt area and license type.
13. What are the regulations for youth deer hunters in Wyoming?
Youth hunters with a full-price youth deer license can take any deer during an antlered deer season in valid hunt areas. However, limitations apply based on license type, preventing the taking of mule deer in certain seasons.
14. What are Hunting Season Extension Permits, and how do they benefit hunters in Wyoming?
Hunting Season Extension Permits allow qualified individuals to hunt five days prior to the earliest opening regular season date, with specific restrictions. The permit must be produced for inspection upon request.
Schedules and rules source: Wyoming Game & Fish Dept.
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