Wyoming Non Resident Preference Point Increase

[LostArra]

Thanks.

Should have been more clear.

A non resident is required to have a guide in an area designated as wilderness?

"Guide" is a sketchy description in this case. Not necessarily an outfitter.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Do the dates work this year? Usually the WY deadline is before the CO results.

Works this year. Colorado results before Wyo deadline.

 

[Steve O]

Thanks.

Should have been more clear.

A non resident is required to have a guide in an area designated as wilderness?

You either need a guide or a resident who gets a free permit to accompany you. And he/she must be with you, not sitting in camp.

 

[2Stamp]

Thanks.

Should have been more clear.

A non resident is required to have a guide in an area designated as wilderness?

Yes. From the WYG&F site:

Do I need an outfitter?​

Nonresident big and trophy game hunters must obtain a professional outfitter or resident guide while hunting in any federally designated wilderness area. The Wyoming Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides must license all outfitters.

• A resident guide license may be obtained from the Wyoming Game and Fish Departent by any resident possessing a valid big or trophy game license. A resident guide may only take up to two nonresidents in a wilderness area per year, provided they do not accept any gratuity or compensation.

ETA: saw someone else already answered.

 

[2Stamp]

Im guessing the price of g&f wages and benefits are the biggest driver of the dept’s cost increase. Its the biggest line on most organizations books, so it would stand to reason. Anyone know?

If thats true, then we can blame the skyrocketing price of health insurance, housing, gas and groceries for this.

Since WY just completed the budget session last month, this info is out there for anyone to find.

https://wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2026/02-20260105040-GandF-210-FY26WGFCBudget-Finalasof7.2025.pdf

 

[Macintosh]

Since WY just completed the budget session last month, this info is out there for anyone to find.

https://wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2026/02-20260105040-GandF-210-FY26WGFCBudget-Finalasof7.2025.pdf

View attachment 1056404

So, yes, unless they went on a hiring spree in 2026 it is.

 

[CorbLand]

So, yes, unless they went on a hiring spree in 2026 it is.

Yep. A 2.5% wage increase would add more than 1.25 million just to the payroll expenses.

 

[Rich M]

I dont really think it should come as a surprise to anyone that it gets folks riled up to be used as nothing more than a cash cow on a resource that by and large happens on federal public land where we all contribute equally, resident and nonresident. Yes, I know wildlife is separated from land for a GOOD reason, but it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. There IS a clear correlation to peoples support for public land and their connection to that land, so there is a reason to keep hunting accessible to average-income non residents in that sense.

A few years ago a wy general elk tag was a couple years of points. Now its at least double that. Ive got a year or two more until I’ll draw. Im only in my 50’s, but its looking more and more like its not out of the realm of possibility that my next wy general elk tag will be a once in a lifetime tag for me. That certainly has me evaluating whether its worth it to even bother buying points after I draw that tag, regardless of whether thats $50 or $75.

Frankly, I dont think there is much of a future in non-resident western big game hunting. Imo before long the odds will be so low that it’ll be a once in a lifetime thing for almost anyone regardless of what they can afford. Id rather put my energy into something I can do more often. I think if very many people take that attitude the floor will drop out of wyomings and other western states funding math (at least the pp portion), and then residents will have some real hard choices to make.

Nobody ever said folks had to go and NR hunt every year. OIL is still a trip worth enjoying.

The states will always have more than enough NR folks to pay the bills. Hunting isnt over, it is just changing due to heavy demand.

 

[Macintosh]

Nobody ever said folks had to go and NR hunt every year. OIL is still a trip worth enjoying.

The states will always have more than enough NR folks to pay the bills. Hunting isnt over, it is just changing due to heavy demand.

You’re right if course, its absolutely worth it. But as a lifestyle the way a lot of people have been treating out of state hunting in the west the last 10-15 years it’s undeniably a lot harder than it was even a few years ago, and getting worse.
Most people are not going to obsess over something year round if they cant do it somewhat regularly. Once its unattainable the allure is much less for me. Id rather go on a backpacking trip every year than go hunting once every 10 or 20 years. I can still hunt at home for 4+ straight months each year on otc tags, I dont need to travel to hunt. I’ll get back in when I can draw somewhat frequently. If Im still kicking.

 

[BLJ]

Thanks @2Stamp and @Steve O

 

[CMF]

Quit whining and put the work in. If you want to be cheap, hunt somewhere else. Guys will spend $750 on a pack, $1200 on a bow, $1000 on clothing, $300 on boots, $2000 on binos and then complain about a $75 fee.

I see your point, but it's not JUST a $75 fee when it takes 4,5,6 or 10 points just to draw a general. You start applying next year, and you'll be $750 in before drawing general elk. In just points, not even the tag, that will probably also double by the time you draw, so probably over 2500 to hunt an elk in WY in ten years. once.
Not to mention how that compounds with more species, plus kids, etc....

I do wish, we could have some type of measurable data to show how the money is allocated and if its effectively being used. I fear that the majority of these Wildlife departments are going the way of public schools. 90% of the budget used on admins and 10% on the animals.

That's my complaint too.
Guys with money are ok it with it, cause it's less people in the pool and better odds for them.
But I can't stand the constant increases with nothing new to show for it.

All these price increases across the West are simple - supply and demand.
Western Hunting is at an all time high for demand and the supply is somewhat limited.

Public resources shouldn't just be sold to the highest bidder because of supply and demand. What is being done with the extra money? It would make sense to increase the price if they used the money to increase supply, but where is that happening? Nowhere.
There is plenty of private land and landowner tag opportunities for those who want pay to play.

I've never seen so many people so excited to bend over and take it up the a$$. Just remember, they'll keep increasing prices and at some point you won't be able to afford it.

Right.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I see your point, but it's not JUST a $75 fee when it takes 4,5,6 or 10 points just to draw a general. You start applying next year, and you'll be $750 in before drawing general elk. In just points, not even the tag, that will probably also double by the time you draw, so probably over 2500 to hunt an elk in WY in ten years. once.
Not to mention how that compounds with more species, plus kids, etc....

That's my complaint too.
Guys with money are ok it with it, cause it's less people in the pool and better odds for them.
But I can't stand the constant increases with nothing new to show for it.

Public resources shouldn't just be sold to the highest bidder because of supply and demand. What is being done with the extra money? It would make sense to increase the price if they used the money to increase supply, but where is that happening? Nowhere.
There is plenty of private land and landowner tag opportunities for those who want pay to play.

Right.

Very well said sir,

 

[CorbLand]

I see your point, but it's not JUST a $75 fee when it takes 4,5,6 or 10 points just to draw a general. You start applying next year, and you'll be $750 in before drawing general elk. In just points, not even the tag, that will probably also double by the time you draw, so probably over 2500 to hunt an elk in WY in ten years. once.
Not to mention how that compounds with more species, plus kids, etc....

That's my complaint too.
Guys with money are ok it with it, cause it's less people in the pool and better odds for them.
But I can't stand the constant increases with nothing new to show for it.

Public resources shouldn't just be sold to the highest bidder because of supply and demand. What is being done with the extra money? It would make sense to increase the price if they used the money to increase supply, but where is that happening? Nowhere.
There is plenty of private land and landowner tag opportunities for those who want pay to play.

Right.

Ever wonder if the increases are just to maintain what they currently have? Government is not immune from inflation. Honestly, the rates that they have increased don’t even cover wages if they adjusted those to match inflation since 2020. Fuel, tires, vehicles, equipment, materials, it’s all increased and fish and game has to buy it the same as the rest of us.

If there stuff is anything like ours, insurance costs are going up this year too. Half the raise I am getting this year is just going to cover the increase in premiums.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

Just adds a little bit more to the reason I should become a WY resident.

But then your odds of drawing decrease....

 

[Renegade14]

Ever wonder if the increases are just to maintain what they currently have? Government is not immune from inflation. Honestly, the rates that they have increased don’t even cover wages if they adjusted those to match inflation since 2020. Fuel, tires, vehicles, equipment, materials, it’s all increased and fish and game has to buy it the same as the rest of us.

If there stuff is anything like ours, insurance costs are going up this year too. Half the raise I am getting this year is just going to cover the increase in premiums.

True, but it should be raised for everyone to help with the rising costs. Last year, Wyoming HB0002 proposed raising nonresident fees to $75 but also raising resident fees to $20. It failed, obviously, because residents don’t want to pay more than the $5 they currently do. Now the commission is raising it for only nonresidents.

I completely understand and agree with heavily favoring residents over nonresidents in any state. But at some point, residents will have to pay more too. People like to compare this situation to Utah raising their NR prices last year, but forget that they also raised resident prices in 2023.

Putting all of the cost increases on nonresidents in any state will push people away from trying to hunt in that state. Less applicants = less people who care about what happens in that state for better or worse because they don’t even try to go there. Fewer people will hunt at all because opportunity is so expensive. When I started hunting, a lot of excitement that drew me into the sport was affordable nonresident opportunity when I wasn’t guaranteed tags in my state. Overall, we lose hunters and people invested in the sport, which we need if we want our traditions to continue and not go the way that some states are headed.

 

[BRTreedogs]

But then your odds of drawing decrease....

Yeah
But I’ll save so much money.

 

[Nelsesmp]

Wyoming's Fish & Game voted Tuesday to increase non residents preference point fee to $75.00 effective Jan 1, 2027. This is the maximum allowed by their legislature.
Residents pay only for sheep, goat and moose points which is $7.00. All other big game have no points.

I understand non residents paying more, but this is getting a bit out of control. We fund these states conservation. I wish could convince everyone to stop going and pouring money in. Then the residents can bitch and complain having to pay for their own conservation.

 

[realunlucky]

Wyoming is missing out on alot of Pittman funds by not requiring a license before the privilege of applying in the draw.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[Maverick1]

Wyoming is missing out on alot of Pittman funds by not requiring a license before the privilege of applying in the draw.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

Quiet down!!! They don't need any ideas.

 

[CMF]

Ever wonder if the increases are just to maintain what they currently have? Government is not immune from inflation. Honestly, the rates that they have increased don’t even cover wages if they adjusted those to match inflation since 2020. Fuel, tires, vehicles, equipment, materials, it’s all increased and fish and game has to buy it the same as the rest of us.

If there stuff is anything like ours, insurance costs are going up this year too. Half the raise I am getting this year is just going to cover the increase in premiums.

Agree, they're not immune to inflation. Governments do seem immune to efficiency though.
Given advances in technology, shouldn't administering tags and licenses, surveying animals, etc., become cheaper at some point?
Looking at their budget, it's not a huge percentage that actually even goes to wildlife, hunting , enforcement, etc. Of the 100M budget, Less than half has anything to do with wildlife and hunting, etc.
I guess someone has to subsidize the 6M fish hatcheries....