Wyoming Wilderness Non-Resident Requirements

[ez_willie]

FOIA results summary from WY GFD regarding actual enforcement of the NR Wilderness Rule. WY Statute 23-2-401(a)

In the past 10 years:
1. 12 NR hunters were cited for violating WS 23-2-401(a) (a few warning tickets also issued)
2. No hunter was required to return to WY for a court appearance and total cost of violation was the bond amount, $150. Same as all the other simple traffic type tickets
3. All of these misdemeanor tickets were marked "no court appearance required" - just like a speeding ticket.
4. No hunter lost WY hunting privileges or was reported to another state for loss of privlieges.
5. No hunter had any property seized (gun, atv, vehicle, etc).
6. Of those 12 violators, 4 hunters were in possession of an animal that was harvested in a wilderness area. Three of those 4 hunters were allowed to keep antlers, cape and meat. One of those 4 harvesters had antlers confiscated as his group hadn't tagged the animal and tried to pass it off as a resident kill. Despite the dishonesty, the warden only took the antlers - and then donated the meat back to the hunter.

 

[BTLowry]

What is the justification of the state to require non residents to have a "guide" vs resident hunters ?
What am I missing?

The only thing I can think of is that they may think residents are more aware of what they are getting into?

Seems like some sort of certification could be developed and that would weed out the high risk hunters?
Kind of like hunter safety but targeted more to survival, orienteering, etc

I will be the first to admit that I have no business traipsing off into a wilderness alone or with 10 others of my experience/skill level.
But I know there are non residents who have more business doing so than a percentage of residents

 

[UpNorth89]

What is the justification of the state to require non residents to have a "guide" vs resident hunters ?
What am I missing?

Outfitter welfare plain and simple.

 

[ThorM465]

What is the justification of the state to require non residents to have a "guide" vs resident hunters ?
What am I missing?

The only thing I can think of is that they may think residents are more aware of what they are getting into?

Seems like some sort of certification could be developed and that would weed out the high risk hunters?
Kind of like hunter safety but targeted more to survival, orienteering, etc

I will be the first to admit that I have no business traipsing off into a wilderness alone or with 10 others of my experience/skill level.
But I know there are non residents who have more business doing so than a percentage of residents

As already said, corrupt outfitter welfare. You can fish, you can hike, you can camp in these areas, but heaven forbid a nonresident American hunt this pristine federal property without a local guide.