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2004 LEGISLATURE ADDRESSES NONRES PREFERENCE POINTS AND G&F FACILITY UPGRADES
3/12/2004
CHEYENNE – As ill-fated wolf bills dominated the wildlife spotlight in the Wyoming legislative session ending March 5, legislation did pass allowing nonresidents to accrue preference points for elk, deer and antelope licenses and also passed legislation to fund upgrades on four Game and Fish Department facilities.
In addition, the legislature updated and clarified the residency law pertaining to hunting and angling privileges and gave the G&F commission authority to issue elk, deer, antelope and turkey licenses to terminally ill youth hunters. All three bills proposed to modify Wyoming’s wolf statutes died.
“Even though every bill we supported did not pass, overall it still was a overall productive legislative session for the Game and Fish Department and Wyoming’s hunters and anglers,” said Bill Wichers, G&F deputy director.
At the urging of many nonresidents, out-of-state hunters will begin acquiring preference points when unsuccessful in drawing their elk, deer and antelope licenses. The G&F Commission was given the authority to develop the preference point system and set the fees and starting date.
Wichers emphasizes the bill does not change any aspect of the resident drawing system, including quotas.
For the first time in over 60 years, the legislature appropriated general fund money to the G&F. The funds are earmarked for improvements at four G&F facilities: Speas Rearing Station near Casper $1,950,000, Wigwam Rearing Station near Ten Sleep $950,000, Dubois Hatchery $400,000 and Yellowtail Habitat Management Area $775,000.
A new law gives Wyoming hunting and fishing license agents their first raise in 25 years. Starting in 2005, agents will get $1.50 for each license and $.50 for each stamp sold.
“These folks are a cornerstone of the entire wildlife management process and were long overdue in getting more commission for their efforts,” Wichers said.
Meat processing plants and taxidermists will also receive $1.50 for each interstate game tag issued under the revised statute.
A bill to give youngsters a hunt of a lifetime was passed. The G&F Commission was given the authority to issue up to 10 each of deer, antelope and turkey licenses and five elk licenses annually to terminally ill hunters 18 years old or younger.
-WGFD-
3/12/2004
CHEYENNE – As ill-fated wolf bills dominated the wildlife spotlight in the Wyoming legislative session ending March 5, legislation did pass allowing nonresidents to accrue preference points for elk, deer and antelope licenses and also passed legislation to fund upgrades on four Game and Fish Department facilities.
In addition, the legislature updated and clarified the residency law pertaining to hunting and angling privileges and gave the G&F commission authority to issue elk, deer, antelope and turkey licenses to terminally ill youth hunters. All three bills proposed to modify Wyoming’s wolf statutes died.
“Even though every bill we supported did not pass, overall it still was a overall productive legislative session for the Game and Fish Department and Wyoming’s hunters and anglers,” said Bill Wichers, G&F deputy director.
At the urging of many nonresidents, out-of-state hunters will begin acquiring preference points when unsuccessful in drawing their elk, deer and antelope licenses. The G&F Commission was given the authority to develop the preference point system and set the fees and starting date.
Wichers emphasizes the bill does not change any aspect of the resident drawing system, including quotas.
For the first time in over 60 years, the legislature appropriated general fund money to the G&F. The funds are earmarked for improvements at four G&F facilities: Speas Rearing Station near Casper $1,950,000, Wigwam Rearing Station near Ten Sleep $950,000, Dubois Hatchery $400,000 and Yellowtail Habitat Management Area $775,000.
A new law gives Wyoming hunting and fishing license agents their first raise in 25 years. Starting in 2005, agents will get $1.50 for each license and $.50 for each stamp sold.
“These folks are a cornerstone of the entire wildlife management process and were long overdue in getting more commission for their efforts,” Wichers said.
Meat processing plants and taxidermists will also receive $1.50 for each interstate game tag issued under the revised statute.
A bill to give youngsters a hunt of a lifetime was passed. The G&F Commission was given the authority to issue up to 10 each of deer, antelope and turkey licenses and five elk licenses annually to terminally ill hunters 18 years old or younger.
-WGFD-
