The answer is yes! In Wyoming, landowner big game tags are offered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to qualifying Wyoming hunting ranches. These licenses are generally non-transferable, unit wide tags, that can be used by the landowner, or their immediate family. Here is a summary on how they work:
- Eligibility:
- To qualify for a landowner tag, the Wyoming hunting ranch must be a minimum of 160 contiguous acres of deeded land.
- The land must provide habitat for big game species, such as elk, deer, or antelope, during a significant part of the year, including their seasonal range.
- Wyoming landowners need to demonstrate that their property supports a sustainable wildlife population.
- Species:
- Landowner tags are most issued for big-game species like mule deer, elk, and pronghorn (antelope).
- Application Process:
- Landowners need to apply through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and meet specific criteria for eligibility.
- If the Wyoming hunting ranch meets the qualification criteria, the WGFD will issue the landowner a license for a specific big game species.
- Tag Restrictions:
- Wyoming landowner big game tags often have specific hunting units attached to them, so the hunting is confined to those regions and seasons defined by the Wyoming Game and Fish regulations.
- One nice thing about Wyoming landowner licenses is the long season length. In most hunt areas, Wyoming landowners can hunt a 30-day archery season and then use the same tag for a longer rifle season, if more time is needed to fill their tag.
- Transferability:
- In Wyoming, landowner tags are generally non-transferable. The tags are issued to the landowner or their immediate family and cannot be sold or transferred to another person.
- This differs from some other states where landowner tags can be sold or transferred.
- Wildlife Management:
- The state encourages landowners to practice good land stewardship and wildlife management. In some cases, this involves working with wildlife biologists to manage habitat, water resources, and other aspects of the environment to support big game populations.
The long hunting season length and availability of landowner tags for multiple big game species make owning a hunting ranch in Wyoming very favorable. Harrigan Land Company has a great selection of Wyoming hunting ranches that qualify for landowner tags. As always, please contact us with any questions.
