If House Bill 2 passes, Wyoming hunters may see an increase in hunting license application fees. The idea behind the bill is to keep the Wyoming Game and Fish Department funded.

“Wyoming has world-class wildlife resources and warrants world-class management. This comes at a cost. With the WGFD (Game and Fish) not receiving general fund legislative dollars, this is how revenue is generated,” said Josh Coursey, president and chief executive of the Muley Fanatics deer conservation organization.  “Sportsmen and sportswomen are proud to have footed the bill for wildlife management since the days of Teddy Roosevelt.” 

The price would raise resident application fees from $5 to $20 and nonresident application fees from $15 to $75, according to Cowboy State Daily. 

“This is a reasonable increase. And why it matters is because it gives the Game and Fish today, and moving forward, that ability to put more money from application fees on the ground, where it’s most needed,” said Wyoming resident Paul Ulrich.

The full language of the bill is available here. It was introduced earlier this month, and there are currently no scheduled meetings to discuss it.

Will the proposed price increase impact your decision to apply in Wyoming?