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CHEYENNE -- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has enacted an emergency elk regulation in an effort to get increased harvest in elk areas 6 between Cheyenne and Laramie and 108 south of Rawlins.
In elk area 6, the WGFD has provided an additional 300 type 6 cow/calf licenses. The additional licenses have been made available due to the elk area being over its population objective. The type 6 license is valid off national forests and can be purchased as a second license in addition to the regular limited quota or general license. Wyoming regulation allows hunters to have two elk licenses as long as one is the reduced price type 6 or type 7 license. Hunters should be aware that public access in the area is limited. For more information on the type 6 licenses and potential access, hunters can call the Laramie WGFD office.
The emergency regulation in elk area 108 has liberalized the regulation to allow holders of certain license types to hunt in all of area 108. Valid licenses for the area are 108 type 7 licenses and unused area 108 type 1, 4, and 6 licenses and unused area 21 type 6 licenses. Previous to the emergency regulation, these licenses were only valid in a portion of 108. Hunters are advised there are still more than 450 area 108 type 7 licenses available.
The Sierra Madre Herd Unit has more than twice as many elk as the population management objective of 4,200 animals. Area 108 is in the northern portion of the herd unit and is also where there has been a problem with lichen toxicity in elk in previous years.
The Game and Fish has been working with landowners in the area to develop additional access and increase elk harvest. Lander Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunter said it is extremely important that hunters harvest as many elk as possible in the area to ensure wintering elk numbers in 108 are at accepted levels. The landowners and the Game and Fish are committed to harvesting more elk in the area.
Hunters are encouraged to contact the Lander WGFD office or Rawlins field personnel for more information.
Seasons in both elk areas are open until Jan. 31, 2012. The area 6 type 6 and 108 type 7 licenses can be purchased from automated license agents, WGFD regional offices or online at http://gf.state.wy.us. All licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until the quotas are reached. Hunters are alerted that sales of these licenses will end on Dec. 31 of this year.