Youth Big Game Hunting, Wyoming


Minimum Age to Hunt, Youth Licenses: The minimum age to take any Big Game or Trophy Game animal is 12 years of age. An applicant may apply for any Big Game or Trophy Game license if he/she is 11 years of age but must be 12 years of age when hunting. Applicants under age 14 must have a guardian co-sign any Big Game or Trophy Game application. Persons who are less than 18 years of age and at least 11 years of age at the time of application may apply for a youth license and remit youth fees. Applicants must be at least 14 years of age prior to September 1 of the application year in order to hunt Wild Bison.

A Hunter Safety Certificate is required of all hunters, born on or after January 1, 1966, taking wildlife by the use of firearms on land other than his/her own family. Please see page 43 for legal requirements. Nonresidents under 14 years of age may fish or hunt small game and game birds, except Wild Turkey, without a license if they are with an adult who has a valid Wyoming license and their bag limit is counted as part of the adult’s bag limit. Persons under 14 may also buy a Nonresident license and take their own bag limits.

Muzzle-Loading Firearms and Legal Handguns. Type 0 licenses are valid for Muzzle-Loading Firearms and/or Legal Handguns only. See regulations for restrictions. Wyoming has no restrictions on muzzle-loader ignition systems. However, breech loading blackpowder rifles are not legal in Muzzle- Loading Only Seasons. All legal weapons, including Muzzle-Loading rifles, can be used to hunt during the regular firearms hunting season.

Youth with Life Threatening Illnesses. The Commission may issue up to twenty-five (25) Antelope licenses, twenty-five (25) Deer licenses, twentyfive (25) Elk licenses and twenty-five (25) Turkey licenses each year for the exclusive distribution by nonprofit charitable organizations for use by persons twenty (20) years of age or younger with life threatening illnesses. The deadline to apply for these licenses is August 1. Contact (307) 777-4528 for more information regarding these licenses.

(Information Source: Wyoming Game & Fish)