Common Violations 2023

As hunters prepare to take to the field this fall for hunt season, it’s a good time to throw out a few reminders regarding some of the more common hunting violations that could result in a citation. As hunters prep their rifles, bows, vehicles and other gear, one part they forget is reading up on regulations. Although there are blatant violations such as hunters going over limit, trespassing, or nonresidents buying a resident license, many violations occur simply because hunters didn’t brush up on regulations—some of which are relatively new—others have been in place for years. Most game wardens say the types of hunting violations they see from year to year stay pretty consistent. Here’s a few: Tagging violations...these violations range from forgetting to sign your license after having just bagged a big game animal to instances where the hunter intentionally avoids the tagging procedure with the hope of using the license again. Detailed tagging instructions are on each big game license and in the regulations. It’s also illegal to shoot from or across a public road or highway. That includes the shoulder and borrow pit. Sometimes hunters hunt in the wrong area, but with increasingly accurate GPS location technology, that defense is getting tougher to make. Nonetheless is up to the hunter to know where they are at—at all times. A general license is only valid in general license areas and cannot be legally used in limited quota areas. A limited quota license is only valid for the area or areas listed and no others. And failure to Wear Fluorescent Orange or pink. For whatever reason, some hunters forget to wear it, or try to get by with colors they think pass as hunter orange. In Wyoming, hunters must visibly wear one garment of fluorescent orange, or pink, like a vest, coat or hat. Camouflage hunter orange and camo fluorescent pink are allowed. 2023 hunting regulations are available online at the Game and Fish website, or a printed copy is available upon request at Game and Fish regional offices. All applicable laws governing hunting are printed in the regulations for each species. If some regulations seem confusing, contact your local game warden or Game and Fish regional office if you have questions.