Spring wild turkey season just around the corner

WGF officials have important information before going out in the field

Sunday, April 20, marks the start of the spring turkey hunting season in Wyoming. Before going out to the field, Wyoming Game and Fish has some important rules and information that all hunters must follow, such as a statewide general license, access to the public and where to park your vehicle.

“Hunters can buy a license over the counter for a spring turkey tag,” said WGF warden Colten Galambas. “It is a little bit of a change from the past because if a hunter wants to hunt Yellowtail turkey, they had to draw a license from our draw system.”

According to Galambas, there have been changes in hunting on the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area. He encourages all hunters to visit the WGF website before going to the field. He also said that reading these changes online can help prevent hunters from breaking laws.

“The big change this year is that all the lands within the Yellowtail Management Area are made into a hunter management area,” Galambas said. “This means hunters must receive a permission slip to hunt on the Yellowtail unit. To apply, you must click on the public access tab on the WGF website, find hunter management areas and follow the directions to get an HMA permission slip.”

Galambas said hunters should always carry their HMA permission slip and parking pass in their vehicle. He said all hunters should go to the WGF website to avoid misunderstandings about where they can and cannot hunt.

“Whenever hunters are out on the field, they must carry a valid HMA permission slip,” Galambas said. “Hunters also must display a valid vehicle pass visible when parked. Another thing hunters must be aware of when hunting Yellowtail, they are only allowed on designated roads and must park their vehicles in designated areas. A map will be attached with the HMA’s permission slip.”

Galambas said hunters should read their maps carefully when hunting and consult with landowners before hunting on private property.

“Hunters need to know where they are hunting,” Galambas said. “Before hunters enter private property, they must get permission from landowners.”

Galambas said hunters can use any shotgun, center-fire firearm, .17 HMR or larger rimfire with an overall cartridge length greater than one inch for the spring turkey hunting season. Hunters are advised to review current regulations prior to hunting. For additional information, visit the WGF website or contact Galambas at 307-548-7310 with any questions or concerns.