Wyoming Big Game license fee increase
The Wyoming G&F is currently looking for ways to increase revenue to the department. The primary result will be an increase in resident and nonresident license fees. This is a proposal that would help revenue by providing options other than just increasing license fees alone. While still achieving a substantial revenue increase to the department.
You may or may not know that the way the department structures its license drawing system presently. This quote is from the Wyoming state legislature website re license draw procedure.
“The computer initially processes all first choices on all applications. If an area and type is full, and an applicant’s first choice cannot be fulfilled, that application is suspended in a temporary file until the computer has reviewed and assigned licenses to all available first choices. The computer retrieves the applications held in the temporary file and goes through the same process, using the application’s same random number, for second, third, fourth, and fifth queries.”
This selection method often makes your second and third choice option superfluous. Since all first choices are processed first leaving GEN license, sub par, doe fawn, or cow calf permits as the only possible draws for second choice.
The "Fair License Fee Proposal"
It suggests rather than relying solely on increased base license fees, the Wyoming G&F amend the verbage of the “Computerized Draw Process” Such that when your application is drawn your first choice, second choice, and third choice are considered before your license is suspended or considered unsuccessful. This proposal would apply to deer, antelope, and elk applications only. The pure random draw seems to be the preferred selection method for the vast majority of applicants. The present system is a semi-random draw because it segregates first, second, and third choices. This proposal results in a pure random draw with the exception of preference point applicants. Presently non resident and proposed resident pref. point applicants have two opportunities to have their first choice option drawn. First in the pref. point draw, and then they are pooled with all other remaining applicants and their first choice is considered again in the random draw. This procedure increases the number of random draw applicants by as much as 75%. Making a successful draw for a non pointed random draw applicant that much more difficult. A preference point applicant holding 3 or more points stands a strong chance of drawing a good license in the preference point draw so they would not participate in the random draw pool Applicants in the preference point draw would be credited their preference point rankings with all choices. And use their preference points if successful in their 2nd or 3rd choice options within licenses allocated to the preference point drawing . The pref point party app. would be scored by the lowest applicants number of points. Up to two youth licenses may be included in the party application pref point draw and their points would not be considered or used if the party app was successful.
This would also help break the log jam in the current preference point system. Preference point applicants holding more than 3 points and wishing to retain their preference points if unsuccessful in their first choice option would simply chose not to apply for a second or third choice option.
The revenue increase portion of this plan comes in the form of an additional application charge for each of the second and third choice options, A person applying for only a first choice would see no increase in license costs. Applicants opting for additional choices would pay an additional fee for each additional choice but would genuinely have a chance at that tag, as is generally not the case presently. Youth applications would not be charged this fee All second and third choices which are cow/calf, doe/fawn, or anterless permits would not be accessed an additional application fee and preference point applicants would not spend their points if successful on these choices.
The big plus is an applicant could apply for those highly coveted tags without hurting your chances of drawing your regular first choice option.
This is a demand based revenue generator. If Wyoming Game and Fish improve access, game quality, or overall sportsman experience then applicants would be compelled to purchase second and third choices increasing revenue. This is all voluntary fees those not wishing to participate would simply apply with a first choice option only and see no increase in license costs.
If you agree that the "Fair License Fee Proposal" is a viable alternative to substantial license fee increases please share this page with others. Print it and contact Wyoming Game and Fish and let your feelings be known.
The spreadsheet below reflects the income this proposal would have generated in the 2012 draw had it been in force
CONTACT LIST
HD 60 Representative John Freeman 2340 North Carolina Way Green River WY 82935 (307) 875-7378 John.Freeman@wyoleg.gov
HD 20 Representative Kathy Davison P.O. Box 602 Kemmerer WY 83101 (307) 877-6483 Kathy.Davison@wyoleg.gov
HD 36 Representative Gerald Gay 364 South Socony Place Casper WY 82609 (307) 265-5187 Gerald.Gay@wyoleg.gov
HD 18 Representative Allen Jaggi P.O. Box 326 Lyman WY 82937 (307) 786-2817 Allen.Jaggi@wyoleg.gov
HD 24 Representative Samuel Krone P.O. Box 2481 Cody WY 82414 (307) 587-4530 (307) 272-0082 Samuel.Krone@wyoleg.gov
SD 21 Senator Bruce Burns P.O. Box 6027 Sheridan WY 82801 (307) 672-6491 Bruce.Burns@wyoleg.gov
SD 17 Senator Leland Christensen 220 West Alta Alta WY 83414 (307) 353-8204 Leland.Christensen@wyoleg.gov
SD 16 Senator Dan Dockstader P.O. Box 129 Afton WY 83110 (307) 885-9705 Dan.Dockstader@wyoleg.gov
SD 01 Senator Ogden Driskill P.O. Box 155 Devils Tower WY 82714 (307) 680-5555 Ogden.Driskill@wyoleg.gov
SD 08 Senator Floyd Esquibel 1222 West 31st St Cheyenne WY 82001 (307) 638-6529 Floyd.Esquibel@wyoleg.gov
Wyoming Game and Fish 307-777-4600
