Getting a Wyoming Game and Fish citation can be frustrating. You may think it is a hunting version of a speeding ticket. You pay the fine, deal with the paperwork, and move on.
That’s not how it works.
A Wyoming hunting citation can be a criminal charge, not a civil ticket. Depending on the violation, you could face fines, jail time, restitution, loss of hunting privileges, and a criminal record.
And if you’re a nonresident hunter, the Wyoming hunting violation penalties may follow you home. Before you pay the citation, make sure you understand what you are facing.
A Game and Fish Citation Is Not Just a Ticket
Wyoming treats many hunting violations as criminal offenses. Paying a citation may resolve the charge in a way that has legal consequences, including the loss of the opportunity to challenge the charge, present a defense, or negotiate a different outcome.
A conviction can also be reported through the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC). Unfortunately, that can affect your hunting privileges in other states.
Which Hunting Violations Can Become Serious?
Wanton destruction of wildlife can be prosecuted as a high misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to $10,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, license suspension, and restitution.
Hunting without a license or outside an authorized season or area can also carry major penalties. Certain violations involving big or trophy game can result in fines of thousands of dollars, jail time, restitution, and suspension of hunting privileges. Repeat convictions within the statutory time period can increase the seriousness of the charge, and some repeat wildlife offenses may be prosecuted as felonies.
Hunting trespass is another criminal offense. Hunters are expected to know where they are legally allowed to hunt, even when property boundaries are not always obvious. Entering, traveling through, or returning across private property to hunt, fish, trap, or collect antlers or horns without permission is a low misdemeanor under Wyoming law, and related wildlife-law convictions may also affect hunting privileges.
Tagging and party-hunting violations can also result in criminal charges. Your license belongs to you. Remember that you cannot have someone else take an animal under your tag.
What Could You Lose?
The citation itself may be the least expensive part of the problem. Depending on the offense, you could face:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Jail time
- Restitution for unlawfully taken wildlife
- Suspension of hunting privileges
- Possible effects on future licensing or draw opportunities
- A criminal record
- Additional consequences if illegal firearm methods are alleged
- Restrictions on hunting in other states
Restitution is separate from the criminal fine. This can add to the total cost of a conviction, especially when big or trophy game is involved.
What About Nonresident Hunters?
If you’re visiting Wyoming from another state, you should never assume the problem ends when you drive across the state line. Wyoming can prosecute violations committed in the state even after you’ve returned home. A conviction can also affect your hunting privileges in other states through the IWVC.
Being from out of state does not make a Wyoming Game and Fish charge disappear.
What If a Firearm Is Involved?
A firearm can raise the stakes. Wyoming law treats certain firearm-related hunting conduct as separate and additional violations, such as taking wildlife with a fully automatic weapon or using a silencer or suppressor in specified big-game or trophy-game violations. Along with that, certain felony convictions can create separate federal restrictions on firearm possession.
If your case involves a firearm, multiple animals, trophy game, or allegations of intentional or reckless conduct, this will not be a minor hunting violation.
Facing a Wyoming Hunting Citation?
At Just Criminal Law, we represent clients facing criminal charges in Wyoming, including hunting and wildlife-related offenses. Our team can review the citation, explain the potential p Wyoming hunting violations penalties, and help you understand your options before you make a decision that could affect future hunting seasons.
If you’ve received a Wyoming Game and Fish citation, contact Just Criminal Law today to discuss your case with a Wyoming criminal defense attorney.
FAQs
Can I just pay a Wyoming Game and Fish citation and move on?
Paying can have legal consequences and may affect your criminal record or hunting privileges. Consider speaking with an attorney before paying, especially if big or trophy game is involved.
Can Wyoming suspend my hunting privileges in my home state?
Wyoming participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. That allows participating states to honor certain wildlife license suspensions.
Can I lose my hunting privileges for trespassing?
Hunting trespass can result in criminal penalties, and related wildlife-law convictions may affect hunting privileges. Property-boundary disputes can be complicated, so never assume the violation is minor.
Do I need a lawyer for a Wyoming hunting citation?
It depends on the circumstances. A minor first-time violation may be different from a case involving big game, trespass, multiple animals, or potential license suspension. If the consequences could affect your hunting privileges, criminal record, or firearm rights, a lawyer can help you understand your options.
