Many people come to Wyoming to hunt. You might have traveled hundreds of miles, spent months planning the trip, and were looking forward to bringing home a successful hunt and some good memories. But now, you are back home with something you never expected: a Wyoming hunting citation.
While Wyoming hunting violations have serious consequences, receiving one doesn’t mean you have to pack up the truck and make another trip to the state. If you are a nonresident hunter charged in Wyoming, here is what you want to know.
Wyoming’s Hunting Seasons
Knowing Wyoming’s hunting seasons is important for out-of-state hunters. When you hunt outside of the permitted dates or conditions, that can lead to serious legal consequences.
- Statewide archery season runs September 1 – 30.
- General rifle deer season in Campbell, Crook, and Weston counties runs November 1 – 20
- General rifle elk season in Area 129 runs September 15 – October 31, with antlerless elk season November 1 – 30.
Since season dates can change annually, you want to check current regulations with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before your trip.
Now what happens when you are charged with a citation? Here is what you will want to know.
What Are You Charged With?
Not every Wyoming hunting violation carries the same consequences. The potential penalties depend on the offense you’re accused of committing.
Low Misdemeanor
Lower-level offenses can include certain tagging violations, failing to wear required hunter orange, minor trespass offenses, or hunting without the required certification. Depending on the specific offense, you could face a fine, jail time, loss of hunting privileges, or a period of suspension.
High Misdemeanor
More serious allegations can include wanton destruction of wildlife, taking trophy game without the required license, hunting at night, or hunting with a firearm during archery season. These offenses can carry higher fines and longer license or hunting privilege suspensions.
That Citation Is More Than a Fine
You might look at a hunting citation and think it is similar to a traffic ticket. But under Wyoming law, citations can be either “May Forfeit Bond” or “Must Appear.”
A “Must Appear” citation means you or your attorney must appear in court. Even if your citation allows you to forfeit the bond, under Wyo. Stat. § 23-6-206(e), this is treated as a conviction.
And that can have consequences for your Wyoming hunting privileges.
Do You Have to Drive Back to Wyoming?
For many misdemeanor hunting cases, Wyoming law allows your criminal defense attorney to appear on your behalf. Wyoming Rule of Criminal Procedure 43 also allows certain misdemeanor proceedings to take place without the defendant physically present when the required written consent is provided.
That means your lawyer may be able to handle your arraignment, negotiate with the prosecutor, and work toward resolving the case without requiring you to make another long trip to the state.
However, if you have a felony charge, you may be required to appear in person.
Could a Wyoming Hunting Charge Affect Your Home-State License?
Since Wyoming participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, other participating states recognize certain wildlife-related suspensions in other member states. For a nonresident hunter, that can affect you. A Wyoming case may have consequences beyond your home hunting license. This could restrict your hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges.
A Wyoming Hunting Charge Can Follow You Home
What happens when you are charged with a hunting violation in Wyoming, and you live out of state? This can leave you with a lot of questions and very few answers. You may worry about your hunting privileges, your court date, or whether you’ll have to make a long trip back to Wyoming to deal with the case.
At Just Criminal Law, we understand that you’re not just dealing with a citation. You’re dealing with a legal issue that can affect your plans, your hunting privileges, and your peace of mind long after you’ve left the state. If you’re a nonresident hunter charged in Wyoming, contact Just Criminal Law to discuss your case and learn more about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go back to Wyoming for my court date if I live out of state?
For many misdemeanor cases, you may not have to return to Wyoming. Many times, these proceedings can be handled through an attorney, and a promise to appear may be satisfied by an appearance by your counsel.
Can I just pay the fine on my Wyoming hunting citation?
This will depend on the citation. If it allows you to forfeit the bond, paying it may resolve the court appearance requirement. Keep in mind that it can also be treated as a conviction under Wyoming law.
Will a Wyoming hunting violation affect my hunting license at home?
Many times, it can. Wyoming participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. That means the outcome of your Wyoming case and any resulting suspension could affect your hunting privileges in your home state.
