A Wyoming Hunting Citation Is a Criminal Charge, Not a Fine You Mail In
Hunting and fishing violations are misdemeanors under Title 23, the state’s Game and Fish Act. When a warden hands you a citation, it is a criminal summons, not a bill.
What Happens When You Pay a Citation
Paying may seem like the easiest way out, but under W.S. 23-6-206, a not-guilty plea or forfeited bail will be treated as a conviction. This means that paying could result in:
- A criminal record
- A court-ordered license suspension
- Restitution in addition to your fine
- A suspension that may be shared with other states
Once you pay, your chance to challenge evidence or negotiate is gone. Learn more about when a hunting citation becomes a criminal case in our guide, or read about how the criminal court process works.
Wyoming Game & Fish Violations We Defend
License and Tag Violations
Failing to detach and attach your coupon at the kill site (W.S. 23-3-104) or moving a game without the right tag (W.S. 23-3-106) is a low-level misdemeanor. It may seem minor, but it still creates a record.
Taking Big Game Without a License or Out of Season
Under W.S. 23-3-102, taking big or trophy animals without the proper license is a serious offense, and each animal is considered a separate violation. Knowingly taking an antlered animal or a bear without a license or during the off-season can result in a fine of between $5,000 and $10,000.
Wanton Destruction
W.S. 23-3-107 bars wantonly take or destroy a big or trophy game animal. This includes shooting an animal and leaving it to die. It is a serious misdemeanor. A third conviction within 10 years can be considered a felony.
Hunting Trespass
Entering or crossing private land to hunt without permission is a violation of W.S. 23-3-305 and is a low-level misdemeanor that can be charged along with other property offenses.
Hunting from a Vehicle, Aircraft, or with Artificial Light
Shooting from a vehicle, spotting game from aircraft, or hunting with light is a serious offense under W.S. 23-3-306.
Hunting While Intoxicated
W.S. 23-3-307 prohibits carrying a loaded firearm or taking wildlife while impaired. It is a low misdemeanor. Hunters who drink in camp and then drive can also face DUI/DWUI charges.
Accessory Liability
You do not have to pull the trigger. Under W.S. 23-6-205, anyone who counsels or aids in a violation, or knowingly shares in the proceeds, is guilty of the same violation. Young hunters face juvenile proceedings, which we also handle.
Penalty Levels for Wyoming Game & Fish Violations
| Offense level | Fine | Jail | License suspension |
| Low misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Up to 3 years |
| High misdemeanor | Up to $10,000 | Up to 1 year | Up to 6 years |
| Knowingly taking antlered game or a bear without a license (23-3-102(d)) | $5,000 to $10,000 | Up to 1 year | At least 5 years |
| Felony (third conviction in 10 years) | $5,000 to $10,000 | Up to 2 years | At least 5 years for 23-3-102(d) |
The Consequences Hunters Never See Coming
Most hunters expect a fine. Few expect the rest.
Restitution
Courts can order you to repay the state for wildlife damage, based on the recommendations of Game & Fish. Statewide, courts ordered $81,420 in restitution in 2024, according to the annual law enforcement report from the WGFD. Reported cases included $1,500 for over-limit trout and $4,000 for wasted mule deer.
License Suspension
For antlered game and bear offences, the statute sets a five-year minimum and no maximum. Buying a licence or hunting during suspension can add up to six more years.
Equipment Forfeiture
After a conviction for wanton destruction or a 23-3-102(d) offense, W.S. 23-6-208 allows the court to seize firearms, ammunition, vehicles, aircraft, optics and electronic devices used in violation.
Your Wyoming Conviction Follows You Home
The Wildlife Violator Compact, also known as W.S. 23-6-301 and its subsequent amendments, is an agreement between states to recognize each other’s hunting and fishing regulations. Wyoming joined this agreement in 1996, and according to the Game & Fish Department, 49 other states are currently members, with Hawaii currently in the process of becoming a member.
This means that:
- A suspension in Wyoming could become a suspension in your home state.
- A five-year hunting suspension could prevent you from hunting in most parts of the country.
- Non-residents could be prosecuted even after they leave Wyoming if they have violated hunting or fishing laws.
- Skipping court hearings could result in your hunting privileges being suspended until the case is resolved.
Related Charges We Also Defend
Why Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota Choose Just Criminal Law
Our attorneys spent years working for the state before switching sides. We know exactly how prosecutors build cases and exactly where to find the holes.
We do not split our focus between practice areas. Every attorney, every resource, every minute is focused on one thing: your criminal defense.
We know the courts, the judges, and the prosecutors across Wyoming and western South Dakota. Local familiarity shapes strategy and strategy shapes outcomes.
Servicios de traduccion en espanol disponibles. Every client fully understands their case, their options, and their rights.
Real Results for Wyoming & South Dakota Clients
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OtherSuppression Appeal — Wyoming Supreme CourtDistrict Court denied motion to suppress. Wyoming Supreme Court accepted certiorari on appeal.
Barney v. State of Wyoming — Wyoming Supreme Court
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CASE DISMISSEDReckless Endangering / Domestic Battery / Child Endangering — Wyoming
Client charged with reckless endangering, domestic battery, and child endangering. All charges dismissed.
State v. Quezada-Lopez — Wyoming Circuit Court
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CASE DISMISSEDDUI / DWUI — Wyoming
Client charged with DUI. State unable to lay foundation for the breath test. Case dismissed.
State v. Von Olnhausen — Wyoming Circuit Court
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CASE DISMISSEDFelony Child Abuse — Wyoming
Client charged with accessory after the fact and aggravated child abuse — a felony. State unable to meet its burden of proof at preliminary hearing. Felony count dismissed.
State v. Bullinger — Wyoming District Court
Charged with a Game & Fish Violation and Hunting Citation in Wyoming? Time is critical.
The sooner you have an attorney, the more options you have.
What Clients Say About Just Criminal Law
Frequently Asked Questions About Game & Fish Violation in Wyoming
Wyoming Criminal Defense – Communities We Serve
We are based in Gillette, Wyoming, and serve clients across the state and into western South Dakota. Our team knows the local courts, prosecutors, and judges in every community we serve — and that local knowledge makes a real difference in criminal defense.
- Deadwood
- Sturgis (Rally)
- Custer County
- Lawrence County
- Meade County
- Pennington County
We provide on-call criminal defense for Rally-related arrests including DUI, drug charges, weapons offenses, and assault. Call us 24/7 during Rally week.
