New Opening Day for Elk Hunters

Hunters should be aware of a change to opening dates in southeastern Wyoming.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding hunters with general elk licenses that this year’s elk season doesn’t open until Oct. 15 in areas 9 and 10.

For the past several years, this season has opened on Oct. 1, but changes have been made for the 2015 season.  After hearing about congestion from hunters, and in order to align opening dates with other general hunt areas, opening day has been pushed back by two weeks in areas 9 and 10.

“This change was to address complaints from hunters about crowding during deer season,” said Laramie Wildlife Biologist Lee Knox.  “A different opening date should alleviate some of that pressure by separating deer and elk hunters as well as better distributing elk hunters on both sides of the Snowy Range,” Knox said in a press release.

The 2015 general season for elk hunt areas 9 and 10 runs from Oct. 15 through Oct. 31.  All elk, except spikes, are fair game.

Before venturing out, hunters should be certain of their season’s opening date in their area of choice.  Game and Fish recommends that hunters read the 2015 elk hunting regulations and call the Laramie Region office at 745-4046 with any questions.