Are you planning to hunt in a hunter management area this fall? Be sure to do the right thing and secure permission. Hunter management areas are typically private ranches the Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages for hunting access, and permission slips are required.

Hunter management properties may include portions of various private lands, as well as intermixed Bureau of Land Management and state lands within the HMA boundary. HMAs are part of the Access Yes program that facilitates the partnership between private landowners and Game and Fish to provide hunters and anglers free public hunting and fishing access on private land and inaccessible public land. Access Yes also includes walk-in fishing and hunting areas, each with their own rules regarding species and access dates. To access an HMA, each hunter must have applied online and obtained a printed permission slip prior to hunting.

Each HMA has a unique set of ranch rules. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know, understand and comply with the ranch rules to utilize an HMA. Failure to comply violates Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulations and may result in fines, termination of access privileges and/or other legal penalties. Hunters should abide by the ranch rules, respect the landowner and the land for continued access opportunities.

There are currently 65 HMAs throughout Wyoming supported by donations and a portion of Wyoming conservation stamp proceeds. Funds donated to Access Yes can only be utilized to provide landowner payments in exchange for sportsperson access. The public can support Access Yes through donations on the Game and Fish website or when purchasing a license, either online or from a license-selling agent. For more information, visit the Game and Fish public access and HMA pages.