WYOMING — On April 18, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission decided to accept Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) proposed reduced hunting tags for antelope and mule deer this fall, while voting to consider raising kill quotas for predator hunting seasons in areas with the most big game winter mortality.
This winter, extreme weather and snowfall had devastating impacts on big game populations. WGFD took pronghorn and mule deer mortality into account as they decided to adjust fall 2023 hunting quotas to compensate for the substantial winter losses.
More than 10,000 hunting tags for pronghorn will be cut, and there will be roughly 4,000 fewer limited quota tags for mule deer.
The Commission also voted unanimously in favor of raising kill quotas for predator hunting seasons to help alleviate pressure on big game species and support population recovery. Predators include coyotes, wolves, bears and mountain lions.
WGFD has a month to come up with proposed changes to predator hunting quotas for Commission consideration at a May meeting.
