WYOMING — A Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) program that works with landowners to secure permission for the public to access private lands for hunting and fishing saw another successful year.

According to WGFD, in 2022 Access Yes opened access to more than 2.6 million acres of land for hunting, 4,007 lake acres and 93 stream miles for fishing on otherwise inaccessible private, state and landlocked public lands. 

“Each year we partner with landowners across the state to increase hunting and fishing access to privately-owned and landlocked public lands,” said Rick King, WGFD chief game warden. “Increasing public access for outdoor recreation benefits wildlife populations, mitigates agricultural damage and helps build formidable relationships between landowners, hunters and Game and Fish.” 

Revenue for Access Yes comes from the sale of lifetime and annual conservation stamps, court-imposed restitution fees from individuals, convicted of wildlife violations and interest from Acess Yes accounts. The program also receives donations from hunter and angler conservation groups, as well as individuals and generated a total of $945,689 in revenue last year.

“We extend our gratitude to the landowners for their partnerships and the sportspersons for their donations to make these access opportunities possible for all to enjoy,” King said. Each dollar donated equates to about 2.8 acres of access.”

Currently, there are 55 walk-in fishing areas, 332 walk-in hunting areas and 62 hunter-management areas throughout Wyoming. To learn more about Access Yes lands open to hunting and fishing, read the 2022 report and visit the Game and Fish Public Access page.