News – Sheridan Media
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding hunters to complete their annual hunter harvest surveys once their seasons have ended. These surveys, which are sent out near the close of each hunting season, ask participants what species they hunted, how many days they spent in the field and whether they were successful.
While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Game and Fish Public Information Specialist Christina Schmidt said biologists rely on the data to estimate hunter success rates and harvest rates that guide future management decisions. The information is used when setting quotas, season dates or other department regulations. Game and Fish stresses that even hunters who were not successful, or who did not get into the field this year, provide information that is valuable to building an accurate picture of Wyoming’s herds.
C. Schmidt
Because there are thousands of deer, elk and antelope license holders, only a percentage will receive a survey each year. Some hunters may receive one for several years in a row and then not receive one again for a while, which Schmidt said is the result of a random drawing. Hunters with licenses for moose, bighorn sheep or black bear will receive a survey annually due to the small number of licenses issued each year.
This year’s survey is being conducted with assistance from the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming, but is still managed by the Game and Fish.
C. Schmidt
Hunters who complete their surveys by Jan. 31, will be entered into a drawing for donated outdoor gear. Learn more by clicking here.
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Last modified: December 11, 2025