NOTE: The below summaries include some of the substantial changes recently adopted for many captive wildlife regulations.  One major change was separating cold-blooded wildlife into new Chapter 69.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS

LIST of domestic animals exempt from Game and Fish chapter 10 (excludes wild hybrids):

• ass, burro, and donkey
  
• bison except wild ones
  
• domestic cat
  
• domestic cattle and zebu
  
• domestic chicken
  
• domestic dog
  
• domestic ferret
  
• domestic goat
  
• domestic greylag goose
  
• horse and pony
  
• domestic mallard distinguished morphologically from wild and captive-reared
  
• mule and hinny
  
• domestic muscovy duck
  
• pigeons/rock dove
  
• domestic sheep distinguished morphologically from wild
  
• domestic swan goose
  
• domestic swine
  
• domestic turkey distinguished morphologically from wild
  

DOMESTICATED ANIMALS

LIST of domesticated animals exempt from Game and Fish chapter 10:

• domesticated alpaca
  
• domesticated Bactrian and dromedary camel
  
• domesticated long-tailed chinchilla
  
• domesticated emu
  
• domesticated European rabbit
  
• domesticated Mongolian gerbil
  
• domesticated helmeted guinea fowl
  
• domesticated guinea pig
  
• domesticated golden hamster
  
• domesticated hedgehog (Erinaceus)
  
• domesticated llama
  
• domesticated house mouse
  
• domesticated ostrich
  
• domesticated Indian peafowl
  
• domesticated pot-bellied pig
  
• domesticated quail, common
  
• domesticated quail, Japanese
  
• domesticated brown and house rat
  
• domesticated sugar gliders
  
• domesticated greater and lesser rhea
  
• domesticated vicuna
  
• domesticated water buffalo
  
• domesticated yak
  
• domesticated common/plains zebra
  

WARM-BLOODED WILDLIFE (CHAPTER 10)

Pests (state) – grasshopper, mountain pine beetle, beet leafhopper, Mormon cricket, black-tailed prairie dog, ground squirrel
Predatory animals - coyote, jackrabbit, porcupine, raccoon, red fox, skunk or stray cat and gray wolf until delisted
Predacious bird – English sparrow, starling

PERMIT required for importation and possession of all warm-blooded wildlife (birds and mammals).

• INCLUDES:
  
  • Furbearing animals
    
    • May capture for propagation or domestication during trapping season under those rules except for being killed before leaving trap under a License to Capture Furbearing Animals for Domestication AND Furbearing Animal Trapping License (Wyo. Stat. § 23-2-305)
      
  •  Pen-raised game birds and captive-reared mallard ducks except game bird farm (need game bird certificate of origin for import)
    
  • Nongame wildlife for commercial use
    
  • Other species authorized
    

• BANNED: for private ownership, import and sale
  
  • trophy animals (black bears, grizzly bears, and mountain lions)
    
  • big game (antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose or mountain goat)
    
  • wolves and wolf hybrids
    

• BANS: import/possession of
  
  • Antelope (Alcelaphinae)
    
  • Goat-antelopes (Caprinae) except as allowed under exempt species
    
  • Monk parakeet
    
  • nonhuman primates
    
  • rodents from Africa
    
  • Swine (Suidae) except those under exempt species
    
  • Peccary (Tayassuidae)
    
  • Wild turkey
    
  • Gray wolf
    
  • Red wolf
    
  • Red deer
    
  • Red deer hybrid
    
  • Wolf hybrid
    
  • Federal Injurious wildlife
    
  • Federal endangered and threatened wildlife
    
  • Protected animals (black-footed ferret, fisher, lynx, otter, pika, wolverine)
    

• BANS: import of
  
  • Pest animals
    
  • Predatory animals and predacious birds
    
  • Eurasian collared-dove and mute swan
    

• EXEMPT: for possession (BANS import)
  
  • Wild-caught nongame birds allowed to be taken for personal use without permit
    
  • Wild-caught mammal pests and predatory animals
    

• EXEMPT: for possession (need import permit)
  
  • Wild-caught nongame mammals allowed to be taken for personal use without permit
    
    • EXCEPTION: BANS import of pests and predatory animals
      

• EXEMPT: (possession and import)
  
  • Domestic and domesticated animals (no CVI needed)
    
  • Cage and aviary birds (no CVI needed)
    
  • Pen-raised game birds, captive-reared mallards and captive-bred migratory waterfowl for game bird farm (need CVI or NPIP VS Form 9-3 and game bird certificate of origin)
    
  • Raptors imported or transported for falconry (CVI import and transport)
    

PERMIT (Interstate Transportation Permit) along with certificate of veterinary inspection required to transport wildlife through the state within 24 hours – must immediately report escapes, deaths and exposure to disease.


REQUIREMENTS

• Applications for permits must include scientific data IF REQUESTED that the animal will not threaten native wildlife in regards to competition, habitat damage or destruction, disruption of migration, breeding or rearing and survival of young, predation, disease or parasitism, hybridization, threat to human safety, and capability of surviving in wild
  
• BANS abandoning, releasing, or transferring warm-blooded wildlife or allowing it to escape without written permission
  
• Notify department within 48 hours of exposure to pathogen, disease or parasite and BANS import or removal of infected wildlife
  
• Notify department within 24 hours of escape and recover wildlife in 48 hours after notification
  
• Import requires certificate of veterinary inspection or NPIP Form VS 9-3 and comply with Appendix I
  
• North American elk limited to governmental agencies, accredited college or university for education or research or meet department wildlife goals
  
• Game farms are limited to NX Bar Ranch
  
• Meet all testing requirements in Appendix I
  

SUMMARY OF ANIMALS

(Wyoming Statutes 23-3-103, 23-3-301; Wyoming Fish and Game Ch. 10)

 

GAME BIRD FARMS (CHAPTER 40)

PERMIT (Game Bird Farm License) required for possession of game birds.

• Must issue receipt before removing birds from farm
  

(Wyoming Statutes 23-3-116, 23-5-101; Wyoming Rules F&G Ch. 40)

 

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE ON GAME BIRD FARMS (CHAPTER 60)

BANS import of greater sage-grouse for game bird farm propagation. 

CERTIFICATION required to possess, propagate, breed, raise, sell, release and take Greater Sage-grouse for game bird farm. NEW Greater sage grouse certification has been extended to 12/31/27.

(Amended SF61/Chapter 75 Signed into law 3/15/22 – Effective 7/1/22; Wyoming Rules F&G Ch. 60

 

COLD-BLOODED WILDLIFE (CHAPTER 69)

BANS abandonment, release, transfer and allowing cold-blooded wildlife to escape without permission.

GENERALLY

PERMIT required for import and possession of cold-blooded wildlife.

• INCLUDES: possession and import (unlisted species)
  
  • venomous reptiles or poisonous amphibians (CVI for import)
    
  • Nongame amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and crustaceans requiring permit for scientific and educational take (CVI for import)
    
  • Native reptiles and amphibians imported for commercial use (CVI for import)
    
  • Aquatic turtles in ornamental ponds designed to prevent escape (BANNED if escape likely)
    
  • Transplant or stocking plains topminnow, Northern plains killifish, or plains killifish for mosquito control (only if known to be established in drain, stocking compatible with other aquatic species, and source not in AIS drainage
    
  • nongame fish in aquaponics or display in aquaria or ornamental ponds (unlisted)
    
  • Displaying coldwater, coolwater and warmwater fish in aquaria or ornamental ponds (if from approved private fish hatchery or permitted individual or commercial operation)
    
  • Importing prohibited, nuisance or invasive mollusks and crustaceans listed in any state for personal use (excludes human consumption)
    

• BANNED: for import/possession
  
  • US Injurious wildlife
    
  • AIS species
    
  • Fish and aquatic wildlife from water source classified as suspect, positive or infested with Dreissenid Mussels
    
  • US Endangered and threatened wildlife
    
  • Frogs (Xenopus) including African Clawed Frog
    
  • American Bullfrog
    
  • Canadian Toad
    
  • Green Frog
    
  • Diploid Grass Carp
    
  • Western Mosquitofish
    
  • Live baitfish from outside state except baitfish dealer
    
  • Live baitfish from WY transported out of state
    

• EXEMPT: for possession and import and CVI and AIS inspection (unlisted species)
  
  • Unlisted amphibians and reptiles
    
  • Unlisted mollusks and crustaceans confined to aquaria
    
  • Marine fish
    
  • Tropical fish confined in aquaria, ornamental ponds or reared in aquaponics or other artificial environments not connected to the waters of this state
    
  • Goldfish and koi confined in aquaria or ornamental ponds
    
  • Live baitfish obtained under fishing laws and private fish hatchery laws
    

• EXEMPT: import and possession (need written authorization - must accompany import of fish)
  
  • Fathead Minnow stocked as fish forage or mosquito control from approved private fish hatchery
    
  • Coldwater, coolwater and warmwater fish for private fish stocking or use in private fish hatcheries
    
  • Nongame fish in private fish hatcheries dealing primarily in marine or ornamental fish
    
  • Mollusks or crustaceans in aquaponics or aquaculture operation (may require AIS inspection)
    

REQUIREMENTS:

• CVI needed for import and transport (valid for 30 days)
  
  • Must NOT divert from destination on CVI and have individual ID markings
    
• Notify department within 48 hours of reptiles or amphibians being exposed to disease – must allow inspection and follow orders
  
• Notify department within 48 hours of finding AIS at facility and follow orders
  
• Notify department within 24 hours of escape and department shall notify owner within 24 hours of discovery – have 48 hours from notification to recover
  

STOCKING AND PERSONAL USE

Stocking and release of amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans into state waters requires authorization.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Follow Chapter 49 and 51
  
• BANS release, abandonment and escape of amphibians and reptiles for personal use – also BANS use while fishing and placing in ornamental ponds unless allowed
  
• BANS release, abandonment and escape of mollusks and crustaceans for personal use – BANS placing in ornamental ponds – crayfish fishing bait must follow fishing laws
  
• Applications have same requirement to provide data upon request as warm-blooded
  

COMMERCIAL USE

PERMIT required for COMMERCIAL importation and possession of all cold-blooded wildlife (fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans).

• INCLUDES: possession and import (unlisted species)
  
  • Poisonous amphibians and venomous reptiles
    
  • Native amphibians and reptiles
    
  • Wild-caught mollusks and crustaceans within state
    
  • Coldwater, coolwater, warmwater or nongame fish (except goldfish and koi) for pet stores or other commercial operations not connected to the waters of this state
    

• BANNED: for import/possession
  
  • Generally prohibited species
    
  • Nongame amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and crustaceans requiring scientific or educational permit to take
    
  • Amphibian and reptile as fishing bait
    

• EXEMPT: for import and possession
  
  • Coldwater, coolwater, warmwater and tropical fish commercial use by private fish hatchery or broker (must follow Chapter 51)
    
  • ornamental fish in aquaculture facilities connected to state waters (must also follow Chapter 51)
    
  • Marine fish, tropical fish, Goldfish and koi by pet stores or other commercial operations not connected to state waters (do NOT need to comply with Chapter 51)
    
  • Unlisted amphibians and reptiles
    
  • Live mollusks and crustaceans not AIS imported solely for human consumption
    

TRANSPORT THROUGH

PERMIT (Interstate Transportation Permit) required for transport through state within 24 hours.

• EXCLUDES:
  
  • AIS species BANNED for import
    
  • Amphibians and reptiles
    
    • INCLUDES: those listed under general prohibition and those specifically requiring an import/possession permit
      
  • Marine fish, tropical fish, ornamental fish, mollusks and crustaceans
    
  • Coldwater, coolwater and warmwater fish from private fish hatchery
    
  • Cold-blooded wildlife generally not requiring import/possession permit
    

• Must immediately notify department of escapes, deaths or exposure to disease
  
• Must mark containers of venomous or poisonous wildlife as such, stop at all open AIS check system (from aquaculture facility), placards for fish (except common carrier and marine/tropical/ornamental)
  

TAKING NONGAME WILDLIFE (CHAPTER 52)

Nongame – includes amphibians, reptiles, mollusk, crustaceans and mammals EXCLUDING exotic, domestic and domesticated species, game fish, big game animal, furbearing animal, predatory animal, small game animal, trophy game animal, game bird, migratory game bird, predacious bird

Some nongame is only legal to take under a Chapter 33 permit for scientific, educational and special purposes.  Others are legal for commercial and/or personal use without permit. 

• Amphibians:
  
  • CHAPTER 33 ONLY:
    
    • Columbia Spotted Frog
      
    • Wood Frog
      
    • Western Toad
      
    • Wyoming Toad
      
  • LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT:
    
    • Unlisted amphibians for personal use if confined and not released, abandoned, allowed to escape (BANS fishing bait and live bullfrogs)
      

• Reptiles:
  
  • CHAPTER 33 ONLY:
    
    • Great Basin Skink
      
    • Northern Tree Lizard
      
    • Prairie Lizard
      
    • Desert Striped Whipsnake
      
    • Great Basin Gopher Snake
      
    • Midget Faded Rattlesnake
      
    • Northern Rubber Boa
      
    • Red-bellied Snake
      
    • Smooth Greensnake
      
    • Western (Pale) Milksnake
      
    • Eastern Spiny Softshell
      
    • Plains Box Turtle
      
  • LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT:
    
    • Unlisted reptiles for personal use if confined and not released, abandoned, allowed to escape (BANS fishing bait)
      

• Birds:
  
  • LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT AND WITH CHAPTER 33 PERMIT (for those purposes):
    
    • Predacious birds
      
    • Exotic birds
      
    • Bird pests
      
    • Eurasian collared-dove
      
    • Mute swan (no commercial)
      
  • ALSO ALLOWS:
    
    • Nongame birds if allowed under Ch. 10, Ch. 25 Falconry, Ch. 33 or Ch. 56 lethal take
      
    • blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies taken under federal depredation order
      
    • American crow taken during season by firearm, archery or falconry
      

• Fish:
  
  • CHAPTER 33 ONLY:
    
    • Kendall Warm Springs Dace
      
  • ALSO ALLOWED:
    
    • Nongame fish allowed under fishing laws, Chapter 69 permit, Chapter 33 or Chapter 46 fishing regulations
      
    • Take as baitfish must following fishing laws (BANS live goldfish and koi)
      
    • Nongame fish in aquaria or ornamental ponds must follow Chapter 69 – BANS release, abandonment and escape
      

• Mammals:
  
  • CHAPTER 33 OR CHAPTER 56 ONLY:
    
    • Nongame mammals not listed below
      
  • LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT: personal only unless specified
    
    • Mammal pests (personal or commercial)
      
    • Least Chipmunk
      
    • Yellow-bellied Marmot
      
    • House Mouse
      
    • North American Deermouse
      
    • Northern Grasshopper Mouse
      
    • Western Harvest Mouse
      
    • Virginia Opossum
      
    • Pocket Gopher
      
    • Northern Pocket Gopher
      
    • Bushy-tailed Woodrat
      
    • <DELETED Norway rat>
      
    • Meadow vole
      

• Mollusks and Crustaceans:
  
  •  CHAPTER 33 ONLY:
    
    • California Floater
      
    • Plain Pocketbook
      
  • LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT:
    
    • Nongame mollusks and crustaceans (rest)
      
      • Must be confined to aquaria or aquaponic system if not fishing AND not released, abandoned or escape (bans use as bait after held in aquaria)
        
      • Crayfish only allowed as bait in same water (bans after transport)
        

TAKE REQUIREMENTS:

• Scientific, educational or special purpose require Chapter 33 permit
  
• US endangered and threatened species must follow USFWS laws
  
• Unintentionally taken gray or swift fox injured and at risk of death other than vehicle collision must be reported to Department law enforcement officer who may allow its retainment or sale
  

FALCONRY AND RAPTOR PROPAGATION (CHAPTER 25)

NOTE: No changes made to this chapter

PERMIT (Falconry Permit) required to take, transport, receive or possess raptors.

• ALSO NEED:
  
  • Raptor Capture License to take raptors from the wild
    
  • Hunting License to hunt with raptors
    

SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, SPECIAL PURPOSES (CHAPTER 33)

PERMIT required to take wildlife for scientific, educational or special purposes. 

• ALLOWS: educational institutions, governmental agencies, non-governmental scientific research entities, colleges or universities and qualified persons
  

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION (CHAPTER 45)

NOTE: No changes made to this chapter

PERMIT (Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit) required to rehabilitate wildlife.

 

PRIVATE COLD-BLOODED WILDLIFE STOCKING (CHAPTER 49)

BANS stocking of the following species:

• amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans in waters of state (per Ch. 69)
  
• possession or stocking of transgenic cold-blooded wildlife
  
• aquatic invasive species or fish determined to be threat by department
  
• amphibians and reptiles in ornamental ponds except aquatic turtles if constructed to prevent escape and have Ch. 69 permit
  
• mollusks and crustaceans in ornamental ponds (per Ch. 69)
  

Private Fish Stocking Authorization required to stock fish applied for at least 10 days prior.

• EXEMPT: marine fish, tropical fish, goldfish or koi into ornamental ponds (BANS release and escape)
  
• NOT EXEMPT:
  
  • nongame fish in ornamental ponds (need Ch. 69 permit)
    
    • vegetation control limited to grass carp (need grass carp stocking)
      
    • mosquito control limited to fathead minnow or with Ch. 69 permit for plains topminnow, Northern plains killifish or plains killifish (BANS western mosquitofish)
      
    • forage fish limited to waterwater species
      
  • game fish in ornamental ponds (limited to coldwater, coolwater and warmwater)
    

REQUIREMENTS:

• Stocking must be complete by end of calendar year
  
• Stocking must not deviate from authorization except fish quantity can be 25% more
  
• Amended authorization for changes
  
• Must come from approved private fish hatchery
  
• Environmental assessment before stocking in new drainage
  
• Transport of fish must comply with Ch. 51 (goldfish and koi for ornamental pond except from placard)
  
• Record-keeping
  

FISHING PRESERVES (CHAPTER 50)

PERMIT (Fishing Preserve License) required to operate fishing preserve and possess, rear, take or allow others to take fish.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Stocking must comply with Ch. 49
  
• BANS transport except with permission
  
• Allows permitting others to fish in preserve without license and set own creel limits provided a receipt or statement is issued to fisher with their name, number taken and date
  

(Wyo. Stat. § 23-5-202; Wy. Regulations Ch. 50)

 

PRIVATE FISH HATCHERIES (CHAPTER 51)

(l) Coldwater Fish Species - Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout and Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Cutbow Trout, Mountain Whitefish; Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, golden trout and kokanee salmon; Splake, Tiger Trout

(m) Coolwater Fish Species – Sauger, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Tiger muskie

(y) Warmwater Fish Species - Black and White Crappie, Black Bullhead, Bluegill/Green Sunfish Hybrid, Channel Catfish, Fathead Minnow, certified Triploid Grass Carp; Green Sunfish, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed (Lepomis); Largemouth Bass

 
PERMIT (Commercial Fish Hatchery License) and surety bond required for private fish hatcheries.

• LIMITED TO: coldwater, coolwater, warmwater and tropical fish
  
  • EXEMPTION: primarily tropical or ornamental may also be authorized for nongame
    
• EXEMPT: aquaponics and hobby fish farms with only marine or tropical fish or koi (except state waters)
  
  • NOT EXEMPT: those with game or nongame fish
    
• BANS mollusks and crustaceans unless authorized along with all AIS of concern
  

BANS intentionally removing, destroying or introducing a substance into the waters of a private fish hatchery, artificial lake or pond including catchout pond for aquaculture.  Penalty for fish valued up to $500 is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or up to $750 fine OR felony imprisonment up to 10 years and/or fine up to $10,000 if value if greater than $500.

 

APPROVED HATCHERY

Stocking, sales and transfer AND moving fish to or from facility require becoming approved hatchery.

• In-state – license, fish health inspection and AIS hatchery inspection showing free of AIS and met reporting and record requirements
  
• Out-of-state - fish hatchery importation permit, fish health inspection and AIS hatchery inspection showing free of AIS and meets requirements of own state
  

REQUIREMENTS:

• fish health inspection (must keep 3 years) and annual AIS inspection under Appendix I
  
  • EXCLUDES: baitfish and those granted exception
    
• BANS stocking of diseased fish
  
• Comply with Ch. 69 for import
  
• Stocking in waters of state require private fish stocking authorization or brokerage receipt and prohibits deviations from authorization
  
• Baitfish limited to adult commercially produced live baitfish from private fish hatchery
  
• Notify department within 24 hours of any fish escape
  
• Allows 1 catchout pond for fishing only (legal methods only, set own creel, need receipt for take, NO live transfer)
  

FISH TRANSPORTATION

• Transport water limited to well, protected or treated spring, or municipal water supply
  
• Shipments limited to authorized fish (NO AIS plants or other cold-blooded wildlife)
  
• Immediately notify department if AIS found in shipment
  
• BANS stocking of amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans unless authorized
  
• Separate container per species unless going to same site
  
• receipt of sale or transfer to transfer between facilities
  
• Import - written authorization or interstate transportation permit
  

PRIMARILY TROPICAL OR ORNAMENTAL HATCHERIES

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ensure sufficient water treatment
  
• May be exempt from fish health inspection and AIS requirements but may need to provide evidence of free of AIS upon request, destruction of all fish if AIS at facility, transport requirements (ornamental)
  

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES OF CONCERN

BANS possession, import, export, shipment or transport of aquatic invasive species unless authorized.  BANS introduction into state waters. 

Aquatic invasive species are divided into the following:

• Emergency Prohibited AIS
  
  • Dreissenid mussels including zebra and quagga mussels
    

• Prohibited AIS
  
  • Bighead, silver and largescale silver carp (Hypopthalmichthys)
    
  • Black Carp
    
  • Snakehead (Channa and Parachanna)
    
  • Rusty Crayfish
    
  • Hydrilla (plant)
    
  • Eurasian Watermilfoil (plant)
    

• Regulated AIS
  
  • AIS under Ch. 62 not listed above
    
  • prohibited, invasive or nuisance species from state of origin (out-of-state facilities)
    

(Wyo. Stat. § 23-4-102, 23-4-104 23-4-202; Wyoming Regulation Ch. 51)

 

LANDOWNER FISHING LAKES OR PONDS (CHAPTER 53)

APPLICATION required to designate lake or pond as landowner fishing lake or pond. 

• Stocking must comply with CH. 49
  
• Must use legal fishing methods and follow fishing laws
  
  • EXCLUDES: landowner and spouse and children (no fishing license needed or creel limit)
    
• Need written statement for nonexempt person removing fish
  

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (CHAPTER 62)

Chapter 62 contains the list of aquatic invasive species mentioned in Chapter 69.

LIST:

• Dreissend mussels including zebra and quagga mussels
  
• New Zealand mudsnail
  
• Asian clam
  
• Rusty crayfish
  
• Brook stickleback
  
• Carps (Hypophthalmichthys) including bighead, silver and largescale silver
  
• Black carp
  
• Snakeheads (Channa and Parachanna)
  
• Hydrilla (plant)
  
• Eurasian watermilfoil (plant)
  
• Curly pondweed (plant)
  

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