Wyoming Game Damage Claims (Big Game, Trophy Game, Game Birds, Gray Wolf)

Wyoming Game and Fish compensates landowners, lessees and agents whose growing or stored crops, seed crops, land, improvements or (in extraordinary cases) grass are damaged by big game animals, trophy game, game birds or gray wolves. It also pays for livestock, bees, hives and honey killed or injured by trophy game animals (bears, mountain lions) or gray wolves in the trophy-game area. Claimants report the damage within 15 days and file a sworn claim within 60 days; the Department investigates and decides within 90 days.

• Landowner, lessee, agent or property owner whose land, growing cultivated crops, stored crops, seed crops or improvements were damaged by big game, trophy game, game birds or gray wolves

• Livestock, bees, hives and honey damaged by trophy game animals or gray wolves (per W.S. 23-1-901(g),(h))

• Must allow hunting during authorized seasons on the claimed land; damage must be confirmed by the Department or its representative

Department investigates and makes a full or partial award or rejection within 90 days; disputes go to a board of arbitrators. Consequential damages (lost profits, weight loss, feeding costs, etc.) are not compensated.

Published amounts: Award based on fair market value; missing calves/sheep formulas e.g. confirmed losses multiplied by 3.5 (black bear/mountain lion/grizzly), 7 (gray wolf), yearlings multiplied by 2.

Report damage to the nearest game warden, supervisor, or Commission member within 15 days of discovery, then present a verified (sworn) claim to the Office of the Department within 60 days of the last item of damage.

Deadline text on the page: Report damage to the nearest game warden, supervisor, or Commission member within fifteen (15) consecutive days following the date damage was discovered; present a verified claim within sixty (60) consecutive days following the date the last item of damage was discovered.