Hunters living in Cheyenne Wyoming homes are fortunate to be living near the headquarters of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  The Department helps Wyoming landowners connect with hunters to reduce various species of antelope, elk, deer, pheasant, moose and turkey on their properties.  Owners of Cheyenne ranches and Laramie County land might consider participating in these programs.

One of the programs is called "Walk-in" hunting.  Walk-in hunting opportunities are available for residents of homes in Cheyenne and Cheyenne real estate in the surrounding area.  The Wyoming Game and fish Department leases the right to public hunting on these "walk-in" or WIA lands.

For example, in 2011 there are two options close to Cheyenne.  One property owner located 20 miles west of Cheyenne would like hunters to target mule deer 60.  The Wyoming Army National Guard, located on a very large WIA east of Cheyenne beyond Guernsey, specifies Deer 55.  

Resident Cheyenne WY landowners, absentee landowners, estate managers, trust managers, and land managers may want to apply for the WIA program.  Land enrolled in the WIA program must be a certain size with quality habitat. The wildlife habitat quality of the proposed land should support a suitable number of animals to provide a good hunting experience.  WIA accessible properties for hunting must be a minimum of 80 contiguous acres.  Waterfowl hunting properties need be only 40 acres and water access specifications need to be met.

These leased Laramie County properties are restricted to foot traffic, hence the term "walk-in."  Hunting is only permitted during the leased time periods and is restricted to specified species of wildlife.  Participating hunters should review all WIA rules before accessing the properties.  Hunting boundaries are marked with signs. When hunters donate to Access Yes, the funds are used to keep access areas open and to add new hunting access areas in Wyoming.  

The Department also facilitates hunting on private hunting lands where they do not lease permission for the public to hunt.  Other non-WIA landowners register with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, asking for help from a very limited number of hunters to control wildlife populations.  The Department lists information for interested hunters to contact willing landowners directly.  This program is facilitated online at gf.state.wy.us.

For information about real estate, ranches, and land in Laramie County, call Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange at (307) 632-6481.