Southeast Wyoming experiences shifts in its seasonal schedules
In the upcoming 2025 deer hunting season, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has made significant changes to the general season dates for Hunt Areas 15, 59, and 64. These areas are located in nonresident regions T and J, and the new season dates will run from October 20 to October 31 for the general license seasons, including Type 2 and Type 6 licenses in Areas 59 and 64.
The adjustments aim to better balance deer population management and hunter opportunity. While the explicit detailed reasoning from Wyoming Game and Fish is not stated, such seasonal changes typically align with wildlife biology, reduce overharvest, and respond to population or disease concerns.
One such concern is the ongoing monitoring and management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Hunt Area 15, which is a priority herd for CWD sampling this year. Hunters in Hunt Area 15 are encouraged to submit CWD samples as part of Game and Fish's ongoing efforts to track the disease. The Department has increased efforts for CWD management in general during the 2025 season, but the exact sampling protocols or changes for the 2025 season in Area 15 are not detailed in the provided results.
Keaton Weber, Laramie District Biologist and former Wheatland District Biologist, emphasised the significance of these changes. He mentioned that some of these areas haven't changed in more than 30 years, and the new dates represent a substantial shift. The later dates for Deer Hunt Area 15 are designed to give hunters greater success and more elbow room, as they overlap with the onset of the rut and cooler fall weather.
The new season dates for Deer Hunt Area 15 now overlap with neighboring hunt areas, which was a result of multiple years of public feedback during the season-setting process. The change in dates was implemented following conversations with landowners and hunters, which indicated that it was time for a change.
For exact, up-to-date CWD sampling procedures or any further specific reasons for season date changes, contacting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department or visiting their official website is recommended. The Department's CWD webpage provides more information about CWD, and hunters are encouraged to review the 2025 Hunting Regulations for updated information.
- Keaton Weber, a biologist, highlighted that the new season dates for Deer Hunt Area 15 are intended not only to balance hunter opportunity but also to enhance hunters' success, as the later dates overlap with the rut and cooler fall weather, providing more elbow room.
- The changes in the season dates for Deer Hunt Area 15 are also accompanied by the implementation of CWD management efforts, which align with the ongoing monitoring and management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in this area, making it a priority for CWD sampling this year.
