CODY– Turkey hunters interested in hunting Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Lovell are alerted of a new process to access the WHMA for the spring turkey hunting season.

New this year, sportspersons wanting to hunt turkeys on Yellowtail must first purchase a general turkey license, then apply for a free permission slip through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's hunter management program. 

“Last year, turkey hunting regulations were changed through a public, statewide season setting process, and now the entire state is considered one hunt area. In previous years, Yellowtail WHMA was a separate turkey hunt area and a limited number of licenses were allocated to hunters through a random draw process,” said Spencer Carstens, Access Yes coordinator. “Through last year’s season setting process, it was also determined that spring turkey hunting opportunity on Yellowtail would be provided through the Access Yes Hunter Management Area permission slip allocation system.” 

Once a hunter has purchased a general turkey license, they can log into their Game and Fish account online and apply for a specific week-long time period to hunt turkeys at our Hunter Management Areas webpage.

“To provide a quality hunting experience for sportspersons, we will offer 10 permission slips a week throughout the spring turkey hunting season, resulting in 60 permission slips, which is an increase from the 50 licenses that were previously allocated for Yellowtail,” Carstens added. 

Individuals may only receive one permission slip for the season. Hunters who successfully draw a permission slip, may not apply again.

See the chart below or visit our Yellowtail WHMA hunter management area webpage for application, draw and hunting dates and times.

To learn about additional turkey hunting opportunities in the Big Horn Basin, visit the department’s Access Yes webpage.