Online Hunter Ed, Longer Seasons Outlook: Game and Fish Opens 2026 in Cheyenne

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission kicked off 2026 last week with its first meeting of the year at department headquarters in Cheyenne, rolling out a slate of updates that could change how hunters get certified, how seasons are set and how the state approaches mule deer conservation, Oil City News reports.

One of the biggest moves was a policy change clearing the way for a fully online hunter education course for adults. With the commission’s approval, Game and Fish’s education team will now start developing an online-only option for people 18 and older. If all goes as planned, the course will launch in early 2027 and meet International Hunter Education Association standards.

Hunter education remains mandatory in Wyoming for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1966, and hunters must carry proof of certification in the field. The state already recognizes hunter ed certificates from every U.S. state, all Canadian provinces and Mexico. Existing in-person and hybrid options will remain available, and details can be found on the department’s hunter education webpage.

The commission also backed a significant shift in how hunting seasons are set. Starting in 2027, Game and Fish plans to move from an annual season-setting process to a three-year cycle.

The idea, department officials said, is to improve data analysis and give hunters more regulatory stability. Instead of holding public meetings every year after season proposals are already drafted, the department hopes to use off-years to gather deeper public input before formal proposals are written.

The change won’t tie the department’s hands. Game and Fish will still be able to make emergency adjustments for things like harsh winters or disease outbreaks. After the final annual season-setting cycle in 2026, the first multi-year package will be approved in 2027 and will set seasons through 2029. The commission gave full support to moving forward.

Commissioners also heard an informal presentation on the department’s 2026 Mule Deer Conservation Strategy, which builds on the Mule Deer Initiative adopted back in 2007. The updated strategy is designed to guide habitat conservation and herd management over the next five years.

The plan sets some ambitious financial targets: $50 million per year to protect intact working lands, $75 million to treat 1 million acres of invasive species, $50 million for high-priority wildlife crossings and $15 million to convert 500 miles of fencing to wildlife-friendly designs. The strategy also emphasizes research and partnerships to protect migration corridors and winter range critical to mule deer survival.

No funding requests were made at the meeting, but the presentation laid out the framework for future conservation efforts.

The next Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting is scheduled for March 18–19 in Torrington. Agendas, schedules and recordings of past meetings are available on the commission’s webpage on the Game and Fish website.