Demand for Wyoming nonresident general, limited-quota and reduced-price cow/calf elk licenses increased by 1,600 to 23,788 applicants.

"Wyoming's high elk numbers, consistently high hunter success plus a license hike in Colorado helped increase demand for the fourth year in a row," said Tom Rowe, G&F license draw manager.

The chance of drawing a general license rose to 33 percent from 29 percent last year. Demand for the higher-priced special general license was 50 percent for the second year.

The steepest drawing odds for a regular license were the "any elk" license in area 53 west of Cody (1.6 percent) and 1.7 percent for the antlered "desert" tag in area 100 that stretches from Wamsutter to Green River north of I-80.

Unsuccessful applicants and other prospective nonresident elk hunters are reminded they will have another chance to get a 2001 Wyoming elk license. The application period for the second elk drawing is July 10-20. The drawing will offer licenses left over from the resident drawing, which in past years have predominately been "antlerless licenses" in national forests.

Although turkey hunting continues to grow in popularity in Wyoming, application demand dipped slightly. "Because we have three more areas this year where licenses can be purchased over the counter, some hunters opted to wait and buy their license on site instead of applying," Rowe said. "With four over-the-counter areas now, by season's end we'll probably actually end up selling more turkey licenses this year."

Licenses are available at license agents in areas 1, 3, 5 and 7, the Black Hills, Sheridan/Buffalo, Campbell County and Kaycee areas, through the end of the season. Those licenses are also available through the mail by submitting an application or visiting the G&F's Casper, Sheridan or Cheyenne offices weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wyoming turkey licenses are $10 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

Area 10 near Greybull and Worland was the toughest resident draw at 2.5 percent. Nonresidents faced the steepest odds at 66 percent in Goshen Hole, area 4. All limited-quota licenses were issued in the drawing.

The G&F received 2,426 resident applications in 2001 compared to 2,699 last year, 2,417 in 1999, and 1,911 in 1998. Nonresident demand was 395 prospective hunters, 401 last year, 328 in 1999, and 230 in 1998.