Beginning with one agreement near Thermopolis in 1998, the program — where ranchers open their gates to hunting in exchange for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department managing the hunters and a modest annual lease payment — has grown to 12 agreements this year. Hunter management areas are one facet of the G&F's Private Lands/Public Wildlife initiative.

"The sporting public said they want more access and we're aggressively addressing the issue," said John Baughman, G&F director. "We're grateful to the growing number of ranchers who are agreeing to allow hunting on their land through this program."

In the hunter management program, sportsmen get a free access permission slip prior to the season at designated sign-up stations. When enrolling, hunters will need to provide hunting license information, plus the make, model and license number of their hunting vehicle. Hunters who do not live near the sign-up sites can have a friend sign them up, as long as they can provide the needed license and vehicle information.

When signing up for hunter management access, hunters will receive an area map, list of ranch rules and a vehicle decal.

One reason why ranches participate in the program is to save time by letting the G&F field the hunting inquiries. Therefore, the G&F urges hunters not to call the ranches, but to contact the appropriate G&F office with questions.