The permit is needed because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires states to accurately survey hunters who participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order. When purchasing the permit, hunters will receive a survey card to fulfill the federal reporting requirement. The permit costs $10 for both residents and nonresidents and is available at the Game and Fish Department's Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne offices or by mailing an application to the Cheyenne office.

The $10 fee will help defer the costs of the survey, which must be returned to the G&F by April 10. The new permit is required in addition to a game bird license, federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit and conservation stamp. Hunters with daily game bird licenses are not required to purchase a conservation stamp.

The permit is only good in the Central Flyway. The Pacific Flyway is not open for the conservation order. Details of the light goose conservation order are explained on pages 30-34 of the Wyoming's 2001-02 Late Migratory Game Bird Regulations. Last year, the survey revealed 248 hunters harvested 875 light geese during the conservation order in Wyoming. Hunters averaged 4.2 days afield and 6.8 birds per participant.

Conservation order permit applications and regulations are available at license agents in southeast Wyoming or by calling the G&F at (800) 842-1934 or (307) 777-4600 if calling from out of state; and from the Game and Fish Department, 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006.