CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game & Fish Department said on Wednesday, July 8 that specialty license plates are available to celebrate Wyoming’s 130 years as a state as well as its wildlife.
“There are more pronghorn in Wyoming than people,” Game & Fish said. “Add in mule deer, elk and other big game populations, and human residents find themselves outnumbered several times over. Wyoming’s wildlife are residents, too.”
“That’s why on Wyoming’s 130th statehood anniversary, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation are inviting you to show your state pride with a Wyoming Wildlife Conservation License plate.”
In addition, revenue generated from the specialty license plates will help fund efforts to ensure wildlife and traffic safety on Wyoming’s highways and interstates.
Game & Fish say that about 6,000 big game animals, including deer, pronghorn, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain sheep die as the result of collisions with vehicles on highways and interstates in Wyoming.
Funds from the license plates will help the state’s efforts to provide underpasses, overpasses, fencing and signage aimed to reduce the number of collisions.
“People in Wyoming take an amazing amount of pride in the diverse and abundant wildlife in our state. The Wildlife Conservation License Plate supports a good cause and shows others that you are part of a club of people who are making a difference for wildlife,” said Game & Fish Director Brian Nesvik.
The specialty plates feature the mule deer. They have an initial cost of $180 with a $50 annual renewal fee in addition to registration fees.
“The plate is available anytime – not just with renewals,” Game & Fish said. “Information on how to purchase the Wildlife Conservation License Plate is on the WYDOT website.“
“The Wildlife Conservation Plate is a great way for Wyomingites to proudly display their commitment to the safety of both motorists and wildlife,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “The funds collected from this plate will help us continue to build infrastructure that will keep our roads safer. Our mission is to provide a safe and effective transportation system, and the wildlife conservation plate is one avenue that can help us achieve that.”
Game & Fish added that Governor Mark Gordon has challenged Wyomingites to add 2,020 conservation license plates to the roads this year. 1,450 sets of plates have been purchased so far in 2020.
“For more information on efforts to prevent collisions with wildlife, visit Game and Fish Wildlife Crossing webpage,” Game & Fish concluded.
