Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department has been awarded $1.3 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
That money will help fund the state’s Private Lands Public Wildlife program, where landowners partner with the state to lease hunting rights and manage wildlife on their land.
Renny MacKay is a spokesman for Wyoming Game and Fish. He says it’s been easy to find landowners who want to participate.
"There’s actually more demand from landowners to join than there currently is enough funding and personnel to serve those landowners. So we do have essentially a waiting list on this program," says MacKay.
He says the money will expand the program and have long-lasting impacts.
"Giving hunters and anglers more places to hunt and fish just helps them have more success and a more enjoyable experience here in Wyoming. And also the benefits to the economy that come with hunting and fishing," he says.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department receives most of its revenue through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.
Wyoming is one of 15 states receiving grants from the USDA to improve recreation.
