23-2-106. Hunter safety; exception.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d) and (e) of this section, no person born on or after January 1, 1966, may take any wildlife by the use of firearms on land other than that of his own family, unless the person possesses or can demonstrate they have obtained a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The department shall institute and coordinate a statewide course of instruction in safety and competency in handling firearms. The department may cooperate with local governmental agencies or private organizations in providing hunter safety courses. The department may establish and charge a reasonable fee for enrollment in a hunter safety course. Attendance and successful completion of a hunter safety course offered by an association or governmental agency approved by the commission satisfies the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person who has not received a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms as provided by subsection (b) of this section may apply to the department for a special authorization to take wildlife with the use of a firearm while being accompanied by a person who has attained the age of majority, acting as a mentor, who possesses or can demonstrate he has obtained a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms and who possesses a valid Wyoming hunting license. A mentor shall not provide supervision for more than one (1) person, other than immediate family members, at a time in the field. The special authorization shall be valid for not more than one (1) year. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as altering the requirements of W.S. 23-2-102(a). The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e) of this section.

(d) The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to the following persons:

(i) Any active member, honorably discharged past member or veteran of the armed forces of the United States;

(ii) Any active or retired Wyoming peace officer who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707.

(e) A person under fourteen (14) years of age who has not yet received a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms may take small game and game birds without receiving special authorization from the department under subsection (c) of this section while being accompanied by a person who has attained the age of majority, acting as a mentor, who possesses or can demonstrate he has obtained a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms, unless otherwise exempted as provided in subsection (a) of this section, and who possesses a valid Wyoming small game or game bird license. A mentor shall not provide supervision for more than one (1) person, other than immediate family members, at a time in the field.