Bowhunters of Wyoming has long supported conservation work around the state. In this blog we will give a brief history of how BOW has done this.

BOW decided years ago that with any Commissioner Tag we recieve we would donate 100% of the proceeds to the following categories; Conservation, Education, Enforcement, and Access.  These were determined to be the most important and impactful places that BOW could put its money to improve bowhunting around the state.  In doing this we are the only organization that we are aware of that covers all costs associated with raffling or auctioning off a tag.  That means every penny we raise from these tags goes directly back into helping hunting in Wyoming.  This is someting we are pretty proud of and hope that this commitment to maximizing the use of funds from Commsioner Tags will allows us to continue to receive these tags in the future.  

While we raise the funds our Executive Council solicits funding requests from a multitude of organizations and offices.  Some of these include G&F, BLM, Forest Service,  State of Wyoming, UW Monteith Shop,  Wyoming Wild Life Federation, National Bighorn Sheep Center, Wyoming Hunter Mentor Program, Paint Rock Hunter Mentor Program, and others.  Once we recieve all of our funding requests our EC goes through them and decide where our money will be best spent.  

Most years our funding requests far exceed our funds raised from the raffle of a single Commissioner Tag.  Fortunately this year (2023) we received a 2nd tag and will be able to pour more funds directly back into the aforementioned categories.  This year at our annual convention we heard from many members that they would like to see us focus our funds more directly to boots on the ground conservation work. With that in mind we are seeking more funding requests and project ideas to fulfill this year if possible.  If you have an idea or work for an agency or organization that needs funding for these types of projects reach out tosecretary@bowhuntersofwyoming.org. 

Over the years we have been able to donate the following amounts rom the sale of our Commissioner Tags:

Conservation $213,898– Migration Studies, Water Improvement Projects, Prescribed Burns, Grass Planting, Winter Range Enhancements, Satellite Mapping, Genetics Studies, Turkey Gobbler Study.

Education $61,249 – Hunting and Fishing Expo, Becoming an Outdoor Woman,  Jakes, 4H, Hunter Mentoring Programs,  Archery In the Schools.

Law Enforcement $39,198 – Elk, Deer, Antelope and Turkey Poaching Decoys and Numerous Law Enforcement Trail Cameras Statewide.

Access $32,264 – Statewide Walk-In Areas – Statewide Hunter Management Areas

To date that is $346,609

Thank you to all the commissioners over the years as we would not be able to do this without their donations. Also thank you to all those who have purchased raffle tickets or tags. We promise to continue putting these funds to good work.