As publishedSep 19-30, 2026 (Hunt Area 1 only)
Very short season, Area 1 only (covers most of west/central WY per detailed county description). Areas 2 (rest of state), 3 (Snake River drainage), and 4 (a large NE Wyoming block) are CLOSED. A sage grouse hunting permit is required in addition to a regular license. Falconry season for sage grouse runs Sep 1-Jan 31 in Area 1 only, bag 1/possession 2.
WGFD's spring lek-count survey (aerial + ground counts by WGFD, BLM, contractors, and volunteers, nearly six decades of data) recorded a 13% decline in lek attendance vs. 2025, published via press release Aug. 12, 2026: ~27,000 males counted across 91% of known occupied leks, 27 males/active lek average, 75% of leks active (down from prior years). Sources: theoutdoorwire.com/releases/2026/08/sage-grouse-lek-attendance-decreases-in-2026 and wyofile.com, both fetched/searched directly 2026-08-19. This directly gates the 2026-27 season: the Commission's April 2026 Chapter 11 regulations open sage-grouse hunting only in Hunt Area 1 (Sept. 19-30, 2026, 2 daily/4 possession, permit required), with Areas 2 (rest of state), 3 (Snake River drainage), and 4 (NE block) closed.
WGFD biologist Nyssa Whitford: Wyoming's sage-grouse population cycles every 7-9 years and is "entering the downward portion of the population cycle," compounded by an abnormally dry winter and an exceptionally hot, dry summer reducing food and sagebrush habitat availability.