23-1-107. Residency for obtaining game and fish licenses.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, to qualify for any resident game and fish license, preference point, permit or tag issued under this act, a person shall be domiciled in Wyoming for not less than one (1) full year immediately preceding the date the person applies for the license, preference point, permit or tag and shall not have claimed residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose during that one (1) year period.

(b) Each person applying for a license, preference point, permit or tag under this act shall establish his own residency status independently or as provided in this subsection or subsection (g) of this section. A minor dependent shall qualify as a resident if:

(i) His custodial parent qualifies as a resident under this act; or

(ii) His noncustodial parent qualifies as a resident under this act and the minor is or will be residing in this state with the noncustodial parent during any portion of the calendar year in which the license, permit or stamp is to be used or in the case of a preference point the calendar year in which the preference point is to be accumulated.

(c) A person other than a minor dependent qualifying under subsection (b) of this section, shall lose his residency in Wyoming if he moves to another state, territory or country and makes it his domicile, or makes any claim of residency for any purpose to that state, territory or country. Provided he does not claim residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose, a person shall not gain or lose residency in Wyoming merely by reason of his presence in or absence from the state while:

(i) Temporarily employed in the service of the United States;

(ii) A patient at a hospital or institution; or

(iii) Serving full time for a period not to exceed four (4) years in an established volunteer service program for religious, charitable or humanitarian purposes.

(d) A person shall lose his residency in Wyoming if he resides in any other state, territory or country for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days or more in a calendar year, unless he qualifies as a resident under subsection (b), (c), (e) or (f) of this section. A person who resides in any other state, territory or country other than Wyoming, for less than an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in a calendar year, may maintain residency in Wyoming under this act only if he qualifies as a resident under subsection (b), (c), (e) or (f) of this section or if:

(i) The person had originally established residency by being domiciled for one (1) full year in Wyoming prior to leaving the state for a temporary purpose;

(ii) The person's domicile or established, fixed and permanent home consists of real property situated in Wyoming. A mailing address is not sufficient evidence of domicile or a permanent home. Mere ownership of real property is not sufficient evidence to establish domiciliary intent;

(iii) The person is absent from Wyoming on a temporary basis and has the intention of returning to the state; and

(iv) The person makes no claim for residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose during the time the person is absent from Wyoming.

(e) A person may remain a Wyoming resident while attending school in another state, territory or country if:

(i) The person does not pay resident tuition fees; and

(ii) The person continues to maintain Wyoming residency and does not claim residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose.

(f) Any active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who has been stationed in Wyoming for ninety (90) days shall qualify as a resident under this section so long as the member remains stationed in Wyoming. Any person serving in active military duty in any other state, territory or country, may maintain resident status if the person:

(i) Is not a civilian employee of the military;

(ii) Makes no claim of residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose; and

(iii) Was a resident of Wyoming when he entered the military service and Wyoming remains his declared home of record or the person:

(A) Makes no current claim of residency in any other state, territory or country for any purpose;

(B) Has established his home of record in Wyoming; and

(C) Has maintained his voter registration in Wyoming.

(g) The spouse and minor dependents of a person qualifying as a resident under subsection (f) of this section shall qualify as resident for the same periods unless they have made a claim of residency in any other state, territory or country for any purposes during those periods.

(h) An applicant shall provide proof of residency and swear to an oath of residency when making application for, or attempting to purchase, a resident license, preference point, permit or tag under this act. License selling agents and the department shall consider as documentary evidence of residency any of the following:

(i) A Wyoming driver's license, identification card issued under title 31 of the Wyoming statutes, or a copy thereof;

(ii) A copy of the applicant's school records or military form DD 214, which indicates Wyoming as the applicant's domicile and home of record;

(iii) A proof of residency statement on a form provided by the department that has been completed and signed by the applicant. Any active duty member of the armed forces, his spouse or minor dependent of the active duty member making application for or purchasing a resident license, preference point, permit or tag shall be required to complete and submit the proof of residency statement; or

(iv) A minor dependent may use as proof of residency the documentary evidence of his parent or legal guardian.

(j) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act to ensure that only bona fide Wyoming residents as defined in this act are issued resident game and fish licenses, preference points, permits and tags.