Wyoming Dept. of Fish and Game Website: http://gf.state.wy.us/
Application Dates:
Nonresident:
Elk: Jan 1st – January 31st
Deer and Antelope: Jan 1st – March 15th
Moose, Mtn. Goat, Bison, and Bighorn Sheep: Jan 1st – Feb. 28th
Resident:
Elk, Deer, and Antelope: May 1st – May 31st
*Landowner Elk, Deer, and Antelope: April 15th – May 15th
Moose, Mtn. Goat, Bison, and Bighorn Sheep: Jan 1st – Feb 28th
General Application Information:
Wyoming’s Department of Fish and Game accepts both online and mail-in applications, requiring upfront payment. They have transitioned to accepting credit card payments. A conservation stamp, costing less than $15, is mandatory for all hunters and can be purchased at state-licensed vendor locations.
For comprehensive information, Wyoming has introduced the Wyoming Hunting Guide and an application booklet for both residents and non-residents.
Point System:
Wyoming operates on a preference point system, providing an advantage to those with more points. However, 25% of available tags are drawn at random, allowing for tags to be drawn with zero points. Points can be purchased during the drawing process or separately from July 1st to early October. They are lost if not purchased for two consecutive years.
Hunts and Season Types:
Wyoming designates archery-only hunts and different season types within units, denoted as “types.” Understanding these distinctions is crucial when applying for permits. Most hunts can be pursued with archery equipment during the archery season, in addition to the rifle season.
Wyoming usually has quite a few tags leftover after the hunt draw. These “Issue – After licenses” are available in a second “leftover drawing” or can be purchased from vendors throughout the state or online.
Be familiar with the hunting regulations in Wyoming. Official publications from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department should be consulted to verify any information. Links are provided under the general information section of this page.
Available Licenses:
Limited Entry: Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Shiras/Wyoming Moose, and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.
Once in a Lifetime: Rocky Mountain Goat and Bison.
Wyoming also offers landowner licenses, available to landowners meeting specific criteria. Archery-only hunts, usually designated as “type 9,” are also available.
Wyoming also has hunts for Black Bear and Cougar based on mortality quotas. Wyoming designates bear and cougar as trophy species, rather than “big game.”
Wyoming’s bison draw assigns applicants a priority ranking. The lower the number the better, the tags are then issued at the discretion of the State in order starting at the lowest number on the priority list.
Wyoming also has some available landowner licenses, available to landowners who fit the criteria set by the state.
Resident Information:
No preference point system for Mule Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bison, or Rocky Mountain goat. Preference point systems apply to Moose and Bighorn Sheep.
Non-Resident Information:
Non-residents hunting in wilderness areas must be accompanied by a licensed guide or a resident guide. Preference point systems apply to all species except Mountain Goat and Bison. Bighorn Sheep and Moose points for non-residents are relatively expensive at $100 and $75, respectively. Wyoming statute requires that 10% of Bighorn Sheep licenses are reserved for non-residents.
The Special Draw
40% of all non-resident Elk, Deer, and Antelope tags are reserved for a special drawing with increased license fees. These special hunts typically have much easier drawing odds for an increased fee.
License fees are often changing. Please visit the link below to view Wyoming’s current License fee list:
Like data for non residents for hunting and fishing
is hunting a “general” deer season done by simply buying a tag OTC? or is that on a draw like Montana?
Wyoming’s general tags are purchased OTC by residents of Wyoming, non-residents have to draw.
What year did the Mule Deer lottery begin? I read above that preference points began in 2006, but I’d like to know if the lottery was in effect before 2006.
How long have credit cards been accepted for payment of permits/fines/etc.?
Thanks for your time
Brian, tags were allocated using a lottery before 2006. I’m not sure on the exact year that credit cards were accepted for payment, I’m quite sure this was in place a few years before the point system went into effect for NR.
When is the mule deer lottery for out of state residents?
So it doesn’t state the cost for an elk preference point, also it does not state if you need a hunting license to apply like other states…..please clarify if you could. Thank you
I have 8 Wyoming Non resident elk points but would like to draw a general license this year and save my points for next year when funding is better for me to hire an outfitter. Can I put in for my first choice a general elk tag without jepordizing my points.
Hey Brad, sorry we’re nearing the deadline and I didn’t see this in time. If you put in first choice you’ll spend your points. You can’t really draw a general 2nd choice anymore, but it depends on the year. May be worth a try if you don’t want to waste your extra points. Take a look at some cow/calf tags or some type 1 units that you can pull as a 2nd choice.
Hey Ryan, sorry for the late response, you still have a day or so to finalize a Wyoming elk application. There is a fee for the preference point, but you don’t have to purchase a hunting license to apply like many other states (at least for now). The cost for an elk point this year is $52. You can also purchase preference points later in the year if you want.
When you guys going to post the drawings results
You can find the draw results at the Wyoming Game and Fish Website.