How to Apply
Wyoming
Application & Deadlines · Nonresident
- Elk (NR)
- Closes Feb 2, 2026
- Moose · Sheep · Goat · Bison (NR)
- Closes April 30, 2026
- Deer & Antelope (NR)
- Closes June 1, 2026
- Points-Only Window
- July 1 – Nov 2, 2026
- Conservation Stamp
- $21.50 — required, all hunters
- Payment
- Upfront · online · credit card accepted
Applications are submitted through the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Deadlines and fees are set by the state — always confirm current dates on the official portal before applying.
Apply at Wyoming Game & Fish →Tag Allocation by Residency
Wyoming splits its limited-quota tags between residents and nonresidents before the draw ever runs, so your odds are shaped by that allocation before you even pick a unit:
- Elk — roughly 84% resident / 16% nonresident.
- Deer & Antelope — about 80% resident / 20% nonresident in the initial draw. Unissued resident tags can roll into the nonresident pool, so nonresidents sometimes end up with a little more than the base share.
- Bighorn Sheep & Moose — 90% resident / 10% nonresident (changed in 2023, which sharply cut nonresident tags).
- Mountain Goat & Bison — once-in-a-lifetime, under the same 90/10 split, and drawn at random with no point system.
Regular Draw vs. Special Draw
When you apply for nonresident elk, deer, or antelope, you choose between the Regular and Special draw. The Special license costs significantly more and, in many units, buys better odds — though in the most popular units almost everyone pays up, so the edge shrinks. It’s a cost-versus-odds decision worth running unit by unit. We break down how that split works, the 75% preference / 25% random allocation, and when Special is actually worth it on the Wyoming Draw System page.
When Draw Results Post
Results come out by species, generally mid-May through mid-June. Confirm the current year’s dates on the official portal:
- Nonresident elk, sheep, moose, goat & bison — posted in May (scheduled May 21 for 2026).
- Deer & antelope — typically mid-to-late June.
- Leftover licenses — tags left after the main draw are posted later (late June into July) and go first-come, first-served until they’re gone. These are limited; don’t count on one being there.
Party (Group) Applications
Wyoming lets up to six hunters apply together on a party application for deer and antelope. Preference points are averaged across the group, and if the application draws, every member gets a license — Wyoming over-allocates to cover a drawn party, so grouping up doesn’t hurt your odds. The one hard rule: residents and nonresidents can’t apply together on the same party application.
Don’t lose a year
If you apply for elk, deer, or antelope and don’t draw, you do NOT automatically get a preference point. You have to buy it yourself during the points-only window — July 1 to November 2 for 2026. Apply, miss the draw, and forget to buy your point, and you’ve lost a full year of building. This is the most common and most expensive mistake nonresidents make.
Don’t Go It Alone
The application is where most hunters slip up.
Deadlines, point windows, special vs. regular, party strategy — one wrong move costs a year. HuntQuarters members get their Wyoming application built around their points, budget, and odds, so you apply with a plan instead of a guess.
Get Application Help →
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.