Wyoming – Draw and Application Info

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 accepts both online and mail in applications and does not require applicants to have valid hunting licenses in order to apply. They do, however, require money up front, and will mail a refund check to unsuccessful applicants. (Wyoming is now accepting credit card payments).

Wyoming does require anyone who hunts or fishes in Wyoming outside of those using daily licenses to purchase a conservation stamp. The cost for this stamp is less than 15 dollars, and can be purchased at license vendor locations in the state.

2010 marks the release of a new publication published by the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. called the Wyoming Hunting Guide. (click link to view).

Wyoming’s hunting information and application booklet can also be veiwed at the following links:

Residents
Non-Residents

*Refer to the “Resident” and Non-Resident” sections on this page for specific information as rules and applications are quite different depending on your residency.

Point System:

Wyoming uses a preference point system. Those with the most points get the tags. However 25% of available tags are drawn at random, so tags can be drawn with zero points. Points can be purchased as an addition during the drawing process, but are not added until after the draw. Points can also be purchased seperately from July 1st – September 31st. Cost ranges from $30 for antelope to $100 for bighorn sheep. Preference points will be lost if one does not purchase a point for 2 consecutive years.

Preference points go on sale after the drawings, starting July 1st and ending the last day of September. Previously accumulated points will be lost if an applicant fails to apply or purchase a point for 2 consecutive years.

View your Wyoming preference point totals online.

Hunts and Season Types:

Wyoming has very few hunts designated as specific short range or specialty weapon only. Most units do have an archery hunt that can be hunted in addition to the any weapon hunt. An Archery validation tag is required for those hunting the archery hunt. Most archery hunts run for at least a few weeks in september. Be familiar with the dates for the units you are applying for, or have obtained a license to hunt.

Wyoming designates different season types within units by numbering them as a “type.” These “types” are very important when applying for permits. For example, if an applicant had been buying moose points for 12 years and then applied making a simple mistake of putting a type 2 on the application, this could very possibly result in drawing a tag for an antlerless moose. So be aware of the different “types” listed in each hunting area/unit.

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. 2009 was the first year that these tags are available online, which saves non-residents the trip of heading to Wyoming to pick up extra tags. Note: Wyoming’s 2009 application book states that there will potentially not be a leftover drawing and that tags will be available through license vendors.

Wolves in Wyoming have been a hot topic, currently they are still protected by the Endangered Species Act in Wyoming. Their numbers are increasing in the North West part of the state and have had effects on game populations as far south a Cokeville. Keep this in mind when applying for points. Biologists can be contacted for specific information regarding population levels.

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 Licences:

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 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 cost to be placed on this list is $11. The lower the number the better, the tags are then issued at 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.

Wyoming has several hunts that are archery only. These hunts are usually designated as being “type 9.” Outside of these hunts, most of the hunts in the state can be hunted with archery equipment during the archery season in addition to the rifle season. Be acquainted with the regulations regarding the area/unit to be hunted. In order to take advantage of this extra season, an archery license can be purchased in addition to the hunting license. These season dates vary and should be well understood before participating in this hunt.

RESIDENTS:

There is no preference point system in effect for Mule Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bison, or Rocky Mountain goat in Wyoming. Preference point systems apply to Moose and Bighorn sheep. Points can be purchased for $7 from July 1st to September 31st. If unsuccessful in the drawing residents receive preference points at no charge. It is covered in the non-refundable application fee.

Wyoming has a 5 year waiting period for Moose and Bighorn Sheep. Meaning any successful applicant must wait 5 years after drawing in order to be eligible to apply again in Wyoming.

Pioneer/Heritage licenses are also available to resident over 65 who have resided in Wyoming continuously for 30 or more years.

NON-RESIDENTS:

Wyoming has very different regulations pertaining to non-resident vs. resident hunters. We will try to list them all, but it is the applicant’s responsibility to read and understand the regulations before applying to hunt in Wyoming.

Wyoming requires all non-residents hunting in a wilderness area to be accompanied with a licensed guide or a resident guide of the state. This can make it more expensive to hunt in several areas in the state due to this law. Before applying it is a good idea to look over a forest service map of the area to be familiar with wilderness boundaries or if wilderness is present in a particular hunt area. This is a disadvantage for most, but can be an advantage for some who are well acquainted with Wyoming residents. Draw odds in some of these wilderness hunt areas can be relatively good, and if accompanied by a resident guide (friend) can be hunted. So start “buttering up” your Wyoming friends.

Non-residents hunters in Wyoming face preference point systems for every species except Mountain Goat and Bison. The bison hunt is listed above, and priority rankings area assigned. The Mountain Goat drawing is completely random and odds are very low. In 2006, Wyoming started a preference point system for non-residents for antelope, elk, and deer. The points have a cost which is specified below in the License fees section of this page. If you are planning on hunting any species in Wyoming it would be a good idea to get in on the point game now, because it was only started a few years ago. Points can be purchased as an option along with applications for species. This option is referred to as the “Preference Point Option.” The additional cost is added in with the application and license fees. However, if this option is not clicked a preference point will not be acquired.

Points can still be acquired after the draws are over during the purchase period. (July 1st to September 31st). If a point holder fails to purchase a point for two consecutive years, he/she will lose accumulated points.

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.

Wyoming statute requires that 25% of Bighorn Sheep licenses are reserved for non-residents. In some areas there are not 4 licenses available. In these instances the non-resident tag is often available every other year.

Preference points for Wyoming Bighorn Sheep and Moose are quite costly. Moose points cost $75 and Sheep points are $100. This may be an issue for many whose pockets aren’t so deep. Take this into consideration when applying for these hunts. Considering it may take upwards of 10 years to draw some of these tags. That’s an extra thousand dollars added to your tag price. This isn’t meant to discourage, only to inform you that it can add up.

License Fees