Reviewed September 28, 2026
Wyoming does not have one draw system that applies to every hunter. Start with species, residency and license type. Then separate your chance in a preference-point pool from your chance in a random pool before comparing hunt areas.
Nonresident elk, deer and antelope
For full-price licenses, Wyoming allocates licenses between a preference-point drawing and a random drawing. The published framework is 75% to the preference-point pool and 25% to the random pool. Preference points rank applicants in the point pool; they do not improve an application’s random-draw number. Small quotas and rounding make the actual hunt-area report essential. See WGFD’s preference-point explanation.
Regular vs. special drawings
The regular and higher-priced special drawings have separate applicant pools. Paying the higher special fee does not automatically make a hunt easier to draw. Compare the same species, area, license type and year in both reports, then decide whether the difference fits your budget. WGFD explains the sequence in Understanding the Draw.
First choice and your points
Preference points apply to the first-choice drawing for nonresident full-price elk, deer and antelope. Drawing your first choice uses the applicable points, including when that license comes through the random draw. Read the current rules before using second and third choices as part of a points strategy. A choice is useful only if you would accept the license and can access the hunt.
Buying points in 2026
The 2026 point-only period runs July 1–November 2. Unsuccessful nonresident elk, deer and antelope applicants do not automatically receive a preference point: eligible hunters must purchase it during the separate period. Confirm the species, eligibility and current fee on the WGFD licensing page, and retain your purchase confirmation.
Residents and other species
Do not apply the nonresident elk/deer/antelope model to every Wyoming hunt. Resident draws differ, moose and sheep have their own preference-point rules, and mountain goat and bison do not use those species’ point balances. Review the applicable current licensing regulations and species application instructions.
How to read Wyoming draw odds
- Select the right report. Match residency, species, regular or special drawing, and preference or random pool.
- Match the license type. An area number alone does not tell you the legal animal or season.
- Compare more than one year. Quotas and applicant behavior change. Last year’s point level is not a promise for the next draw.
- Check access before choosing. A favorable draw may still be a poor fit if you cannot legally reach the country you intend to hunt.
Use WGFD’s official drawing reports as the data source. Keep preference-point results separate from random odds; combining them can give a misleading picture of your chance.
Build a practical application
Start with the Wyoming hunt-area guide to make a shortlist, then work through the application dates and checklist. Choose a hunt that fits your scouting time, access, travel and recovery plan before deciding where to spend points.