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WYOMING

Wyoming does not require applicants to have valid hunting licenses in order to apply. The do, however, require money up front, and will mail a refund check to unsuccessful applicants. Wyoming has not accepted credit card payments up to this point, which makes applying for non-resident tags quite expensive. Add that to the cost for points and you can understand why a few non-residents have dropped out of the running in Wyoming for some of the hard to draw units.

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 vendors in the state.

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.

Wyoming accepts both online and mail in applications. The online applications are quite new and perhaps we’ll see changes regarding credit cards and the required money up front in the future.

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 made 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. This is 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.

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.

Notice the section of this page regarding information for non-residents and residents as Wyoming has quite different rules for each.

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. Regulations for each species are available at license vendors and online at http://gf.state.wy.us/admin/Regs/index.asp.

AVAILABLE BIG GAME HUNTS IN WYOMING

LIMITED ENTRY LICENSES:

Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Shiras/Wyoming Moose, and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME LICENSES:

Rocky Mountain Goat and Bison.

Wyoming also has hunts for Black Bear and Cougar based on mortality quotas.

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.

OTHER INFORMATION

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

LICENSE RESIDENT NON-RESIDENT
Conservation Stamp $12.50 $12.50
Archery License $16 $30
     
DEER PERMITS:    
Full price, and Landowner $43 $326
Special Full Price (NR only) - $566
Youth, and Youth Landowner $20 $124
Full price Pioneer and Heritage $7/$28 -
Reduced Price Doe/Fawn $27 $48
Reduced Price Youth Doe/Fawn $19 $33
Reduced Price Pioneer and Heritage Doe/Fawn $7/$23 -
     
ELK PERMITS:    
Full price, and Landowner $57 $591**
Special Full Price (NR only) - $1,071**
Youth, and Youth Landowner $30 $289
Full price Pioneer and Heritage $10/$37 -
Reduced Price Cow/Calf $48 $302
Reduced Price Youth Cow/Calf $25 $114
Reduced Price Pioneer and Heritage Cow/Calf $10/$32 -
     
ANTELOPE:    
Full price, and Landowner $38 $286
Special Full Price (NR only) - $526
Youth, and Youth Landowner $20 $124
Full price Pioneer and Heritage $7/$25 N/A
Reduced Price Doe/Fawn $27 $48
Reduced Price Youth Doe/Fawn $19 $33
Reduced Price Pioneer and Heritage $7/$23 N/A
     
MOOSE:    
License $117 $1,416
Preference Point Only $7 $75
     
BIGHORN SHEEP:    
License $122 $2,266
Preference Point Only $7 $100
     
MOUNTAIN GOAT: $127 $2,166
     
BISON:    
Priority List (essentially application fee) $11 $20
Cost if License is Obtained $402 $2,502
     
MOUNTAIN LION/COUGAR: $30 $362
     
BLACK BEAR: $45 $362
 
*Licenses available after the initial draw have lower prices due to the omitted application fees. Approximately $5 for residents and $14 for non-residents
**Non-resident Elk licenses include a yearly fishing license