Wyoming Hunting Guide
Wyoming features large amounts of open space that support a diverse range of game species. However, weather can be unpredictable, and certain species’ populations densities are relatively weak. Regardless, hunters annually report strong success rates in Wyoming.
What to Hunt
Wyoming’s heavily varied landscape supports a variety of popular game species.
Deer
Wyoming is home to both mule deer and whitetails. Plentiful populations exist across the entire state, with notable buck densities in the eastern and northern counties. Much of Wyoming’s most significant deer hunting is on private land. Unlimited over-the-counter general licenses are available for Wyoming residents, while nonresident hunters must obtain a Region General License that specifies the area they’ll be hunting.
Elk
Wyoming supports elk hunting across the entirety of the state. Elk can be found on both private and public lands, as well as every national forest. The Bureau of Land Management maintains mountain ranges and desert areas that both support elk hunting. Hunters may apply for up to three elk licenses in one year, which is determined as a combination of full price elk licenses and reduced price cow/calf licenses.
Gray Wolf
In the northwest portion of the state (with the exception of Yellowstone National Park), it is permitted to hunt gray wolves. The hunting of these wolves is tightly regulated, so it is important to familiarize yourself with these restrictions before planning a hunt.
Pronghorn
Wyoming boasts the most significant pronghorn hunting opportunities in the United States. Harvest success in Wyoming pronghorn hunting often exceeds 85%. Pronghorn hunting can be found throughout all of Wyoming, except for Yellowstone National Park and the immediate surrounding areas.
Waterfowl
Wyoming is largely a dry state. For that reason, overall waterfowl populations are low. But, in river basin and creek areas around the state, some duck hunting is available. Many of Wyoming’s walk-in access areas also support huntable duck populations. Hunters may also target Canada geese, particularly over the agricultural lands and wetlands along the North Platte River Valley.
Turkey
Wyoming offers healthy, stable turkey populations, consisting of both Merriam’s and Rio Grandes turkeys. Most of Wyoming’s turkey hunting is found on private land. The Black Hills is the best option for turkey hunting in public land, and hunters may find turkeys scattered throughout the Medicine Bow National Forest between Casper and Wheatland. Wyoming offers both spring and fall turkey seasons. Hunters may get general licenses over-the-counter, or they may opt for reduced-price limited quota licenses.
Other Wyoming game species include: Bison and Moose listed in the "Hunt Seasons" section at bottom of the page.
Where to Hunt
Although Wyoming does not have as much public land as some other states, it does offer a significant amount of acreage for hunters to enjoy.
Wildlife Management Areas
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department maintains about 450,000 acres of land as Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs). These WHMAs contain both dry plains and wetland areas. Most of the game offered in Wyoming can be found in WHMAs.
Hunter Management Areas
Hunter Management Areas (HMAs) are areas of land that the Wyoming Game & Fish Department manages access for hunters. A permission slip is required from the WGFD to hunt on these areas. Individual HMAs may be subject to their own restrictions and regulations.
Access Yes Programs
In lieu of public land, Wyoming operates several private land access programs. These offer financial incentives to landowners for allowing public access onto their property. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department also helps landowners manage and maintain their property. These lands can be found throughout the state, with slightly less density in the southwest region.
Licensing Fees
Hunting license fees vary greatly based on the hunter, the method of take, and the species being taken. Wyoming does not offer a general hunting license -- licenses must be purchased for each species being targeted. Below are some of the state’s most popular game licenses.
Lifetime licenses are available. The price of these licenses varies based on the hunter’s age and the specifications of the license desired.
| License | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | $42.00 | $374.00 |
| Elk | $57.00 | $692.00 |
| Gray Wolf | $21.00 | $187.00 |
| Antelope/Pronghorn | $37.00 | $326.00 |
| Turkey | $16.00 | $74.00 |
| Bison | $414.00 | $4,402.00 |
| Moose | $152.00 | $1,982.00 |
| Furbearing Mammal | $45.00 | $249.00 |
Hunter Education
Everyone born after January 1, 1966 must successfully complete a hunter education course to hunt in Wyoming, except for those youths who are hunting with a mentor. There is no minimum age requirement to take these courses. The hunter’s education course is available online or in a classroom setting.
A bowhunter’s course is also available, but not required.
Youth Hunting
In most cases, hunters under 14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. Depending on the game being hunted, additional stamps and permits may also be required. Wyoming does not offer youth hunt weekends or seasons, but various private groups around the state do maintain youth programs. Youth hunters in Wyoming may enroll in the state’s Mentored Hunting program.
Trapping
Wyoming considers the following mammals furbearers: badger, beaver, bobcat, marten, mink, muskrat, and weasel. A license is required to trap these animals, for both residents and nonresidents. Each of these species is subject to its own seasons and restrictions specifically for as they relate to trapping.
Wyoming Hunting Seasons
| Game | Season Begins | Season Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope* | Aug 15 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Deer* | Aug 15 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Elk* | Sep 1 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
| Moose** | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 20 2023 |
| Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goat* | Aug 15 2023 | Nov 30 2023 |
| Black Bear* | Apr 15 2023 | June 15 2023 |
| Aug 1 2023 | Nov 15 2023 | |
| Gray Wolf* | Sep 15 2023 | Mar 31 2023 |
| Mountain Lion* | Sep 1 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
| Grizzly Bear* | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 15 2023 |
| Wild Bison* | Aug 15 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
| Sage Grouse* | Sep 16 2023 | Sep 30 2023 |
| Blue Dusky Grouse* | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Ruffed Grouse* | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Chukar Partridge* | Sep 15 2023 | Feb 28 2024 |
| Gray Partridge* | Sep 15 2023 | Feb 28 2024 |
| Sharp-Tailed Grouse* | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Pheasant* | Oct 12 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Cottontail Rabbit | Sep 1 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sep 1 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
| Squirrel - red, gray, fox | Sep 1 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
| Mourning Dove* | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 29 2023 |
| Sora and Virginia Rail* | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 9 2023 |
| Snipe | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 16 2023 |
| Sandhill Crane* | Sep 1 2023 | Oct 22 2023 |
| Ducks and Mergansers* | Sep 23 2023 | Jan 24 2024 |
| Coots* | Sep 23 2023 | Jan 24 2024 |
| Early Canada Geese* | Sep 1 2023 | Sep 8 2023 |
| Dark Geese* | Sep 23 2023 | Feb 18 2024 |
| Light Geese* | Sep 23 2023 | Feb 18 2024 |
| Turkey | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
| Apr 1 2024 | May 31 2024 |
*Hunting dates for this species may vary by zone, method of take, or subspecies of animal. Visit the state’s website here to find out more.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information.