Hunting Application Deadlines: Every Western State Calendar
Master calendar of hunting application deadlines for all 10 western states — elk, deer, pronghorn, and moose with costs and point systems.
Missing a hunting application deadline costs you a year of preference points, a year of draw opportunity, and — if you’re stacking points across multiple states — a compounding setback that takes years to recover from. Every western state runs its own timeline, its own system, and its own rules. There’s no central portal. No universal deadline. Just ten different agencies with ten different calendars.
This is the master calendar. Every western state’s hunting application deadlines for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose — organized month by month so you can plan your year, set reminders, and never miss a filing window.
If you’re serious about western hunting, build a multi-year strategy in our Application Timeline Planner and let it track deadlines for you.
Data Disclaimer: Application deadlines and costs are based on published state agency data as of March 2026. States occasionally shift deadlines by a few days year to year. Always confirm exact dates on the official state wildlife agency website before submitting. We update this calendar annually.
Master Deadline Calendar by Month
January
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Sheep, Goat | January 31 | Earliest major western deadline. 75/25 preference/random system. |
Wyoming stands alone in January. It’s the earliest deadline in the West and the one most hunters miss their first year. The application opens October 1. Don’t wait until January 30 — submit the first week of January and eliminate the risk.
Full Wyoming application breakdown
February
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Javelina | Second Tuesday of February | Bonus point system (loyalty + bonus points). |
| Montana | Elk, Deer, Moose, Sheep, Goat | March 1 (opens mid-Feb) | Application period opens ~Feb 15. Deadline technically March 1. |
Arizona’s draw is one of the most complex in the West. The state uses a bonus point system where each point gives you an additional entry — similar to Colorado’s weighted system. Arizona also awards a “loyalty point” for applying three consecutive years, which doubles your bonus points. It rewards commitment.
Montana’s application opens in mid-February with a March 1 deadline. Montana uses a pure random draw for general tags (no preference points for deer/elk general tags) and a preference point system for moose, sheep, and goat. More on Montana below.
March
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | Elk, Deer (general + limited) | March 1 | Random draw for general; preference for moose/sheep/goat. |
| Nevada | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Sheep | Second Monday of March | Squared bonus point system — points matter exponentially. |
| New Mexico | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Oryx, Ibex | Third Wednesday of March | Pure random draw. No preference points. |
Nevada runs a squared bonus point system. If you have 5 points, you get 25 entries (5 x 5). If you have 10 points, you get 100 entries. Points matter more in Nevada than in any other state. Long-time applicants have a massive advantage.
New Mexico is the outlier — a pure lottery system with zero preference points. Every applicant has the same odds regardless of how long they’ve been applying. It’s the most egalitarian system in the West, which means a first-timer has identical odds to a 20-year veteran. Apply every year. It costs little and the opportunity is real.
April
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Sheep, Goat | First Tuesday of April | Weighted preference point system. OTC archery tags also available. |
| Oregon | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Sheep, Goat | Mid-May (opens April) | Preference point system for premium units; random for most tags. |
Colorado is the big one. The largest elk herd in North America, OTC archery and muzzleloader opportunities, and a weighted preference system that gives everyone a mathematical chance. Most hunters’ western application strategies revolve around Colorado.
Oregon’s application opens in April with a mid-May deadline. The state uses preference points for controlled hunts but offers a significant number of general-season tags sold over the counter. Nonresident allocation is limited — Oregon caps nonresident controlled-hunt tags at 3% of total.
May
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn | Mid-May | 3% NR cap on controlled hunts. General tags OTC. |
| Idaho | Elk, Deer, Moose, Sheep, Goat | Late May / Early June | Zone-based system. Some OTC general tags for NR. |
Idaho keeps things relatively simple. The state sells OTC general elk and deer tags to nonresidents for several zones. Controlled hunts for premium units use a random draw with no preference points — similar to New Mexico’s approach. Nonresident controlled-hunt tags are limited, but the OTC general-season access is a strong draw for DIY hunters.
June
| State | Species | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Controlled hunts | Early June | Random draw, no preference points for controlled hunts. |
| Utah | Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Bison | Early March (results in May/June) | Preference point system. Conservation permits also available. |
| Washington | Elk, Deer, Sheep, Goat, Moose | Late May / Early June | Random draw for special permits. General tags OTC for residents. |
Utah actually has a March application deadline but results come in May/June, and leftover permits go on sale afterward. Utah’s preference point system is similar to Colorado’s. The state also auctions conservation permits and offers dedicated hunter programs — alternative pathways to tags that bypass the draw entirely.
Washington offers limited nonresident opportunity. Most tags go to residents. Special permit draws are random with no preference points. Washington isn’t where you build a western strategy, but it’s worth an application if you live in the Pacific Northwest or want a specific unit.
State-by-State Quick Reference
Application Costs Comparison
| State | Elk App Fee (NR) | Deer App Fee (NR) | Pronghorn App Fee (NR) | Point Purchase Cost | Point System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $50 elk, $50 deer, $15 prong | Preference (75/25) |
| Colorado | $50 | $50 | $50 | $100 elk/deer, $50 prong | Weighted preference |
| Montana | $50 | $50 | N/A (combo license) | $20 elk/deer | Random (general); Preference (moose/sheep) |
| Arizona | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $160.50 (all species) | Bonus point |
| New Mexico | $16 | $16 | $16 | N/A — no points | Pure random |
| Idaho | $16.75 | $16.75 | $16.75 | N/A — no points for controlled | Random |
| Nevada | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $15 + license hold | $145 (all species combo) | Squared bonus |
| Oregon | $8 | $8 | $8 | $8 per species | Preference (controlled) |
| Utah | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 per species | Preference |
| Washington | $7.10 | $7.10 | N/A | N/A — no points | Random |
Annual Cost to Maintain Points (All States)
If you’re applying across every western state for elk only, here’s your annual budget:
| State | Annual Cost (Elk Points) |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $50 |
| Colorado | $100 |
| Montana | $20 |
| Arizona | $160.50 |
| Nevada | $145 |
| Oregon | $8 |
| Utah | $10 |
| Total | $493.50 |
New Mexico, Idaho, and Washington don’t have point systems, so there’s no “maintenance” cost — just the application fee each year (under $20 each). Add those in and you’re at roughly $550 per year to maintain maximum opportunity across all ten states.
That’s the cost of one nice dinner per month. For a shot at hunting the best elk country in North America, it’s the easiest investment in the sport.
Point System Types Explained
Understanding the differences between point systems is critical to allocating your time and money effectively.
Preference Point Systems (Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, Utah): Points create an ordered queue. Highest-point holders draw first (or get priority access to a large pool of tags). These systems reward patience but create “point creep” — the minimum points needed to draw keep climbing as more applicants enter the pool.
Bonus Point Systems (Arizona, Nevada): Points give you additional entries in a random draw. More points = more entries = better odds, but nothing is guaranteed. Nevada’s squared system amplifies this — 10 points gives you 100 entries vs. 1 entry for a zero-point applicant.
Pure Random (New Mexico, Idaho, Washington): Every applicant has equal odds regardless of application history. The most fair system for newcomers. The most frustrating system for long-time applicants.
Hybrid (Montana): General elk and deer tags use a random draw. Moose, sheep, and goat use preference points. This means you can draw a Montana elk tag your first year of applying — the same odds as someone who’s applied for 15 years.
Deep dive into how preference and bonus point systems work
Strategic Advice: Which States to Prioritize
You can’t max out everywhere simultaneously — at least not on a working budget. Here’s how to prioritize based on your situation.
If You’re Starting From Zero
Priority 1: New Mexico and Idaho. No points needed. Apply every year starting now. You could draw a premium elk tag this year.
Priority 2: Wyoming and Colorado. Start building points immediately. Wyoming’s 25% random pool gives you a draw chance from year one. Colorado’s OTC archery tags let you hunt while you build rifle points.
Priority 3: Montana. General elk tags are random — apply every year. Relatively affordable.
Priority 4: Arizona and Nevada. Start buying points. Both bonus systems reward long-term commitment, and every year you delay costs you exponentially in Nevada’s squared system.
Can Wait: Oregon, Utah, Washington. Limited nonresident opportunity. Worth applying but not the foundation of a western strategy.
If You’re Budget-Constrained
Cut the expensive point purchases first:
- Always apply: New Mexico ($16), Idaho ($16.75), Oregon ($8), Washington ($7.10) — these are cheap lottery tickets.
- High value: Wyoming ($50) and Montana ($20) — affordable with strong draw systems.
- Expensive but worth it: Colorado ($100) — the most opportunity of any western state.
- Drop if needed: Arizona ($160.50) and Nevada ($145) — these are long-term plays that require patience and budget.
If You Want to Hunt This Year
No points, no problem. Here’s where you can hunt elk this fall:
- Colorado — OTC archery and muzzleloader tags. Buy a tag and go.
- Idaho — OTC general elk tags for nonresidents in several zones.
- Montana — Apply in the general draw (random). Good odds.
- New Mexico — Apply (pure random). Could draw a premium unit.
- Wyoming — Apply for cow/calf tags. Reasonable draw odds with zero points.
Month-by-Month Action Checklist
Here’s your annual workflow. Print this out or save it to your phone.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| October | Wyoming application opens. Research areas. |
| November | Finalize Wyoming choices. Review draw odds data. |
| December | Submit Wyoming application (don’t wait for January). |
| January | Wyoming deadline Jan 31. Start Arizona research. |
| February | Arizona deadline ~Feb 10. Montana app opens. |
| March | Montana deadline Mar 1. Nevada deadline ~Mar 10. New Mexico deadline ~Mar 18. Utah deadline early March. |
| April | Colorado deadline first Tuesday. Oregon app opens. |
| May | Oregon deadline mid-May. Idaho/Washington deadline late May. Wyoming results posted. |
| June | Colorado results posted. Idaho results. Buy leftover tags. |
| July | Colorado leftover list published. Plan fall hunts. |
| August-September | Hunt. |
Let our Application Timeline Planner track all of this for you
Frequently Asked Questions
Which western state has the earliest hunting application deadline?
Wyoming, at January 31. It’s roughly two months earlier than most other western states. Arizona follows in early-to-mid February. Most states fall in March through May.
How much does it cost to apply in every western state?
Approximately $550 per year to maintain elk preference/bonus points across all seven states that offer them, plus application fees in the three random-draw states. If you’re applying for elk, deer, and pronghorn across all states, budget $800-1,200 per year in application and point costs.
Which states don’t use preference points?
New Mexico, Idaho, and Washington run pure random draws with no preference or bonus point systems. Montana uses random draw for general elk and deer tags. Every application has equal weight regardless of how long you’ve been applying.
What’s the difference between preference points and bonus points?
Preference points create a queue — highest-point holders draw first (or get priority access). Bonus points give you extra entries in a random draw — more points = better odds, but a zero-point applicant can still draw ahead of you. Wyoming and Colorado use preference. Arizona and Nevada use bonus.
Can I hunt western elk without going through a draw?
Yes. Colorado sells OTC (over-the-counter) archery and muzzleloader elk tags with no draw required. Idaho sells OTC general elk tags to nonresidents for several zones. These are the fastest paths to an elk hunt if you don’t have points in any state.
What happens if I miss an application deadline?
You lose that year’s opportunity to draw a tag and earn a preference/bonus point. In states with preference systems, missing one year sets you back two years relative to other applicants (they gain a point while you don’t). In bonus point states like Nevada, the compounding effect is even worse because of the squared system.
Should I apply for every western state?
If budget allows, yes. The annual cost is roughly $550-1,200 depending on species, and each application is an independent chance at a tag. Even low-probability draws add up over time. At minimum, apply in every random-draw state (New Mexico, Idaho, Washington, Montana general) — those are cheap lottery tickets with real payoff.
How do I track all these deadlines?
Use our Application Timeline Planner, which tracks deadlines across all states and sends reminders. Alternatively, set calendar alerts on your phone for one week before each deadline. The month-by-month checklist in this article covers the full annual cycle.
Never Miss a Deadline
- Application Timeline Planner — Auto-track every western state deadline
- Draw Odds Engine — Check your odds before you apply
- Draw Odds & Preference Points Explained — Understand every state’s system
- Wyoming Draw Odds & Application Guide — Deep dive on Wyoming’s 75/25 system
- Colorado Elk Hunting Complete Guide — The biggest elk state in the West