Wyoming Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Wyoming hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Draw Application Deadlines
| Species | Type | Opens | Deadline | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
| Mule Deer | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
| Pronghorn | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
| Moose | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
| Bighorn Sheep | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
| Mountain Goat | Primary Draw | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Mid May |
Wyoming Hunting Seasons
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Nov 20 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Draw-only for non-residents. Some general license areas for residents. Excellent elk hunting with vast public land.
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Oct 31 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Draw required for most regions. Wyoming is a top mule deer state. Non-resident quotas.
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Nov 30 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Whitetail deer in the river bottoms of eastern Wyoming. Separate tag from mule deer. Draw required.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 1 | May 31 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)
Merriam's turkeys in the Black Hills and river corridors. Spring and fall seasons. OTC tags for residents.
Moose
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 15 | Oct 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Limited draw only. Shiras moose. Once-in-a-lifetime for residents. Some of the best moose hunting in the lower 48.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Oct 31 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Black bear OTC tags in some units. Spring season also available. Baiting allowed in designated areas.
Pronghorn
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 15 | Sep 20 |
| Rifle | Sep 25 | Oct 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Draw-only in most western states
Bighorn Sheep
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime (most states)
Extremely limited tags. Once-in-a-lifetime draw.
Mountain Goat
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime
Once-in-a-lifetime draw. Extremely limited tags.
Mountain Lion
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter | Nov 1 | Mar 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Hound hunting legal in most western states. Quotas apply.
Planning Tools
- Wyoming Draw Odds by Unit — success rates for every limited-entry hunt
- Wyoming Hunt Unit Guides — terrain, tactics, access, and logistics by unit
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
Wyoming Hunting Guides
draw odds
Colorado vs Wyoming Bighorn Sheep: Draw Timelines, Trophy Quality, and How to Choose
planning
Drop Camp Elk Hunting: What It Is, What It Costs, and Whether It's Right for You
methods
Grizzly Bear Safety for Elk and Deer Hunters in the Northern Rockies
planning
Montana vs. Wyoming Elk Hunting for Nonresidents: Which State is Right For You
planning
Wyoming Red Desert Mule Deer: The OTC Trophy Hunt Nobody Talks About
planning