Elk and mule deer draw deadlines

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with the state wildlife agency before you apply.

Idaho Colorado Montana Wyoming

Idaho draw deadlines

2027 controlled hunt application periods

Opens: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunts, 1st application period (deer, elk, pronghorn, etc.)

Opens: May 1, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 5, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Early July 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunt tag purchase deadline

Deadline: Aug. 1, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunts, 2nd application period

Opens: Aug. 5, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Aug. 15, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Aug. 25, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 leftover controlled hunt tags on sale

Opens: Aug. 25, 2026, 10 a.m. MT Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Idaho draw rules and deadlines

Colorado draw deadlines

2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear

Opens: March 1, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: April 7, 2026, 8 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: May 26-29, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Surrender by: June 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Payment due: June 12, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Mailed by: June 26, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 secondary draw (no preference points used or awarded)

Opens: June 18, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 30, 2026, 8 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: July 7, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Surrender by: July 9, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Payment due: July 21, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Mailed by: July 27, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 leftover and unlimited OTC licenses on sale

Opens: Aug. 4, 2026, 9 a.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Weekly reissued limited licenses

Opens: Reissue Preview List posted every Tuesday at 11 a.m. MT; those hunt codes go on sale every Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. MT, starting the week after leftover licenses go on sale Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 primary draw

Opens: Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Colorado draw rules and deadlines

Montana draw deadlines

2026 nonresident combination license drawing

Opens: March 1, 2026, 5 a.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: April 1, 2026, 11:45 p.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 deer and elk permit applications

Deadline: April 1, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 Deer B and Elk B license drawings

Deadline: June 1, 2026 Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B licenses on sale

Opens: June 15, 2026 Changed for 2026. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 application dates

Opens: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Montana draw rules and deadlines

Wyoming draw deadlines

2026 nonresident elk draw (incl. special and cow/calf)

Opens: Jan. 2, 2026 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Feb. 2, 2026 (midnight MT) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: May 21, 2026 (tentative) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Last day to modify: May 8, 2026 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 nonresident deer draw

Opens: Jan. 2, 2026 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 1, 2026 (midnight MT) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: June 18, 2026 (tentative) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 resident elk and deer limited quota draw

Opens: Jan. 2, 2026 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 1, 2026 (midnight MT) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: June 18, 2026 (tentative) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 leftover elk, deer and antelope drawing

Opens: June 22, 2026 Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 26, 2026 Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: July 8, 2026 (tentative) Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Buy preference points only (nonresident elk, deer; all point species)

Opens: July 1, 2026 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Nov. 2, 2026 (midnight MT) Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 application periods and prices

Opens: Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't published this yet. Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't published this yet. Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't published this yet. Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Wyoming draw rules and deadlines

Elk and mule deer draw odds by unit for all four states: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.