Wyoming draw deadlines and rules

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with Wyoming Game and Fish Department before you apply.

Application and draw dates

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.

Draw rules

Preference split
75% of licenses in each hunt area and license type go to the preference point drawing; the remaining 25% are drawn at random Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 12. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Point species
Preference points are used for nonresident elk, deer and antelope (and moose and full-price bighorn sheep for both residents and nonresidents) Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 12-13. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
No point if unsuccessful
Unsuccessful nonresident elk, deer and antelope applicants are not awarded a preference point Source: WGFD Licenses & Applications. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Special elk
40% of nonresident elk licenses are set aside for applicants who pay an extra $1,258 for a special license; they draw separately (preference point and random) Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 10. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Special deer
40% of nonresident deer licenses are set aside for applicants who pay an extra $826 for a special license Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 8-9. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Final quotas published
Final quotas, season dates and limitations are set at the April Commission meeting and posted on the website May 1 Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 9. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
New for 2026
Moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and wild bison draw results tentatively May 21 Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Wyoming elk and mule deer draw odds by unit: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.