Wyoming elk hunting

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.

Over the counter or draw

Resident: Resident general elk licenses are sold over the counter beginning July 16 Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 9. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: No. Nonresidents hunting general areas need a Region General License, issued through the draw Source: WGFD Elk Hunting (Hunt Planner). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: Example: Region S licenses are valid in Elk Hunt Areas 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 21, 105, 106, 107, 110 and 130, but not in limited-quota Areas 8, 11, 30, 31, 32, 108, 124 and 125 Source: WGFD Elk Hunting (Hunt Planner). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Seasons

Season dates by hunt area

Starts: Set by hunt area in Chapter 7, Section 2 (Elk Hunting Seasons) of the regulations Source: WGFD 2026 Antelope, Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations, Ch. 7 §2, printed p. 47. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Set by hunt area in Chapter 7, Section 2 Source: WGFD 2026 Antelope, Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations, Ch. 7 §2, printed p. 47. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 seasons

Starts: Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't published this yet. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Wyoming Game and Fish Department hasn't published this yet. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

License and tag prices

Resident: $57 License only; $62 remitted in the draw including the $5 application fee. Source: WGFD License Fee List. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: $692 NR elk and fishing license only; $707 remitted in the draw including the $15 application fee. Source: WGFD License Fee List. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $1,950 NR special elk and fishing license Source: WGFD License Fee List. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $288 NR cow/calf elk Source: WGFD License Fee List. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $43 Resident cow/calf elk Source: WGFD License Fee List. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $707 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $15 nonresident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $1,965 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $15 nonresident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $303 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $15 nonresident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $290 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $15 nonresident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $62 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $5 resident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $30 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $5 resident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $48 Amount to remit in the 2026 initial draw; includes the nonrefundable $5 resident application fee. Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $52 NR elk preference point only Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

How to apply and limits

How to apply: Nonresidents apply Jan. 2 - Feb. 2 (2026 cycle) online; modify or withdraw by May 8; results May 21 Source: WGFD Application Dates, Deadlines and Prices (ELS). License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Limit: After the initial drawing, a person may apply for and receive up to 3 elk licenses total, no more than 1 of them a General, Type 0, 1, 2, 3 or 9 license. After the leftover drawing, unlimited Type 8 reduced-price cow/calf elk licenses are available Source: WGFD 2026 Antelope, Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations, PDF p. 10. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Unit or area tool: wgfd.wyo.gov/hunting/hunt-planner Source: WGFD 2026 Hunting License Application Information, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

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