WY resident and non-resident fees, deer tags, turkey permits — plus a calculator for your full season total.
Wyoming Hunting Overview
Wyoming is home to more pronghorn antelope than people, and its hunting license system reflects the state's status as a premier big game destination for antelope, elk, and mule deer. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages a transparent preference point draw system for its most competitive units, publishing historical odds to help hunters plan multi-year strategies. Understanding Wyoming's draw system, preference points, and application deadlines is essential for planning a realistic Wyoming big game hunting trip.
Structure note: Wyoming prices hunting per species rather than one flat license. The figures above reflect the cheapest species (antelope); deer runs $42/$374 and elk $57/$692 (resident/non-resident), each plus a $21.50 conservation stamp. Confirm the exact species license you need at wgfd.wyo.gov before budgeting.
WY Hunting Cost Calculator
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Wyoming Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For
Wyoming's $326.00 non-resident base license reflects the state's status as one of the premier big game destinations in the country — home to more pronghorn antelope than people, alongside renowned elk and mule deer hunting. Nearly all of Wyoming's best units require a separate competitive draw application for deer, distinct from the base license itself.
Residents get considerably better terms: a $37.00 base license with deer tags allocated through a less competitive resident-priority draw system, similar in spirit to Montana's resident-first philosophy just to the north, though Wyoming's overall non-resident fee is notably lower than Montana's $50.00.
Wyoming's turkey population is more limited than Eastern states, though present — unlike Montana's "limited" turkey season description, Wyoming does not list turkey as a huntable species in this dataset for most units. Archery is included in the base license, with a September-October season timed to the state's early elk and mule deer rut activity in higher elevations.
Wyoming's preference point system is considered one of the more transparent in the country, publishing draw odds and point requirements by unit each year — hunters serious about a specific pronghorn, elk, or mule deer unit can research exact historical odds before committing points to that unit.
Wyoming vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison
Here's how Wyoming's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.
State
Resident
Non-Resident
Wyoming (this page)
$37.00
$326.00
Montana
$10.00
$50.00
Colorado
$38.49
$104.86
Idaho
$15.75
$185.00
Utah
$40.00
$144.00
Chart: annual base license fees, resident vs. non-resident. Source: state wildlife agency sites, verified July 2026.
How to Buy a Wyoming Hunting License
Wyoming hunting licenses and tags are sold through the Game and Fish online licensing and application system, by phone, or at license vendors statewide. Online purchases generate an instant digital license, but most deer, elk, and antelope tags require a separate draw application with its own spring deadline — apply early and consider building preference points for competitive units, since Wyoming's draw system rewards multi-year applicants.
Buying a WY License, Step by Step
1. Go to the Wyoming Game & Fish online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.
Wyoming Residency Rules & License Exemptions
Wyoming requires residents to have lived in the state for at least 12 months immediately before applying, with a Wyoming driver's license or state ID as proof, and extends resident rates to active-duty military stationed in Wyoming. Residents 62 and older receive reduced pricing, and youth under 14 hunt free. Landowners hunting their own qualifying land are exempt from license requirements, a common benefit across Wyoming's extensive ranch acreage.
Is a Wyoming Hunting License Worth It?
Is Wyoming's $326.00 non-resident license worth it? For hunters targeting the state's renowned pronghorn population or premier elk and mule deer units, yes — Wyoming offers exceptional big game diversity at a lower non-resident cost than neighboring Montana's considerably steeper $50.00 fee.
Typical season windows shown by month. Exact open/close dates vary by zone or unit — verify with the state wildlife agency each year.
Season dates vary by zone/unit. Verify your area's exact calendar at Wyoming Game & Fish.
Frequently Asked Questions — WY Hunting License
How much is a hunting license in Wyoming?
A Wyoming resident hunting license costs $37.00 per year. A non-resident license costs $326.00. Deer hunting requires a separate tag allocated through a competitive draw system (Separate tag draw) rather than a fixed over-the-counter price. A turkey tag costs an additional $15.00. Verify current rates with Wyoming Game & Fish before purchasing.
How much is a Wyoming non-resident hunting license?
A Wyoming non-resident annual hunting license costs $326.00. Non-resident deer tag pricing should be confirmed with Wyoming Game & Fish. The Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required separately for waterfowl hunting.
Do I need a separate deer tag in Wyoming?
Yes — Wyoming allocates deer tags through a competitive draw system (Separate tag draw) rather than a fixed-price over-the-counter tag.
When is deer season in Wyoming?
Wyoming's general firearm deer season typically runs October – November, with archery season running September – October. Season dates vary by zone or unit — always check the current year's dates at Wyoming Game & Fish before hunting.
Do seniors get a discount on Wyoming hunting licenses?
Wyoming residents qualify for a senior hunting license benefit: 62+ reduced. Active duty military members also qualify for a discount (Active duty free). Verify current senior and military rates directly with Wyoming Game & Fish.
Why is Wyoming famous for pronghorn hunting?
Wyoming is home to more pronghorn antelope than people, making it one of the premier pronghorn hunting destinations in the country, alongside renowned elk and mule deer opportunities.
Do I need to apply for a draw to hunt deer in Wyoming?
Yes, for nearly all competitive units — Wyoming allocates deer, elk, and antelope tags through a draw application separate from the base license, with a spring deadline and a preference point system that rewards multi-year applicants.
How does Wyoming's non-resident fee compare to Montana's?
Wyoming's $326.00 non-resident base license is notably lower than Montana's $50.00, making Wyoming a somewhat more accessible option for non-resident big game hunters in the northern Rockies.
Does Wyoming publish draw odds for its hunting units?
Yes — Wyoming's preference point system is considered one of the more transparent in the country, publishing historical draw odds and point requirements by unit each year, helping hunters plan multi-year point strategies.
Does Wyoming offer a lifetime hunting license?
Wyoming offers lifetime license options for residents through Game and Fish; non-residents should check current combination license and draw application terms each year, as availability can change.
How does Wyoming's license compare to Montana's?
Wyoming's $326.00 non-resident base license is dramatically lower than Montana's $50.00, making Wyoming a more accessible option for non-resident hunters seeking similar Rocky Mountain big game diversity.
Does Wyoming offer a lifetime hunting license?
Wyoming offers lifetime license options for residents through Game and Fish; non-residents should check current combination license and draw application terms each year.
When is duck and waterfowl season in Wyoming?
Wyoming's general waterfowl season runs approximately October – January, though exact opener dates are set annually within federal USFWS framework dates and can vary by zone. A Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, on top of your Wyoming hunting license — check Wyoming Game & Fish each year for the confirmed season dates in your zone.
What do I need to buy a Wyoming hunting license?
You'll typically need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), your hunter education certification number if this is your first license, and a form of payment. Online purchases through Wyoming Game & Fish accept major credit or debit cards and issue your license instantly; in-person purchases at a license agent may also accept cash or check depending on the retailer.
What's the total cost for a full deer, turkey, and archery season in Wyoming?
Adding the Wyoming base license ($37.00) to a deer tag (Separate tag draw), a turkey tag ($15.00), and archery access (included), a resident hunter pursuing all three in the same season pays roughly $45.00 total before the $27 Federal Duck Stamp needed for waterfowl. Non-resident totals run higher across the board — check Wyoming Game & Fish for exact current tag prices before budgeting a multi-species season.
Does Wyoming require hunter education to get a hunting license?
Yes — like nearly every U.S. state, Wyoming requires hunter education certification for first-time license buyers born after a state-set cutoff date, typically covering firearm safety, ethics, and wildlife identification. Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can often still get afield through an apprentice or mentored hunting license, which lets a certified adult bring along an uncertified newcomer for one or more license years before certification is required.
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