Wyoming’s deer draw is one of the more forgiving in the West. The deadline is late (June 1), a quarter of the licenses are drawn at random, and many region general and doe/fawn licenses are still available after the draw. Here is how to apply.

Key dates (2026)

Step	2026 date
Applications open (residents and nonresidents)	January 2
Application deadline and last day to modify or withdraw	June 1, midnight MT
Results	June 18
Leftover draw applications	June 22–26
Leftover results	July 8
Remaining licenses and resident general deer licenses on sale	July 16
Nonresident preference point only purchase	July 1 – November 2

The 2027 dates have not been posted yet. The schedule has been very similar from year to year.

Step 1: Hunter education

If you were born on or after January 1, 1966, you need a hunter education certificate to hunt with a firearm in Wyoming. Other states’ cards are accepted.

Step 2: Regular or special price

Nonresident deer license (2026)	Price
Regular price (full price)	$389
Special price (full price)	$1,215
Youth	$125
Doe/fawn (reduced price)	$49
Youth doe/fawn	$34

Full price fees include a $15 nonrefundable application fee.

Wyoming sets aside 40% of nonresident deer licenses for special price applicants, who pay an extra $826. Special applicants draw separately from regular applicants. For hard-to-draw mule deer areas, special price can cut years off the wait. For easier region general licenses, many hunters find regular price draws fine.

Step 3: Choose region general or limited quota

• Region general: You pick a lettered region. The license is valid in any hunt area in that region that is open to general license hunting. Wyoming had 17 nonresident deer regions in 2026, each with its own quota.
• Limited quota: You pick a specific hunt area and license type. Common deer types include Type 1 (antlered or any deer, varies by area), Type 3 (any white-tailed deer), Type 6 (doe or fawn), and Type 8 (white-tailed doe or fawn).

You can list up to three choices. Only your first choice uses preference points.

More on general and limited quota deer licenses

Step 4: How preference points work

• 75% of licenses in each area and type go to applicants with the most points; 25% are drawn at random among everyone who missed.
• Earn a point by buying a preference point for $41 ($10 youth) from July 1 to November 2. Missing the draw does not earn you a point by itself.
• Lose your points when you draw your first choice, or if you go two years in a row without buying a point (applying alone doesn’t count).
• Doe/fawn licenses use no points.

Step 5: Add doe/fawn licenses

In the initial draw a nonresident can apply for one full price deer license and up to two reduced price doe/fawn licenses. After the draw you can pick up more, up to four doe/fawn licenses in total. You can also add a second full price license after the draw, as long as at least one of your full price licenses is a limited quota Type 3 (any whitetail) license. These extra licenses are an inexpensive way to turn a buck hunt into a meat hunt.

Step 6: Party applications

Up to six hunters can apply together. Everyone must choose the same draw (regular or special), hunt area, and license type. Points are averaged. Residents and nonresidents cannot apply together.

Step 7: Pay and wait

WGFD charges your card for the full license at application. If you don’t draw, the license fee comes back to your card after the draw; the application fee does not. Card payments carry a 2.5% processing fee.

Point rules at a glance

• System: Nonresidents only: 75% of licenses in each hunt area and type go to the most preference points, and 25% are drawn at random among everyone who missed. Regular and special-price applicants draw in separate pools. Residents have no points and draw at random.
• Nonresident share: Set by hunt area. 40% of nonresident licenses are reserved for special-price applicants.
• You lose your points if: you draw your first choice in the initial draw, or go two years in a row without buying a preference point.
• Waiting period: None.
• Parties: Up to 6, with points averaged. Everyone must apply in the same price pool, and residents and nonresidents can’t mix.
• Point only: Nonresidents buy a point July 1 – November 2. Points are only earned by buying one, and you can’t buy one in a year you drew your first choice.

Full breakdown: how the draw works, with examples · check last year’s odds for every hunt

Didn’t draw?

• Leftover draw (June 22–26 in 2026): Points are not used, so everyone has the same odds.
• First come, first served (from July 16 in 2026): Whatever is left after the leftover draw. WGFD posts the list of remaining licenses on its website.
• Buy a point: July 1 – November 2.

Applying for elk too?

Wyoming’s nonresident elk deadline is in late January or early February, months before deer. If you want both, plan your elk hunt first. See the Wyoming elk draw guide.

Related: How Wyoming draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Wyoming Deer Hunting Guide · General vs. limited quota deer licenses · Deer season dates · Cost of a Wyoming deer hunt

Fees and dates are from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for 2026. Always confirm in the current WGFD application information and deer regulations before you apply.