Nonresident elk licenses in Wyoming are issued through a draw, with any leftovers sold afterward. The good news is that the system is fairly simple and a quarter of the licenses go out at random, so even a first-year applicant can draw. The catch is the deadline: nonresident elk applications close in late January or early February (February 2 in 2026), months before most other states. Here is how it works.

Key dates

These are WGFD’s dates for the 2026 draw. The 2027 dates have not been posted yet, but the calendar has followed the same pattern for years.

Step	2026 date (nonresident elk)
Applications open	January 2
Application deadline	February 2
Last day to modify or withdraw	May 8
Final seasons and quotas published	May 1
Results posted	May 21
Leftover draw applications	June 22–26
Leftover results	July 8
Remaining licenses on sale, first come, first served	July 16
Preference point only purchase	July 1 – November 2

Residents apply January 2 – June 1 and get results June 18.

Step 1: Get your hunter education card

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1966, must have a hunter education certificate to hunt with a firearm in Wyoming. Cards from other states are accepted. Hunter education is required for every hunter in Grand Teton National Park (Area 75), regardless of age.

Step 2: Choose regular or special price

This is the first big decision.

• Regular price: $707 for a nonresident elk license (includes a fishing license and the $15 application fee).
• Special price: $1,965. Wyoming sets aside 40% of nonresident elk licenses for applicants willing to pay an extra $1,258. Special applicants compete only against each other, in a separate preference point and random draw.

Because fewer people pay for special price, it often takes fewer points to draw the same hunt. Many hunters use special to draw a hunt years sooner than they could at regular price.

Step 3: Pick region general or limited quota

• Region general license: You choose one of three nonresident regions (Eastern, Southern, or Western). The license is good in any hunt area in that region that is not fully limited quota.
• Limited quota license: You choose a specific hunt area and license type, such as Type 1 (any elk), Type 4 or 6 (antlerless or cow/calf), or Type 9 (archery only).

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

Learn more about general and limited quota licenses

Step 4: Understand preference points

• 75% of licenses in each hunt area and type go to the applicants with the most points.
• 25% go by random draw. Everyone who misses in the point draw goes into the random draw, whatever their points.
• Earning points: Nonresidents build elk points by buying a preference point for $52 ($10 for youth) between July 1 and November 2. Missing the draw does not earn you a point by itself.
• Losing points: Your points go to zero when you draw your first choice in the initial draw. You also lose all of them if you don’t buy a preference point for two years in a row. Applying alone doesn’t protect them.
• Reduced price cow/calf licenses do not use points.

Step 5: Apply alone or as a party

Up to six hunters can apply together. Everyone must apply for the same draw (regular or special), hunt area, and license type. The party’s points are averaged, and the whole party draws together or not at all. Residents and nonresidents cannot apply together. A party does not improve your odds.

Step 6: Pay and wait

Wyoming charges your card for the full license fee when you apply. If you do not draw, the license fee is refunded to the same card after the draw, but the application fee and any donations are kept. Card payments also carry a 2.5% processing fee.

What it costs to apply (nonresident, 2026)

Item	Regular price	Special price
Elk license with fishing (includes $15 application fee)	$707	$1,965
Refunded if you don’t draw	$692	$1,950
Preference point (bought July 1 – Nov 2; rises to $75 on Jan 1, 2027)	$52	$52
Cow/calf elk license (separate draw, no points)	$303	$303

You will also need a $21.50 conservation stamp once you draw, and an archery license if you hunt the archery season.

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? You still have options

• Leftover draw (late June): Licenses left after the initial draw. Points are not used.
• First come, first served (mid-July): Anything left after the leftover draw goes on sale.
• Cow/calf licenses: You can apply for one reduced price cow/calf license in the initial draw on top of your full price license, and pick up more in the leftover draw or over the counter where available. You can hold up to three elk licenses a year.
• Build points: Buy a point between July 1 and November 2 to stay in the game for next year.

Let an outfitter help

Wyoming’s late January or early February deadline means most guided hunts are booked by January. Outfitters know which areas their clients draw and how many points it takes, and many will help you apply. If your hunt is in designated wilderness, you will need an outfitter or resident guide anyway.

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

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