Grass
If you have been dreaming of hearing the piercing bugle of a bull elk in the crisp mountain air or glassing for a heavy-horned mule deer across a sprawling alpine basin, Wyoming is likely at the top of your bucket list. The Cowboy State offers some of the most spectacular, pristine hunting grounds in the world, particularly in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Gros Ventre Wilderness. However, for many out-of-state hunters, the biggest obstacle isn't the physical demand of a backcountry horseback hunt—it is figuring out how to actually get a tag in your pocket.
The Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) utilizes a highly specific draw system to manage its wildlife populations, ensuring quality hunting opportunities and sustainable herds. If you are an out-of-state hunter planning a trip, understanding Wyoming preference points and draw system for non-residents is the single most critical step in your journey. The system can be confusing, filled with strict deadlines, different drawing tiers, and specific unit regulations.
We know how frustrating it can be to navigate what can seem like a complex draw system when all you want to do is get into the woods. This comprehensive guide will break down exactly how the Wyoming non-resident draw works, how to accumulate preference points, and what you need to know to plan your ultimate western hunting adventure.
Overwhelmed by the Application Process? Let Us Handle It.
You shouldn’t have to be a mathematician to go on a hunting trip. At Mountain Ivory Adventures, we offer full-service Preference Point & Tag Application Assistance. We will gladly handle the purchase of your preference points and submit your draw applications for you, ensuring no missed deadlines and no costly mistakes.
Call Stith Keiser at 307-910-9779 or visit our Seasons & Applications page to let us do the heavy lifting so you can focus on preparing for the hunt.
What Are Wyoming Preference Points for Non-Residents?
In the simplest terms, preference points are essentially your "place in line" for highly coveted big game hunting tags. Wyoming uses a modified preference point system for non-resident hunters applying for all Big Game species (including, elk, deer, moose, sheep, mountain goats and antelope).
When you apply for a Big Game animal tag, the state looks at how many preference points you have compared to other applicants. The available licenses in a specific unit are allocated to the applicants holding the highest number of preference points. If you do not draw your first-choice license, you are awarded a preference point for that year (provided you opted to purchase one or apply for one), which increases your odds of drawing a tag in subsequent years.
It is important to note that Wyoming allocates a certain percentage of its non-resident tags to the preference point draw, but it also reserves a smaller percentage for a random draw. This means that even if you have zero points, you technically still have a mathematical chance of drawing a tag in the random allocation, though the odds are significantly lower than if you have built up a bank of points.
The Strategy: Building Your Points
You do not necessarily have to apply for a hunt to acquire a point. Non-residents have the option of simply purchasing one preference point per species each year. Many savvy hunters will buy points for a few years while saving money or waiting for the right time in their life to book a fully guided elk hunt or mule deer hunt.
You can accumulate points until you are ready to use them. There is no maximum limit to the number of points you can hold; however, there is a critical "Use 'Em or Lose 'Em" rule you must be aware of: Two consecutive years without a point purchase or application will negate all previously purchased points. If you forget to buy a point for two years in a row, your account resets to zero, and your investment is lost.
The Regular Draw vs. The Special Draw
One of the most unique—and sometimes confusing—aspects of the Wyoming draw system is the separation between the Regular Draw and the Special Draw for non-residents.
When applying for Big Game tags, non-residents must choose which draw pool they want to enter.
- The Regular Draw: This is the standard application pool. The tag fees are lower, but because it is the more affordable option, the vast majority of non-resident hunters apply here. Consequently, it requires more preference points to successfully draw a tag in the Regular Draw for most regions and units.
- The Special Draw: This pool requires hunters to pay a significantly higher fee for the tag if they are successful. However, because the cost is higher, fewer people apply in this pool. This means you can often draw the exact same tag in the same unit with fewer preference points than you would need in the Regular Draw.
If you are short on points but have the budget to spend a little more on the license itself, entering the Special Draw is a highly effective strategy to get into the Wyoming backcountry much sooner.
Understanding Our Hunt Areas
When you are purchasing preference points and applying for tags, you need to know which units to apply for. At Mountain Ivory Adventures, we have exclusive side-by-side access to our remote wilderness camp deep in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
When you are ready to hunt with us, these are the regions and units our operations encompass:
- Elk: General Western "W" Region
- Mule Deer: Primarily Region H (This will likely shift to Region L pending the Wyoming Game & Fish commission meeting in mid-April)
- Moose: Units 17 & 28
- Antelope: Units 85, 90, 91, 26 & 96
- Black Bear: Units 20, 21 & 29 (Note: We offer both spring and fall black bear hunts)
- Bighorn Sheep: Unit 7
Important Note for Elk Hunters: All elk hunters are required to purchase an Elk Special Management Permit as required by the state for our specific hunt units, in addition to an over-the-counter Conservation Stamp, which is required for all hunting and fishing in Wyoming.
2026 Application Deadlines to Remember
Missing a deadline in Wyoming means waiting an entire year to try again. The state is strict, and there are no exceptions for late applications. Here are the crucial dates for the 2026 season:
| Application Type | 2026 Application Window |
| Non-Resident Elk | January 2 - February 2 |
| Mule Deer | January 1 - June 2 |
| Sheep, Moose, & Goats | January 2 - April 20 |
| Preference Point Only Purchase | July 1 - October 31 |
Because the non-resident elk deadline closes so early in the year (February 2nd), it catches many hunters off guard. If you are reading this in the winter, the time to act is right now.
The Cost of Wyoming Preference Points for Non-Residents
If you are opting to just buy points this year to build up for a future trip, the purchase window is from July 1st through October 31st. Below is the current pricing structure for non-resident points (keep in mind that the Wyoming Game & Fish Department charges a 2.5% non-refundable processing fee on all point purchases).
- Nonresident Elk: $52.00
- Nonresident Deer: $41.00
- Nonresident Antelope: $31.00
- Nonresident Bighorn Sheep: $150.00
- Nonresident Moose: $150.00
- Youth Points (Elk, Deer, Antelope): $10.00 each
Pro-Tip for Families: If you are planning a hunt a few years down the road with your children or grandchildren, start buying them youth preference points now. At only $10 a point, it is an incredibly cost-effective way to ensure they have the points necessary to draw a premier tag when they are old enough to handle the rigors of a traditional horseback hunt.
Party Applications: Hunting with Your Buddies
Hunting is a communal experience. Few things rival sharing the warmth of a custom wood stove in a wall tent with your best friends after a long day in the saddle. If you want to ensure that you and your hunting partners all draw tags together, Wyoming allows for "Party Applications."
Up to six hunters can apply as a party for elk, deer, or antelope. When you apply as a party, the WGFD takes the total number of preference points held by the group and averages them out. For example, if you have 4 points and your hunting buddy has 0 points, your party will enter the draw with an average of 2 points.
If the party is drawn, everyone in the party gets a tag. This is a great way for veteran hunters who have banked points for years to help pull a newer hunter into a great unit.
Planning Your Hunt With Mountain Ivory Adventures
Securing your tag is just the first step. Once you have navigated the draw, the real excitement begins. Drawing a tag in the General W Elk Region or Region H (or Region L, pending the WY Game & Fish decision) for Mule Deer gives you access to some of the most historic and game-rich terrain in the American West.
When you book a hunt with Mountain Ivory Adventures, you aren't just getting a guide—you are stepping back into a tradition that hasn't changed much since our outfit began over a century ago. From your first cup of cowboy coffee before dawn to the steady gait of our reliable mountain horses carrying you into untouched wilderness, we strive to provide an authentic, fair-chase experience. Because we are the oldest licensed outfitting camp in the Bridger-Teton National Forest with exclusive side-by-side trail access, we can get you deeper into the backcountry, away from the crowds, to pursue minimally pressured game.
Whether you are looking to hunt peak rut during archery season or experience our unique late-rut rifle elk hunts, understanding the draw is your ticket in.
Ready to Start the Process? We Can Help.
Do not let the complexity of Wyoming preference points for non-residents keep you from experiencing the hunt of a lifetime. Whether you are ready to apply for the 2026 draw right now, or you just want to start building points for a trip a few years down the road, Mountain Ivory Adventures is here to assist.
We are a full-service operation. We will navigate the Wyoming Game & Fish system on your behalf, ensure your party applications are linked correctly, and help you choose the right draw tier for your goals.
Check out our Wyoming Hunting Packages & Prices and then contact us today at 307-910-9779 or email skeiser@mountainivoryadventures.com to get your application started!
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