Wyoming Draw Odds & Application Guide
Wyoming elk draw odds, the 75/25 preference system, application deadlines, and area-by-area tag data for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose.
Wyoming’s elk draw odds make it one of the most strategically interesting states in the West. Unlike Colorado’s weighted system or Montana’s pure random draw, Wyoming runs a 75/25 hybrid — 75% of tags go to applicants in the highest preference point pool, and 25% go to a random draw across all applicants regardless of points. That random 25% means a first-time applicant can draw a trophy unit. It also means point holders aren’t guaranteed anything.
If you’re building a multi-year western hunting application strategy, Wyoming deserves a spot in your portfolio. The state holds roughly 100,000 elk across some of the most spectacular public-land habitat in North America — the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, the Wind River Range, the Bighorn Mountains, and the Red Desert. Tag numbers are managed conservatively, success rates run high, and bull quality in premium areas rivals anywhere on the continent.
Here’s how the system works and where the odds actually favor you.
Quick Facts: Wyoming Big Game Application
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | January 31 |
| Draw System | 75% preference / 25% random |
| Draw Results | Mid-May |
| Point System | Preference points (one earned per unsuccessful application or point purchase) |
| Point Cost | $50 (NR elk), $50 (NR deer), $15 (NR pronghorn), $100 (NR moose/sheep/goat) |
| NR Elk License Cost | $587 (general) / $1,128 (special) |
| NR Deer License Cost | $352 |
| NR Pronghorn License Cost | $252 |
| NR Moose License Cost | $1,803 |
| Refund Policy | Full refund if unsuccessful (minus $15 application fee) |
| Special Tag Quota | Limited — type varies by area |
| NR Quota | Varies by species; roughly 16% of elk, 16% of deer, 20% of pronghorn |
Data Disclaimer: All draw odds, tag numbers, and point thresholds referenced in this article are based on Wyoming Game and Fish Department published draw results. Numbers shift annually based on tag allocation, applicant pools, and herd objectives. Always verify current data at the official WGFD website. Last verified: March 2026.
How Wyoming’s 75/25 System Works
Wyoming’s preference point system is straightforward once you understand the split.
The 75% Pool: Three-quarters of available tags go to applicants with the most preference points. If a unit has 20 tags for nonresidents, 15 go to the highest-point applicants. Within that top-point pool, selection is random. So if the top pool has 30 applicants for 15 tags, it’s a coin flip among those 30 — but you must be in the top pool to have a shot at those 15 tags.
The 25% Pool: The remaining 5 tags go to a random draw that includes every applicant — zero points through max points. Your preference points don’t help you here. A first-time applicant has the same chance as a 15-point holder.
Point Accumulation: You earn one preference point each year you apply unsuccessfully or purchase a point-only application. Points are species-specific (elk points don’t help with deer). If you draw, your points for that species reset to zero.
Key Strategic Implications:
- Unlike a pure preference system, maximum-point holders don’t draw first. They share the top pool with everyone at their point level.
- The 25% random pool keeps hope alive for low-point applicants and makes “point creep” slower than in states like Colorado.
- Buying points without applying is valid, but you miss the 25% random chance each year you do it.
Always apply, don’t just buy points. Every application gives you a shot at the 25% random pool. Point-only purchases build preference but sacrifice that annual random chance.
Understand how all western point systems compare
Wyoming Elk Draw Odds by Area
Wyoming divides elk hunting into hunt areas, each with specific tag types. The main tag types you need to know:
- Type 1: Any elk — bull or cow, any legal weapon. The premium tag.
- Type 6: Cow/calf only. Management tags for population control.
- Type 7: Antlerless elk. Similar to Type 6 but with different area restrictions.
- Type 9: Any elk — archery only. Available in limited areas.
Top Elk Areas — Type 1 (Any Elk) Tags
| Hunt Area | Region | Tags (NR) | Points to Draw 75% | Random Odds (0 pts) | 5-Year Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Thorofare / Upper Yellowstone | 3-5 | 12-14 | <1% | 55-65% |
| 100 | Upper Green River | 5-8 | 8-10 | 1-2% | 45-55% |
| 67 | Bighorn Mountains | 8-12 | 5-7 | 2-3% | 40-50% |
| 37 | Snowy Range | 10-15 | 3-5 | 3-5% | 35-40% |
| 69 | Bighorn East | 6-10 | 6-8 | 1-2% | 40-48% |
| 90 | Gros Ventre | 3-5 | 10-12 | <1% | 50-60% |
| 5 | Cody / North Absaroka | 4-6 | 9-11 | <1% | 50-58% |
| 98 | Wyoming Range | 8-12 | 5-7 | 2-3% | 38-45% |
| 108 | Sierra Madre | 12-18 | 2-4 | 4-6% | 30-38% |
| 128 | Laramie Peak | 15-20 | 1-3 | 5-8% | 28-35% |
Area 7 — the Thorofare is Wyoming’s crown jewel. The most remote valley in the Lower 48, accessible only by horse or a 30+ mile hike through Yellowstone’s backcountry. Bull quality is exceptional — 320-360 class bulls are realistic. Success rates run 55-65% for hunters who get deep. The price? A decade-plus of point building and the ability to operate in grizzly-dense wilderness.
Area 100 — Upper Green River offers a more accessible big-bull hunt. The country is stunning — high mountain basins along the Continental Divide — with solid pack-in and horseback access. Eight to ten preference points puts nonresidents in the draw pool, and success rates consistently exceed 45%.
Areas 37, 108, and 128 are the value picks. Lower point thresholds, decent success rates, and less competition. Bulls aren’t as big as the Thorofare or Gros Ventre, but a 300-class bull in the Snowy Range is still a trophy.
Best Low-Point Elk Opportunities
Not everyone has 10 years of points stacked up. Here’s where low-point and zero-point applicants find success:
| Hunt Area | Type | Points Needed (75%) | Random Odds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | Type 1 | 1-3 | 5-8% | Laramie Peak. Moderate bulls, road-accessible. |
| 16 | Type 1 | 2-4 | 3-5% | Clarks Fork. Good general elk hunting. |
| Various | Type 6/7 | 0-2 | 10-25% | Cow tags across multiple areas. Fill the freezer. |
| 108 | Type 1 | 2-4 | 4-6% | Sierra Madre. Underrated area. |
If you’re starting from zero and want to hunt Wyoming elk soon, apply for Type 6 or Type 7 cow/calf tags. Draw odds are dramatically better, meat quality is often superior to bull elk, and you learn the country for a future bull hunt.
Check real-time draw odds for any Wyoming unit
Wyoming Mule Deer Draw Odds
Wyoming’s mule deer draw is tighter than elk. The state manages mule deer conservatively, and nonresident tag allocation is limited. Trophy potential, though, is among the best anywhere — Unit-wide 170+ class bucks are realistic in the top areas.
Top Mule Deer Areas
| Hunt Area | Region | Tags (NR) | Points to Draw 75% | Random Odds (0 pts) | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | Devil’s Tower | 2-4 | 10-13 | <1% | Breaks, pine timber |
| 130 | Laramie Peak | 5-8 | 7-9 | 1-2% | Timbered mountains |
| 66 | East Bighorn | 3-5 | 8-11 | <1% | Sage and timber mix |
| 162 | Black Hills | 2-4 | 6-8 | 1-2% | Pine forest, canyons |
| 89 | Salt River Range | 4-6 | 5-7 | 2-3% | Mountain basins |
Mule deer strategy tip: The best mule deer areas in Wyoming require more points than most elk areas. If your primary goal is a big muley, start buying deer points immediately and apply every year for the random 25%.
Lower-Point Mule Deer Options
| Hunt Area | Points Needed (75%) | Random Odds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 2-4 | 4-6% | Casper region. Good buck-to-doe ratios. |
| 170 | 1-3 | 5-8% | Far northeast. Agricultural land borders. |
| General | 0-1 | 15-30% | Doe/fawn tags in many areas. |
Wyoming Pronghorn Draw Odds
Wyoming holds more pronghorn than any other state — roughly 400,000 animals. Draw odds for pronghorn are the most favorable of any species, and nonresident allocation is generous. Many areas draw with zero or one point.
Pronghorn at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tags Available (NR) | 3,500+ across all areas |
| Points to Draw Most Areas | 0-3 |
| License Cost (NR) | $252 |
| Success Rate (Statewide) | 80-90% |
| Best Trophy Areas | 60, 64, 55, 74 |
Pronghorn is the low-hanging fruit in Wyoming’s draw. New applicants with zero points can draw buck pronghorn tags in multiple areas. Success rates are absurd compared to elk or mule deer — you’re hunting an animal that lives on flat, open ground with no trees to hide behind.
Top pronghorn areas (60, 64, 55) produce 80+ inch bucks consistently. These draw at 2-4 points for nonresidents. Areas requiring zero points still produce 70-75 inch bucks — which is a solid trophy pronghorn by any measure.
If you’ve never hunted Wyoming, start with pronghorn. It’s the fastest way to get boots on the ground, learn the terrain, and build toward future elk and deer hunts.
Wyoming Moose Draw Odds
Let’s be straight: drawing a Wyoming moose tag as a nonresident is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Tag numbers are tiny, demand is massive, and draw odds are brutal.
Moose Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total NR Tags (statewide) | ~75-100 |
| Total Applicants (NR) | ~10,000-12,000 |
| Points to Draw Top Areas | 18-22+ |
| Random Draw Odds (0 pts) | Under 0.5% |
| License Cost (NR) | $1,803 |
| Average Success Rate | 75-90% |
The best Shiras moose areas — 1, 2, 4, 10 in the northwest — produce 40-50 inch bulls. You’ll need two decades of points to draw with any reliability. The 25% random pool is your best hope if you’re starting fresh, and even that’s a long shot.
Strategy: Buy moose points every year regardless. It costs $100 per year. After 20 years, that’s $2,000 for a shot at a $1,803 tag in some of the best moose habitat in the Lower 48. Worth it.
Application Strategy: Making Wyoming Work
For the New Applicant (0-2 Points)
- Apply for pronghorn immediately. You can draw a buck tag with zero points in many areas. Get to Wyoming, hunt, and learn the state.
- Apply for elk Type 6/7 cow tags. Draw odds are favorable, and you’ll fill the freezer.
- Buy points for elk Type 1, deer, and moose. Apply rather than buying point-only — you want that 25% random chance every year.
- Pick a realistic elk area. Don’t waste your application on Area 7 with zero points (unless you want a lottery ticket). Apply for areas that draw at 3-5 points so you’re hunting within a few years.
For the Mid-Point Holder (3-8 Points)
- You’re in striking range for solid elk areas. Areas 37, 98, 108, and 128 draw at 3-7 points. These aren’t trophy factories, but they produce 280-320 class bulls with respectable success rates.
- Consider burning points strategically. Holding points for 15 years to draw Area 7 is romantic, but hunting every 5 years in solid areas might produce more memories and more meat.
- Stack mule deer points. You’re building toward areas that draw at 7-10 points. Keep applying.
For the Max-Point Holder (10+ Points)
- Your elk pick is a premium area. Area 7, 100, 90, or 5. You’ve invested a decade or more — pick the area that matches your hunting style and physical ability.
- Don’t forget logistics. Area 7 requires horses or a 30-mile hike. Area 90 requires navigating grizzly country. Make sure you can execute the hunt, not just draw the tag.
- Mule deer is approaching draw range. 10+ deer points opens up Area 130, 162, and 89.
Build your multi-year Wyoming strategy
Application Costs and Budgeting
Applying in Wyoming isn’t cheap for nonresidents. Here’s the annual cost to maintain applications across all species:
| Species | Application Fee | Point-Only Cost | License Cost (if drawn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | $15 + refundable license fee | $50 | $587 (general) / $1,128 (special) |
| Mule Deer | $15 + refundable license fee | $50 | $352 |
| Pronghorn | $15 + refundable license fee | $15 | $252 |
| Moose | $15 + refundable license fee | $100 | $1,803 |
| Annual Total (all 4, point-only) | $215 |
At $215 per year for all four species, Wyoming is one of the more affordable states to build points in — especially considering the 25% random chance you get by applying rather than buying point-only.
Important: Wyoming charges your credit card for the full license fee at application time and refunds it if you don’t draw. Make sure your card can handle the hold. Failed payment = failed application.
Key Dates for Wyoming Applicants
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| October 1 | Application period opens (online) |
| January 31 | Application deadline — don’t miss this |
| Mid-May | Draw results posted on WGFD website |
| Late May | Refunds processed for unsuccessful applicants |
| August | Leftover tags available (limited) |
| September | Most elk/deer seasons begin |
The January 31 deadline catches people off guard. Most western states have spring deadlines. Wyoming’s is in the dead of winter. Set a calendar reminder for January 1 and submit your application that week.
See all western state deadlines on one calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Wyoming’s 75/25 draw system work?
Seventy-five percent of available tags go to applicants in the highest preference point pool, drawn randomly within that pool. The remaining 25% go to a random draw that includes all applicants regardless of points. This means zero-point applicants always have a small chance at any unit, and maximum-point holders aren’t guaranteed a tag.
When is the Wyoming hunting application deadline?
January 31 each year. The application opens October 1. Wyoming uses one of the earliest deadlines among western states — most others are in March through June. Don’t miss it. There’s no late application period.
How many preference points do I need for Wyoming elk?
It depends on the area. Premium areas like the Thorofare (Area 7) require 12-14+ points. Mid-tier areas draw at 5-8 points. Value areas draw at 1-4 points. Cow/calf tags draw at 0-2 points in many areas. Check specific area odds in our Draw Odds Engine.
Can I draw a Wyoming elk tag with zero points?
Yes. The 25% random pool means zero-point applicants draw tags every year, even in premium units. The odds are low (often under 1% for top areas), but it happens. Cow/calf tags draw with zero points at much higher rates.
What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 6 elk tags in Wyoming?
Type 1 is an “any elk” tag — you can harvest a bull or cow with any legal weapon. Type 6 is cow/calf only. Type 7 is antlerless only. Type 9 is any elk, archery only. Type 1 is the most sought-after and hardest to draw. Type 6/7 tags are management tools with much better draw odds.
Is Wyoming better than Colorado for elk hunting?
Different strengths. Wyoming has higher success rates in premium units, better bull quality in top areas, and a fairer draw system (the 25% random component). Colorado has OTC archery tags (no draw needed), a larger elk herd, and more total opportunity. Most serious elk hunters apply in both states. Compare Wyoming elk hunting to other states.
How much does a Wyoming elk hunt cost for non-residents?
A nonresident elk license runs $587 for a general tag or $1,128 for a special tag, plus the $15 application fee. Add travel, lodging, food, and meat processing and a DIY hunt runs $2,000-4,000. Guided hunts in premium areas cost $6,000-15,000 depending on outfitter and area.
Should I apply for Wyoming or just buy preference points?
Always apply rather than buying point-only. Applying costs the same in preference points earned, but you get the 25% random draw chance. The only reason to buy point-only is if you absolutely cannot afford the license fee hold on your credit card during the application period.
Plan Your Wyoming Application
- Draw Odds Engine — Check real-time draw odds for any Wyoming area and species
- Application Timeline Planner — Build a multi-year strategy across all western states
- Wyoming Elk Hunting Complete Guide — Unit breakdowns, tactics, and gear for WY elk
- Draw Odds & Preference Points Explained — How every western state’s system works
- Hunt Cost Calculator — Budget your Wyoming elk hunt down to the dollar