Wyoming offers elk hunters a unique opportunity to hunt elk that most other states do not with a wide range of season dates, weapon choices, multiple weapons, physicality, and trophy/opportunity potential. Wyoming is a state that any serious elk hunter looking for a quality hunting experience should be applying in. Elk numbers are at an all-time high along with the number of nonresident licenses issued hitting their peak in 2024.
The opportunity to hunt and harvest a 350"+ class bull is still a realistic expectation in the state. From the northwest region along Yellowstone Park to the high desert units in central Wyoming, trophy calibers are available in many units. The elk range in Wyoming varies from its desert lowlands and rolling sagebrush country to high elevation mountain basins above the timberline. It offers the best mix of quality and quantity of any western state. While it may not turn out as many top-end bulls as some western states, it’s the great elk hunt for the number of years invested in building points.
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Nineteen years ago, Wyoming started a modified preference point system for nonresidents. This system is great if you got into it early. Unfortunately, like Wyoming's sheep and moose point creep, its elk point creep isn’t much better. In 2024, just over 100 max point holders burned their points and drew out. With over 642 non-residents still sitting on max points going into the 2025 draw, you’re in for a long wait to catch a max point unit if you’re even one point under max. If you don’t have max points and you only want to hunt the best areas, make sure you are applying in an area that has random licenses.
For the self-guided hunter, Wyoming has tons of public land. However, a large portion of that public land is designated wilderness where a nonresident is not allowed to hunt without an outfitter or Wyoming resident with a resident guide license. Many of these units are producing some of the better bulls in the state. If you have a resident who is willing to hunt with you and has access to horses, the possibilities are endless.
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For bowhunters, you can apply for the available type 9 archery-only hunts or draw a type 1 or 2 license and purchase the $72 archery license and, in most cases, hunt the archery season. If unsuccessful, you can return during the rifle season. Not all type 1 rifle units give you the archery option, so check the regulations before applying. Wyoming is a state that allows hunters to use a crossbow during the archery season. If you’re not a bowhunter but want to experience the elk rut and extend your season, you should try hunting with a crossbow.
The units surrounding Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming consistently produce the state’s biggest bulls. These units are 5, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, and 63/64. The later rifle hunts in some of these areas can be much better with early snowfall to push some of the bigger bulls these areas are known for out of the backcountry. Lack of October snowfall in 2024 made these late hunts difficult with a very slow migration. Even with the unseasonably nice weather, hunters were still able to harvest some great bulls as they worked their way towards the wintering grounds. If the migration gets going and you can time it right, this can be an unbelievable hunt where you see dozens of mature bulls daily. There will always be some great bulls in these units due to Yellowstone Park and the difficulty of accessing and hunting these areas. Keep in mind that most of these units have wolves, grizzly bears, and wilderness areas. These units also have a lot of wilderness that can limit self-guided, nonresident hunts. If you are planning on going unguided or have a friend who is a Wyoming resident and has horses, you should probably be taking a hard look at these areas. These units will provide a true backcountry hunting adventure.
Units 16, 22, 30, 31, 32, 100, 111, and 124 are extremely popular due to all of the public land and lack of wilderness areas. These units are managed for high bull-to-cow ratios which, in turn, produce better bulls. They also allocate low license numbers in these units, increasing the age size of bulls. As usual, due to the public access and number of good bulls, these licenses went to max or near max point holders in 2024. For hunters willing to work at navigating public access around private land or who are willing to hunt private land by hiring an outfitter, there are some good hunts that are typically drawn with a few less than max points. Units like 7, 19, 23, 34, 108, 118, and 120 have some great bulls, but they also have a significant amount of private land to work around.
Some of the units within the Bighorn Mountains, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 45, have a great mix of opportunity, access, very few wolves or grizzlies, and quality for a self-guided hunter who is not sitting on max points. Hunters will need to choose between archery and rifle in these units as most do not allow both like other units throughout the state do. The quality of bulls has remained consistent in the Bighorns over the past several years, so hunters can expect to have a chance at a mature bull if they hunt hard and hopefully have a little luck on their side. During rifle season in the Bighorns, you can expect to see a lot of hunters. Hunting pressure is usually a little lighter in the more remote wilderness areas. Units 35, 41, and 45 all have some wilderness areas. All the Bighorn Mountain units are at or above objective, so animals are available if you are willing to get after it.
If you have any questions about Wyoming elk hunting, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
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The application deadline for non-resident elk is 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31, 2025.
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| Youth | Regular | Special | Youth | Regular | |
| Elk | $290 | $707 | $1,965 | $10 | $52 |
Wyoming Elk Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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