Western Rookie – 2025 Wyoming Nonresident Elk Application

Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail Hunting

This episode of the Western Rookie Podcast focuses on the Wyoming non-resident elk application process for 2025. Host Brian Krebs discusses important deadlines, the modified preference point system, application strategies, and the various types of elk licenses available. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the draw system, managing points effectively, and utilizing resources like Go Hunt to enhance the hunting experience. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of planning and preparation for successful elk hunting in Wyoming.

Application Deadline:

January 31st at 11:59 PM MT

Application Style:

Modified Preference Point System

Application Cost:

Regular Elk: $707

Special Elk: $1965

State Appplication Website:

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/

Bonus Episode Research

State and Species: Wyoming NR Elk

Deadline: January 31st and 11:59 PM MT

Draw System: Modified Preference Point System

Party App Notes: Groups Up To 6

Leftover Tags: Available in the Leftover Draw

Regular Elk Tag: $707

Special Elk Tag: $1965

Preference Points: Available from July 1st through Oct. 31st

Breakdown:

• GoHunt Insider
• Important Info
• Results will be available tentatively on May 22nd
• Can modify application until May 8th
• Must front the entire tag cost
• Unsuccessful applicants will get a refund
• Will not automatically get a point
• Don’t need to apply for a point – separate period for points only
• You cannot return an elk license for a refund or get points back
• New for 2025
• Nonresident general elk applicants will now have to apply for a specific region – no more entire state
• State is broken up into three regions – IE not that big of a deal for most.
• The special elk license increased to $1965 – this might push some people who have done special draw in the past to the regular draw and increase point creep
• Wyoming Winter Update
• Another Mild Winter so far
• Wyoming Draw System
• Modified Preference Point System
• 75% of tags will go to highest point holders
• 25% randomly drawn across remaining point holders
• Special Draw – increased tag fee for potentially better odds – check draw odds to compare and see if its worth it for your case
• Group apps up to 6
• Group points averaged – greater than x less than y bucket
• Wyoming will over allocate if a group is drawn larger than remaining tags – no decrease in odds to apply as a group
• Group will need a party leader to begin app and send party ID info to rest of group
• Only 1st choice uses points
• License Types
• Type 1 – Rifle tags with most allowing OTC archery stamp
• Type 2 – Typically different dates or boundaries as the type 1
• Type 9 – Archery Only
• General License – rifle or archery hunt with the OTC archery stamp
• Type 4 and 5 – full priced cow/calf
• Type 6 and 7 – reduced price cow/calf and do not use preference points
• USFS Designated Wilderness Areas – Nonresidents cannot legally hunt DWAs without a licensed Wyoming Outfitter or Licensed Wyoming Resident Guide
• Wilderness Study Areas are designated by the BLM and Nonresidents can hunt those without a guide
• Check the GoHunt Maps platform before applying to ensure you know what DWAs exist in your unit
• Grizzly Bears
• NW corner of Wyoming is Grizzly country.
• Can be a concern for some
• Know before you apply
• One option to get away from crowds
• Wyoming Elk Breakdown
• Key state for anyone looking to elk hunt each year
• Definitely worth applying or building points in
• Majority of the state is over objective
• Point creep was pretty consistent with the new region system in 2024
• Not known as a 350+ state, but lots of big bulls in the 300-350 are killed every year
• Longer seasons with the general units – a lot of tags can hunt both archery and rifle

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