Well-known for stunning views and plenty of animals, this state presents an unmatched outdoor adventure. The coming 2024 hunting season in Wyoming sparks thrill for hunters, boasting lots of game to chase. Whether elk or deer, antelope or bears, the state’s rich range of animals guarantees that hunters won’t lack chances to snag a coveted prize.
The joy isn’t just in the chase but embracing nature’s splendor in the state. The chance to soak in the wild’s vastness, fresh mountain breeze, and outdoor tranquility is a gift. Exploring the varied habitats of Wyoming, hunters see striking landscapes, meet unique wildlife, and develop a great love for the state’s abundant natural legacy.
Hunting Schedule and Guidelines for Wyoming’s 2024-2025
Big Games
Deer
General Deer:
- September 1 – September 30: Archery
- October 1 – October 31: Regular
- November 1 – December 31: Extended for specific areas and deer types (e.g., white-tailed doe or fawn)
Youth-Only:
- September 1 – October 8: For antlered mule deer or any white-tailed deer
Special Hunts (Private Land or Specific Areas):
- September 1 – November 30: For doe/fawn or antlered deer
- November 1 – January 15: Specific extended for doe/fawn white-tailed deer
Antelope
- Aug. 15 – Sep. 30: Special Archery
- Oct. 1 – Nov. 20: Regular
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 15: Shortened Regular
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: Extended Regular
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 15: Muzzle-loading firearms only
- Sep. 15 – Oct. 31: Extended Regular with specific area limits
- Nov. 1 – Dec. 31: Late (Doe or fawn only)
Elk
General Dates
- Archery: September 1 – September 30
- Regular: October 1 – October 31
- Extendeds: November 1 – January 31
Moose
- Archery:
- September 1 – September 30
- Regular:
- October 1 – October 31
Wild Bison
- Aug. 15 – Jan. 31 (Hunt Area 2)
Note: Starting January 2nd through January 31st, a set number of permits for taking wild bison at the National Elk Refuge are up for grabs on a first-come, first-served basis via the Jackson Regional Office. They are effective in Area 1, encompassing the Clark’s Fork River and Soda Butte Creek territories, starting August 15th running till December 31st. Other areas need Department approval. There are 63 permits for locals and 6 for nonresidents.
Bighorn Sheep
- August 1 – October 31
- August 15 – October 31
- August 15 – November 15
- September 1 – October 31
- August 1 – August 31
- November 1 – November 15
Black Bear
- Spring Archery Dates:
- April 15 – June 15
- May 1 – June 15
- Fall Archery Dates:
- August 1 – November 15
- September 1 – October 31
- Regular Dates:
- May 15 – June 15
- August 15 – November 15
- September 1 – October 31
Grizzly Bear
- Sep. 15 – Nov. 15
Mountain Lion
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 31
- Sep. 1 – Aug. 31
- Apr. 1 – Apr. 30
- Sep. 1 – May 31
Gray Wolf
- Sep. 15 – Dec. 31
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 31
- Sep. 15 – Mar. 31
Turkey
- Area 1
- General:
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 30: Archery only
- Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: Any
- Type 3:
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 30:
- 750 quota, archery only, valid within Converse, Natrona, Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties
- Oct. 1 – Dec. 31:
- Any, valid within Converse, Natrona, Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties
- General:
- 2025 Spring (Area 1):
- General:
- Apr. 20 – May 31
- Any male turkey with a visible beard
- Yellowtail WHMA requires a permission slip
- Type 3:
- Apr. 1 – Apr. 19:
- 700 quota, valid within Natrona, Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties
- Valid within Converse, Natrona, Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties
Small Games
Cottontail Rabbit
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 31
Snowshoe Hare
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 31
Squirrel
- Red, Grey, and Fox Squirrel:
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 31
Falconry
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 1
- Mar. 2 – Aug. 31
- Snowshoe Hare
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 1
- Mar. 2 – Aug. 31
- Red, Grey, and Fox Squirrel
- Sep. 1 – Mar. 1
- Mar. 2 – Aug. 31
Upland Games
Grouse
- Sage Grouse
- Areas:
- 1: Sep. 21 – Sep. 30
- 2, 3, 4: CLOSED
- Blue (Dusky) Grouse
- Statewide: Sep. 1 – Dec. 31
- Ruffed Grouse
- Statewide: Sep. 1 – Dec. 31
- Sharp-Tailed Grouse
- East of Continental Divide: Sep. 1 – Dec. 31
Chukar Partridge
- Statewide: Sep. 15 – Jan. 31
Gray Partridge
- Statewide: Sep. 15 – Jan. 31
Pheasant
- Areas:
- 1: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
- 2: Nov. 1 – Dec. 1, Dec. 2 – Dec. 31
- 5: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
- 7: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
- 8: Oct. 11 – Oct. 31, Nov. 1 – Nov. 15
- 9: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
- 11: Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
Migratory Birds & Waterfowls
Mourning Dove
- Sep. 1 – Nov. 29
- Bag Limit: 15 daily, 45 possession
Sora and Virginia Rail
- Sep. 1 – Nov. 9
- Bag Limit: 25 daily, 75 possession
Snipe
- Sep. 1 – Dec. 16
- Bag Limit: 8 daily, 24 possession
Sandhill Crane (Limited Quota Permit):
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 15
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 8
- Sep. 28 – Oct. 20
- Sep. 14 – Oct. 6
- Sep. 1 – Sep. 30
- Bag Limit: 1
Sandhill Crane (General Permit):
- Sep. 7 – Nov. 3
- Bag Limit: 3 daily, 9 possession
Furbearers
- Mink: Oct. 1 – Apr. 30
- Bobcat: Nov. 15 – Mar. 1
- Muskrat: Oct. 1 – Apr. 30
- Weasel: Oct. 1 – Mar. 31
- Badger: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31
- Marten: Oct. 1 – Mar. 1
- Marten: Dec. 1 – Mar. 1
- Beaver: Oct. 1 – Apr. 30
Hunting License Fees
| Category | Resident Price | Nonresident Price |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope | $37.00 | $326.00 |
| Deer | $42.00 | $374.00 |
| Elk | $57.00 | $692.00 |
| Bighorn Sheep | $152.00 | $3,002.00 |
| Moose | $152.00 | $2,752.00 |
| Mountain Goat | $152.00 | $2,752.00 |
| Bison | $414.00 | $6,002.00 |
| Black Bear | $47.00 | $373.00 |
| Gray Wolf | $21.00 | $187.00 |
| Turkey | $16.00 | $74.00 |
| Bird/Small Game-Combined | $27.00 | $74.00 |
| Archery | $16.00 | $72.00 |
| Falcon | $39.00 | $249.00 |
| Fish | $27.00 | $102.00 |
| Fur Dealer | $54.00 | $285.00 |
| Furbearing | $45.00 | $249.00 |
| Furbearing | Youth (Under 17) | $6.00 |
Export to Sheets
WY Hunting Regulations
General Regulations:
- Hunter Education: If you’re born after January 1, 1966, a hunter education card is a must-have.
- Safety Regulations: All hunters should stick to safety rules and guidelines.
- Harvest Reports: Reporting your harvest is a hunter’s duty.
Deer:
- Species: We’ve got mule deer and white-tailed deer. Hunts:
- Licenses: There are limited quota deer permits, general deer permits and archery permits.
- Extensions: Eligible hunters can add five days to their hunt.
- Youth Hunters: For youthful hunters, they can catch any deer during antlered deer period.
- Nonresident General Deer Licenses: For those who reside elsewhere, there are permits with regional conditions and quota restrictions.
Antelope:
- Identification: Distinguish between bucks, does, and young bucks apart by their horns and cheek patches.
- Licenses: Limited number antelope permits, archery permits, and hunting season lengthening permits are available.
Elk:
- Identification: You can identify elks from their looks. Look for features like body color, neck shape, snout, their rump, and the antlers.
- Licenses: There are variety of game permits, including limited elk licenses, general ones, archery specific licenses, extensions on the hunting season, and special management permits.
- Youth Hunters: Young hunters have the choice of taking either an elk with antlers or one without during the antlered elk period.
Turkey:
- Bag Limits: Each license allows one turkey. Fall and spring licenses have specific limits
- Ammunition: Use nontoxic shot in assigned regions.
- Spring Schedule: There are unique archery sessions along with typical pursuing periods.
- Hunt Areas: Hunt in five named regions: Black Hills, Central, Powder River, Bighorn Basin, and South Central.
Top Wyoming Hunting Locations: A Hunter’s Guide
Elk:
- Bighorn Mountains: These mountains are famed for their champion elk. The hunt here is a mix of challenge and satisfaction.
- Bridger-Teton National Forest: This expansive land houses sizeable elk herds, creating a flurry of hunting occasions.
- Medicine Bow National Forest: This woodland offers a blend of open spaces and treed zones, making it optimal for elk game.
Deer:
- Grand Teton National Park: Can’t hunt in the park, but around it, you’ll find good spots for mule deers.
- Wind River Range: It’s not just mule deer here, but you’ll also find white-tailed deer.
- Black Hills National Forest: The Black Hills have forests and grasslands. It’s a super spot for deer s.
Antelope:
- Thunder Basin National Grassland: A wide stretching plain, famous for abundant antelope groups, presents top-notch experience.
- Red Desert: This lofty desert hosts a large number of pronghorn antelope.
- Powder River Basin: Positioned in Wyoming’s northeast section, this basin provides solid antelope opportunities, particularly during rutting season.
Other Game Species:
- Moose: A modest band of moose calls Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest and various elevated zones home.
- Bear: You’ll encounter black and grizzly bears in Wyoming’s lush national forests and secluded wild regions.
- Upland Birds: For hunters, Wyoming presents prime opportunities with its vast range of upland birds like sage grouse, Hungarian partridge, and pheasant.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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