Wyoming Hunting: Seasons, Tags, and Lodging
Wyoming Hunting Resource Hub · Season Dates · Tag Applications · Hunt Area Maps · Gear and Processing · Hunter-Friendly Lodging
Plan Your Wyoming Hunt. Stay Where the Game Is.
Season dates. Tag applications. Hunt area maps. Gear sources. Game processing. And hunter-friendly lodging at the base of the Bighorns, managed by a team that knows this country because we live in it.
Browse Hunting Lodging · WGFD Hunt Planner
Wyoming Is the Hunting Destination
More than 35 million acres of public land. The largest free-ranging elk herds in the lower 48. Pronghorn antelope populations that outnumber people. Mule deer, whitetail, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, and upland birds, all in a state with fewer than 600,000 residents and more wilderness than most hunters see in a lifetime.
The Bighorn Mountains in northeast Wyoming, where Sheridan County meets Johnson County, are home to some of the most productive elk, deer, and antelope hunt areas in the state. Hunt areas 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 draw thousands of applications annually. The terrain ranges from alpine timber at 10,000 feet to sagebrush prairie at the mountain's base. The town of Sheridan, 20 minutes from the trailhead, has everything a hunting party needs: gear shops, game processors, cold beer, and a real bed after a long day in the field.
This page is your planning resource. Bookmark it. Come back every year. When you're ready to book lodging, we'll be here.
35M+ Acres10 Species50,000+ Public land in WyomingBig game available to huntNon-resident applications per year
Season Dates by Species
Dates vary by hunt area. The general windows below are for planning purposes. Always verify exact dates on the WGFD Hunt Planner.
Elk
Archery: Sept 1 to Sept 30. General: Oct 1 to Nov 30 (varies by area); late cow/calf some areas through Jan 31.
Hunt areas near Sheridan: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.
Mule Deer
Archery: Sept 1 to Sept 30. General: Oct (varies by area).
Hunt areas near Sheridan: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.
Antelope (Pronghorn)
Archery: Aug (varies). General: Sept to Oct (varies by area).
Hunt areas near Sheridan: 15 to 24 (Prairie).
Moose
Archery: Sept to Oct. General: Sept to Oct (limited draw).
Limited areas statewide.
Bighorn Sheep
General: Sept to Nov (limited draw). No archery season.
Limited areas statewide.
Black Bear
Archery: Sept 1 to Sept 30. General: Sept to Nov; spring season April to May.
Bighorn region.
Wild Turkey
Spring: April to May. Fall: Oct to Nov.
Sheridan and Johnson County.
Upland Birds and Waterfowl
General: Sept to Jan (varies by species). Statewide.
Season dates are approximate and vary by hunt area, license type, and weapon. Always verify exact dates at wgfd.wyo.gov before planning your trip. Wyo Stays updates this page annually but is not responsible for regulatory changes.
How to Get Your Wyoming Hunting Tags
Step 1: Complete Hunter Safety
Required for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1966. Wyoming accepts all 50-state certifications. You must carry your card in the field.
Online course ($24.95) · WGFD Hunter Education
Step 2: Create Your WGFD Account
All applications go through the Wyoming Game and Fish Electronic Licensing System. You'll need your legal name, date of birth, SSN or ITIN, and mailing address.
Step 3: Know the Application Deadlines
Each species has its own window. Non-resident elk is the earliest at February 2. Missing a deadline means waiting another year.
Step 4: Understand Preference Points
Wyoming uses a preference point system for most big game draws. 75% of tags go to the highest-point pool. 25% go to a random draw open to anyone.
You can buy a preference point ($15 + license fee) without hunting that year to build your position for future draws.
View draw odds on the WGFD Hunt Planner
Step 5: Apply and Wait for Results
Submit your application with full fees (refunded if unsuccessful). There is a $15 non-refundable application fee per species and a 2.5% credit card processing fee.
Draw results: non-resident elk approximately May 21 · deer/antelope approximately June 18 · leftover licenses approximately July 8.
Step 6: Buy Your Conservation Stamp
Every hunter must purchase a $21.50 Conservation Stamp before hunting, regardless of species or license type.
2026 Application Deadlines
Species / Tag TypeDeadline Non-Resident ElkFebruary 2 Moose / Sheep / Goat / BisonApril 30 Deer / Antelope / Resident ElkJune 1 Leftover DrawJune 26 Super Tag RaffleFeb 17, 2026 to Feb 1, 2027 Preference Points OnlyNovember 2License Cost Reference
- Elk (full price): Resident $57 / Non-Resident $692
- Deer: Resident $42 / Non-Resident $374
- Antelope: Resident $37 / Non-Resident $326
- Moose: Resident $80 / Non-Resident $1,886
- Bighorn Sheep: Resident $80 / Non-Resident $2,766
- Conservation Stamp: $21.50 (all hunters)
- Archery License: Resident $17 / Non-Resident $72
Fees subject to change. Verify at wgfd.wyo.gov.
The Wyoming Super Tag Raffle
Every year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department runs the Super Tag raffle: a chance to win a license that lets you hunt any open area in the state for your chosen species. Since 2013, the program has raised over $12.5 million for Wyoming wildlife conservation.
Single Species Tag
$10 per ticket. Choose from 10 species: elk, deer, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, wild bison, black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf.
Super Tag Trifecta
$30 per ticket. Hunt 3 species anywhere in the state. One Trifecta winner per year.
- Unlimited entries allowed
- 11 winners total (10 single species + 1 Trifecta)
- Winners keep all preference points
- Not subject to once-in-a-lifetime restrictions
- No mandatory waiting periods
2027 Raffle Dates
- Sales open: February 17, 2026
- Sales close: February 1, 2027
- Winners announced: Approximately February 15, 2027
Purchase only through the WGFD Electronic Licensing System.
Know Your Hunt Area Before You Go
Wyoming manages hunting through hundreds of hunt areas, each with specific season dates, quotas, and access rules. Planning starts with the maps.
WGFD Hunt Planner
The official tool for hunt areas, draw odds, harvest data, public access layers, and season dates. Start here. wgfd.wyo.gov/HuntPlanner
BLM Land Status Maps
Surface management maps showing public vs. private land boundaries across Wyoming. blm.gov
goHUNT
Unit profiles with draw odds, historical harvest data, and terrain analysis. Good for comparing areas before you apply. gohunt.com
onX Maps / HuntWise
GPS mapping with landowner boundaries, public land overlays, and offline topo maps. Essential in the field. onxmaps.com
Bighorn Region Hunt Areas
- Elk: Areas 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 (Bighorn Mountains)
- Deer: Areas 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (Sheridan/Johnson County)
- Antelope: Areas 15 to 24 (Prairie)
Our properties in Sheridan and Dayton sit at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, 15 to 30 minutes from trailheads that access elk areas 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38.
Private Land Access Note: Private land in Wyoming does NOT need to be posted to deny access. Always get explicit permission before crossing private land, even to reach public land. The WGFD Access Yes program provides public hunting access on participating private lands.
Skip the Wall Tent. Come Home to a Real Bed.
Guided outfitter camps run $3,000 to $8,000 per hunter. Sheridan motels are fine, but they're not built for a hunting party: no gear storage, no game hanging, no kitchen to cook in at 4 AM.
Wyo Stays manages cabins and homes across Sheridan County that are 15 to 30 minutes from the Bighorn Mountain trailheads, with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, covered porches, and the space to spread out gear, hang meat, and actually sleep after a 14-hour day in the field. Book direct and skip the Airbnb service fees. As a licensed Wyoming real estate brokerage, we're a real local team, not a platform.
- Bighorn Mountain Cabins: Closest to elk areas 34 to 38. Full kitchens, covered porches, mountain access. Browse Bighorn Cabins
- Sheridan Homes: Downtown base camp with gear shops, restaurants, and processors minutes away. Browse Sheridan Homes
- Pet-Friendly (Hunting Dogs Welcome): Several properties welcome dogs. Browse Pet-Friendly
All properties have full kitchens, gear storage space, and multiple bedrooms. Book direct and skip the channel fees.
Planning lodging for a group of 4 to 8 hunters? Contact us directly and we can coordinate multiple properties near your hunt area.
Where to Get What You Need in Sheridan
Local Gear Shops
Rocky Mountain Discount Sports
Sheridan (plus Casper, Gillette, and Riverton). Guns, ammo, bows, optics, camping gear, and clothing. Scope bore sighting, archery bow tuning, and reel relining on site. Wyoming family-owned. rocky-mountain-sports.com
Fly Shop of the Big Horns
Downtown Sheridan. Outdoor clothing, packs, and accessories. Good local knowledge on mountain conditions.
Sportsman's Warehouse
Billings, MT (90 minutes north). Full-service outdoor retailer. Worth the drive for specialized gear not available locally.
Outfitters and Guides
Big Horn Outfitters
Hunt areas 34, 35, 36, 45. Elk, deer, antelope, moose, and turkey. Wyoming natives. bighornoutfitters.com
Cross C Ranch
Hunt areas 34, 38, 103. Lodge-based guided hunts. crosscranch.com
Wyo Stays does not operate guided hunts. We provide lodging for self-guided hunters. Non-residents hunting in designated wilderness areas are required to hire a licensed outfitter or have a Wyoming resident guide.
Forgot something? Need gear shipped to your rental? Contact us and we can help source items locally or coordinate delivery.
Where to Process Your Harvest
After a successful hunt, you need a processor who treats your meat right. These are the trusted options near Sheridan and Johnson County.
Valley Meats
Dayton, WY. 15 minutes from Sheridan. Clean facilities, fast turnaround, great sausage. Recommended on every hunting forum covering the Bighorns.
Western Heritage Meat Company
Sheridan, WY. USDA-inspected. Custom processing for beef, pork, lamb, and wild game. Vacuum-sealed packaging. westernheritagemeatco.com
Big Horn Meat Cutting
Buffalo, WY. Trusted by hunters from all 50 states. Higher price point, excellent quality. Close to Johnson County hunt areas. bighornmeatcutting.com
Wykota Wild Game Processing
Pavillion, WY. No order mixing — you get only your meat back. Vacuum sealed. wykotawildgameprocessing.com
Paintrock Processing
Hyattville, WY. West side of the Bighorns. Good option for hunters in the western hunt areas.
Processing Tip: Call ahead during peak season (Oct to Nov). Processors book up fast. Some accept drop-offs only during specific hours. Confirm before you show up with an elk in the truck bed.
Need help coordinating game processing? Ask us
Hunter Safety and Wyoming Regulations
Fluorescent Orange or Pink Required
All big game hunters (except archers during archery-only seasons) must wear at least one fluorescent orange or pink outer garment. Camo orange counts.
Hunter Education Required
Anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1966 must carry proof of hunter education. All 50 states' cards accepted. hunter-ed.com
Wilderness Area Guide Requirement
Non-residents hunting in federally designated wilderness areas must hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter or have a Wyoming resident guide. The Bighorn Mountains include Cloud Peak Wilderness.
Private Land Access
Private property does NOT need to be posted. You must have explicit permission to access private land, even to cross it to reach public land.
WGFD Access Yes Program
Free public hunting access on participating private lands. wgfd.wyo.gov/access-yes
CWD Awareness
Chronic Wasting Disease is present in Wyoming. Mandatory CWD testing may apply in certain hunt areas. Do not transport whole carcasses from CWD-endemic zones. wgfd.wyo.gov/cwd
Full Regulations
Always read the complete regulations for your species and hunt area before heading into the field. wgfd.wyo.gov/regulations
We'll Help You Plan the Details
Wyo Stays is a licensed Wyoming vacation rental brokerage that understands what hunters need, because our team hunts this country too. When you book with us, we can help coordinate:
- Multi-property lodging for large hunting parties (4 to 12+)
- Gear sourcing and delivery to your rental
- Game processor introductions and scheduling
- Local intel on mountain conditions and road access
- Grocery stocking (including cooler ice and supplies)
- Airport transfers from Sheridan County Airport (SHR)
We manage properties in Sheridan County and Johnson County with expansion planned across Wyoming. If you're hunting the Bighorn region, we're your base camp team.
Book Hunting Lodging · Contact Our Team
Your Hunt Planning Checklist
- Complete hunter safety course (if born after 1/1/1966)
- Create WGFD online account
- Research hunt areas (WGFD Hunt Planner + goHUNT)
- Apply for tags before deadlines
- Buy preference point if not applying this year
- Purchase Conservation Stamp ($21.50)
- Purchase Archery License if bowhunting ($72 non-resident)
- Download offline maps (onX Maps or HuntWise)
- Book lodging near hunt area: Browse Wyo Stays
- Contact game processor and schedule drop-off window
- Verify gear: fluorescent orange, weapon, ammo, optics
- Pack field essentials: knife, game bags, rope, headlamp
- Check road conditions (WYDOT 511)
- Confirm wilderness guide requirement if applicable
- Print/carry hunter education card
Hunting FAQ
Have a question we didn't answer? Ask us directly
Do I need a guide to hunt in Wyoming?
Not for most areas. Self-guided hunting is legal and common on Wyoming public land. However, non-residents hunting in federally designated wilderness areas (including Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorns) are required by federal law to hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter or have a Wyoming resident guide. Verify whether your specific hunt area falls within a designated wilderness boundary before planning a self-guided trip.
What are the best hunt areas near Sheridan, Wyoming?
Elk areas 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 in the Bighorn Mountains are among the most sought-after in the state. Deer areas 24 through 30 cover Sheridan and Johnson County. Antelope areas 15 through 24 cover the prairie east of the mountains. All are accessible from Sheridan in under an hour.
Where can I buy hunting gear in Sheridan?
Rocky Mountain Discount Sports is the primary local option: guns, ammo, bows, optics, and gear. The Fly Shop of the Big Horns carries packs and outdoor clothing. For a full-service retailer, Sportsman's Warehouse in Billings is 90 minutes north.
Where can I get my game processed near Sheridan?
Valley Meats in Dayton (15 minutes from Sheridan) is the most recommended option for Bighorn hunters. Western Heritage Meat Company in Sheridan is USDA-inspected. Big Horn Meat Cutting in Buffalo serves Johnson County hunt areas. Call ahead during October and November, processors fill up fast.
Does Wyo Stays allow hunters and hunting gear in rentals?
Yes. Our properties are built for Wyoming guests, which includes hunters. Gear storage, early departures, and working kitchens are standard. Contact us before booking if you have specific needs around game storage or equipment.
Can I bring my hunting dog to a Wyo Stays property?
Yes, several properties are pet-friendly. Filter for pet-friendly options when browsing, or contact us and we'll match you with the right property for your dogs.
How far in advance should I book hunting lodging?
As soon as you have your tags. October in the Bighorns is peak season and properties fill early. If you're applying for non-resident elk (draw results in May), book lodging immediately after draw results come out.
What is the Wyoming Super Tag raffle?
An annual raffle run by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. $10 per ticket for a single species, $30 for the Trifecta (3 species). Winners receive a license to hunt any open area in the state for their chosen species, with no once-in-a-lifetime restrictions and no mandatory waiting periods. Since 2013 the program has raised over $12.5 million for Wyoming wildlife conservation. Purchase only through the WGFD Electronic Licensing System.
See all answers in our complete FAQ guide.
