Wyoming Hunting Seasons 2022-2023 [Updated Guide!]

Is Wyoming going to be your destination for your next hunting trip? Many different hunting seasons exist in Wyoming. This post will give you a rundown of the Wyoming hunting season dates and schedules category wise, including everything from license costs and age limits to point systems and prohibited weapons.

We’ll also discuss about recording your kill, and other related topics. You may use this guide to have a pleasant hunting trip in Wyoming, whether a resident or a non-resident.

Wyoming Hunting Categories & Seasons 

Wyoming is a great state to live in if you like hunting. Wyoming provides hunters a chance for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure, with a wide range of animals to pursue, including deer, elk, antelope, and more.

Antelope Seasons Bear Seasons

Wyoming Antelope SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Antelope (Archery)Monday-August 15, 2022Friday-October 14, 2022Exact dates tend to be vague. For the rules, please refer to the following link: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH05-FINAL-04-20-2022-5.pdf.
Antelope (General)Monday-August 15, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Different units have different beginning and ending times. View the rules here: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH05-FINAL-04-20-2022-5.pdf

Deer Seasons

Wyoming Deer SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Deer (Archery-1)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Unit 1-15, 17-19, 21-37, 39-41, 46, 47, 50-53, 59, 61, 64-66, 70, 74-84, 87-90, 92, 94, 96-98, 100-102, 105, 106, 109-114, 116-125, 127, 128, 130-135, 141, 157, 160, 161, 163-165, 168, 169, 171. Curt Gowdy State Park in Hunt Area 60 closed.
Deer (Archery-2)Thursday-September 1, 2022Wednesday-September 14, 2022Unit 138-140, 142-146, 148-156.
Deer (Limited Quota)Thursday-September 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Please refer to the rules at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Deer (Archery-3)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 9, 2022Unit 115.
Deer (General)Thursday-September 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Unit-specific season dates may be found in the rules, which can be found here: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf

Elk Seasons

Wyoming Elk SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Elk (Limited Cow/Calf)Monday-August 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Some areas have different seasons than others. Refer to the rules available athttps://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Elk (General Cow/Calf)Monday-August 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Some areas have different seasons than others. For the rules, please refer to the following link: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Elk (Archery-2)Thursda-September 1, 2022Sunday-September 25, 2022Unit 78, 80-82, 84-86.
Elk (Archery-1)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Unit 1, 6-10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21-25, 27, 28, 30-34, 47-49, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61-64, 83, 87-95, 96, 99, 102-111, 113, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124-128, 130.
Elk (Archery-4)Thursday-September 1, 2022Wednesday-September 14, 2022Unit 3.
Elk (Archery-3)Thursday-September 1, 2022Monday-September 19, 2022Unit 60, 70, 71, 73, 97, 98.
Elk (Archery-6)Thursday-September 15, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Unit 11, 36, 37, 67-69, 35, 41, 45.
Elk (General Any Elk)Saturday-October 1, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Mild regional variations in seasons are common.
You may check the rules at this link: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf

Elk (Limited Any Elk)Saturday-October 1, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Mild regional variations in seasons are common.
For rules, please go to this link: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH06-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf

Bear Seasons

Wyoming Bear SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Bear (Spring General)Friday-April 15, 2022Wednesday-June 15, 2022The timing of the black bear season varies somewhat across administrative divisions. The rules may be found at this link: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH-3 Final 1-28-2021.pdf.
Bear (Spring Archery)Friday-April 15, 2022Saturday-May 14, 2022There is some regional variation in black bear seasons. Please refer to the following link for the rules: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH-3 Final 1-28-2021.pdf.
Bear (Fall General)Monday-August 1, 2022Tuesday-November 15, 2022The black bear season varies somewhat from zone to zone. For rules, please go to https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH-3_Final_1-28-2021.pdf.
Bear (Fall Archery)Monday-August 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others. Please refer to the following link for the rules: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH-3_Final_1-28-2021.pdf

Bison Seasons

Wyoming Bison SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Bison (Any Female/Calf)Monday-August 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Area-2
Bison (Any Bison)Monday-August 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Area-2

Coyote Seasons

Wyoming Coyote SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
CoyoteSaturday-January 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022There is no limit.

Duck Seasons

Wyoming Duck SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Duck (Pacific Flyway)Saturday-September 24, 2022Friday-January 6, 2023A Daily bag limit of 7.
Duck (C2 Central Flyway - Early)Saturday-September 24, 2022Monday-December 4, 2023A Daily bag limit of 6.
Duck (C1 Central Flyway - Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-October 16, 2022A Daily bag limit of 6.
Duck (C1 Central Flyway - Late)Saturday-November 5, 2022Tuesday-January 24, 2023A Daily bag limit of 6.
Duck (C2 Central Flyway - Late)Saturday-December 17, 2022Tuesday-January 10, 2023A Daily bag limit of 6.

Goose Seasons

Wyoming Goose SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Goose (Pacific Early Canada)Thursday-September 1, 2022Thursday-September 8, 2022Daily bag limits of 4 Canada geese.
Goose (Pacific Dark)Saturday-September 24, 2022Thursday-December 29, 2022Four dark geese may be taken each day.
Goose (C2 Central Dark-Early)Saturday-September 24, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5.
Goose (Pacific Light)Saturday-September 24, 2022Thursday-December 29, 2022The daily bag limit for light geese is 10.
Goose (C1A Central Dark-Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Wednesday-October 12, 2022Both Goshen and Platte counties are to be included in C1A Zone. Two dark geese may be taken every day.
Goose (C1 Central Dark-Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-October 9, 2022Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie counties, as well as all of Fremont County east of the Continental Divide, are included in ZONE C1. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5.
Goose (Central Light-Early)Saturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-January 1, 2023The daily bag limit for light geese is 20.
Goose (C1 Central Dark Part 2)Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-November 27, 2022Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie counties, as well as all of Fremont County east of the Continental Divide, are all considered to be part of ZONE C1.
There is a daily bag restriction of 5 for dark geese.
Goose (C1A Central Dark Part 2)Saturday-November 12, 2022Sunday-February 12, 2023Goshen and Platte counties are included in C1A zone.
Goose (C1 Central Dark Part 3)Friday-December 2, 2022Sunday-February 12, 2023Included in C1 Zone are the counties of Big Horn, Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie, as well as the whole of Fremont County to the north and east of the Continental Divide.
5 dark geese may be taken every day.

Goose (C2 Central Dark Part 2)Saturday-December 17, 2022Wednesday-January 18, 20235 dark geese may be taken every day.
Goose (Central Light - Late)Wednesday-February 1, 2023Sunday-February 12, 2023The daily bag limit for light geese is twenty.

Grouse Seasons

Wyoming Grouse SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Grouse (Ruffed)Thursday-September 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Maximum of three 3 bags each day.
Grouse (Sharp-tailed)Thursday-September 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022You're allowed no more than 3 bags each day.
Grouse (Blue Dusky)Thursday-September 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Maximum of three 3 bags each day.
Grouse (Sage area-1)Saturday-September 17, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022The daily maximum is 2 bags.
Grouse (Sage area-4)Saturday-September 17, 2022Monday-September 19, 2022Hunting Zone 4; Zones 2 and 3 are off-limits.

Moose Seasons

Wyoming Moose SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Moose (Archery-4)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Unit (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 18, 22, 25-27, 30, 33-36, 38, 40-42.)
Moose (Archery-1)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 9, 2022Unit 11.
Moose (Archery-3)Thursday-September 1, 2022Monday-September 19, 2022Unit 3
Moose (Archery-2)Thursday-September 1, 2022Wednesday-September 14, 2022Unit (10, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28, 37.)
Moose (Limited-Antlered)Saturday-September 10, 2022Sunday-November 20, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others. For more, check out this link to the rules:https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH08-FINAL-04-20-2022-4.pdf
Moose (Limited-Antlerless)Saturday-October 1, 2022Monday-November 14, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others. For rules, see those.
Moose (Limited-Any)Saturday-October 1, 2022Monday-November 14, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others. Check out the rules here: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH08-FINAL-04-20-2022-4.pdf

Mountain Lion Seasons

Wyoming Mountain Lion SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Mountain Lion (General-2)Thursday-September 1, 2022Sunday-April 30, 2023Unit 6. More information may be found in the rules at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Regulations/Regulation-PDFs/REGULATIONS CH42.pdf
Mountain Lion (General-1)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-March 31, 2023Unit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26,, 28, 29, 30, 32. More information can be found in the regulations.
Mountain Lion (General-3)Thursday-September 1, 2022Thursday-August 31, 2023Unit 7, 8, 9, 15, 20, 22, 27, 31. More information may be found in the rules at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Regulations/Regulation-PDFs/REGULATIONS_CH42.pdf

Pheasant Seasons

Wyoming Pheasant SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Pheasant (General)Tuesday-November 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Check regulations for specific area information. Daily bag limit of 2-3. Area 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11.

Rabbit Seasons

Wyoming Rabbit SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Rabbit (Cottontail)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-March 31, 2023The daily bag limit is 10.
Rabbit (Snowshoe Hare)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-March 31, 2023The daily bag limit is 4.

Sheep & Goat Seasons

Wyoming Sheep & Goat SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Bighorn Sheep – Early ArcheryMonday-August 1, 2022Sunday-August 14, 2022Unit 6, 9, 10, 12.
Bighorn Sheep – Limited Any SheepMonday-August 1, 2022Monday-October 31, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others.
For more, check out this link to the rules: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH09-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Bighorn Sheep – Limited Any RamMonday-August 15, 2022Wednesday-November 30, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others.
For more information on the rules, please visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH09-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Bighorn Sheep – Late ArcheryMonday-August 15, 2022Wednesday-August 31, 2022Unit 1-5, 7, 8, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26.
Mountain Goat (Early Archery)Monday-August 1, 2022Sunday-August 14, 2022Unit-4
Mountain Goat (Limited Any Goat)Monday-August 15, 2022Tuesday-November 15, 2022Some areas have different seasons than others. For more information on the rules, please visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/Final%20Regs/CH09-FINAL-04-20-2022-6.pdf
Mountain Goat (Archery)Monday-August 15, 2022Wednesday-August 31, 2022Unit -(1, 2, 3, 5.)

Upland Birds Seasons

Wyoming Upland Birds SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
ChukarThursday-September 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023There is a daily bag restriction of 5
Gray PartridgeThursday-September 15, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023There is a daily bag restriction of 5

Wolf Seasons

Wyoming Wolf SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Wolf (Hunt Area 13)Thursday-September 15, 2022Friday-March 31, 2023Unit 13
Wolf (General)Thursday-September 15, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Unit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14.)
Wolf (Hunt area 12)Saturday-October 15, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Unit 12. See regulations for harvest limits: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Regulations/CH-47_FINAL.pdf

Crane Seasons

Wyoming Crane SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Sandhill Crane (Area-1-3, 5)Thursday-September 1, 2022Thursday-September 8, 2022Hunt Area: (1, 2, 3, 5)
Sandhill Crane (Area-8)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Hunt area-8.
Sandhill Crane (Area-7)Saturday-September 10, 2022Sunday-November 6, 2022Hunt area-7.
Sandhill Crane (Area-6)Saturday-September 17, 2022Sunday-October 9, 2022Hunt Area-6.
Sandhill Crane (Area-4)Saturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-October 23, 2022Hunt area-4.

Dove Seasons

Wyoming Dove SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Dove – MourningThursday-September 1, 2022Tuesday-November 29, 2022Daily bag limit of 15.

Wyoming Turkey Seasons

Wyoming Turkey SeasonsHunting Season-Start DateHunting Season-End DateNote
Turkey (Fall-Archery)Thursday-September 1, 2022Friday-September 30, 2022Any wild turkey
Turkey (Fall-Regular)Saturday-October 1, 2022Saturday-December 31, 2022Any wild turkey. Some locations have various start and finish dates; please see the rules at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/2022_hunting_small_game-bird-turkey_regulations_final_web.pdf
Turkey (Spring-Quota)Saturday-April 1, 2023Wednesday-May 31, 2023Wild turkey, male or bearded, zone 3.
Turkey (Spring-General)Saturday-April 1, 2023Wednesday-May 31, 2023Zone 3 includes any male wild turkey with a noticeable beard.
Turkey (Spring-General)Thursday-April 20, 2023Wednesday-May 31, 2023Zone 1, 2, 4, 5. Turkey with a mane.
Turkey (Spring-Quota)Thursday-April 20, 2023Wednesday-May 31, 2023Male or bearded wild turkey, zones 2 and 4. More information may be found in the rules.

Wyoming Hunting Season
Wyoming Hunting Season

Hunting Applications

Wyoming antelope and deer licenses must be applied for online between January 2 and May 31. Update or remove species applications by May 31. Six hunters may apply for deer or antelope, and their preference points will be averaged. Draw results are available on June 16. Online applications for elk hunting are accepted from January 3 through January 31 and for moose, sheep, and mountain goats from January 3 to February 28. Residents must apply by May 31.

Moose, sheep, mountain goats, and bison applications must be changed or withdrawn by April 15. Elk permit applications may include six hunters, but moose, sheep, mountain goats, and bison cannot. Online applicants may request points for any species.

Wyoming Hunting License Fees & Permits

Wyoming distributes big game hunting licenses: 75% to Wyoming residents and 25% to non-residents for bighorn sheep and mountain goats. All candidates’ first species choices are considered before the second.

Non-resident applicants in Wyoming must additionally pay a $15 (non-refundable) application fee for each species they wish to hunt (if paying by credit card). Unless participating in a type 9 archery hunt, non-residents must purchase a $72 archery license. Visa, MasterCard, or Discover are accepted for application fees. If not chosen, the applicant’s credit card will be reimbursed.

Wyoming Hunting fees
Wyoming Hunting fees

Hunting Regulations

  • Large game hunters must wear orange or pink headgear, shirts, jackets, coats, vests, and sweaters. Rule suspended during archery season.
  • Born after January 1, 1966, Wyoming big game hunters must have a safety certificate.
  • Large game hunting requires fluorescent orange or pink hats, shirts, jackets, coats, vests, and sweaters. This regulation is lifted when archery is allowed.
  • Wyoming’s preference point system is available to non-resident hunters, except mountain goats and bison. Non-Canadians and Americans may utilize a point system for hunting moose and sheep. During the points-only application period, non-residents may only buy a point (July 1-October 31). Your preference points will be rounded up if your application is approved.
  • Elk, sheep, and moose licenses are 75% random, with the most preference points. The remaining 25% of non-resident hunts will be picked at random. First-time applicants are treated equally in the random draw. Licenses won’t be randomly assigned for hunts with less than four non-resident permits.
  • Sheep, moose, and elk may earn 27 points. Your scores reset every two years or if your first option is randomly assigned. Third- or fourth-choice elk won’t cost you points.
  • Under 18 and 11, and 12 years old may get a youth hunting license. Non-resident youth elk permits cost $115 to $290; deer, antelope, and turkey licenses cost $34 to $125. Deer, antelope, and elk earn young hunters $20. Wyoming Commission grants deer and antelope tags to nonprofits for ill children and teens under 20.
  • Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, and bison need 40 pounds. Crossbows are permitted during archery season if they meet certain requirements (90-pound draw, 16-inch bolt, 7/8-inch broadhead). Silencers are permitted but not full-auto firearms. Deer and antelope hunting need a 40-pound bow draw. Minimum.40 caliber muzzleloading rifle with expanding point bullets and 50 grains of black powder. Lenses magnify crossbows and muzzleloaders.
  • Non-residents may acquire Wyoming landowner elk tags. Only landowners’ families may transfer tags.

WY Hunting Contacts

Address:

Wyoming Game & Fish,

 Department Headquarters,

 5400 Bishop Blvd,

 Cheyenne, WY-82006

Phone Number:

(307) 777-4600

FAQ on WY Hunting Seasons

What to do after harvesting a deer in Wyoming?

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department asks hunters who take a deer while in the field to fill out a harvest report. Hunters may do so by sending in a postcard, going online to the website https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Harvest-Surveys, or calling the toll-free number 1-800-216-0477.

What type of license do you require to hunt a Deer in Wyoming?

Wyoming offers two Deer hunting licenses (limited quota and general licenses). The kind of license you require depends on the deer you can hunt, where you may do it, and the weapon you can use. Out-of-state hunters may only hunt deer with a regional license. Due to the number of hunters or deer on public land, certain licenses may be hard to use. In this circumstance, you may want to hunt on someone else’s land. Each year, the state selects what licenses to give.

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