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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope (Archery) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Friday-October 14, 2022 | Exact 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, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Different 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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery-1) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Unit 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, 2022 | Wednesday-September 14, 2022 | Unit 138-140, 142-146, 148-156. |
| Deer (Limited Quota) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Please 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, 2022 | Friday-September 9, 2022 | Unit 115. |
| Deer (General) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Unit-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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk (Limited Cow/Calf) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Some 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, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Some 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, 2022 | Sunday-September 25, 2022 | Unit 78, 80-82, 84-86. |
| Elk (Archery-1) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Unit 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, 2022 | Wednesday-September 14, 2022 | Unit 3. |
| Elk (Archery-3) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Monday-September 19, 2022 | Unit 60, 70, 71, 73, 97, 98. |
| Elk (Archery-6) | Thursday-September 15, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Unit 11, 36, 37, 67-69, 35, 41, 45. |
| Elk (General Any Elk) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Mild 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, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Mild 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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear (Spring General) | Friday-April 15, 2022 | Wednesday-June 15, 2022 | The 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, 2022 | Saturday-May 14, 2022 | There 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, 2022 | Tuesday-November 15, 2022 | The 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, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Some 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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bison (Any Female/Calf) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Area-2 |
| Bison (Any Bison) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Area-2 |
Coyote Seasons
| Wyoming Coyote Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Saturday-January 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | There is no limit. |
Duck Seasons
| Wyoming Duck Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (Pacific Flyway) | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Friday-January 6, 2023 | A Daily bag limit of 7. |
| Duck (C2 Central Flyway - Early) | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Monday-December 4, 2023 | A Daily bag limit of 6. |
| Duck (C1 Central Flyway - Early) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Sunday-October 16, 2022 | A Daily bag limit of 6. |
| Duck (C1 Central Flyway - Late) | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Tuesday-January 24, 2023 | A Daily bag limit of 6. |
| Duck (C2 Central Flyway - Late) | Saturday-December 17, 2022 | Tuesday-January 10, 2023 | A Daily bag limit of 6. |
Goose Seasons
| Wyoming Goose Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose (Pacific Early Canada) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Thursday-September 8, 2022 | Daily bag limits of 4 Canada geese. |
| Goose (Pacific Dark) | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Thursday-December 29, 2022 | Four dark geese may be taken each day. |
| Goose (C2 Central Dark-Early) | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Sunday-December 4, 2022 | The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5. |
| Goose (Pacific Light) | Saturday-September 24, 2022 | Thursday-December 29, 2022 | The daily bag limit for light geese is 10. |
| Goose (C1A Central Dark-Early) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Wednesday-October 12, 2022 | Both 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, 2022 | Sunday-October 9, 2022 | Big 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, 2022 | Sunday-January 1, 2023 | The daily bag limit for light geese is 20. |
| Goose (C1 Central Dark Part 2) | Saturday-November 5, 2022 | Sunday-November 27, 2022 | Big 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, 2022 | Sunday-February 12, 2023 | Goshen and Platte counties are included in C1A zone. |
| Goose (C1 Central Dark Part 3) | Friday-December 2, 2022 | Sunday-February 12, 2023 | Included 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, 2022 | Wednesday-January 18, 2023 | 5 dark geese may be taken every day. |
| Goose (Central Light - Late) | Wednesday-February 1, 2023 | Sunday-February 12, 2023 | The daily bag limit for light geese is twenty. |
Grouse Seasons
| Wyoming Grouse Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse (Ruffed) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Maximum of three 3 bags each day. |
| Grouse (Sharp-tailed) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | You're allowed no more than 3 bags each day. |
| Grouse (Blue Dusky) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Maximum of three 3 bags each day. |
| Grouse (Sage area-1) | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | The daily maximum is 2 bags. |
| Grouse (Sage area-4) | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | Monday-September 19, 2022 | Hunting Zone 4; Zones 2 and 3 are off-limits. |
Moose Seasons
| Wyoming Moose Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose (Archery-4) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Unit (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 18, 22, 25-27, 30, 33-36, 38, 40-42.) |
| Moose (Archery-1) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 9, 2022 | Unit 11. |
| Moose (Archery-3) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Monday-September 19, 2022 | Unit 3 |
| Moose (Archery-2) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Wednesday-September 14, 2022 | Unit (10, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28, 37.) |
| Moose (Limited-Antlered) | Saturday-September 10, 2022 | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Some 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, 2022 | Monday-November 14, 2022 | Some areas have different seasons than others. For rules, see those. |
| Moose (Limited-Any) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Monday-November 14, 2022 | Some 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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lion (General-2) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Sunday-April 30, 2023 | Unit 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, 2022 | Friday-March 31, 2023 | Unit 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, 2022 | Thursday-August 31, 2023 | Unit 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 Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant (General) | Tuesday-November 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Check regulations for specific area information. Daily bag limit of 2-3. Area 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11. |
Rabbit Seasons
| Wyoming Rabbit Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit (Cottontail) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-March 31, 2023 | The daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rabbit (Snowshoe Hare) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-March 31, 2023 | The daily bag limit is 4. |
Sheep & Goat Seasons
| Wyoming Sheep & Goat Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep – Early Archery | Monday-August 1, 2022 | Sunday-August 14, 2022 | Unit 6, 9, 10, 12. |
| Bighorn Sheep – Limited Any Sheep | Monday-August 1, 2022 | Monday-October 31, 2022 | Some 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 Ram | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Wednesday-November 30, 2022 | Some 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 Archery | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Wednesday-August 31, 2022 | Unit 1-5, 7, 8, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26. |
| Mountain Goat (Early Archery) | Monday-August 1, 2022 | Sunday-August 14, 2022 | Unit-4 |
| Mountain Goat (Limited Any Goat) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Tuesday-November 15, 2022 | Some 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, 2022 | Wednesday-August 31, 2022 | Unit -(1, 2, 3, 5.) |
Upland Birds Seasons
| Wyoming Upland Birds Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chukar | Thursday-September 15, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | There is a daily bag restriction of 5 |
| Gray Partridge | Thursday-September 15, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | There is a daily bag restriction of 5 |
Wolf Seasons
| Wyoming Wolf Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf (Hunt Area 13) | Thursday-September 15, 2022 | Friday-March 31, 2023 | Unit 13 |
| Wolf (General) | Thursday-September 15, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Unit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14.) |
| Wolf (Hunt area 12) | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Unit 12. See regulations for harvest limits: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Regulations/CH-47_FINAL.pdf |
Crane Seasons
| Wyoming Crane Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Crane (Area-1-3, 5) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Thursday-September 8, 2022 | Hunt Area: (1, 2, 3, 5) |
| Sandhill Crane (Area-8) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Hunt area-8. |
| Sandhill Crane (Area-7) | Saturday-September 10, 2022 | Sunday-November 6, 2022 | Hunt area-7. |
| Sandhill Crane (Area-6) | Saturday-September 17, 2022 | Sunday-October 9, 2022 | Hunt Area-6. |
| Sandhill Crane (Area-4) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Sunday-October 23, 2022 | Hunt area-4. |
Dove Seasons
| Wyoming Dove Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove – Mourning | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Tuesday-November 29, 2022 | Daily bag limit of 15. |
Wyoming Turkey Seasons
| Wyoming Turkey Seasons | Hunting Season-Start Date | Hunting Season-End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Fall-Archery) | Thursday-September 1, 2022 | Friday-September 30, 2022 | Any wild turkey |
| Turkey (Fall-Regular) | Saturday-October 1, 2022 | Saturday-December 31, 2022 | Any 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, 2023 | Wednesday-May 31, 2023 | Wild turkey, male or bearded, zone 3. |
| Turkey (Spring-General) | Saturday-April 1, 2023 | Wednesday-May 31, 2023 | Zone 3 includes any male wild turkey with a noticeable beard. |
| Turkey (Spring-General) | Thursday-April 20, 2023 | Wednesday-May 31, 2023 | Zone 1, 2, 4, 5. Turkey with a mane. |
| Turkey (Spring-Quota) | Thursday-April 20, 2023 | Wednesday-May 31, 2023 | Male or bearded wild turkey, zones 2 and 4. More information may be found in the rules. |
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.
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.