When Is Wyoming Elk Hunting Season?

Elk hunting in Wyoming is a unique and thrilling experience. With its vast wilderness, diverse terrain, and healthy elk population, Wyoming offers some of the best hunting opportunities in the country. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a novice, elk hunting in Wyoming is an adventure like no other. 

While figuring out the hunting season can present challenges, this guide is your key to successfully navigating it. We'll help you understand the best ways to hunt and share insider strategies to increase your chances of bagging one of these magnificent creatures. 

Elk Hunting In Wyoming 

Elk hunting in Wyoming is a choose-your-own-adventure style, as the environment ranges from the desert lowlands and sagebrush zones to the high-elevation basins in the mountains above the timberline. 

Whether you want to target the easily navigable prairies or the well-conditioned mountainous elk in a more challenging environment, substantial elk numbers and environmental variation meet your hunting needs and requirements throughout this state. 

Wyoming Elk Hunting Season Dates for 2024 

Following the precedent set by planning for antelope and deer seasons, elk hunting season dates vary by hunting area. It can be confusing, so your best bet is to consult official Wyoming elk hunting season resources for specific dates and corresponding hunt areas.

In general, Wyoming's earliest elk hunting seasons begin on September 1 and can extend through January 31 in some areas.

• Archery Season: Usually begins in early September and runs until the end of September. 
• Rifle Season: Depending on the hunt area, it typically starts in early October and can run through late November. 
• Special Hunts: Some areas may offer late-season or cow-only hunts extending into December and January.

To plan your hunt, we recommend starting with your firearm type, then choosing a hunting zone and checking if there are dates that align. Remember to begin your planning dates between the beginning of September and the end of January. 

Tag Requirements

The tagging system can also be a source of confusion for some hunters when first considering a Wyoming elk hunt, but the experience is worth working through the season dates and tag requirements.

The most accessible starting place is to fill out a plan for your hunt section on the WGFD website and explore the information below for an overview. 

Residents

Residents have two options when planning an elk hunt: apply for a limited quota tag or purchase their general tag directly. A person can only apply for and receive up to three elk licenses in a calendar year. 

Non-residents

Non-residents have two draw options: regular and special. The regular draw is a standard price for a tag, and the special draw is a higher cost but with better odds of drawing a tag. Tags are often distributed through a lottery system, and it's crucial to apply well in advance, as deadlines can be early in the year.

Wyoming also runs a preference point system in which 75% of the licenses are given to the people with the most preference points, and 25% are allocated randomly.

Elk Hunt Areas

Wyoming has several elk hunt areas covering differing geographical and wilderness boundaries. Each location is subject to differing season dates and regulations. Determining your hunt area is essential, as specific guidelines govern these zones, which are also subject to yearly changes. 

Certain zones are subject to less hunting pressure than others, such as the hilly mountainous areas mixed with timber, which can lead to some wild terrain on the eastern side of the Rockies. 

When choosing a hunting zone, several factors come into play. These include your experience level, the season dates, weather patterns, physical conditioning, and the ease of access to the area. Considering these factors will help you make the best decision for your needs and the best possible elk hunt. 

Regulations and Ethics

As always, we recommend hunter safety as your starting point to gather a foundation in safety and ethics and to understand the regulations at play in Wyoming. To obtain a license, hunters born before January 1, 1966, will need a hunter education certificate to operate in Wyoming. 

In addition, it's essential to follow all hunting regulations regarding the relevant season and hunting zone you have elected. 

4 Ways to Prepare for Your Wyoming Elk Hunt 

Getting ready for an elk hunt is unlike the preparation for most other hunts. With a few key pieces of gear and some planning in your HuntWise app, you could walk out the door tomorrow for a deer or turkey hunt (as long as it's in season) and have a good chance of tagging out.

What do you need for a successful Wyoming elk hunt? Here are our recommendations.

1. Start Physical Conditioning

Elk hunting is a physically and mentally challenging sport that rewards those willing to push themselves further into hard-to-access zones.

Building functional lower body strength and endurance is essential: consider hiking, biking, and weight training with high reps. If you're unfamiliar with this environment, you'll also want to throw in some cardio and train in mountainous conditions. 

2. Collect Quality Gear

Having the right equipment is a game-changer in elk hunting.

Before you embark on your hunt, invest in top-notch equipment. For a multi-day hunt, you'll want high-quality boots, breathable camouflage clothing, top-tier optics, and the right camping gear. These items can make a significant difference in your hunting experience. 

3. Scout

Start your pre-season scouting with HuntWise to target hard-to-reach areas. Elk are highly adaptable, and you might be surprised to find them in various conditions.

Leverage the HuntWise contour feature to gather insights on elevation. Once you've determined your zone, set up trail cameras (if allowed in the hunt area) to target elk herds and spend some time hiking and scanning the area with binoculars or a scope to understand movement patterns. 

4. Think Through Safety

Elk hunting in Wyoming can take you to some hard-to-reach and remote locations.

Make sure your first aid accreditation is up-to-date, practice firearm safety at all times, and carry appropriate safety tools, such as a first aid kit and weather-ready clothing and equipment. 

Take Your Wyoming Elk Hunt To The Next Level With HuntWise 

Hunting the vast and varied Wyoming Elk country is an experience like no other – but there's no need to be intimidated. It's an experience every hunter should try at least once.

With less hunting pressure than neighboring states and some of the most elite hunting backgrounds imaginable, Wyoming offers the type of elk hunting that will leave you with stories to tell and, hopefully, a trophy to bring home. 

If you're lucky enough to be granted a tag as a non-resident or have secured your resident tag, don't waste any time. Start exploring Wyoming with the HuntWise app as soon as possible. The insights from early e-scouting will build the foundation and knowledge of the natural environment and elk movements well before the season opens. With map layers and topography features, you can mark spots of interest in the app and focus on those areas when it's time for your hunt.

Don't have HuntWise yet? Now is the time to download it and explore every feature – free – for a week. Then, consider a Pro or Elite subscription to get the most out of the app (including bigger gear discounts to get ready for your elk hunt)!