Every Elk, Deer, Antelope, Moose & Sheep Deadline
Every application deadline for elk, deer, antelope, moose and sheep across 12 western states — in date order, checked against the official state wildlife agencies. Bookmark it, or grab the free printable PDF and we’ll email you as each state confirms its final dates.
Last checked against official agency sites: October 5, 2026
⚠ Three deadlines hit before New Year’s:
Wyoming — preference points close Nov 2, 2026. Nonresident points jump to $75 on Jan 1.
Alaska — every 2027 draw hunt closes Dec 15, 2026.
Idaho — nonresident deer & elk tags are a drawing now (the old first-come December sale is gone). Window: Dec 5–15, 2026.
EVERY DEADLINE, IN ORDER
November 2026 Through October 2027
Confirmed = the state has published the date. Expected = the state hasn’t released its 2027 date yet; we show the timing from its own schedule plus last year’s date. Always confirm on the official site before you apply.
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Get the 6-page printable calendar instantly, plus an email the moment each state confirms its final 2027 dates. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
HEADS UP
What’s Changing for 2027
- Idaho — nonresident general deer and elk tags are a drawing (Dec 5–15), not a first-come December sale. Old advice to be online at midnight Dec 1 is wrong.
- Wyoming — nonresident preference points jump to $75 for elk, deer and antelope on January 1, 2027.
- Colorado — the big draw overhaul (50/50 preference-and-bonus split) does not start until the 2028 draws. 2027 works like 2026.
- Kansas — the nonresident deer deadline is late April, not May. Don’t get caught waiting.
Didn’t draw? You can still hunt.
Many of our guided hunts in Colorado and New Mexico are on private ranches with landowner tags or in over-the-counter units — no lottery required. See what’s open for 2027.
Common Questions
When are the 2027 western big game draw deadlines?
Wyoming preference points close November 2, 2026, and Alaska and Idaho close December 15, 2026. Wyoming nonresident elk is due around February 1, Arizona elk and pronghorn in early February, New Mexico in mid-March, Montana and Colorado in early April, Utah and Kansas in late April, Nevada in early-to-mid May, Oregon on May 15 and Washington in mid-to-late May. The full list above is in date order and marks which dates are confirmed.
When is the Colorado elk draw deadline?
Colorado’s primary draw for elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, sheep and goat opens March 1 and closes in early April — the first Tuesday of April in recent years (April 7, 2026, 8 p.m. MT). It is also the preference point deadline: to buy a point you apply with a point code by the same date. Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes the exact 2027 date in its brochure around February.
When is the Wyoming nonresident elk application deadline?
Wyoming applications open in early January and the nonresident elk deadline falls in late January or early February (February 2 in 2026). Deer and antelope are due about June 1.
When is the Wyoming preference point deadline?
You can buy Wyoming preference points without applying from July 1 through November 2, 2026. Nonresident points for elk, deer and antelope rise to $75 on January 1, 2027, so buying before the deadline locks in this year’s price.
When is the New Mexico draw deadline?
New Mexico runs one big game draw for elk, deer, pronghorn, oryx, ibex, sheep and javelina with a mid-March deadline (March 18 in 2026). There are no preference points — every applicant has the same odds every year. Bear and turkey close earlier, in mid-February.
When is the Montana nonresident elk combo deadline?
Montana’s nonresident big game and elk combo licenses, plus deer and elk permits, are due around April 1 (April 1, 2026, 11:45 p.m. MST). Moose, sheep, goat and bison close around May 1, and antelope plus deer B and elk B licenses around June 1.
Which states have no preference points?
Idaho, New Mexico and Alaska run pure lotteries — a first-time applicant has the same odds as a 20-year veteran. Oregon’s sheep and goat draws and Nevada’s second draw are also fully random. If you’re starting from zero points, those are your states.
How do you know these dates are right?
Every date is checked against the official state wildlife agency — never forums or third-party sites. Dates marked Confirmed have been published by the state. Dates marked Expected follow the agency’s own schedule from last year and are updated as each state releases its 2027 dates between December and March.
Can I hunt the West without winning a draw?
Absolutely. Many of our guided hunts are on private ranches with landowner tags or in over-the-counter units — no lottery required. Browse our hunts or ask a consultant what’s still open for your species.