Wyoming Hunting Trips: Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, and More

Wyoming Hunting Trips: The Ultimate Guide to Hunting the Cowboy State

If you’ve ever stared at a photo of Wyoming’s open country — rolling sagebrush flats backed by snowcapped peaks, not a fence post or cell tower in sight — and thought “I need to hunt that,” you’re not alone. Wyoming is one of those places that gets under your skin the first time you see it, and it stays there.

The state offers some of the best big game hunting in the lower 48. We’re talking about country where a herd of 300 elk might be feeding in a meadow below camp, where pronghorn antelope outnumber people, and where the mule deer still grow big enough to make your knees shake. Wyoming is the real deal.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about planning a Wyoming hunting trip — what species are available, how the draw system works, what it costs, and how Western Obsession can help you find the right outfitter for your hunt.

Why Hunt Wyoming?

Wyoming consistently ranks among the top hunting destinations in North America, and once you’ve spent time in the state, you’ll understand why. Here’s what makes it special:

• Wide open country — Wyoming is the least populated state in the lower 48, and it shows. You can hunt all day and never see another truck. The landscape is massive, diverse, and largely untouched.
• World-class herds — Wyoming holds the largest free-ranging elk herd in the world (the Jackson herd alone is around 11,000 animals), the largest pronghorn population in North America, and some of the best mule deer genetics on the planet.
• Public land access — roughly 48% of the state is public land, including millions of acres of BLM, national forest, and state trust land. Wyoming also has a “corner crossing” access tradition that opens up huge blocks of checkerboard land.
• Quality over quantity — Wyoming’s draw system limits hunter numbers in most units, which means less pressure, more opportunity, and better quality animals. Some units produce 350+ class bulls and 200-inch mule deer consistently.
• Wilderness hunting — the Absaroka, Wind River, Teton, and Bridger Wilderness areas offer backcountry hunting that rivals anything in Montana or Idaho. If you want to ride horses into elk camp and hunt country where the animals have never been pressured, Wyoming delivers.

Bottom line: Wyoming is not the easiest state to draw a tag in, but when you finally get your shot, the quality of the hunting experience is hard to beat anywhere in the West.

Species Available in Wyoming

Elk

Wyoming elk hunting is the stuff of legend. The state holds an estimated 110,000 elk across dozens of huntable herds, and some of the most famous elk units in the country are right here — areas like the Thorofare, the Gros Ventre, the Sierra Madre, and the Bighorn Mountains.

What makes Wyoming elk hunting different from Colorado or Montana is the draw system. Most elk units require a limited-quota tag, which means fewer hunters in the field and higher-quality hunts. Some general-season areas are available, particularly in the western part of the state, but the best units take preference points to draw.

Wyoming elk hunts typically run 5 to 7 days and involve glassing, calling, and spot-and-stalk hunting. Backcountry horseback hunts into wilderness areas are extremely popular and produce some of the biggest bulls in the state. Guided elk hunts in Wyoming range from $6,000 to $15,000, depending on the unit and style of hunt.

Mule Deer

Ask any serious mule deer hunter where they’d want to hunt if they could pick one state, and there’s a good chance they’ll say Wyoming. The state has produced some of the largest mule deer bucks in the record books, and certain units — particularly in the western part of the state — are managed specifically for trophy quality.

Wyoming mule deer hunting is a draw-only affair. Some units take 5 or more preference points to draw, while others are available with 0 to 2 points. The best trophy units (like area 100, 150, and certain regions in the Wyoming Range) can take 10 to 15+ points for a non-resident.

Guided mule deer hunts in Wyoming run $4,500 to $10,000. Most hunts involve glassing from high points, then making stalks on bucks bedded in draws and on ridgelines. If you’ve never watched a 190-inch muley stand up out of the sage 400 yards away, you’re missing out.

Pronghorn Antelope

Wyoming is the pronghorn capital of the world. The state holds more antelope than people — roughly 400,000 animals spread across the prairies and sagebrush flats. Non-resident pronghorn tags are relatively easy to draw in many units, making this one of the most accessible hunts in the state.

Pronghorn hunting is fast-paced, visual, and addictive. You’ll spend the day behind glass, spotting herds, evaluating bucks, and planning stalks across terrain that looks flat but is actually full of subtle draws and dips you can use to close the distance. Guided antelope hunts in Wyoming cost $2,500 to $5,000 and are a great option for first-time western hunters or anyone who wants a fun, high-action hunt.

Moose

Drawing a Wyoming moose tag is the hunting equivalent of winning the lottery. Non-resident draw odds in most units are less than 1%, and some hunters wait 20+ years without drawing. But when you do draw, Wyoming moose hunting is outstanding. The state holds Shiras moose — the smallest subspecies but still an impressive animal — in the mountain ranges of western Wyoming.

The Jackson, Pinedale, and Cody areas are the most sought-after moose units. Guided moose hunts run $6,000 to $12,000 and typically involve glassing willow bottoms and creek drainages during the September rut. If you draw a Wyoming moose tag, treat it like the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it is and hire a guide who knows the unit inside and out.

Bighorn Sheep

Wyoming offers some of the best bighorn sheep hunting in the lower 48. The state’s herds are healthy and well-managed, with huntable populations in the Absaroka Range, Wind River Range, and Bighorn Mountains. Like moose, bighorn sheep tags are extremely limited and can take a lifetime to draw.

Guided bighorn sheep hunts in Wyoming run $8,000 to $15,000. These are physically demanding, high-altitude hunts that require serious fitness. If you draw a ram tag, you owe it to yourself to book with an outfitter who specializes in sheep country.

Black Bear

Wyoming’s bear hunting flies under the radar compared to the big-ticket species, but the state offers quality spring and fall bear hunts in the Bighorn Mountains, Black Hills, and western mountain ranges. Black bear tags are available over the counter in many areas, and guided bear hunts run $3,000 to $6,000. Bear hunts pair well with spring fishing trips or can serve as a great warm-up for a fall elk hunt.

Wyoming’s Draw System and Preference Points — Explained Simply

This is where Wyoming gets a little complicated, but stick with me — understanding the draw system is the key to hunting here.

Wyoming uses a preference point system for most big game species. Here’s how it works:

• 75/25 split: Roughly 75% of tags in each unit go to the applicants with the most preference points. The remaining 25% go into a random draw, meaning anyone can get lucky regardless of points.
• Buying points: If you don’t apply for a tag in a given year, you can purchase a preference point for a fee (around $100 per species for non-residents). This lets you build points over time without risking them in a low-odds draw.
• Species-specific points: Preference points are tracked separately for elk, deer, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, and other species. You can build points in multiple species at the same time.
• Special draw tags: Some limited-quota units take many years of points to draw. Others are available with 0 points. Research each unit carefully before applying.

Non-Resident Tag Costs (Approximate)

Species	License/Tag Fee	Preference Point Fee
Elk	$600 – $1,100	~$100
Mule Deer	$350 – $550	~$100
Pronghorn Antelope	$250 – $400	~$50
Moose	$1,500 – $2,500	~$100
Bighorn Sheep	$2,500 – $3,500	~$150
Black Bear	$250 – $350	N/A (OTC)

Fees are approximate and subject to change. Always check the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for current pricing.

Smart Point Strategy for Non-Residents

If you’re serious about hunting Wyoming, start buying preference points now — even if you’re not ready to hunt for a few years. Here’s a basic strategy:

• Pronghorn: Apply right away. Many units draw with 0 to 2 points, and it’s the easiest way to get your feet wet in Wyoming.
• Elk: Start building points immediately. Some solid units draw with 3 to 5 points, while the premium units take 10+.
• Mule deer: Build points patiently. The best deer units take many years, but there are quality hunts available in the 3 to 6 point range.
• Moose and sheep: Buy a point every year and hope for the best in the random 25% pool. These are lifetime hunts that most people draw once — if ever.

Best Regions to Hunt in Wyoming

Northwest Wyoming (Jackson, Cody, Dubois)

This is the heart of Wyoming’s big game country. The Absaroka Range, Gros Ventre Range, and Wind River Range hold massive elk herds, Shiras moose, bighorn sheep, and mule deer. Backcountry horseback hunts in this region are world-class. The Thorofare area south of Yellowstone is considered by many to be the most remote and productive elk hunting spot in the lower 48.

Bighorn Mountains (Sheridan, Buffalo)

The Bighorns are a sleeper destination for elk and mule deer. The range has excellent elk numbers, good mule deer genetics, and less competition for tags compared to the western ranges. The east side of the Bighorns also holds strong populations of whitetail deer in the river bottoms.

Wyoming Range and Salt River Range (Star Valley, Kemmerer)

The Wyoming Range produces some of the state’s biggest mule deer and has huntable elk populations. The country is a mix of aspen ridges, dark timber, and open sagebrush parks — classic western hunting terrain that rewards patient glassing and careful stalking.

Eastern Plains (Casper, Gillette, Douglas)

This is pronghorn country. The prairies and sagebrush flats of eastern Wyoming hold the densest antelope populations in the state. It’s also good mule deer country, with some big bucks hiding in the breaks and coulees along the North Platte and Powder Rivers.

What a Guided Wyoming Hunt Costs

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you’ll spend on a guided Wyoming hunting trip. These numbers include the outfitter fee but not licenses, tags, travel, or taxidermy.

Hunt Type	Typical Cost	Duration
Guided Elk (rifle)	$6,000 – $12,000	5-7 days
Backcountry Elk (horseback)	$8,000 – $15,000	6-10 days
Guided Mule Deer	$4,500 – $10,000	5-7 days
Guided Pronghorn	$2,500 – $5,000	3-5 days
Guided Moose	$6,000 – $12,000	7-10 days
Guided Bighorn Sheep	$8,000 – $15,000	7-10 days
Guided Black Bear	$3,000 – $6,000	5-7 days

What’s Typically Included

• Professional guide service (1-on-1 or 2-on-1)
• Meals and lodging (lodge, cabin, or wall tent camp)
• Horses and pack stock for backcountry hunts
• Field dressing and game care
• Trophy preparation for taxidermist
• Transportation during the hunt

What’s Usually NOT Included

• Hunting license and tags (purchased through Wyoming Game and Fish)
• Travel to and from Wyoming
• Taxidermy and meat processing
• Gratuity for guides (15-20% is standard)
• Hunting gear and clothing
• Trophy fees for additional species (on combo hunts)

What to Expect on a Wyoming Guided Hunt

Every Wyoming hunt is different depending on the species and terrain, but here’s a general idea of what a typical day looks like.

You’ll wake up early — usually before sunrise — and eat a solid breakfast at camp or the lodge. If you’re on a backcountry horseback hunt, you’ll saddle up and ride to a glassing point while the light is still low. If you’re on a lodge-based hunt, you’ll drive to your hunting area in the dark and be set up on a ridge or in a blind before first light.

The morning is usually the most productive time. You’ll glass methodically — picking apart hillsides, timber edges, and creek bottoms for animals. If you spot something worth going after, the stalk begins. In Wyoming’s open country, stalks can be long and technical, using terrain features to stay hidden as you close the distance.

Midday might involve a nap back at camp, lunch, and maybe a short hike to check a new area. The evening hunt starts around 3 or 4 PM and goes until dark, when animals start moving from their beds to feed.

For pronghorn hunting, the pace is faster. You’ll cover a lot of ground by truck and on foot, glassing herds and evaluating bucks. When you find the one you want, you’ll plan an approach using terrain — and in antelope country, that might mean belly-crawling through sagebrush to get within rifle range.

Physical Requirements

How hard you need to train depends entirely on what you’re hunting and where.

• Backcountry elk hunts: These are demanding. You’ll be at 8,000 to 10,000 feet, hiking through steep timber, and potentially covering 5 to 10 miles a day. Start a fitness program 3 to 6 months before your hunt — focus on hiking with a pack, stair climbing, and general cardio.
• Lodge-based elk and deer hunts: Moderately demanding. You’ll still be hiking and climbing, but you’ll have a warm bed and hot meals each night. Reasonable fitness is expected.
• Pronghorn hunts: Low to moderate. The terrain is mostly flat, but you’ll be on your feet all day and might need to crawl or low-walk during stalks. These hunts are accessible to most fitness levels.
• Sheep hunts: Extremely demanding. You’ll be above timberline, scrambling over talus and shale, at elevations above 10,000 feet. If you draw a sheep tag, your fitness level needs to be a priority. Train like your hunt depends on it — because it does.

Be honest with yourself and with your outfitter about your fitness level. A good guide will adjust the hunt plan to your abilities, but Wyoming’s mountains don’t care how many points you burned to get there. Show up in shape and you’ll have a better time.

Best Time of Year by Species

Species	Peak Season	Why
Elk (archery)	September 1 – 30	Peak rut — bulls are bugling and responsive to calls
Elk (rifle)	October 15 – November 15	Post-rut migration, bulls moving to winter range
Mule Deer	Late October – November	Rut begins, bucks are active and visible
Pronghorn	September – early October	Warm weather, bucks still in summer patterns
Moose	September 15 – October 31	Rut activity, bulls responding to calls
Bighorn Sheep	September – October	Pre-rut, rams in bachelor groups and visible
Black Bear	May – June (spring)	Bears feeding on fresh green-up after hibernation

Guided Western Hunts

While we’re building out our Wyoming-specific trip lineup, these guided hunts in Colorado and Montana cover the same species and similar terrain you’ll find across the Rocky Mountain West. They’re a great way to get into elk, mule deer, and pronghorn country while you build preference points for Wyoming.

Not sure which hunt is right for you? Talk to our team — we’ll match you with the right trip.

Why Book Through Western Obsession

Planning a Wyoming hunting trip on your own can be overwhelming — between the draw system, preference points, unit selection, and finding a trustworthy outfitter, there’s a lot that can go wrong. That’s where we come in.

Western Obsession works with a network of vetted outfitters across Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West. We can help you with:

• Outfitter matching — we know which outfitters hunt which units, what their success rates look like, and whether they’re the right fit for your goals and fitness level.
• Draw strategy — we help you figure out which units to apply for based on your preference points, budget, and species goals.
• Trip planning — gear lists, travel logistics, physical preparation — we walk you through all of it.
• No markup — you book at the outfitter’s price. Our consultation is free.

Whether you’re a first-time western hunter or you’ve been building Wyoming points for a decade, reach out to our team and let us help you plan the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a guided Wyoming elk hunt cost?

Guided elk hunts in Wyoming typically cost between $6,000 and $15,000, depending on the unit, hunt style, and duration. Backcountry horseback hunts at the upper end of that range. Lodge-based hunts on the lower end. Add another $600 to $1,100 for the non-resident elk license and tag.

Is it hard for non-residents to get a Wyoming hunting tag?

It depends on the species and unit. Pronghorn tags are relatively easy to draw in many units — sometimes with 0 preference points. General elk and deer units can take 2 to 5 points. Trophy elk and deer units can take 10 to 15+ points. Moose and sheep tags can take 20+ years. Start buying points now if you’re serious.

What is the best species to hunt in Wyoming for a first-timer?

Pronghorn antelope. Tags are accessible, the hunts are exciting, the terrain is manageable, and it’s a great introduction to western hunting. Plus, Wyoming pronghorn hunting is as good as it gets anywhere in the world.

When should I start buying Wyoming preference points?

Yesterday. Seriously — the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to draw the tag you want. Even if you’re five years away from being ready to hunt Wyoming, those preference points are building toward your future hunt. The application deadline is typically January 31 for most species.

Do I need to be in great shape for a Wyoming hunt?

For backcountry elk and sheep hunts — yes, absolutely. You’ll be at elevation, covering steep terrain, and potentially packing meat out for miles. For pronghorn and prairie mule deer hunts, moderate fitness is fine. Be honest with your outfitter about your fitness level and they’ll plan accordingly.

What’s the difference between a Wyoming hunt and a Colorado or Montana hunt?

Wyoming’s draw system limits hunter numbers more aggressively than Colorado’s over-the-counter elk tags, which means less pressure and generally higher-quality animals. The tradeoff is that Wyoming tags are harder to get. Montana falls somewhere in between. The terrain across all three states is similar — big mountains, open parks, sagebrush flats — but Wyoming feels more remote and less crowded.

Does Western Obsession have Wyoming-specific trips?

We’re actively building relationships with Wyoming outfitters and expanding our trip offerings in the state. In the meantime, we can connect you with trusted Wyoming outfitters through our network, and we offer similar guided hunts in Colorado and Montana that cover the same species and terrain. Contact us to discuss Wyoming options.

Can Western Obsession help me with Wyoming draw applications?

Yes. We help hunters navigate Wyoming’s preference point system, choose the right units based on their points and goals, and put together a multi-year draw strategy. Reach out to our team and we’ll walk you through it.