Wyoming Non-Resident Elk Special Vs. Regular
Wyoming Non-Resident Elk: Understanding the Draw Process & Odds
When applying for elk, non-residents can apply for either the regular or special license. Wyoming reserves 40% of the elk licenses for the special license drawing and 60% for the regular license drawing. The special license will cost $1,258 more, but in return, applicants should have better odds because fewer people are willing to pay the higher cost. The elk licenses are the exact same, and there are no special privileges for special license holders. Top-tier units have odds that are nearly the same for the special and regular licenses, but for most units, going into the special draw can help you draw a license a year or two sooner. It may be worth it to enter the special draw in some cases, but in other cases, the increase in odds may be so slim that it doesn’t justify the increased cost. There is no special draw for moose, sheep, mountain goat, or bison.
One big change to note since 2024 is that the special elk license fee increased from $1,283 to $1,965. This change does not affect the regular license price, so it remains at $707 for the time being.
How the Wyoming Elk Draw Works
The difference between Wyoming non-resident regular and special elk tags lies in the price, drawing odds, and target audience. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand and decide which is better for your situation:
1. Price Difference
- Regular Non-Resident Elk Tag:
- Lower cost.
- For 2025, the fee is approximately $707.
- Special Non-Resident Elk Tag:
- Higher cost.
- For 2025, the fee is approximately $1,965.
- (Exact prices may vary slightly, so always check the latest Wyoming Game and Fish regulations.)
2. Drawing Odds
The special elk tag generally offers better-drawing odds because:
- Fewer applicants are willing to pay the higher fee.
- A portion of the tags is reserved specifically for this category, reducing competition.
3. Which One Should You Apply For?
- Apply for the regular tag if:
- You’re on a budget.
- You have time to accumulate more preference points and hunt elk in Wyoming in future years.
- Apply for the special tag if:
- You’re set on hunting in a premium or high-demand unit, or want better odds this season.
- You’re willing to pay extra for better odds in competitive units.
Other Considerations
- Preference Points: Both regular and special tags allow you to accumulate and use preference points, which improve your odds of drawing over time.
- Random Draw: For elk, 75% of the licenses will be issued through the draw to the applicants with the most preference points. Following that draw, the other 25% will be drawn randomly among all remaining applicants, meaning even if you don’t have enough preference points to draw a tag, you could potentially snag one in the random portion of the draw!