How Wyoming Preference Points Work | Complete Draw Guide
How Wyoming Preference Points Work: The Complete Guide for Nonresident Elk, Deer, and Antelope Hunters
The short answer — Wyoming uses a preference point system for nonresident elk, deer, and antelope hunters, with 75% of tags allocated through the preference point draw and 25% reserved for a random draw
If you've ever looked at Wyoming draw odds, you've probably wondered:
How do Wyoming points work?
How many points do I need?
Can I draw without points?
What is the random draw?
Should I buy preference points every year?
Wyoming remains one of the most popular western hunting states because it offers something many states don't:
A realistic path to drawing quality tags while still giving every hunter a chance through the random draw.
Understanding Wyoming's draw system is one of the most important parts of building a successful western hunting strategy.
Why Wyoming Is Different
Unlike Colorado's pure preference point system, Wyoming uses:
Preference Points
and
Random Draw Opportunities
This means even hunters with:
0 points
1 point
2 points
still have a chance to draw many licenses.
This keeps the system accessible for new applicants.
What Are Wyoming Preference Points?
Preference points are essentially your place in line.
The more points you have:
The better your odds become.
Wyoming uses preference points for:
Elk
Mule Deer
Pronghorn
Nonresident applicants compete using these points.
How Wyoming Allocates Tags
Wyoming divides nonresident licenses into two pools.
Preference Point Draw
75% of available tags
Random Draw
25% of available tags
This structure creates opportunity for both:
Long-term applicants
New applicants
How the Preference Point Draw Works
The first 75% of licenses are allocated to hunters with the highest point totals.
Example:
If a hunt has:
- 100 tags
Then:
- 75 tags go through the preference point draw
Applicants with the most points are considered first.
Once tags run out:
The draw ends.
How the Random Draw Works
The remaining:
25%
of tags go into a random draw.
Points do not matter.
Every applicant has a chance.
This is one reason Wyoming remains attractive to new hunters.
Even if a hunt typically takes many points, there is often still a chance through the random pool.
Can You Draw Wyoming With Zero Points?
Absolutely.
Many hunters draw:
Elk tags
Deer tags
Antelope tags
with zero points.
The key is choosing realistic units.
Many newer hunters focus only on famous units and ignore excellent opportunities elsewhere.
Wyoming Elk Preference Points
Elk remain Wyoming's most sought-after species.
Wyoming offers:
General elk licenses
Limited quota licenses
General tags often provide excellent opportunity while still allowing hunters to build experience.
Many nonresidents begin their Wyoming journey with general elk tags.
Wyoming General Elk Tags
General tags are popular because they allow hunters access to multiple units.
Advantages include:
Better availability
Greater flexibility
Excellent DIY opportunities
Many successful hunters choose general tags over waiting years for limited-entry hunts.
Wyoming Limited Quota Elk Tags
Limited quota tags provide:
Reduced pressure
Better age class
Potentially better trophy quality
These tags often require significantly more points.
Wyoming Mule Deer Preference Points
Wyoming mule deer hunting remains highly sought after.
Many quality units require:
Several points
Long-term planning
However, hunters willing to avoid the most famous units can often find excellent opportunities sooner.
Wyoming Antelope Preference Points
Wyoming remains one of the best pronghorn states in North America.
Advantages include:
Large populations
Public land opportunities
Excellent trophy potential
Many antelope hunts remain relatively accessible compared to other western species.
How Do You Earn Wyoming Preference Points?
Hunters purchase preference points during the annual point purchase period.
Points are species-specific.
Each species maintains a separate point total.
For example:
Elk points
Deer points
Antelope points
are all tracked independently.
What Happens If You Draw?
If you successfully draw:
Your preference points for that species return to:
Zero
The process begins again.
This is why application strategy matters.
The Special Draw
One of Wyoming's most unique features is the:
Special Draw
Hunters pay a higher license fee in exchange for competing in a separate pool.
Advantages may include:
Improved odds
Reduced competition
depending on the hunt.
Sometimes the Special Draw helps significantly.
Sometimes it doesn't.
Always compare draw odds before applying.
Regular Draw vs Special Draw
The Regular Draw:
Lower cost
More applicants
The Special Draw:
Higher cost
Fewer applicants
The best choice depends on:
Budget
Point level
Desired hunt
What Is Point Creep?
Point creep occurs when:
More applicants enter the system than there are available tags.
As a result:
Point requirements increase.
A hunt that required:
- 5 points
may require:
6 points
7 points
in future years.
Wyoming has experienced significant point creep in many popular units.
The Biggest Mistake Wyoming Hunters Make
Many hunters become trapped waiting for:
"The perfect tag."
Years pass.
Opportunities disappear.
The reality is simple:
Hunting often creates more value than endlessly collecting points.
Points are a tool.
Not a trophy.
The Mid-Tier Wyoming Strategy
One of the smartest approaches is targeting:
Mid-Tier Units
Benefits include:
Better draw odds
More frequent hunting
Strong trophy potential
Many excellent bulls and bucks come from units requiring far fewer points than the most famous areas.
General Tags vs Trophy Tags
Many hunters assume trophy units are always better.
Not necessarily.
General units often provide:
More opportunity
More experience
More flexibility
For many hunters, hunting regularly beats waiting decades.
Building a Wyoming Strategy
Successful hunters often combine:
Short-Term Goals
General elk
Easier antelope hunts
with
Long-Term Goals
Premium deer units
Trophy elk units
This creates a balanced hunting portfolio.
Wyoming Is One of the Best States for Nonresidents
Wyoming continues offering:
Excellent elk hunting
Strong mule deer opportunities
World-class antelope hunting
Large amounts of public land
For many western hunters, Wyoming becomes a cornerstone application state.
Draw Results & Odds | Wyoming Game & Fish Department
How TAGZ Helps Hunters Understand Wyoming Draw Odds
Understanding Wyoming draw odds can be challenging.
TAGZ helps hunters:
Analyze point requirements
Compare units
Evaluate draw odds
Track preference points
Build application strategies
before application season arrives.
How Colorado Preference Points Work | Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights
Best Wyoming Elk Units | TAGZ Insights
Wyoming Elk Draw — How It Works (Resident vs Non-Resident) and Why It’s Basically Pay to Play (2026) | TAGZ Insights
FAQ — Wyoming Preference Points
How do Wyoming preference points work?
Preference points improve your position in the draw and are used for nonresident elk, deer, and antelope applications.
Can I draw with zero points?
Yes. Wyoming reserves 25% of licenses for a random draw.
What is the Wyoming Special Draw?
A separate draw with higher fees that sometimes provides improved odds.
What happens when I draw?
Your points for that species return to zero.
Is Wyoming worth applying for?
Absolutely. Wyoming remains one of the best western states for nonresident hunters.
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How Colorado Preference Points Work | Complete Draw Guide
Colorado's preference point system rewards hunters with the most points by giving them priority in the draw. Understanding point accumulation, point creep, and application strategy can help hunters maximize opportunities and make better decisions when planning western hunts.
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