Elk hunting in Wyoming

Elk hunting in Wyoming means big country, big herds, and a real shot at mature bulls on a classic Western guided hunt. With roughly 110,000 elk and many herds at or above management objectives, Wyoming sits firmly among North America’s top elk states, offering an exceptional balance of trophy potential and overall opportunity. The best elk hunting in Wyoming stretches from the wilderness units bordering Yellowstone and Grand Teton, through the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests, to the Bighorn Mountains and productive central regions around Casper, Lander, and the Bighorn Basin. Wyoming residents can still buy a general elk license over the counter, while non-residents must draw both general (now region-based) and limited-quota tags—there are no true OTC elk tags for non-resident hunters. Compared to Colorado’s massive but heavily hunted OTC crowds or New Mexico’s pure draw system, Wyoming offers a “best of both worlds” feel: strong age structure, realistic chances at 300-class bulls, and good guided options if you plan ahead on tags. Fully guided Wyoming elk hunts typically range from mid-priced cow or late-season packages to premium private-land and wilderness bull hunts, often in the 7,500–9,500 USD bracket, putting them right in line with other top-tier Western elk destinations.