WYOMING’S LICENSE FEE CHANGES FOR 2018

[Bob33]

Wyoming Game and Fish Department will increase the cost of license fees, application fees and preference point fees in 2018. The increase in fees is a result of the Wyoming Legislature voting to reduce the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's budget by six million dollars in 2018 and to maintain funding for fish and wildlife at current levels.

The biggest changes for 2018 are for bison, moose, and increases in cost for elk, antelope and deer Special draw permits. Nonresident tags for mountain goat and bighorn sheep increased slightly, as did the Regular draw tags for elk, deer, and antelope. I'll briefly cover these changes below. Since application season is here, for a detailed breakdown of Wyoming elk, draw odds, and other statistics you can check out the recently published Application Strategy article here.

Nonresident bison increased from $2,522 to $4,417, while nonresident cow/calf tags went from $1,000 to $2,767. Wyoming’s price increase could be considered dramatic when compared with neighboring Montana’s $1,250 bison tag. On the other hand, South Dakota charges $6,006 to hunt trophy bison in Custer State Park, while Arizona gets $5,400 plus the hunting license fee, and Utah charges $2,615 to hunt bulls on Antelope Island, and $1,518 to hunt them in the rest of the state.

Nonresident Shiras moose tags increased from $1,430 to $1,997. Montana charges $1,250 and Idaho gets $2,101 plus a $154.75 nonresident hunting license.

The biggest change for this year for nonresidents interested in hunting elk is the increase in the special license from $1,085 to $1,335. The standard elk license also increased from $605 to $707. This change is enough that I think most nonresidents considering entering the Special draw will bank their points for another two or three years and apply for the Regular draw elk tag. Though this strategy may not pay off in the long run. The only state that has a more expensive elk tag is the Utah multi-season limited entry at $1,505.

Nonresident Special draw deer licenses increased by 17% from $580 to $677 in 2018.  Regular draw deer licenses increased slightly from $340 to $389. Youth nonresident deer licenses did not have an increase.

Antelope nonresident Special draw licenses increased from $540 to $629. Regular draw antelope licenses increased from $300 to $341. Like nonresident youth deer, the nonresident youth antelope did not see an increase.

There will be other smaller increases in Wyoming. Bighorn sheep licenses went up to $2,335, an increase of $69. Nonresident annual fishing went up to $102. Nonresident black bear increased to $373. Gray Wolf permits went up by $7 to $187. Nonresident mountain goat tags increased to $2,177.

Resident licenses saw increases by $5 per species or license type.

The big surprises for these 2018 license fee increases are that bighorn sheep only had a small raise, while moose and bison had huge increases in price as well as a large spike in Special draw elk license price. Now that Wyoming’s bison prices are almost as high as Arizona and neighboring South Dakota, I think a lot of people will be priced out of the draw, and it may increase the odds of drawing a bison tag. The increase in the price of moose and Special draw elk will probably lead to more people just buying points.

Only time will tell if applications trends continue to climb or if hunters look elsewhere.

https://www.gohunt.com/read/news/overview-of-wyomings-license-fee-changes-for-2018#gs.39LG1Qc

[Stein]

Wow, some huge increases there but not overly surprising as we transition to the pay to play model.  Very unfortunate for the vast amount of the country that will no longer be able to afford to pursue these opportunities.

Trends will increase until people don't buy the licenses.  MT lead the way and so far it is paying off handsomely for them.

[cem3434]

Sad for most, but the guys with deep pockets will ultimately benefit by being to draw tags on a more regular basis. This will make me rethink my yearly donations to Wyoming moving forward to build points. Maybe it's time to cash in and get out.

[Indian Summer]

With little to no points that increase in Special elk is killing me. I don’t have deep pockets but I do have some screwed up priorities in life so I’ll be applying no matter what. You only live once! Thanks for the very informative and thorough update Bob.

[Duckslayer89]

With little to no points that increase in Special elk is killing me. I don’t have deep pockets but I do have some screwed up priorities in life so I’ll be applying no matter what. You only live once! Thanks for the very informative and thorough update Bob.

  screwed up priority’s that’s great. I applied for moose even again this year but I’m done I already opted for a refund. Can’t pay 150 bucks a year for a point

[Alan K]

Im suprised at the wolf increase... Figured they'd keep that essentially free like they had it. 

[Ridgerunner]

Sitting on max elk points I was less than happy to see the significant increase.  I don't like that the model is definitely moving to the pay to play model and guys are getting priced out but I don't see that changing in the future at all.  It's too bad really. 

[White Pass Outfitters]

Hunting is becoming a Rich mans game. In my opinion the states know they can jack up all the prices, due to all the private landowners offering canned hunts. The states see how much these rich guys are paying to go on those type of hunts. And its going to keep jacking up our prices so the blue collar worker wont even be able to go hunt. All these canned hunts and private land hunts and hunting shows are actually hurting our average hunter in my opinion.

[Ghost Hunter]

Im suprised at the wolf increase... Figured they'd keep that essentially free like they had it. 

+

It is free in the majority of the state.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Hunting-Guide/Wolf-Hunting#

[Indian Summer]

In my opinion a guy who makes a deal to guide hunters on private land isn’t really an outfitter. All he does is hold the key to a gate. His life is nothing like the a real outfitter. The guys from days gone by who get up early to feed and saddle stock to pack their clients way up into the mountains in nasty weather because a not everyone has the gear, time, and skill to access that remote high country on their own. For that reason ever since I outfitted Montana I have thought that public and private land hunting licenses should be managed separately.

[jmscon]

Wonder how long it’s going to take for a class action lawsuit to happen because of price gouging and limiting access to public property for hunting. By definition, that is exactly what is going on!

[Eric M]

Wonder how long it’s going to take for a class action lawsuit to happen because of price gouging and limiting access to public property for hunting. By definition, that is exactly what is going on!

I wonder if there will be any push back from the towns that depend on non resident hunters for a large percentage of income.

[Mr Mykiss]

Time to start buying BISON points...

[dwils233]

Unless they changed it, for Bison you had to put in all the money and then if you didn't get drawn they would refund all of it back (minus a service fee).So you are essentially loaning Wyoming your money for 6 months. Its one thing to shell out a grand or two, but nearly 5 grand is steep- same with 3 grand for a cow/calf. Public land hunting shouldn't be prohibitively expensive and it won't do anything good for hunter recruitment and retention

[Indian Summer]

Wonder how long it’s going to take for a class action lawsuit to happen because of price gouging and limiting access to public property for hunting. By definition, that is exactly what is going on!

Don’t hold your breath. We all have access to public land. That even includes Wyoming wilderness. But wildlife is the property of the state entrusted by the federal government to manage. If any management regulation was going to be the topic of a lawsuit it would likely be the one that denues non residents access to Wyoming wilderness specifically for the purpose of hunting. You can hike camp and even fish there but no hunting. I find that to be unconstitutional.

[bobcat]

Non residents can hunt Wyoming wilderness, just can't hunt big game.

As far as the increase in prices, Wyoming is still in line with other western states. Oregon is $738 for NR elk, Wyoming is $707.

Look at deer licenses, Montana is $602, Wyoming is $389.

I don't think people are going to stop hunting Wyoming due to the small increases in license fees. The biggest cost for most people is fuel to get there and back.

[jmscon]

Wonder how long it’s going to take for a class action lawsuit to happen because of price gouging and limiting access to public property for hunting. By definition, that is exactly what is going on!

Don’t hold your breath. We all have access to public land. That even includes Wyoming wilderness. But wildlife is the property of the state entrusted by the federal government to manage. If any management regulation was going to be the topic of a lawsuit it would likely be the one that denues non residents access to Wyoming wilderness specifically for the purpose of hunting. You can hike camp and even fish there but no hunting. I find that to be unconstitutional.

That’s exactly what I’m saying!

[andrew_in_idaho]

Non residents can hunt Wyoming wilderness, just can't hunt big game.

As far as the increase in prices, Wyoming is still in line with other western states. Oregon is $738 for NR elk, Wyoming is $707.

Look at deer licenses, Montana is $602, Wyoming is $389.

I don't think people are going to stop hunting Wyoming due to the small increases in license fees. The biggest cost for most people is fuel to get there and back.

I'm in agreement with this 100%, everybody has this sky is falling mentality because they raised what were probably some of the lowest nonresident prices in the west


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[andrew_in_idaho]

With little to no points that increase in Special elk is killing me. I don’t have deep pockets but I do have some screwed up priorities in life so I’ll be applying no matter what. You only live once! Thanks for the very informative and thorough update Bob.

Why not just wait your turn and draw regular elk instead, if you want to jump the line(all that "special" elk does for you) then I guess you have to pay to play


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[meatwhack]

I didn’t notice it on the list but did the cost of just buying a point go up also? 

[Bob33]

I didn’t notice it on the list but did the cost of just buying a point go up also?

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Apply-or-Buy/License-Fee-List#preferencepoints

[vandeman17]

I didn’t notice it on the list but did the cost of just buying a point go up also?

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Apply-or-Buy/License-Fee-List#preferencepoints

Looks like it went up a dollar or two

while the price increase sucks, it still doesn't personally price me out of wyoming as now, like others stated, closer to other states.

[Indian Summer]

With little to no points that increase in Special elk is killing me. I don’t have deep pockets but I do have some screwed up priorities in life so I’ll be applying no matter what. You only live once! Thanks for the very informative and thorough update Bob.

Why not just wait your turn and draw regular elk instead, if you want to jump the line(all that "special" elk does for you) then I guess you have to pay to play


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Because like I said... you only live once. I hunt elk every year. I live on elk meat. I feed my soul on elk hunting. Can’t skip feeding yourself for a year. If I don’t draw I can fall back on Montana but my preference is the Cowboy State.  So paying to play is my choice. You couldn’t pay me$1300 to stay home!!!

[andrew_in_idaho]

With little to no points that increase in Special elk is killing me. I don’t have deep pockets but I do have some screwed up priorities in life so I’ll be applying no matter what. You only live once! Thanks for the very informative and thorough update Bob.

Why not just wait your turn and draw regular elk instead, if you want to jump the line(all that "special" elk does for you) then I guess you have to pay to play


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Because like I said... you only live once. I hunt elk every year. I live on elk meat. I feed my soul on elk hunting. Can’t skip feeding yourself for a year. If I don’t draw I can fall back on Montana but my preference is the Cowboy State.  So paying to play is my choice. You couldn’t pay me$1300 to stay home!!!

Why not Idaho, no draws, otc tags, and about 1/2 the price of Montana or wyoming. I understand the only live once mentality but I also can't stomach paying that price to hunt elk, granted I am an Idaho resident so don't need to go to wyoming to elk hunt each year.


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[Mr Mykiss]

There's elks in Idaho? Where? Specifically.

YOLO!!

[Sabotloader]

There's elks in Idaho? Where? Specifically.

YOLO!!

NOPE! no elk in Idaho!!!

[Indian Summer]

To answer your question: Because nothing beats knowing your hunting area in detail. I’ve hunted the Montana/Idaho border for 30+ years and outfitted there for 13. Knowing the seasonal movements of the elk in an area is priceless too. That’s why they say that 10% of hunters kill 90% of the elk. The same goes for my Wyoming spits. They are home. You only live once but you can’t hunt them all! Oh and I have family and friends in both MT and WY too. And.... since I know they have me by the family jewels I started a side business specifically to pay for my elk hunting addiction. Do I like paying those prices though? He11 no!

[dvolmer]

I cant believe that I am saying this, but I don't mind the increase in price.  No!!!!  I'm not rich!  But I am 52 years old.  It is much more important to get the opportunity to hunt as much as I can.  With the increase, tags that take me every other year to draw might now be possible to get every year.  Before Montana raised their costs a few years ago, I could draw a general deer licences every other year or every third year.  Since the increase, I have been able to hunt every year.  At 52, I don't know how many years I got left.  I'm healthy and able now but when I'm 60 or 70, who knows???  Randy Newberg said something that will never leave my mind, "Hunt as much as you can and as often as you can.  Because you will run out of health long before you will run out of money."  Every year I don't draw a tag to hunt is one less year that I will be able to hunt and realistically speaking, I have somewhere around 5-10 years to hunt the way I do now, and 10 more after that but at a much slower speed.

[Indian Summer]

Amen Dvolmer. I’m 52 as well and I need tomhunt elk every year. Imagine how bad things would be if elk tags were a hundred bucks! 

[swanny]

Never hunted out of state but would like to some day (soon!). What's the difference between special draw and draw? Do I even need to draw or can I just buy an OTC?

Sorry for the newbish questino.

[trophyhunt]

Never hunted out of state but would like to some day (soon!). What's the difference between special draw and draw? Do I even need to draw or can I just buy an OTC?

Sorry for the newbish questino.

Wyoming is the most confusing state to apply for, the special draw puts you in a different catagory. It’s cost more but you have better odds. If you don’t have max points and your trying for a premium tag, bring your patience.  I’m one less than max on elk, this is my 10 or 11th year applying.  General tags may be easier to draw, your best bet is to call them and talk to a bio. 

[BULLBLASTER]

Never hunted out of state but would like to some day (soon!). What's the difference between special draw and draw? Do I even need to draw or can I just buy an OTC?

Sorry for the newbish questino.

Wyoming is the most confusing state to apply for, the special draw puts you in a different catagory. It’s cost more but you have better odds. If you don’t have max points and your trying for a premium tag, bring your patience.  I’m one less than max on elk, this is my 10 or 11th year applying.  General tags may be easier to draw, your best bet is to call them and talk to a bio.

I’ll add some more confusion here. I have come across hunts where the special draw actually required more points than the regular draw but that isn’t the norm.
It’s also important to remember that the unit numbers are not the same for all species. Unit 50 for deer is not unit 50 for elk or antelope.

[meatwhack]

The special draw has nothing to do with better draw odds. It’s simply a category with an allotted number of tags that cost more money. The thinking is that less people are willing to pay the higher price so the draw odds are better but that’s not always the case.

[swanny]

The special draw has nothing to do with better draw odds. It’s simply a category with an allotted number of tags that cost more money. The thinking is that less people are willing to pay the higher price so the draw odds are better but that’s not always the case.

Well that will make your head hurt!

[cougforester]

Never hunted out of state but would like to some day (soon!). What's the difference between special draw and draw? Do I even need to draw or can I just buy an OTC?

Sorry for the newbish questino.

This is one heck of a place to start.

[trophyhunt]

Another article to help, and paying more for the special license is designed to give you better odds, it’s in this article.


https://www.gohunt.com/read/INSIDER/application-strategy-2016-wyoming-elk

[Chesapeake]

Yes, "designed" to give you better odds, but if too many people pay up and put in "special" then the odds will be worse.

It looks like this.

Non residents can get 16% of the tags for a unit.
40% of those tags go into the "Special Draw". Of those 75% go to the highest point holders, 25% go random.
60% of the tags go into the "Regular draw". Of those 75% go to the highest point holders, 25% go random.

So say a unit has 50 total tags allotted.

8 tags can go to Non-residents.
3 tags go in the "Special draw. 2 for points, 1 for random.
5 Tags go in the "Regular draw". 4 for points, 1 for random.

That's all you can really tell prior to the actual draw happening. Prior to that, all you can do is look at the last few years draw trends to forecast what you think might happen. The new years draw odds are completely dependent on that applications received for that year.

Toprut is my favorite site for looking at the draw stats. They break it down and graph it out nicely. Make it easy to see the point creep trend as well as show you the possibilities, or lack of, for drawing a unit on random. You can get a feel for how many tags are available and how many folks put in.

Other sites are better for hunt info research.

Unit 62 type 1 for example:
https://www.toprut.com/hunt/wyoming-elk-unit-62/