Wyoming hunt Planner

Welcome to our Hunt Planner. In the sections that follow you will find interactive maps, species specific hunt information, drawing odds, harvest information, public access and much more.

Please begin by selecting a species from the drop down menu below.

Resident status:

Select Hunt Area

Elk range from mountainous wilderness areas to lowland deserts and plains, and are plentiful on public and private lands. Every national forest has elk, and herds are present on mountain ranges and desert areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

Hunt Area 7

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Apply For Season Dates Archery Dates License Limitations
007-1* Oct. 15 - Nov. 20 Sep. 1 - Sep. 30 Any elk
007-1* Nov. 21 - Dec. 31 - Antlerless elk
007-2* Nov. 21 - Dec. 31 - Antlered elk five (5) points or less on either antler; valid in Converse County
007-4* Oct. 15 - Dec. 31 Sep. 1 - Sep. 30 Antlerless elk
007-6* Oct. 15 - Dec. 31 Sep. 1 - Sep. 30 Cow or calf
007-8 Aug. 15 - Oct. 14 - Cow or calf valid on private land in Albany and Carbon counties; also valid in all of Platte County; not valid in Converse or Natrona counties
007-8 Oct. 15 - Dec. 31 - Cow or calf valid off national forest
* Difficult Public Access
huntarea-deer-sample

Approx. % of Public Land: 28%
Access to Public Land: Fair
Access Notes: There is a substantial amount of accessible public land in this hunt area. However, elk presence and elk hunting success on the public land is variable depending on time of year. Elk availability on public land is typically high during archery season, but may quickly decrease following the opening of rifle season as elk are pressured on to private land. However, elk are still often found on public land after the rifle season opens, but may occur further from the road. Hunters should also be aware that there are a limited number of roads available on public land that hunters may use to retrieve game with vehicles or ATVs. Late season cow hunting success is generally highest on private land or on Hunter Management Areas (HMAs). There are several large HMAs and Walk-In Areas available, but they are primarily open for antlerless elk hunting access. Hunters should carefully read the rules, restrictions, and dates for each access area by consulting the Public Access page on the Department&amprsquos website. A GPS or smart phone application with mapping program and landownership delineations is highly recommended for public land hunters. Outfitting is prevalent in this area and hunters may find it difficult to obtain private land access, although some opportunities for cow harvest may exist. Hunters may also consult county assessor websites to access online mapping programs to search for landowner information if they wish to try to acquire private land access.
Mapping Resources: Douglas, Laramie Peak, Rock River, and small portions of Lusk, Torrington, and Medicine Bow.

Additional Information: None
USFS Designated Wilderness Areas: None
Hunting Access in Wyoming - Public Access Summary

Parcels of land where Game and Fish facilitates management of hunters for access to hunt.


Available Walk in Hunting for this Hunt Area

Converse County Walk In Area 6 More Info
Converse County Walk In Area 11 More Info
Converse County Walk In Area 4 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 4 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 2 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 8 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 9 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 12 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 3 More Info
Albany County Walk In Area 13 More Info
Converse County Walk In Area 13 More Info

Parcels of land where Game and Fish facilitates management of hunters for access to hunt.


Available Hunter Management Areas for this Hunt Area

Mule Creek More Info
Shirley Basin More Info
Menter Knob More Info
Bell Otte More Info
McFarlane More Info
Hermit Rock More Info
Duncan Ranch More Info
Deer Creek More Info
Muddy Mountain More Info
Marshall More Info
Pinto Creek More Info
Broom Creek More Info

Parcels of land where Game and Fish facilitates management of hunters for access to hunt. 


Available Public access Areas for this Hunt Area

Cow Creek Mountain More Info
Mule Creek Ranch More Info

Parcels of land where Game and Fish facilitates management of hunters for access to hunt. SW TEST


Available Wildlife Habitat Management areas for this Hunt Area

Tom Thorne/Beth Williams More Info
Laramie Peak More Info

  • Nonresident Deadlines
  • Applications Open: January 2, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
  • Modify & Withdrawal Deadline: May 8, 2025
  • Tentative Draw Results Available: May 22, 2025
  • Preference Point Only***: July 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025
  • Resident Deadlines
  • Applications Open: January 2, 2025
  • Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
  • Modify & Withdrawal Deadline: June 2, 2025
  • Tentative Draw Results Available: June 19, 2025

  • Nonresident Fees
  • Full Price Application^: $707.00
  • Full Price Landowner Application^: $707.00
  • Full Price Landowner Youth Application^**: $290.00
  • Full Price Youth Application^**: $290.00
  • Preference Point Only Youth***: $10.00
  • Preference Point Only: $52.00
  • Reduced Price Cow/Calf Application^: $303.00
  • Reduced Price Landowner Doe/Fawn Application^: $303.00
  • Reduced Price Landowner Youth Doe/Fawn Application^**: $115.00
  • Reduced Price Youth Cow/Calf Application^**: $115.00
  • Special Application^: $1,965.00
  • ^ A nonrefundable application fee of $15 is included in the amount to be remitted for each big game license applied for in the initial license drawing.
  • Resident Fees
  • Full Price Application^: $62.00
  • Full Price Landowner Application^: $62.00
  • Full Price Landowner Youth Application^**: $30.00
  • Full Price Youth Application^**: $30.00
  • Reduced Price Cow/Calf Application^: $48.00
  • Reduced Price Landowner Doe/Fawn Application^: $48.00
  • Reduced Price Landowner Youth Doe/Fawn Application^**: $25.00
  • Reduced Price Youth Cow/Calf Application^**: $25.00
  • ^ A nonrefundable application fee of $5 is included in the amount to be remitted for each big game license applied for in the initial license drawing.

** An applicant may apply for any big game license if he/she is eleven (11) years of age and has not attained eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application. Any person may take a big or trophy game animal at eleven (11) years of age if the person will attain twelve (12) years of age by the end of that calendar year. Persons who are less than eighteen (18) years of age and at least eleven (11) years of age at the time of application may apply for a youth license and remit youth fees. Applicants must be at least fourteen (14) years of age prior to September 15 of the application year in order to hunt wild bison. Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) may have their parent or legal guardian submit an application on their behalf.

Full Price Licenses

2024 Drawing odds

Nonresident Special Preference Point

Hunt Type Quota Preference Points Drawing Odds
1 48 17 100.00%
1 47 < 17 100.00%
1 47 16 100.00%
1 47 < 16 100.00%
1 47 15 100.00%
1 45 < 15 100.00%
1 45 14 100.00%
1 42 < 14 100.00%
1 13 < 13 100.00%
1 34 13 100.00%
1 7 12 33.33%
1 0 < 12 0.00%
2 18 < 4 100.00%
2 12 < 3 100.00%
2 14 3 100.00%
2 12 2 100.00%
2 12 < 2 100.00%
2 11 < 1 100.00%
2 12 1 100.00%
2 11 0 100.00%
4 39 < 1 100.00%
4 39 0 100.00%

Nonresident Special Random

Hunt Type Total Quota First choice Applicants First choice odds
1 16 332 4.82%
2 5 0 100.00%
4 13 0 100.00%

Nonresident Preference Point

Hunt Type Quota Preference Points Drawing Odds
1 72 17 100.00%
1 69 < 17 100.00%
1 69 16 100.00%
1 66 < 16 100.00%
1 60 15 100.00%
1 53 < 15 100.00%
1 34 14 100.00%
1 21 < 14 100.00%
1 19 13 57.58%
1 0 < 13 0.00%
2 29 7 100.00%
2 28 < 7 100.00%
2 28 6 100.00%
2 27 < 6 100.00%
2 27 5 100.00%
2 21 < 5 100.00%
2 21 4 100.00%
2 16 < 4 100.00%
2 16 3 100.00%
2 13 < 3 100.00%
2 10 2 100.00%
2 3 1 30.00%
2 8 < 2 100.00%
2 0 < 1 0.00%
4 90 < 2 100.00%
4 92 2 100.00%
4 90 1 100.00%
4 89 < 1 100.00%
4 89 0 100.00%

Nonresident Random

Hunt Type Total Quota First choice Applicants First choice odds
1 24 1107 2.17%
2 9 29 31.03%
4 30 0 100.00%

Topography and Vegetation: Elk occur across many different types of habitat within this hunt area, depending on the time of year. Private land agricultural fields are utilized by elk through the early (Aug. &ampndash Sept.) part of the season. Throughout archery season and early/mid rifle season (Sept. &ampndash Nov.), elk will occupy higher elevation sagebrush flats, forested areas, limber pine / juniper habitats, and mid-elevation true mountain mahogany slopes. By winter, many elk have moved to lower elevations, which are primarily private land.
General Statement Regarding this Hunt Area: Elk hunting success and trophy quality is typically good in this hunt area. During September archery seasons, elk are typically well distributed throughout Area 7, including on National Forest lands. However, elk availability on public lands is variable during October and November rifle seasons as they can readily displace onto private lands. Public land over-crowding is an issue during the early part of the rifle season (mid-Oct.) due to high elk license issuance and concurrent deer seasons. While this hunt area offers a very long season, hunters need to be mindful that snow conditions may limit road access and alter elk distribution in later parts of the season.
Additional Hunting Opportunities: Cottontail rabbits can be available in this area but are typically more abundant at lower elevations. Some fall turkey hunting may also be found along drainages within this area and on private lands. National Forest lands in the Laramie Range (Medicine Bow National Forest) do provide blue grouse hunting opportunities. Consult the Chapter 11 (Upland Game Bird and Small Game) and Chapter 20 (Wild Turkey) hunting regulations for season dates, license requirements and bag/possession limits.
Herd Unit Job Completion Report: See the EL741 (Laramie Peak / Muddy Mountain) Job Completion Report for more detailed information on the management of this herd.

Area 7 - Type 1
2023 HARVEST REPORT
Hunt Area 7
# Days Hunted 13500
Days/Hunter 16.1
Total Area Harvest 840
Hunter Success 62.20%
Area 7 - Type 2
2023 HARVEST REPORT
Hunt Area 7
# Days Hunted 1605
Days/Hunter 109.8
Total Area Harvest 123
Hunter Success 44.20%
Area 7 - Type 4
2023 HARVEST REPORT
Hunt Area 7
# Days Hunted 3358
Days/Hunter 8
Total Area Harvest 418
Hunter Success 50.90%
Area 7 - Type 6
2023 HARVEST REPORT
Hunt Area 7
# Days Hunted 10293
Days/Hunter 17.2
Total Area Harvest 600
Hunter Success 37.60%
Area 7 - Type 7
2023 HARVEST REPORT
Hunt Area 7
# Days Hunted 190
Days/Hunter 15.8
Total Area Harvest 12
Hunter Success 38.70%

Hunter Education Requirements

No person born on or after January 1, 1966, may take any wildlife by the use of firearms on land other than that of his own family, unless the person possesses or can demonstrate they have obtained a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms.

All Elk Hunt Area 75 and 79 (Grand Teton National Park) hunters, regardless of age, must possess and exhibit a valid hunter safety certificate.

Compliance will be checked in the field.

Hunter Education Exemptions

If you meet the Armed Forces/Wyoming Peace Officer exemption requirements or you have obtained special 1 year authorization through the Hunter Mentor Program, you are exempt from hunter education.

Hunter Mentor Program

Any person born on or after January 1, 1966, who has not received a certificate of competency and safety in the use and handling of firearms, may apply to the Department for a special authorization to take wildlife with the use of a firearm while being accompanied by a mentor. A special authorization issued to an individual shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issue and shall be in the possession of the recipient at all times while in the field.

Animal carcasses must be disposed of properly at designated sites that allow for it. Please click on this link to locate an area near you and check with the disposal site for details regarding your carcass disposal.

Carcass Disposal Sites in Wyoming

Casper Regional Office
3030 Energy Lane
Casper, WY 82604
(307) 473-3400

select another species

About Elk Hunting in Wyoming

Applying for a License

The total limit for elk licenses a person may possess differs from deer and antelope in that full price elk licenses and reduced price cow/calf elk licenses are combined together to calculate the total number of elk licenses allowed by any one person. An applicant shall apply for or receive no more than a total of three (3) elk licenses in any one (1) calendar year.

 

An applicant may apply for and receive one (1) general or limited quota full price elk license and one (1) limited quota reduced price cow/calf elk license through the initial license drawing. After the initial drawing, a person may apply for and receive up to a total of three (3) elk licenses, of which no more than one (1) shall be a General, Type 0, 1, 2, 3 or 9 license. However, no person shall apply for and receive more than a total of three (3) elk licenses which shall include not more than one (1) General, Type 0, 1, 2, 3 or 9 license in a single hunting season.

Grand Teton National Park and National Elk Refuge

A person may apply for a reduced price cow/calf elk license without applying for a full price elk license. However, no hunter may take more than one (1) elk in Grand Teton National Park (Elk Hunt Areas 75 and 79) regardless whether he/she possesses both a full price elk license and a reduced price cow/calf elk license valid for the hunt area in Grand Teton National Park. Applicants desiring to hunt within Grand Teton National Park must apply for Elk Hunt Area 75.

 

After the first week of the National Elk Refuge (Elk Hunt Area 77) season, all unused full price elk and reduced price cow/calf elk licenses, excluding limited quota archery only licenses, are eligible for the National Elk Refuge drawing in Elk Hunt Area 77.

 

The Department of the Interior requires hunter safety certification of all hunters, regardless of age, to hunt in Grand Teton National Park (Elk Hunt Areas 75 and 79). The Hunter Mentor Program and Hunter Safety Exemption are not valid in Grand Teton National Park.

Annual Fishing

All nonresident full price elk licenses include an annual fishing privilege. Any hunter who is issued a full price elk license does not need to purchase an additional fishing license once their license is received in June. If you wish to fish prior to receiving your full price elk license, you must purchase a nonresident fishing license. Reduced price cow/calf elk licenses do not include fishing privileges.