CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved proposed changes to the 2026 Wild Bison hunting season in Hunt Area 2 during its meeting this week. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is highlighting the following changes and reminding hunters applications may be submitted, modified or withdrawn up to the April 30 deadline. 

Key changes

This season, the department will offer two license types: 

• Type 1 (any bison) licenses: 30 licenses will be available, valid for any bison. 
• Type 4 (cow/calf) licenses: 70 licenses will be available, valid for cows and calves only.  This license is new this year (last offered in 2022).

For both license types, limited alternate permits for the National Elk Refuge may be available from Jan. 2- 31 through the department's Jackson Regional Office. These permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the season ends, or until conditions require the start of supplemental elk feeding on the NER. 

Important notes

• Drawing a Type 1 license is considered a once-in-a-lifetime draw, regardless of harvest success. 

• If an applicant receives a Type 4 license, regardless of harvest success, they must wait five years before applying for another Type 4 license. 

   

Hunting conditions in Hunt Area 2

Game and Fish advises applicants about the unpredictable nature of hunting wild bison in Hunt Area 2. Between 2017-23, bison have predominantly remained within Grand Teton National Park, where hunting is prohibited, with bulls occasionally moving into the open hunting area east of the park. This area is remote, has limited vehicle access and retrieving harvested bison can be physically demanding. Hunters often require horses and should be cautious of the high density of grizzly bears in the area. 

Typically, larger groups of cows, calves and bulls do not migrate to the NER until mid- to late-January, which shortens the harvest window. This timing is influenced by snow conditions, resulting in highly variable hunter success. Most cow harvests occur on the NER, where these groups typically stay only intermittently before returning to GTNP.  

Additionally, the number of mature bull bison in Hunt Area 2 has significantly decreased. Type 1 license holders should anticipate limited opportunities to harvest large bulls. In recent years, up to 41% of Type 1 license holders have chosen to hunt cow or calf bison instead. 

Information on submitting, modifying or withdrawing your application

The Type 4 licenses were not available for applicants to apply for until after Commission approval this week. Applicants have until April 30 to submit an application for Type 1 and Type 4 wild bison license draw.

If any applicants feel uncertain about these changes or the current hunting conditions, the applicant has until April 30 to modify or withdraw an application. Should the applicant choose to remain in the draw and receive a license, the applicant assumes all associated risks of hunting bison in this area. Note that license fees are generally nonrefundable once the license is issued, and refunds are unlikely to be granted if the license holder has hunted under that license or hunting opportunity was available during the season.

For more information or assistance with submitting, modifying or withdrawing your application, contact the Jackson Regional Office at (307) 733-2321.