Laramie
WKR
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2020
- Messages
- 2,857
Food for thought for anyone planning a Wyoming elk strategy for 2026 and beyond.
In last year’s regular draw, it took roughly 5.5 preference points to draw a Wyoming general elk tag in the South or West regions. That is about two full points higher than in 2021.
As most of us already know, more and more hunters are buying preference points with the goal of hunting Wyoming someday. Last year alone, over 39,000 people purchased their first elk preference point, and there are now more than 200,000 people holding Wyoming elk points in the system.
With that many people in the pool, it is safe to assume that point requirements will continue to increase. From 2021 through last year, the general tag crept by roughly half a point per year. If that trend continues, it would take around 12 points to draw a general tag by 2038. That also happens to be about the same year someone who uses their points now could realistically expect to have built enough points to draw a general tag again.
Applying in the special draw can get you into the field sooner, but that draw is experiencing point creep as well. It should be expected that wait times there will continue to grow.
Limited-quota (LQ) tags are also seeing steady point creep. Some areas are jumping by a full point per year, which is quickly putting them out of reach for most nonresidents. There are still good LQ areas that are increasing more slowly, and those tags can be realistic options for hunters sitting in the middle of the point pool—if they choose not to burn their points on a general tag.
For example, if someone with six points uses them on a general tag this year, they will likely be 20+ years away from having enough points to draw most LQ units in Wyoming, with many units becoming completely unattainable in their lifetime.
For many hunters, the chance to hunt elk a few times in general units is better than waiting for one great limited-quota tag. That is completely understandable. However, a lot of people still believe they will be able to hunt Wyoming every five or six years as nonresidents. Realistically, that is no longer the case.
A nonresident starting at age 20 might expect to draw a general tag only five or six times in their life, and a limited-quota tag perhaps two or maybe three times.
The bottom line is that hunters who use their points now and still hope to draw a quality limited-quota tag in the future are likely setting themselves back 20–30 years.
Choose wisely what tag to apply for and when you finally draw a Wyoming elk tag—general or limited—make the most of it.
In last year’s regular draw, it took roughly 5.5 preference points to draw a Wyoming general elk tag in the South or West regions. That is about two full points higher than in 2021.
As most of us already know, more and more hunters are buying preference points with the goal of hunting Wyoming someday. Last year alone, over 39,000 people purchased their first elk preference point, and there are now more than 200,000 people holding Wyoming elk points in the system.
With that many people in the pool, it is safe to assume that point requirements will continue to increase. From 2021 through last year, the general tag crept by roughly half a point per year. If that trend continues, it would take around 12 points to draw a general tag by 2038. That also happens to be about the same year someone who uses their points now could realistically expect to have built enough points to draw a general tag again.
Applying in the special draw can get you into the field sooner, but that draw is experiencing point creep as well. It should be expected that wait times there will continue to grow.
Limited-quota (LQ) tags are also seeing steady point creep. Some areas are jumping by a full point per year, which is quickly putting them out of reach for most nonresidents. There are still good LQ areas that are increasing more slowly, and those tags can be realistic options for hunters sitting in the middle of the point pool—if they choose not to burn their points on a general tag.
For example, if someone with six points uses them on a general tag this year, they will likely be 20+ years away from having enough points to draw most LQ units in Wyoming, with many units becoming completely unattainable in their lifetime.
For many hunters, the chance to hunt elk a few times in general units is better than waiting for one great limited-quota tag. That is completely understandable. However, a lot of people still believe they will be able to hunt Wyoming every five or six years as nonresidents. Realistically, that is no longer the case.
A nonresident starting at age 20 might expect to draw a general tag only five or six times in their life, and a limited-quota tag perhaps two or maybe three times.
The bottom line is that hunters who use their points now and still hope to draw a quality limited-quota tag in the future are likely setting themselves back 20–30 years.
Choose wisely what tag to apply for and when you finally draw a Wyoming elk tag—general or limited—make the most of it.
