Wyoming is a large state with plenty of open space to hunt in and relatively few hunters to compete with. Sometimes, hunters disregard this state’s deer population since it does not consistently provide the biggest bucks.
However, it is one of the best places to return year after year in search of a trophy buck.
Therefore, let’s explore the Cowboys State features of interest for deer hunters.
Is Deer Hunting Good in Wyoming?
Despite a sizable mule deer population, people do not associate this state with the animal. Indeed, finding a whitetail deer may be unusual. So, many hunters in the state don’t even know they exist! It took me a month and a half of living in the state before I saw a skinny whitetail doe and her newborn fawn.
Sometimes, hunters overlook this state because of its reputation as a less-good location for deer hunting compared to neighboring states.
Very few Boone and Crockett class deer are taken in the Cowboy State. But Bobby Beeman shot a giant, non-typical whitetail in 1998, with a net score of 261 5/8 inches, which is still the state record.
When you check the stats, you find this state barely manages to measure more than a handful of average whitetails above 150 inches per year. To shoot a mule deer is far superior to shooting a whitetail deer. Occasionally, it will provide a B&C class deer with a typical size of 170-190 inches. For example, Michael Hush killed a mule deer measuring 210 5/8 inches in Sublette County, Wyoming, in 2020.
Driving around and talking with locals reveals a more relaxed attitude about hunting. During my brief stay, I learned that most people dedicate themselves to their farms and ranches. Many hunters are in it only for the meat and are not interested in setting records with their kills.
Because of the lack of competition from non-resident hunters, they consistently take down big bucks. Wyoming is a good hunting secret, and locals are fine with that.
Seasons for Hunting Deer in Wyoming
A notable drawback is that, unlike other states, the dates for archery and rifle seasons are not standardized. In some regions, you may be restricted in the species of game you may hunt on specific days. Likewise, some localities allow hunting any kind of deer, but others limit hunting to only antlered bucks or does with fawns.
Typically, the archery season goes from September 1 to September 30. However, localities season may end early in certain places, between September 9 and 14. Have you ever wanted to bag a still-in-velvet buck? This season in this state gives you a good chance. The usual beginning of the season is October 1 and runs through October 30, December 15, or December 31, depending on the hunt location.
Costs and Requirements of Hunting Licenses in Wyoming
Besides acquiring a license to fish or hunt large big game, hunters in several states also must buy a conservation stamp. The good news is that certain hunting and fishing stamps are valid for a whole year. Even you can use them again at a later date. This set of stamps will set you back $21.50.
Besides, many out-of-state deer hunters will find the non-resident license process affordable compared to similar offerings in other states.
- Non-resident - $374.00
- Non-resident doe or fawn - $34.00
- Non-resident landowner - $374.00
- Non-resident landowner doe or fawn - $34.00
- Non-resident special - $662.00
- Non-resident youth doe or fawn - $19.00
- Non-resident youth landowner - $110.00
- Non-resident youth landowner doe or fawn - $19.00
Non-residents applying for a hunting license through a drawing may require paying an additional application fee of up to $15 in some states. You can apply for deer hunting from January 3 through May 31 and wait for the results on June 16th.
The Best Time to Go Deer Hunting in Wyoming
Usually, there is not so much pressure on deer here. So, you can go any time for the buck of your dreams during the season in the high country. In late October and early November, bucks are more active because of the rut.
On the other hand, you must take care of strong winds. After September, the weather becomes more intense. Commonly, winds remain high throughout October and November, reaching 40-50 mph.
Besides, it uses to snow in early September, just when archery season begins. Storms are fantastic for hunters because they cause the deer to get active and move about. But they may be a significant nuisance for visitors who don’t know the weather here.
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