Elk in Wyoming
hunting regulations.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with Wyoming Game and Fish Department. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Elk in Wyoming
Wyoming's elk hunt is the gold standard — Region G mule deer for backpackers, but Wyoming's elk units (general region tags + special units) span everything from feedground elk near Jackson to backcountry hunts in the Wind Rivers and Gros Ventres.
About the species
American elk (also called wapiti) are the second-largest member of the deer family in North America. Mature bulls weigh 700-1,100 pounds and carry six-by-six racks that put them in the same trophy conversation as moose for many Western hunters. Their range covers the Rockies from Arizona through British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest coastal forests, and small reintroduced herds across the East — Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Elk hunting splits into general-season Western units (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon) and limited-draw trophy hunts everywhere else. The rut peaks in mid-September into early October — the bugle window — driving most archery effort. The rifle season runs in October-November with cooler weather and bulls dispersed off the meadows. Elk migrate seasonally in many ranges, requiring hunters to either follow them down at season's end or hunt summer range early.
Other big game in Wyoming
Want the picture for this species across every state? See Elk regulations by state. Or browse every huntable species in Wyoming.