Wyoming's 2021 sheep, moose, mountain goat and bison application overview

Jump to: NEW FOR 2021 State Information Draw System Sheep Breakdown Moose Breakdown Mountain Goat Breakdown Bison Breakdown

• The application deadline for Wyoming moose, bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat is March 1, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. MST. 
• The application timeframe for Wyoming bison is March 1 to 31, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. MST. 
• The applications are available entirely online. Apply online here.

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New for 2021

New user accounts: Need to create a new username and password before you apply. Learn more about the steps required here.

Preference points: Starting in 2021, applicants for moose and bighorn sheep are no longer required to buy the $150 preference point if you apply.

IMPORTANT: In 2021, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) will not publish tentative season information in the application packet for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and bison. Instead, hunters can reference the 2020 regulations and refer to their online hunt planner where there is some tentative 2021 information. Final season information will be published in early May after the April commission meeting, which determines permits and seasons.

INSIDER feature: goHUNT displays the number of applicants at each point level below the cut-off draw line for each hunt. This gives applicants a much greater understanding of point creep for each hunt and allows them to apply with a much better understanding of their chances. Refer to the detailed Draw Odds pages for hunts you are considering to see the point breakdown.

Amount to remit

Wyoming fees for 2021
Species	Total cost nonresident fees		Fee breakdown	Total resident cost	Fee breakdown
Rocky Mtn. bighorn sheep	$2,280.63		$15 Application fee $2,210 License fee $55.63 Credit card processing fee	$168.10	$5 Application fee $152 License fee $7 Preference point fee $4.10 Credit card processing fee
Shiras moose	$2,246.93		$15 Application fee $1,982 License fee $49.93 Credit card processing fee	$168.10	$5 Application fee $152 License fee $7 Preference point fee $4.10 credit card processing fee
Rocky Mtn. goat	$2,231.43		$15 Application fee $2,162 License fee $54.43 Credit card processing fee	$160.93	$5 Application fee $152 License fee $3.93 Credit card processing fee
Bison (any)	$4,527.43		$15 Application fee $4,402 License fee $110.43 Credit card processing fee	$429.48	$5 Application fee $414 License fee $10.48 Credit card processing fee
Bison (cow/calf)	$2,836.18		$15 Application fee $2,752 License fee $69.18 Credit card processing fee	$271.63	$5 Application fee $260 License fee $6.63 Credit card processing fee

New for 2021: nonresidents are no longer required to purchase the $150 preference point if they apply for bighorn sheep and moose. After the draw, nonresidents can buy a preference point from July 1 to Nov 1, 2021 if they choose to

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State information

View important information and an overview of the Wyoming rules/regulations, the draw system, preference points, SuperTag and SuperTag Trifecta, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map on our State Profile. You can also view the Wyoming moose, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat and bison profiles to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

Wyoming State Profile Rocky Bighorn Profile Moose Profile Mountain Goat Profile Bison Profile Draw Odds goHUNT MAPS

Important dates and information

• You can apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat now.
• You can begin applying for bison beginning March 1, 2021.
• The deadline to apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat is March 1, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. MST.
• The deadline to apply for bison is March 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
• Apply here. Applications are only accepted online.
• The preference point only purchase period is from July 1 to Nov. 1, 2021.
• Draw results will be available around the first week of May. 
• You must front the entire cost of the license(s) you apply for. 
• Refunds for unsuccessful applicants will be returned to the credit card that was used.
• Failure to apply or purchase preference points for two consecutive years will cause all previous points accumulated to be purged.
• You cannot return a license for a refund or get preference points back.

Designated wilderness areas (DWA)

A nonresident cannot legally hunt a DWA on their own; they must be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter or licensed Wyoming resident. A DMA is a United States Forest Service (USFS) designation. 

A Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a BLM designation and a nonresident can hunt those areas without a guide. 

The bulk of Wyoming’s bighorn sheep are found in the northwest part of the state and many inhabit the high country within DWAs. Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5, which have typically been the areas that have had random licenses for nonresidents, all have large portions of wilderness. If you are planning on applying for one of these or another of the units in the western portion of the state, it’s worth doing some research to plan accordingly.

The bulk of mountain goat Area 3 is within a wilderness area. Area 1 has some wilderness as well, but mountain goats inhabit terrain both inside and outside of the wilderness area. Area 2 is a good choice also for do-it-yourself (DIY) hunters; it contains limited wilderness with mountain goats inhabiting both wilderness and non-wilderness.

Generally, wilderness is less of a concern for many of the moose areas, but there are still some that have a good portion of wilderness. Moose also inhabit a wide variety of habitat that ranges from the backcountry river drainages and high country to the rolling sage and high desert terrain through the southwest and south-central portions of the state. Wilderness may or may not be an issue. Some research may be required before picking a hunt area. Areas 5, 24, 25, 26 and 38/41 are often the only areas that offer random licenses that are available to nonresidents and, of those areas, 5 and 38/41 have some wilderness, but very little overall.

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Current snowpack in Wyoming

2021

2020

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The Wyoming draw system

Understanding the draw

Wyoming has a variety of draw systems and they differ slightly between species. There is no regular and special draw for nonresidents applying for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or bison. With that, let's get the easy ones out of the way first. 

Mountain goat and bison licenses are all randomly allocated, which means that there is no point system and every applicant has an equal chance of drawing. The bison license split offers 80% to residents and 20% to nonresidents. The mountain goat license split offers 75% to residents and 25% to nonresidents. Wyoming offers one of the best opportunities to draw a free-range bison and mountain goat license. 

Moose and bighorn sheep licenses are offered through a modified preference point system for residents and nonresidents. Under this system, 75% of the licenses are offered to the applicants with the most preference points for each hunt and 25% are randomly allocated. Very few moose and bighorn sheep areas offer enough nonresident licenses that there are both preference point licenses and random licenses available.

The points system

The maximum number of moose and bighorn sheep preference points going into the 2021 draw is 26. Resident applicants are still required to participate in the preference point system and will be awarded a point if they are unsuccessful in the draw. Nonresidents no longer are required to pay the preference point fee if they apply. 

This is an important consideration for nonresidents because point creep is a real issue for those species. In 2020, the easiest to draw moose and bighorn sheep hunts required 17 points and 19 points. Applicants should consider their position. If you have fewer points than what it required in 2020, only apply for a hunt that has a random permit available. We will identify those in the tables below. Also, depending on the number of points you currently have and your age, it may not make sense to purchase preference points at all. 

If you just started applying for moose and bighorn sheep in Wyoming, you should only apply for hunts that have a random tag available. Every applicant in the random draw is on an equal playing field. There is no weight given to the number of points you have in the random draw.

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Wyoming's 2021 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep breakdown

Wyoming offered a total of 180 bighorn sheep licenses in 2020; nonresidents were allocated 45 of those. 

Quotas broke into license allocation for each draw 2020
Area	Resident preference point licenses	Resident random licenses and random odds	Nonresident preference point licenses	Nonresident random licenses
Area 1	100% with 18 points	2 (.99%)	33% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 2	8.3% with 19 points	3 (.66%)	100% with 21 points	1 (.16%)
Area 3	23% with 18 points	6 (.94%)	17% with 20 points	2 (.57%)
Area 4	100% with 19 points	4 (1.0%)	17% with 20 points	1 (.24%)
Area 5	53% with 21 points	6 (.49%)	4.8% with 20 points	2 (.22%)
Area 6	100% with 18 points	0 (0%)	N/A	0 (0%)
Area 7	50% with 21 points	2 (.49%)	100% with 21 points	0 (0%)
Area 8	57% with 18 points	1 (.78%)	67% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 9	75% with 18 points	0 (0%)	100% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 10	100% with 19 points	0 (0%)	25% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 12	33% with 24 points	1 (.17%)	33% with 24 points	0 (0%)
Area 17, 26	25% with 24 points	1 (.22%)	50% with 24 points	0 (0%)
Area 18, 21	20% with 24 points	0 (0%)	50% with 22 points	0 (0%)
Area 19	40% with 24 points	1 (.19%)	100% with 24 points	0 (0%)
Area 20	50% with 24 points	0 (0%)	100% with 24 points	0 (0%)
Area 22	50% with 19 points	0 (0%)	100% with 21 points	0 (0%)
Area 24	100% with 25 points	0 (0%)	N/A	0 (0%)

 

goHUNT's 2021 top hit list hunt areas to consider for 165" or better rams
Area	Trophy potential
1	165"+
2	175"+
4	170+
5	175"+
12	170+
17/26	175"+
19	175"+
20	175"+

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Managing points and expectations

The points system for Wyoming Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

2021 maximum bonus points for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep: 26

Find your draw odds here

When comparing the number of applicants going into the 2020 draw to the 2021 draw, there was a 4% increase in nonresidents and there was a 6% increase in residents. With Wyoming eliminating the requirement to buy the preference point when you apply, it’s likely that the number of nonresident applicants will increase, especially for the units that have random licenses available. 

There will not be a nonresident bighorn sheep license available in Areas 6, 18/21 and 24 this year. 

IMPORTANT: Remember that we do not predict odds. The odds displayed are based on the last draw with known data. We could not in good faith predict odds. Rather, we offer odds based on the last draw, including detailed Draw Odds pages for each hunt that display how many applicants applied at each point level. Use those tables for the hunts you are considering to allow you to see how many applicants you may be competing with going into the 2021 draw.

I have 0 to 18 bighorn sheep preference points. What can I expect?

Residents

For residents, Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17/26 and 19 all had random permits in 2020. Areas 3 and 5 had six random permits each. Area 4 had the highest random odds at 1.0%. Every unit required 18 or more preference points to be considered for a preference point permit in 2020. If you have 17 or fewer points, review the random odds and unit profiles and apply accordingly. If you are at the 18 point level, take a look at Areas 1 and 6 and make sure you review the detailed Draw Odds for those hunts.

Nonresidents

The only areas that you should consider are 2, 3, 4 and 5. Those areas have historically all had at least one random permit available. Review the Draw Odds and Unit Profiles and apply accordingly. Areas 3 and 5 have the best trophy potential of those while Area 3 had the best random odds at .57%.

Find your resident draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident draw odds with 0 points here

What can I expect with 19 or 26 bighorn sheep preference points?

If you have this many points, you should explore the preference point options. By using the Draw Odds detailed view, you will be able to find what areas you have the best chance to draw.

Here is a breakdown:

Resident areas with 100% draw odds by number of points
Preference points	Areas
19	1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
20	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 22
21	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 22
22	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
23	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
24	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
25	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17/26, 18/21, 19, 20, 22, 24

Be sure to check the “detailed Draw Odds pages” for the units you are considering to see the number of applicants at each point level. This can help you further determine your chances by evaluating how many applicants are at your same point level.

Nonresident areas with 100% draw odds by number of points
Preference points	Areas
19	8 (67%)
20	8, 9, 10
21	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
22	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
23	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
24	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 22
25	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17/26, 19, 20, 22

Be sure to check the “detailed Draw Odds pages” for the units you are considering to see the number of applicants at each point level. This can help you further determine your chances by evaluating how many applicants are at your same point level.

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Wyoming's 2021 Shiras moose breakdown

The biggest news for 2021 is, once again, that nonresidents have the option of applying for a hunt without having to pay for the $150 preference point fee. You still have to front the cost of the license and fees, but if you are unsuccessful in the draw, you will be refunded all of it minus the $15 application fee and the 2.5% processing fee. We expect that to increase the number of applications, especially for the hunts that have random licenses available. More on those in the table below.

Quotas broken into license allocation for each draw 2021
Area	Resident pref. point licenses	Resident random licenses	Nonresident pref. point licenses	Nonresident random licenses
Area 1	86% with 25 points	2 (.19%)	15% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 2/30	100% with 21 points	1 (.42%)	100% with 21 points	0 (0%)
Area 3	26% with 16 points	3 (1.1%)	50% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 5	14% with 15 points	5 (1.2%)	100% with 18 points	1 (.93%)
Area 6	50% with 20 points	1 (.44%)	25% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 9	100% with 22 points	0 (0%)	100% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 10	43% with 13 points	1 (.8%)	100% with 18 points	0 (0%)
Area 11	50% with 23 points	1 (.35%)	100% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 16, 37	100% with 18 points	1 (.99%)	100% with 21 points	0 (0%)
Area 17, 28	75% with 17 points	1 (1%)	100% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 18	26% with 14 points	1 (1.4%)	100% with 18 points	0 (0%)
Area 20	56% with 13 points	3 (1.7%)	100% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 21	100% with 13 points	0 (0%)	0%	0 (0%)
Area 22	100% with 12 points	1 (2.2%)	25% with 17 points	0 (0%)
Area 23	42% with 14 points	3 (1.3%)	33% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 24	44% with 14 points	4 (1.3%)	51% with 19 points	1 (1%)
Area 25	28% with 14 points	9 (1.3%)	59% with 19 points	2 (.71%)
Area 26	64% with 17 points	8 (.89%)	5.4% with 19 points	1 (.65%)
Area 27	80% with 14 points	3 (1.5%)	75% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 33, 44	100% with 16 points	0 (0%)	50% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 34	50% with 24 points	2 (.37%)	29% with 20 points	0 (0%)
Area 35	67% with 12 points	1 (1.4%)	33% with 18 points	0 (0%)
Area 36	51% with 15 points	1 (1.5%)	50% with 19 points	0 (0%)
Area 38, 41	25% with 24 points	4 (.15%)	100% with 23 points	1 (.18%)
Area 40	100% with 10 points	0 (0%)	0%	0 (0%)
Area 42	36% with 24 points	2 (.41%)	100% with 21 points	0 (0%)

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Top hit list areas for Shiras moose

goHUNT's 2021 top hit list for Shiras moose hunts in Wyoming

The Bighorn Mountains that encompass Areas 1, 34 and 42 as well as the Snowy and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, which encompass Areas 38 and 41, produce the largest scoring B&C moose in Wyoming. Areas 16 and 37 can also produce bigger bulls. Area 6 also produced a large bull in 2020. Ample time to scout and hunt can produce a trophy bull. The majority of the areas do not typically produce trophy caliber bulls, but, rather, offer an opportunity to hunt bull moose and harvest a small to average bull.

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The point system for Shiras moose

Managing points and expectations

2021 maximum bonus points for Shiras moose: 26

Find your draw odds

When comparing the number of applicants going into the 2020 draw to the 2021 draw, there was a 2% increase in nonresidents and there was a 4% increase in residents. With Wyoming eliminating the requirement to buy the preference point when you apply, it’s likely that the number of nonresident applicants will increase, especially for the areas that have random licenses available. 

I have 0 to 12 Shiras moose preference points. What can I expect?

Residents

There were two hunts that could have been drawn in this range — the better being Area 22 that had 100% odds with 12 points and Area 40 that had 100% odds at 10 points. If you have fewer than 10 points, your best bet is to explore the odds and select a hunt that has random tags available. The only hunts that did not have at least one random license available are Areas 33/44, 21 and 9.

Nonresidents

Nonresidents should consider Areas 5, 24, 25, 26 and 38/41 as they all have had a random license in recent years. All hunt options with random tags had odds of less than 1% except for Area 24, which had odds of exactly 1%. You will definitely need some real luck to draw one of the random licenses, but with no mandatory $150 point fee, we believe it’s worth applying. 

Find your resident draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident draw odds with 0 points here

What can I do with 13 to 17 Shiras moose preference points?

Resident

If you have this many points, you should explore the preference point options. By using the Draw Odds detailed view, you will be able to find what areas you have the best chance to draw.

Here is a breakdown:

Resident areas with 100% draw odds by number of points
Points	Areas
13	21, 22, 35, 40
14	10, 20, 21, 22, 35, 40
15	10, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 35, 40
16	5, 10, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33/44, 35, 36, 40
17	3, 5, 10, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33/44, 35, 36, 40

Be sure to check the “detailed Draw Odds pages” for the units you are considering to see the number of applicants at each point level. This can help you further determine your chances by evaluating how many applicants are at your same point level.

Nonresident 

Area 22 had 25% odds with 17 preference points in 2020. It will require 18 likely in 2021. The best advice is to apply for one of the five areas that have random licenses available.

Find your resident draw odds with 15 points here

Find your nonresident draw odds with 15 points here

I have 18 to 26 Shiras moose preference points. What can I expect?

Resident

If you are within this point range, you have some options and it’s worth doing some research. There are many options at a variety of point levels. If you can draw an area at any given point level, you could also draw any below that level from the table above

Resident areas with 100% draw odds by number of points
Preference points	Areas
18	16/37, 17/28, 26
19	16/37, 17/28, 26
20	16/37, 17/28, 26
21	2/30, 6, 16/37, 17/28, 26
22	2/30, 6, 9, 16/37, 17/28, 26
23	2/30, 6, 9, 16/37, 17/28, 26
24	2/30, 6, 9, 11, 16/37, 17/28, 26
25	2/30, 6, 9, 11, 16/37, 17/28, 26, 34, 38/41, 42

Find your resident draw odds with 20 points here

Nonresident areas with 100% draw odds by number of points
Preference points	Areas
18	5, 18, 22
19	5, 10, 11, 18, 22, 35
20	3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 17/28, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33/44, 35, 36
21	1, 2/30, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16/37, 17/28, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33/44, 34, 35, 36, 42
22	1, 2/30, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16/37, 17/28, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33/44, 34, 35, 36, 42
23	All hunts including 38/41
24	All Hunts
25	All Hunts

Find your nonresident draw odds with 20 points here

Wyoming cow Shiras moose draw odds

Remember that we now have cow moose draw odds. You can check your draw odds for cow moose below.

Find your resident cow Moose draw odds here

Find your nonresident cow Moose draw odds here

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Wyoming's 2021 Rocky Mountain goat breakdown

There will once again be five areas for applicants to apply in 2021. The primary and best options are still going to be Areas 1, 2 and 3. Areas 4 and 5 were, a few years ago, a Type A license. The intent is to rid those areas of all mountain goats all together. Under the Type A license, hunters can and are encouraged to harvest any mountain goat. Area 4 also had a cull hunt conducted by Grand Teton National Park last year where they killed 79 goats.

If you harvest on a Type A, it does not count as your once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat. If you have already drawn another area and harvested a mountain goat in Wyoming, you can still apply and hunt the Type A mountain goat hunt in Areas 4 or 5. We do not encourage nonresident hunters to apply for the Area 4 or 5 mountain goat license without a guide/outfitter. In fact, we would not encourage hunters to apply for the Area 4 hunt unless they have good intel that there is a mountain goat located somewhere within the area. Area 5 has a small population and it’s vast, rough and remote terrain. Once again, a guide will be required for a nonresident and any resident hoping to capitalize on this license will need pre-season scouting and ample time to hunt. 

In Areas 1, 2 and 3, trophy book billies are rare, but the populations in all three areas are stable to increasing. The Wyoming mountain goat draw system has no point system; it’s completely random. Wyoming offers an great opportunity to apply and possibly draw a mountain goat license.

Harvest for mountain goats in Wyoming during 2019
Area	Harvest %	Effort (days/harvest)	Billy harvest	Nanny harvest
1	88%	5	6	1
2	100%	6	8	1
3 (Type 1)	83%	7	10	4
3 (Type 2)	67%	10	1	4
4	56%	9	14	9
5	17%	10	2	0

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN GOAT

As previously noted, there is not a point system for mountain goats. The draw system is random and every applicant has an equal chance of drawing. Research the draw odds, accessibility and apply. Keep in mind that you are required to float the entire cost of the license until the draw is completed. After the results are published, unsuccessful applicants will be refunded the cost of the permit minus the application fee.

Find your resident Mtn Goat draw odds here

Find your nonresident mtn goat draw odds here

Harvest for mountain goats in Wyoming during 2020
Area	Resident total licenses	Resident draw odds	Nonresident total licenses	Nonresident draw odds
1	6	.57%	2	.97%
2	6	.48%	2	.44%
3 (Type 1)	18	2.3%	6	2.4%
3 (Type 2)	12	6.8%	4	7.3%
4	36	7.9%	12	43%
5	6	3.7%	2	50%

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Wyoming's 2021 bison breakdown

In 2020, there was only one area that applicants could apply for: Area 2. Once again, in 2021, applicants will only be able to apply for the bison Type 1 or the cow bison Type 4 license in Area 2. Applicants cannot apply for both. The draw for bison is completely random with no point system and licenses are extremely expensive for nonresidents. 

Applicants have to front the entire cost of the license that they apply for plus a 2.5% processing fee and a $15 application fee. For a nonresident to apply for the Type 1 any bison license, they will need to float $4,527. The Type 4 cow license costs upfront would be $2,836. If you can afford the cost of the permit, Wyoming still offers a good opportunity to hunt free-range bison even though harvest rates have been slipping in recent years 

Area 2 includes the Jackson bison herd. The herd spends their spring and summer months within Grand Teton and, later, move out onto the National Elk Refuge and surrounding Forest Service land. The population objective is 400 to 600 bison and the recent counts suggest that the herd is close to 700. Almost all of the cow/calf harvest takes place on the elk refuge. Over the past several years, bison have become more sensitive to hunting pressure on the refuge and will vacate the open hunt area.

If you draw a bison license, you can then apply for a license to hunt on the National Elk Refuge. That draw occurs in late July. When you apply you must apply for a specific hunt period. The later the period, the better, given the fact that bison migrate into the refuge later in the season. Apply for late season dates in this draw. The draw is random and results will be posted in early August.

Wild bison license quotas and odds for 2021
Area	Resident licenses	Resident odds	Nonresident licenses	Nonresident odds	Harvest success (2019)
2 (Type 1)	100	8.5%	25	8.5%	57%
2 (Type 4)	40	15%	10	29%	43%

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Managing expectations for bison

Since there are no points for bison, hunters will have to cross their fingers as they hit the submit button on their online application.

Find your resident draw odds here

Find your nonresident bison draw odds here

Wyoming cow bison draw odds

Remember that we now have female draw odds. You can check your draw odds for cow bison below.

Find your resident cow bison draw odds here

Find your nonresident cow bison draw odds here