Application Strategy 2023: Wyoming deer and antelope

WYOMING'S 2023 DEER AND ANTELOPE APPLICATION OVERVIEW

Note: The application deadline for Wyoming deer and antelope is May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MT. You can apply online here.

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Notable for 2023

PREFERENCE POINT REMINDER

Unsuccessful applicants will not automatically be given a preference point after the draw. You must purchase a point during the point only timeframe, which is July 3 to Oct. 31, 2023.

• There are many season date changes and license cuts for 2023 in both the full priced and reduced price hunt types. There are also some license increases in select areas. Review the tables below outlining the number of license changes for  hunts. 

GOHUNT Insiders can research draw odds for female species within their account. Log into your account, hover over the Insider icon in the header bar. When the pop-up box appears click on the “draw odds” link near the top of the box. Next, select Wyoming as the state and then either resident or nonresident regular draw as your residency. When the list of species appears, scroll down towards the bottom to find antlerless deer and doe/fawn antelope.

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State information

View important information and an overview of the Wyoming rules/regulations, the draw system, SuperTag and SuperTag Trifecta, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map on our State Profile. You can also view the Wyoming Species Profiles to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION

• You can apply for deer and antelope now. 
• The deadline to apply is May 31, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. MT.
• Apply online here. Applications are only accepted online.
• Draw results will be available by June 15, 2023.
• Applicants must front the entire cost of the permit(s) they apply for plus application and a 2.5% processing fee.
• Refunds for unsuccessful applicants will be returned to the credit card that was used.
• Wyoming has a modified preference point system for nonresident deer and antelope applicants. 
• A youth that is eleven may apply for a preference point if the youth turns twelve in the same calendar year as the application for a preference point is made.
• Wyoming has no point system for resident deer and antelope applicants.
• The preference point only purchase period is from July 3 to Oct 31, 2023. 
• Failure to apply or purchase a preference point for two consecutive years will cause all previous points accumulated to be purged. 
• You cannot return a deer or antelope license for a refund or get preference points back if you successfully draw.
• Deer and antelope hunt areas have different boundaries.

Wyoming deer and antelope cost to apply
Item	Resident	Nonresident regular	Nonresident special
Application fee	$5	$15	$15
Deer preference point	N/A	$41	$41
Antelope preference point	N/A	$31	$31
Full priced deer	$42	$374	$662
Reduced price deer	$22	$34	N/A
Full priced deer (youth)	$15	$125	$662
Reduced price deer (youth)	$14	$19	N/A
Full priced antelope	$37	$326	$614
Reduced price antelope	$22	$34	N/A
Full priced antelope (youth)	$15	$110	$614
Reduced price antelope (youth)	$14	$19	N/A

Snowpack in Wyoming

The winter of 2022/2023 will go down in history as one of the worst in terms of difficult survival conditions for Wyoming’s big game herds. The western portion of the state along with central and south central Wyoming were particularly hit hard with deep snow and cold temperatures. The winterkill is reported to be significant with as much as a 50% loss in adult deer and antelope and 90% of last year’s fawns. In addition, fawns born in June will possibly have lower survival rates due to the does being in worse body condition than they would normally be. The license recommendations reflect the loss in both deer and antelope with significant cuts in harder hit areas. The cuts are displayed in the table below where you will see the 2022 license numbers and the 2023 proposed license numbers. 

The antler and horn growth going into the fall of 2023 is likely to be less than it would be on an average year in the areas of concern. This is due to overall poorer body condition and the delay in new green growth that is higher in protein. Bucks will be required to replace nutrients for body condition and maintenance first, resulting in less than ideal antler and horn development.

2023

2022

2021

2020

Wyoming drought status

2023

2022

2021

2020

Designated Wilderness Areas (DWA)

Going into 2023, a nonresident still 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. Before applying, be aware that there are large tracts of USFS DWAs in many mule deer hunt areas. Every year, we receive email questions after the draw from applicants who have drawn licenses that are composed of all DWA or large portions of DWA and they are trying to figure out how to hunt. Please do some research and apply accordingly.

GRIZZLY COUNTRY

Since 2000, the grizzly population has continued to grow and expand well beyond the Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone. The grizzly bear population is the largest it has ever been going into 2023. The estimated population, as of late 2021, has the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population at 1,069 bears. This estimate is almost three times larger than the time at which grizzlies were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The 2021 population estimate is most surely even lower than what is actually on the landscape. 

The potential for hunter conflict is a real cause for concern, especially on or near a carcass. If hunting in occupied grizzly bear areas is something you do not want to do, please do some research and apply for areas where that is not an issue. Grizzly bears primarily occupy the ranges in and around Yellowstone National Park and southeast down into the Wind River Range. The Bighorn Mountains and the Medicine Bow Mountains are currently unoccupied according to the data. Those areas as well as the rolling grass and sage steppe throughout the central part of the state are your best options if you truly want to avoid conflict. See the map below for estimated grizzly bear range.

 

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The draw system

UNDERSTANDING THE DRAW

Wyoming is a GOHUNT favorite for both mule deer and antelope and a must apply state although with the proposed reductions in the number of deer and antelope licenses applicants are going to have to carefully examine the options and have a strategy in place for the number of preference points they have. Residents are allocated approximately 80% of the deer and antelope licenses. Nonresidents are allocated approximately 20% of the licenses. 

The resident draw for deer and antelope is completely random with no point system. All antelope licenses are allocated through the draw. Residents can apply or purchase general season deer licenses over-the-counter (OTC). 

The draw for nonresidents is a modified preference point system with 75% of the licenses for each hunt offered to applicants with the most points who apply for any given hunt. The other 25% of the licenses for each hunt are allocated randomly with no weight given to the number of preference points an applicant has. Applicants who do not draw a license from the preference point pool are rolled into the random draw and have an opportunity to draw from the random licenses available. There must be a minimum of four nonresident licenses available for one to be allocated to an applicant in the random draw. 

Nonresidents who apply in the draw and are unsuccessful do not automatically receive a preference point. This is uncommon in most western states. In Wyoming, if you are unsuccessful in the draw, you still have to visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WTFD) website from July 3 through Oct. 31, 2023 to purchase those preference points. Preference points are species specific. 

THE SPECIAL AND REGULAR DRAW

Wyoming has two pools of licenses that nonresident applicants can apply for: the regular and the special. Nonresidents cannot apply for both regular and special licenses for the same species; they will have to decide which option is best for them.  The regular and special licenses are essentially the same, but the difference is that the special licenses cost an additional $288. Applicants who apply in the special draw often have better odds due to the fact that fewer applicants are willing to pay the higher price for the license. However, this is not always the case, especially for trophy quality hunts. Review the Draw Odds to see if the added cost is worth it.

The special draw receives 40% of the nonresident pool of licenses. The regular draw receives 60% of the nonresident pool of licenses. Within those two pools, 75% of the licenses are allocated to the applicants with the most preference points. The other 25% are randomly allocated with no weight given to the number of points an applicant has. Even if this is your first year of applying, if a hunt has a total of four nonresident licenses, you have a chance in the draw. When looking at the Insider standalone draw odds, if there is some percentage displayed throughout the preference point values, it indicates that there were enough licenses that some were randomly allocated.

HUNT CHOICES

Wyoming allows applicants to apply for up to three hunt choices. They consider every applicant's first choice before moving to any applicant’s second choice. You will only lose your preference points if you draw your first choice. If you draw a second or third choice, you will retain your points and will draw the license. If you draw a license as a second and third choice, you can then also purchase a point in the summer point only timeframe for that year. To review your draw odds as a second choice, open the standalone draw odds, select Wyoming, your desired residency and then within the filters on the right portion of the page change the “choice” drop down from first to second. That will show you the odds of all hunts as a second choice on your application.

HUNT TYPES

Wyoming categorizes their hunting licenses by type.

Wyoming big game limited quota license types
Type	Description	License fee
Type 1 and 2	Antlered or any	Full price fee
Type 3	Antlered or any whitetail deer, full price antelope	Full price fee
Type 4 and 5	Antlerless	Full price fee
Type 6 and 7	Doe/fawn	Reduced price fee
Type 8	Doe/fawn whitetail deer Reduced price doe/fawn antelope	Reduced price fee
Type 9	Archery only	Full price fee
Type 0	Specialty weapon only (excluding archery)	Full price fee

GROUP APPLICATIONS

Wyoming will allow up to six people to apply on a party application for deer and antelope. Residents and nonresidents cannot apply together in a party application. Party applications have their preference points averaged out to the fourth decimal point. For example, a party application of three hunters with nine, five and two preference points will go into the draw with 5.3333 points (9+5+2=16/3=5.3333). The party is treated as a single application and, if it’s drawn, all members of the party will receive a license. Wyoming will allocate permits over the hunt quota to cover a party application, so there is no decrease in odds for group applications.

LEFTOVER LICENSES

WGFD conducts a second draw for leftover deer and antelope licenses that remain after the initial drawing. There is no cost to apply and no point system. Your preference points will not be impacted by applying and drawing in the second leftover draw. 

The application period for leftover deer and antelope drawing is typically the last week of June.

Results of the leftover drawing will be available by early July and licenses remaining after that will go on sale on a first come, first served basis a few days later.

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Wyoming's 2023 mule deer breakdown

Mule deer inhabit a wide variety of habitat types in Wyoming — from the eastern plains and badlands to the higher elevations of the Big Horns and Wyoming Range. Unfortunately, populations are suffering almost across the entire state. The drought conditions hurt populations for a few years, which has been followed by this horrific winter. Certainly, some areas were harder hit than others, but for the most part, populations are struggling across the state. Winterkill in the Wyoming Range and southwestern Wyoming are reported to be 30% to 50% of adult deer and as much as 90% of the fawn crop. Some areas that are lower elevations and didn’t receive as much snow will have slightly better survival rates, but as you review the tables below, you’ll see that the herds are just generally struggling. 

With proposed license cuts, point creep is going to increase in 2023. It’s hard to predict how applicants are going to apply this year, but my gut suggests that many of the more highly sought after hunts are likely to jump two or even three preference points. I would suggest that applicants review the odds for both the regular and special draw and also compare the number of proposed licenses for this year before applying. If you are looking to maximize your chances for a trophy buck, I would suggest you either utilize your points this year if you can or plan on waiting for another four or five years and hope that Mother Nature offers better survival conditions. I suggest this because last year's fawn crop had very low survival and there is going to be a missing age class of bucks for a few years. 

If there is somewhat of a bright spot, it’s that range conditions this spring and summer will improve and the feed should be good. The antler growth is going to be good, but probably not great given bucks will be putting nutrients into body condition first and, with green vegetation being delayed this year, antler growth is going to lag some. Be cautious with your points this year in Wyoming. If you do decide to use them, do your research and plan on scouting and hunting hard for a chance at a good buck.

LIMITED QUOTA AND GENERAL SEASON HUNTING

Wyoming offers both general season hunting and limited quota hunts. Residents can simply purchase the general season deer hunting license OTC and hunt any general season/area in the state. Nonresidents must draw general region licenses. There is no OTC general season deer hunting for nonresidents.

Laramie region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
15	6,440	6,100	30:100	30:100
59, 60, 64	7,690	7,200	35:100	N/A
61, 74, 75, 76, 77	4,250	4,200	36:100	27:100
70	2,780	2,900	37:100	26:100
78, 79, 80, 81	13,980	14,500	41:100	34:100

 

Green River region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
82, 84, 100	20,521	16,201	27:100	27:100
101, 102	3,465	1,400	30:100	30:100
132, 133, 168	12,418	6,087	25:100	30:100

 

Jackson region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
134, 135, 143, 144, 145	29,642	29,578	30:100	37:100

 

Pinedale region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
130, 131, 138-142, 146, 150-156	19,749	22,965	35:100	36:100

 

Lander region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
87	2,330	1,660	53:100	56:100
90	793	N/A	37:100	44:100
92, 94, 160	6,839	6,215	27:100	32:100
96, 97	3,200	2,827	19:100	21:100
128, 148	3,260	3,127	26:100	31:100

 

Cody region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
41, 46, 47	7,214	6,653	25:100	20:100
121, 122, 123	3,369	2,157	31:100	40:100
124, 165	2,751	707	29:100	27:100
35-37, 39, 40, 164	9,456	6,584	35:100	30:100
125, 127	1,368	1,025	33:100	33:100
116-120	1,478	1,445	35:100	43:100
105, 106, 109	2,940	3,100	26:100	37:100
110-115	7,440	7,900	25:100	26:100

 

Sheridan region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
17-18, 23, 26	32,650	25,000	42:100	39:100
19, 29, 31	8,370	4,700	42:100	30:100
24, 25, 27, 28, 50-53	18,417	13,585	29:100	28:100
30, 32, 33, 163, 169	8,492	4,700	33:100	22:100

 

Casper region population and buck:doe ratios
Unit group	2017-2021 average population estimate	2022 population estimate	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
7-14, 21	22,383	9,390	39:100	28:100
1-6	25,071	13,487	25:100	17:100
22	6,659	4,630	47:100	49:100
65	5,597	3,538	41:100	41:100
66-67	3,318	3,178	30:100	30:100
88-89	2,227	1,910	46:100	34:100
34	1,541	1,549	44:100	32:100

 

Units managed for hunters satisfaction
Unit group	2017-2021 average hunter satisfaction	2022 average hunter satisfaction	2017-2021 average buck:doe ratio	2022 buck:doe ratio
149, 900	56%	71%	N/A	N/A
157, 170, 171	74%	49%	24:100	18:100
98	52%	63%	N/A	N/A

 

Wyoming deer region profiles and nonresident license numbers
Region A 2022: 2,750 2023: 2,000	Region B 2022: 1,100 2023: 1,000	Region C 2022: 2,000 2023: 2,000	Region D 2022: 300 2023: 300
Region F 2022: 550 2023: 550	Region G 2022: 400 2023: 400	Region H 2022: 600 2023: 400	Region J 2022: 900 2023: 750
Region K 2022: 250 2023: 200	Region L 2022: 250 2023: 225	Region M 2022: 400 2023: 400	Region Q 2022: 125 2023: 100
Region R 2022: 600 2023: 600	Region T 2022: 400 2023: 400	Region W 2022: 750 2023: 600	Region X 2022: 200 2023: 200
Region Y 2022: 1,200 2023: 1,200

 

Wyoming limited quota full priced mule deer license changes 2022-2023
Unit	2022 licenses	2023 licenses
8 type 3	N/A	25
10 type 1	125	100
34 type 1	150	125
34 type 3	75	50
36 type 1	175	75
37 type 1	75	50
37 /39 type 3	25	50
65 type 3	300	350
66/88/89 type 3	50	100
78 type 1	350	315
79 type 1	350	315
80 type 1	250	225
81 type 1	250	225
84 type 1	50	25
87 type 1	75	50
89 type 1	100	125
119 type 1	75	50
127 type 3	25	50
128 type 1	75	50
130 type 1	15	5
132/133/134/135/168-Type 3	N/A	25
141-Type 1	80	50
149-Type 3	N/A	25
157-Type 1	300	100
157-Type 3	200	100

 

Wyoming reduced priced mule deer license changes 2022-2023
Unit	2022 licenses	2023 licenses
1/2/7-Type 7	2,000	0
1/2/3-Type 8	500	250
4-Type 7	175	0
4-Type 8	75	25
5-Type 6	50	0
12/13/14-Type 7	50	0
15-Type 6	300	250
17-Type 7	50	0
18-Type 7	100	0
19-Type 7	50	0
21-Type 7	25	0
23/26-Type 8	1,000	300
23/26-Type 8	N/A	1,000
24-Type 7	250	200
29-Type 8	700	0
29/31-Type 8	N/A	700
30-Type 8	500	0
30/32/33/163/160-Type 8	N/A	1,000
32/163-Type 8	100	0
33-Type 8	500	0
34-Type 7	100	50
37/39-Type 8	50	100
41-Type 6	150	100
51-Type 8	150	200
59/64-Type 6	150	100
65-Type 8	500	700
66/88/89-Type 8	50	100
78/79/80/81-Type 8	75	100
82-Type 6	25	0
82-Type 7	25	0
88-Type 7	N/A	50
109-Type 8	75	100
116/117/118-Type 8	175	200
127-Type 8	75	100
130-Type 6	75	0
131-Type 7	50	0
149-Type 8	N/A	25
157-Type 6	200	25
157-Type 8	350	250
164-Type 6	25	50
164-Type 7	50	0

Below are my top picks for trophy caliber deer for 2023. In looking at the number of points required to draw, consider that several of the top tier units will see a permit decrease this year. You can review the changes in the table above. In those cases, the odds of drawing are going to decrease. It’s hard to predict how bad the point creep and/or odds are going to be. If you have enough points to draw one of the hunts in the hit list below and there are also license cuts proposed, it would not surprise me to see point creep of at least two preference points.

The GOHUNT hit list areas for Wyoming mule deer
Area	Trophy potential	Harvest success	Resident odds	Nonresident points to draw (reg)	Nonresident points to draw (special)
128-Type 1	180”+	83%	2%	4.9% with 16	11% with 16
130-Type 1	180”+	69%	1.6%	5.9% with 16	25% with 16
87-Type 1	180”+	77%	3.4%	33% with 16	17% with 15
89-Type 1	170”+	79%	5.3%	41% with <15	34% with <13
101-Type 1	180”+	74%	2%	17% with 16	33% with 16
102-Type 1	180”+	83%	2.9%	57% with 16	60% with 15
119-Type 2	170”+	59%	63%	100% with <10	100% with 5
119-Type 1	170”+	81%	6.6%	25% with 15	75% with 15
Region G	190”+	39% (145)	OTC	74% with 9	14% with 8
141-Type 1	180”+	55%	6.9%	34% with 14	100% with <13
Region H	180”+	49% (146)	OTC	18% with <5	58% with 4

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How to uncover hidden gem mule deer areas

TO GET STARTED WITH FILTERING 2.0

• Select state: Wyoming.
• Select species: Mule deer or Whitetail deer. 
• Adjust the Trophy Potential slider to your desired size (e.g. 170”+).
• Click whether you are a resident or nonresident and indicate how many points you currently possess (nonresidents only).
• Select your minimum percentage of odds for drawing the tag. This can be very good for weeding out hunting areas with unlimited (100%) tags.
• Select which season(s) you wish to hunt. Have other hunts going on throughout the fall? You can also set your date parameters and Filtering 2.0 will automatically find what's in season that time of the year.
• Choose what harvest percentages you would like to see in the hunt areas.
• Lastly, click on any of the remaining hunt areas to read in-depth profiles containing valuable information.
• One of the bright spots for Wyoming mule deer is within Units 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120. That unit group has good buck to doe ratios and a stable to growing herd. Summer ranges are in better conditions at high elevations and the bucks that come out of those areas are feeding into the best late season hunt in the state in Unit 128. Those units each offer their own limited quota hunts. The points to draw in these areas range from about three to eight preference points. 
• Other hidden gems are most often associated with the plains and badland areas of the central and eastern portion of the state. The amount of public land is limited and access is very tough. Applicants who can go on a guided hunt have done well in these types of areas
• Other general regions worth some research might include, R, Y, M, X and F. Those areas have not seen the same level of winterkill that others have and the license numbers should be consistent.

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Managing deer preference points and expectations

The maximum number of nonresident preference points for deer is 17 going into the 2023 draw.

Wyoming nonresident deer preference points going into 2023
Preference points	Nonresident applicants
1	40,152
2	28,445
3	19,632
4	13,573
5	9,212
6	7,047
7	5,493
8	4,348
9	3,349
10	2,567
11	2,266
12	1,948
13	1,673
14	1,394
15	1,218
16	1,147
17	1,256
Total	144,720

Check out your draw odds here

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Wyoming's 2023 antelope breakdown

Unfortunately, Wyoming is in the midst of a really sad situation for antelope and licenses are being cut significantly as a result. In reviewing the proposals, it could be as many as 10,000 licenses statewide that are reduced and, as such, the point creep and odds going into this draw are going to reflect that. My hope is that Mother Nature offers kinder conditions for a few years and gives herds an opportunity to rebound.

Applicants this year will need to really consider the table below and the draw odds to determine what to do with their points. The reality is that most hunts are going to require more points to draw. It’s hard to predict how many more points because we cannot exactly predict how people will apply, but my gut tells me that it’s likely to be as many as two to three additional points. The top-tier units will still require near maximum points; however, the odds of drawing even with maximum points will decrease. If you have a good amount of points, you might consider applying for a top-tier hunt and hope to draw a random license instead of burning them on a hunt that could have been drawn with far fewer points just a few years ago. As I stated, herds can rebound relatively quickly with good conditions and it could be an entirely different story in just a few years. If you just want to draw a license, consider the odds and the number of tags being offered. It’s possible to find a hunt that you can draw, but have reasonable expectations about the trophy potential in those types of units. 

Trophy potential will always exist in Wyoming although my expectations are that this year is not likely to be a banner year for horn growth. The western portion of the state has been producing some great bucks in recent years and, once again, those areas are probably going to produce the best bucks. Nearly every unit in the state can and will produce bucks in the 70” to 78” range and a handful of 80”+ bucks will be taken out of units that don’t make the hit list. The key to killing a better buck in Wyoming is being patient and looking over as many options as you can. Wyoiming still has relatively good populations and hunters will see more bucks than they would in any neighboring state. If you are lucky enough to obtain a license in the draw and want to kill a true trophy buck, plan on exploring the unit and spending multiple days looking at as many bucks as you can. Overall, the picture for antelope hunting in Wyoming this fall is not rosy, but for the hunters who do get a chance to hunt, they will have a good opportunity to harvest a good buck — and potentially a great buck — if they are willing to scout and hunt for as many days as they can put into it. 

Wyoming full priced either-sex antelope license changes 2022-2023
Unit	2022 licenses	2023 licenses
3 type 1	200	150
6 type 1	175	125
9 type 1	300	350
15 type 1	500	400
17 type 1	800	500
18 type 1	200	175
19 type 1	275	200
24 type 1	175	150
24 type 2	325	300
27 type 1	175	125
29 type 1	100	75
29 type 2	350	300
37 type 1	300	400
43 type 1	350	250
44 type 1	100	75
45 type 1	500	550
52 type 1	150	100
52 type 2	150	100
53 type 1	200	75
55 type 1	175	50
56 type 1	50	25
57 type 1	400	175
58 type 1	100	50
59 type 1	225	125
60 type 1	100	50
61 type 1	175	50
62 type 1	50	25
62 type 2	50	0
63 type 1	125	75
63 type 2	250	175
64 type 1	225	100
65 type 1	150	100
66 type 1	125	100
67 type 1	200	175
68 type 1	400	200
69 type 1	100	75
70 type 1	150	100
73 type 1	800	600
74 type 1	175	150
75-Type 1	325	250
76-Type 1	125	100
77-Type 2	25	0
78-Type 1	150	125
81-Type 1	275	200
82-Type 1	200	175
84-Type 1	100	125
85-Type 1	20	15
86-Type 1	50	25
87-Type 1	175	90
87-Type 2	125	60
88-Type 1	275	140
89-Type 1	175	90
89-Type 2	125	60
90-Type 1	150	75
91-Type 1	300	150
92-Type 1	300	150
93-Type 1	450	300
94-Type 1	525	400
95-Type 1	325	300
96-Type 1	100	75
97/117-Type 1	200	100
98-Type 1	100	50
99-Type 1	150	125
100-Type 1	200	150
101-Type 1	150	75
106-Type 1	175	100
107-Type 1	100	75
107-Type 0	50	25
108-Type 1	50	25
110-Type 1	125	150
112-Type 1	75	50
114-Type 1	75	50
114-Type 2	25	0
115-Type 1	200	150

Below are the license changes for doe/fawn reduced price antelope hunts in 2023. As you will see, there are many hunts that have been eliminated due to significant population decline due to previous years of drought and this winter's snowpack and freeze/thaw.

Wyoming full priced either-sex antelope license changes 2022-2023
Unit	2022 licenses	2023 licenses
3-Type 6	50	25
5-Type 7	75	0
9-Type 6	75	0
15-Type 6	400	200
17-Type 6	100	25
18-Type 7	50	25
19-Type 7	100	25
23-Type 6	300	200
23-Type 7	600	500
25-Type 6	100	0
26-Type 6	300	150
29-Type 7	150	50
32-Type 7	150	100
43-Type 6	25	0
44-Type 6	25	0
46-Type 6	25	0
50-Type 6	200	100
51-Type 6	100	25
52-Type 6	100	0
52-Type 7	100	0
53-Type 6	25	0
53-Type 7	25	0
57-Type 7	25	0
59-Type 6	25	0
65-Type 7	100	25
69-Type 6	50	0
70-Type 6	150	0
71-Type 6	100	0
72-Type 6	400	0
73-Type 6	200	0
73-Type 7	50	25
75-Type 6	100	75
77-Type 6	50	25
77-Type 8	25	0
81-Type 6	200	150
82-Type 6	200	175
86-Type 6	25	0
87-Type 6	100	0
87-Type 7	100	0
88-Type 6	300	0
89-Type 6	325	0
89-Type 7	75	0
90-Type 6	50	0
90-Type 8	50	0
91-Type 6	75	0
91-Type 7	125	0
92-Type 7	75	0
93-Type 6	25	0
93-Type 7	100	0
94-Type 6	300	0
94-Type 7	200	0
95-Type 7	50	0
96-Type 7	100	0
97/117-Type 6	50	25
97/117-Type 7	50	25
98-Type 6	100	0
98-Type 7	25	0
99-Type 7	50	0
99-Type 8	25	0
100-Type 6	200	0
108-Type 7	25	0
112-Type 6	25	0
115-Type 6	100	50

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THE GOHUNT HIT LIST AREAS FOR WYOMING ANTELOPE

Good public land access and what have been great antelope populations often offer a good hunt, but the odds of drawing are getting harder and will certainly be even more so this year with the proposed license cuts. The areas listed below offer the best chance at a trophy buck; however, once again, the odds of drawing are long. 2023 should be an average year for horn growth throughout what has been the best units in the state.

Top areas to consider for 80” or better antelope (not in order of quality)
Area	Trophy potential	Harvest success	Resident odds	Nonresident points to draw (reg)	Nonresident points to draw (special)
58-Type 1	80”+	83%	17%	100% with <15	100% with <14
60-Type 1	80”+	75%	18%	90% with 16	51% with 14
61-Type 1	80”+	81%	22%	40% with 13	71% with 13
64-Type 1	80”+	86%	34%	44% with 12	100% with 11
91-Type 1	80”+	87%	30%	100% with <9	49% with 8
92-Type 1	80”+	95%	25%	68% with 11	100% with <11
67-Type 1	80”+	92%	23%	92% with 11	53% with 10
114-Type 1	80”+	71%	18%	100% with <14	52% with 12
101-Type 1	80”+	97%	25%	92% with 11	53% with 9
77-Type 1	75%	85%	22%	41% with <9	66% with <6
78-Type 1	75”+	83%	14%	100% with 8	100% with 5
79-Type 9	80”+	62%	29%	36% with 5	30% with 3
80-Type 1	80”+	90%	17%	51% with 6	100% with 7

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HOW TO UNCOVER HIDDEN GEM ANTELOPE AREAS

Hidden gems and licenses that can be drawn as a second choice are becoming few and far between after the years of drought and the winterkill this year. The hope is that Mother Nature will respond with some lighter years and herds will have an opportunity to rebound. In saying that, there are a few strategies that you can explore if you are trying to draw a license and still offer a good hunt. 

The special draw for deer and elk often does not buy you odds that are much better, but, historically, there are fewer applicants who have been willing to pay $614 for the special antelope license. If you are willing to pay the higher price, you can likely draw an antelope license with one or two fewer points than it would require in the regular draw. Explore the draw odds for the regular and special draws to see if there are opportunities to draw a license sooner or, perhaps, draw a better trophy unit with your points that would put you into a lesser hunt in the regular draw. 

Historically, draw odds for antelope are tied closely to the amount of public land that exists in a unit. The more accessible public BLM and state land that exists in a unit, the tougher the licenses have been to draw. There are many units that have a limited amount of public land or the unit is largely checkerboarded with private and public land and corner crossing is still up in the air in regards to it being a viable access option. Because of this, these areas are easier to draw, but may still offer a decent hunt. Many areas that are mostly private have guides and outfitters who offer hunts on private lands. If you are willing to pay for a guided hunt, those areas can be drawn and offer a good hunt. The other option is to research units for potential access. Some areas have decent amounts of public lands, but you will be required to find the access points and be willing to hike. Some areas have country roads that cross through public and private and you would be able to hunt public sections that touch an open country road. Be aware that you are limited to those public accessible sections and would need to cover ground to attempt to encounter antelope that you can hunt. These types of hunts may not provide the type of hunt you want, but it is an option to explore. 

Wyoming has good walk-in access and wildlife habitat management areas (WHMA) that are accessible to hunters. An area may appear to have a very limited amount of public land, but through one or  both of these programs there can be more than enough land to still offer a good hunt. Before you rule out an area due to public land limitations, we recommend that you take a look at the unit maps and review the layers for walk-in access and WHMAs.

Wyoming also has some muzzleloader Type 0 hunts. Those are available with less points than the same hunts for a firearm. They also offer Type 2 hunts that are either later seasons or are valid on or within a half mile of irrigated land. Initially, those can seem intimidating or not worth your efforts, but I have seen some very nice bucks on public land within a half mile of irrigated land and could have been harvested on that type of license. Those hunts are available with far fewer points. Once again, those hunts will require additional research and probably more days to hunt.

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Managing antelope preference points and expectations

The maximum number of nonresident preference points for antelope is 12 going into the 2023 draw.

Wyoming nonresident antelope points going into 2023
Preference points	Nonresidents
1	42,963
2	31,789
3	22,110
4	15,738
5	10,336
6	7,588
7	5,535
8	4,024
9	2,976
10	2,459
11	1,832
12	1,237
13	931
14	682
15	461
16	394
17	362
Total	151,417

Check out your draw odds here