Wyoming Big Game Hunting
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In unit 71, Archery elk hunts run September 1st through September 19th. Rifle elk hunts run September 20 through October 31. Our area provides excellent opportunities in both seasons. Around 10,000 elk comprise the Jackson elk herd. Our camp lies in the heart of their range. Good numbers of resident elk are present through summer and the fall breeding season. Due to the lack of pressure, elk tend to be very vocal during the rut. After the first significant snowfalls, large numbers of migrant animals begin streaming through from summer ranges in Yellowstone, en route to winter range on the National Elk Refuge and southern Jackson Hole.
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Archery deer season is September 1st through September 14th. Rifle season runs September 15th to October 25th. 3 weeks longer than most other units in the Jackson area. Both whitetail, and mule deer are present. Both can be harvested, but trophy potential is higher with mule deer. Population densities are somewhat lower than other units in the Jackson area, but mature bucks make up a larger percentage of the deer. Deer hunting here requires time spent scouting to know where the animals are. Come hunt with us and you will enjoy the benefit of our preseason legwork, getting you to where the action is. Our job is to do everything we can for you to have opportunities at the deer you're looking for. Is chasing big bucks in Yellowstone country on your bucket list? Then look no further.
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In order to help get hunters prepared to legally hunt in Wyoming, below is information on applications and regulations.
NEW FOR 2024
Nonresident general elk applicants will now have to apply for the specific nonresident region general elk license (we are in the west region).
Nonresident region general elk licenses shall only be valid within the specific region for which they are issued and only for those general hunt areas within the region.
Fee increase for nonresident special elk, deer, and antelope licenses.
Preference Points
How do preference points work?
In the draw, 75 percent of available licenses in each hunt area and license type will be allocated to the preference point drawing. In Wyoming, preference points rank applicant pools.
The remaining 25 percent of available licenses will be allocated in a random drawing, regardless of preference points. The random drawing is intended to provide everyone who applies a chance of drawing a license, regardless of their preference point total. Every applicant is in the preference point drawing even if they have no preference points. After the preference point drawing is completed, all unsuccessful applicants will then participate in the random drawing.
Any preference points awarded in 2024 will be available for use in the 2025 initial drawings.
Drawing a license for your second or third choice does not cause preference points to be deleted and the applicant will still be awarded a preference point for the year.
PARTY APPLICATIONS, all of the applicants’ preference point totals will be averaged to the 4th decimal point to determine the preference point ranking used in the initial preference point drawing.
Cost: Elk = $52, Deer = $41
Purchase a preference point only: July 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024
The first step is to create a Wyoming Game and Fish account via their website. How to Create and Account
Create a WG&F Account
Once an account has been created you can then Buy a Preference Point
Point Requirements and Draw Odds
All applicants will participate in the preference point drawing even if they have no preference points. After the preference point drawing is completed, all unsuccessful applicants will then participate in the random drawing.
Point Draw: As of 2023, 100% of applicants with 4 preference points drew the Wyoming general elk tag. Applicants with > 3 points had success odds of 12.34%. Odds may change with the new format.
Special Point Draw: As of 2023, 100% of applicants > 3 preference points drew the Wyoming general elk tag. Applicants with 3 points had success odds of 45.53%. Odds may change with the new format.
Random Draw Odds
All applicants will participate in the preference point drawing even if they have no preference points. After the preference point drawing is completed, all unsuccessful applicants will then participate in the random drawing.
Random Draw: Due to changes implemented for 2024 odds not available at this time. Estimate 5-10%
Special Random Draw: Due to changes implemented for 2024 odds not available at this time. Estimate 10-20%
Application Process
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Hunting License Application Information
Application Dates and Draw Results
Elk:
Application: January 2 - January 31
Draw: May 1
Deer:
Application: Janury 2 - May 31
Draw: May 1
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While in camp, you can expect comfortable wall tents with sheeted beds, heaters, and wash stations. In the morning, the camp cook will have hot meals and coffee before departure. They will also prepare and send you with a solid lunch to enjoy out in the field. After a full day on the mountain, a hot, filling dinner will be ready for you when you get back into camp.
To minimize hunting pressure and maximize our guests’ experience, we host only a limited number of hunters per season. This allows us to focus on each hunter, ensuring that their experience is the hunt of a lifetime.
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2 hunters per guide: $6500 per hunter
1 hunters per guide: $7,500 per hunter
For groups of three or more, $6,500 per hunter, with a maximum hunter to guide ratio of 2:1.
Hunt with Wilderness Trails Outfitters!
Located in the Bridger Teton National Forest and conveniently nestled between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. We have unparalleled access to hunt elk unit 71 and deer unit 148 (region L) in the Teton Wilderness area. and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. We take a great deal of pride in offering high quality, fair-chase, 100% public land hunts. Hunting in the purest form, in one of the wildest places left in North America. If you're looking for a true backcountry hunt, with a higher level of amenity, then you have found what you're looking for.
Our unique location allows for the comforts of a drive-in camp, while maintaining access to some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in the lower 48 states.
With 60+ years of hunting out of this camp, our experienced guides, and sure footed stock have you to the perfect spot before the most motivated foot soldier. Our hunt areas lie almost entirely within the Teton Wilderness, a federally designated wilderness area. Wyoming state regulations require all non-resident hunters to hunt with a licensed outfitter within wilderness areas. Our units have little in the way of federally maintained trail infrastructure, making navigation and game extraction a tall order. These factors discourage most people from hunting in our area. In general, there is minimal hunting pressure, and plenty of places for animals to reach trophy size. Without the aforementioned issues, we are smack in the middle of a hunters paradise.
With the help of our exceptional stock, our speciality is knowing how to navigate this rugged terrain, knowing how to find animals, and handling game extraction.
Allow us to jump these hurdles so you can safely, and successfully, enjoy this wilderness paradise. After your successful hunt, the same team will have your harvested animal back to the truck without any wear and tear on your back.
