Why Wyoming Can Be Your Backup Elk Plan

Why Wyoming Can Be Your Backup Elk Plan

The timing of Wyoming’s nonresident elk application creates an opportunity that many hunters fail to use.

Wyoming’s elk application period takes place early in the year, but applicants are generally given additional time to modify or withdraw their applications before the drawing is conducted.

That window allows us to use Wyoming differently from many other western states.

Imagine that you have enough points to be competitive for a Wyoming hunt that fits your goals. You want to hunt elk this fall, but you also have applications pending in states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Montana or elsewhere.

You may not want to commit completely to Wyoming before seeing what happens in those other drawings.

That does not necessarily mean you should sit out Wyoming.

You can submit the Wyoming application, monitor the results from the other states in your hunt plan and then make a deliberate decision before Wyoming’s application-change deadline.

As that deadline approaches, we can ask:

• Did you draw another hunt?

• Can you realistically take two trips that fall?

• Would the hunt dates conflict?

• Is Wyoming still your best available opportunity?

• Do you want to leave the application active?

• Would it be smarter to withdraw and retain your points for another year?

If another hunt has already come through and Wyoming would create a scheduling or financial problem, the application can generally be withdrawn before the applicable deadline.

If nothing else has worked out, you can leave Wyoming active and retain your opportunity to draw.

That is why I describe Wyoming as a potential backup-plan elk application.

It gives us options.

And options are incredibly valuable when western draw results are released at different times throughout the spring.

Because application dates, fees, quotas, regulations and refund policies can change, hunters should always confirm the current year’s rules before submitting or withdrawing an application.