Preference point application period extended to Nov. 2

Hunters now have an extra month to purchase preference points with the recent change of the preference point deadline from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31. The preference point deadline will be even longer this year – to Nov. 2 since Oct. 31 is on a weekend. When application deadlines fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.

Preference points are available for qualifying big game hunters who did not apply for a moose or bighorn sheep license this year and non-resident elk, deer and antelope hunters who did not apply for a license this year or who did not draw their first choice license and did not mark the preference point box on their license application.

Under the preference point system seventy-five percent of available licenses in each hunt area and license type will be allocated to the preference point drawing. Applicants with the highest preference point ranking will receive priority in the preference point draw. The remaining twenty-five percent of available licenses will be allocated in a random drawing regardless of preference points.

A youth applicant wanting to be awarded preference points must be at least 11 years old at the time of submitting an application for a big game limited quota license and must be at least 12 years old when in the field hunting. A youth applicant wanting to purchase preference points only must be at least 11 years old at the time of submitting an application and must be at least 12 years old by Dec. 31 of that year.

Preference points may be purchased online at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Preference-Points. Hunters with eligibility questions or other inquiries about preference points can call 307-777-4600.