Understanding Wyoming Preference Points
"What do you mean I didn't draw my Wyoming elk tag... again?"
If you've applied for a Wyoming big game license, you've probably felt that frustration. Every year, hunters are disappointed when the draw results come out, and many are left wondering why they didn't draw despite having several preference points. The system can seem complicated, but once you understand how it works, you can make more informed decisions and develop a plan that fits your hunting goals.
What Are Preference Points?
Wyoming's preference point system was created to reward hunters who consistently apply for licenses but aren't successful in the draw. Preference points are available to nonresident hunters for elk, deer, antelope, moose and bighorn sheep, and they are used only for full-price, first-choice license applications.
The more preference points you have, the higher your priority is in the preference point draw. While points improve your odds, they do not guarantee a license in every hunt area.
How the Draw Works
For most nonresident elk, deer, and antelope licenses, Wyoming allocates:
- 75% of available licenses through the preference point draw, where applicants with the highest point totals receive priority.
- 25% of available licenses through the random draw, giving every applicant a chance to draw regardless of how many preference points they have.
Because of the random draw, even first-time applicants occasionally draw highly sought-after licenses, while hunters with many points may sometimes come up short in the most competitive areas.
Building and Keeping Your Preference Points
Preference points are accumulated over time. If you are unsuccessful in drawing your first-choice full-price license, you may purchase one preference point for that species during Wyoming's annual preference point purchase period. Over time, these points can improve your chances of drawing licenses in the preference point portion of the draw.
Just as important as earning points is keeping them. Wyoming requires hunters to purchase a preference point or apply for that species at least once every two consecutive years. If you go two years without doing either, your accumulated preference points will be forfeited.
Understanding Point Creep
One term you'll hear often is point creep.
Point creep occurs when demand for a hunt grows faster than the number of licenses available. As more hunters continue building preference points each year, the minimum number of points needed to draw certain hunt areas gradually increases.
This doesn't mean Wyoming is becoming impossible to draw. It simply means that some of the state's most popular hunt areas require more planning and patience than they did several years ago.
When Should You Use Your Preference Points?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer isn't the same for everyone.
The best time to use your preference points depends on your hunting goals, the hunt area you're interested in, and the current drawing odds.
At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we review Wyoming's draw statistics every year before submitting license applications for our clients. When you book a hunt with us, we look at your current preference point total, compare it to the latest drawing odds, and help determine whether you're in a strong position to draw or if it makes more sense to continue building points.
Sometimes waiting another year is the right decision. Other times, using your points now allows you to enjoy an exceptional hunt instead of continuing to chase a hunt area that may require even more points in the future.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, which is why we work with each hunter individually to help make the most of their preference points.
More Points Doesn't Always Mean a Better Hunt
A common misconception is that the hunts requiring the most preference points must also offer the best hunting.
In reality, many factors influence demand, including the number of licenses available, public land access, private land ownership, proximity to population centers, trophy reputation, and overall popularity.
Some outstanding hunts can be drawn with relatively few preference points, while other highly competitive areas attract applicants simply because of their reputation. Choosing a hunt based solely on the number of points required may cause you to overlook excellent opportunities elsewhere in the state.
Develop a Strategy
Before applying, think about the type of hunting experience you're looking for.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want to hunt public land or private land?
- Are you interested in a horseback wilderness hunt or a more accessible front-country hunt?
- Is harvesting a mature trophy your top priority, or are you looking for a quality hunting experience with good odds of drawing?
Answering these questions will help narrow down the hunt areas that best match your goals and your current preference point level.
We're Here to Help
At SNS Outfitter & Guides, we help hunters navigate Wyoming's preference point system every year. Whether you're just getting started, trying to decide where to apply, or wondering if it's time to use the points you've accumulated, we're here to help.
Our goal is simple: to help you make informed decisions so you can spend less time wondering about the draw and more time planning your next Wyoming hunt.
Preference points are an investment in future hunting opportunities. With the right plan and current draw information, they can help you enjoy some of the best big game hunting Wyoming has to offer.
