Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Wyoming?

Planning your big game hunt starts with knowing the season dates and hunting areas that apply to your tags.

The good news is, we’ve done much of the legwork for you. This guide includes the latest Wyoming hunting information to help make your planning easier. Keep in mind that dates and regulations can change, so while this is a great starting point, always double-check Wyoming’s official resources for the most current details before heading out.

Some season dates have already been updated for 2025, and we’ll continue to refresh this guide as the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) releases additional information.

Deer

Like antelope hunting seasons, deer hunting is also managed through varying dates for the many hunting areas. We recommend checking the state’s deer hunting seasons resource for the latest information.

The general season dates are:

• Archery: September 1 – 30, 2025
• General: September 1 – December 31, 2025

Antelope

Antelope hunting dates vary depending on the state's many hunt areas. We recommend visiting the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) website for the latest details on antelope dates, quotas, and limitations.

The general season dates are:

• Archery: August 15 – October 4, 2025
• General: October 1 – December 31, 2025

Elk

Following in the footsteps of antelope and deer season planning, Wyoming elk hunting season dates vary by hunting area, too. Check the elk hunting seasons resource for dates and corresponding hunt areas.

The general season dates are:

• Archery Season: September 1 – 30, 2025
• Rifle Season: October 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Moose

You guessed it: Moose hunting is managed by hunt areas with varying open season dates. However, there are fewer hunt areas available for moose hunting. Check the state’s moose hunting seasons resource for the latest information.

The general season dates are:

• Archery: August 15 – September 30, 2025
• Regular: September 10 – November 20, 2025

Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats

Hunting seasons for bighorn sheep also depend on each hunting area. Be sure to check the reference guide for specifics as you plan your hunt.

The general season dates are:

• Archery: August 1 – 31, 2025
• Regular: August 1 – November 30, 2025

Black Bear

Trophy hunters looking for black bears have opportunities to hunt in the spring and fall. Review the black bear hunting resource from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to verify dates and hunting areas before heading out.

The general season dates are:

• Archery: April 15 – May 14, 2025 and August 1 – September 30, 2025
• General: April 15 – June 15, 2025 and August 1 – November 15, 2025

Bison

• Hunt Area 2: August 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Hunt Area 3: Closed

Grizzly Bear

• Hunt Areas 1-6: September 15 – November 15, 2025
• Hunt Areas 7-8 (Limited Quota): September 1 – November 15, 2025

Gray Wolf

The gray wolf is another trophy species drawing hunters to Wyoming.

• Hunt Areas 1-11, 14: September 15 – December 31, 2025
• Hunt Area 12: October 15 – December 31, 2025
• Hunt Area 13: September 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Turkey

• Spring:
  • General (Hunt Area 1): April 20 – May 31, 2026
  • Hunt Area 1 (Hunt Type 3 Quota): April 1 – May 31, 2026
    
• Fall:
  • Archery (Hunt Area 1): September 1 – 30, 2025
  • General (Hunt Area 1): October 1 – December 31, 2025

Migratory Birds

• Mourning Dove (Statewide): September 1 – November 29, 2025
• Sora and Virginia Rail (Statewide): September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Snipe (Statewide): September 1 – December 16, 2025
• Sandhill Crane (Limited Quota):
  • Hunt Areas 1, 2, 5: September 1 – 15, 2025
  • Hunt Area 3: September 1 – 8, 2025
  • Hunt Area 4: September 27 – October 19, 2025
  • Hunt Area 6: September 13 – October 5, 2025
  • Hunt Area 6: September 1 – 30, 2025
• Sandhill Crane (General Permit):
  • Hunt Area 7: September 6 – November 2, 2025

Upland Birds and Small Game

• Grouse
  • Sage (Hunt Area 1): September 20 – 30, 2025
  • Blue (Dusky) (Hunt Area 1): September 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Ruffed (Hunt Area 1): September 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Sharp-Tailed (Hunt Area 1): September 1 – December 31, 2025
• Partridge (Gray & Chukar) Hunt Area 1: September 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Pheasant:
  • Hunt Areas 1, 5, 7, 9, & 11: November 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Hunt Area 2: November 1 – 30, 2025 and December 1 – 31, 2025
  • Hunt Area 8: October 10 – 31, 2025 and November 1 – 14, 2025
• Cottontail Rabbit: September 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Snowshoe Hare: September 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Squirrrel (Red, Grey, Fox): September 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Waterfowl

Pacific Flyaway

• Early Canada Goose: September 1 – 8, 2025
• Dark & Light Geese: September 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026
• Ducks, Mergansers, Coots: September 27, 2025 – January 9, 2026

Central Flyaway

• Light Geese: September 27 – December 31, 2025 and February 7 – 15, 2025
• Dark Geese:
  • Zone C1: September 27 – October 5, 2025, November 1 – 24, 2025, and December 6, 2025 – February 16, 2026
  • Zone C1A: September 27 – October 8, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – February 16, 2026
  • Zone C2: September 27 – December 7, 2025 and December 20, 2025 – January 21, 2026
• Ducks and Mergansers:
  • Zone C1 & C1A: September 27 – October 14, 2025 and November 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026
  • Zone C2 September 27 – December 1, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 12, 2026
• Coots:
  • Zone C1 & C1A: September 27 – October 14, 2025 and November 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026
  • Zone C2: September 27 – December 1, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 12, 2026

Mountain Lion

• Hunt Areas 1-5, 10-14, 16-19, 21, 23, 25-26, 28-30, & 32: September 1, 2025 – March 31 , 2026
• Hunt Area 5 (Additional Dates): April 1 – 30, 2026
• Hunt Area 24: September 1, 2-25 – May 31, 2026
• Hunt Area 6: September 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
• Hunt Areas 7-9, 15, 20, 22, 27, 31: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026