Elk Region W general license (nonresident draw)
How many preference points it took to draw this hunt in 2026, and your estimated chance at every point level.
5,652 nonresidents put this hunt first in the regular draw for 1,610 licenses (1,208 by preference points, 402 at random). Everyone with 6 or more points drew. Just under 6 points (parties averaging between 5 and 6), 63 of 351 drew. Everyone else had about a 9.0% chance in the random draw (402 licenses, 4,444 applicants).
Sure draw at 6 points
Residents don't draw for this license: it's sold over the counter.
Compare every Wyoming elk hunt at your point level →
Odds by preference points
Nonresidents
| Preference points (nonresident) | Applicants | Drew | Actual odds | Estimated chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 11 | 4 | 4 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 11 | 16 | 16 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 10 | 17 | 17 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 9 | 28 | 28 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 9 | 24 | 24 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 8 | 66 | 66 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 8 | 48 | 48 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 7 | 204 | 204 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 7 | 192 | 192 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 6 | 532 | 532 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 6 | 351 | 63 | 1 in 5.6 | |
| 5 or fewer | 4,156 | 0 | — | |
| All | 5,652 | 1,610 | 1 in 3.5 |
Residents
Wyoming residents buy the general elk license over the counter, so there’s no resident draw for it.
Nonresident special draw
The special draw is a separate application with higher-priced licenses (40% of the nonresident quota) and usually fewer applicants. 1,690 nonresidents put this hunt first in the special draw for 1,074 licenses (806 by preference points, 268 at random). Everyone with 4 or more points drew. Just under 4 points (parties averaging between 3 and 4), 9 of 49 drew. Everyone else had about a 30% chance in the random draw (268 licenses, 884 applicants).
| Preference points (nonresident) | Applicants | Drew | Actual odds | Estimated chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 8 | 5 | 5 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 7 | 10 | 10 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 6 | 24 | 24 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 6 | 92 | 92 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 5 | 216 | 216 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 5 | 216 | 216 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| 4 | 228 | 228 | 1 in 1.0 | |
| < 4 | 49 | 9 | 1 in 5.4 | |
| 3 or fewer | 844 | 0 | — | |
| All | 1,690 | 1,074 | 1 in 1.6 |
WGFD hunt description: “REGION W GENERAL” (as printed in the report, which cuts descriptions at 20 characters). Check the regulations for exact boundaries and dates.
Trends, 2024–2026
"Sure at" is the fewest preference points where every nonresident drew in the point draw that year (0 = any points drew).
| Year | Applicants | Licenses | Odds | Sure at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,364 | 1,620 | 1 in 3.3 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5,430 | 1,622 | 1 in 3.3 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5,652 | 1,610 | 1 in 3.5 | 6 |
Points for a sure draw: 5 in 2024, 6 in 2025, 6 in 2026. If that trend holds, expect about 6 points to be needed in 2027. Applicants rose 5% since 2024.
How this draw works
Wyoming draws elk, deer and antelope licenses by preference points for nonresidents only. In each nonresident draw (regular and special), 75% of licenses go to the applicants with the most points, and the other 25% are drawn at random from everyone who missed, regardless of points. Parties use their average points, which is why some levels read "< N". Residents don't use points for these species: they're drawn at random. Points apply to your first choice; if you don't draw it, you gain a point. WGFD: Understanding the draw.
About the numbers. From WGFD's 2026 demand reports. The point-draw results are actual; the chance of drawing in the random draw is an estimate (random licenses ÷ applicants), and so is the resident chance. How we check and estimate.