Wyoming Game and Fish emailed one Big Game Hunting Weapon Type Survey on Aug. 27 to a random sample of antelope, deer, and elk applicants from the past three years. A separate black bear survey is planned for later in September.
The agency says the survey is meant to measure hunter satisfaction with current weapon-type allocations and gauge whether regional or statewide changes are warranted.
For nonresident licenses, the agency allocates 75% of licenses in each hunt area and license type through the preference-point drawing and 25% through the random drawing, according to the agency’s preference-point rules.
The current calendar reinforces why the surveys have to come now. Nonresident elk applications close Feb. 2, with draw results on May 21. Antelope, deer, and resident elk applications close June 1, with results June 18 and preference-point applications running July 1 through Nov. 2, per the published licenses page from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Any weapon-type shifts approved off the 2026 surveys would have to be locked in before those windows reopen in January.
The agency will use the feedback in its review of weapon-type allocations for future seasons.
