Wyoming Hunting Resource Hub
Plan Your Wyoming Hunt.
Stay Where the Game Is.
Season dates. Tag applications. Hunt area maps. Gear sources. Game processing. And hunter-friendly lodging at the base of the Bighorns — managed by a team that knows this country because we live in it.
Wyoming isn't just a hunting destination.
It's the hunting destination.
More than 35 million acres of public land. The largest free-ranging elk herds in the lower 48. Pronghorn antelope populations that outnumber people. Mule deer, whitetail, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, and upland birds — all in a state with fewer than 600,000 residents and more wilderness than most hunters see in a lifetime.
The Bighorn Mountains in northeast Wyoming — where Sheridan County meets Johnson County — are home to some of the most productive elk, deer, and antelope hunt areas in the state. Hunt areas 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 draw thousands of applications annually. The terrain ranges from alpine timber at 10,000 feet to sagebrush prairie at the mountain's base. And the town of Sheridan — 20 minutes from the trailhead — has everything a hunting party needs: gear shops, game processors, cold beer, and a real bed after a long day in the field.
This page is your resource. Not a sales pitch — an actual planning tool. Bookmark it. Come back every year. And when you're ready to book lodging, we'll be here.
35M+
Acres Public Land in Wyoming
10
Big Game Species Available to Hunt
50,000+
Non-Resident Applications/Year
2025-2026 Season Reference
Season Dates by Species
Dates vary by hunt area. The general windows below are for planning purposes — always verify exact dates on the WGFD Hunt Planner.
Elk
Archery
Sept 1 – Sept 30
General
Oct 1 – Nov 30 (varies by area)
Late season (cow/calf): Some areas through Jan 31
Hunt Areas Near Sheridan
34, 35, 36, 37, 38
Season dates are approximate and vary by hunt area, license type, and weapon. Always verify exact dates at wgfd.wyo.gov before planning your trip. Wyo Stays updates this page annually but is not responsible for regulatory changes.
The Super Tag
The Wyoming Super Tag Raffle
Every year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department runs the Super Tag raffle — a chance to win a license that lets you hunt any open area in the state for your chosen species. Since 2013, the program has raised over $12.5 million for Wyoming wildlife conservation.
How it works:
- ✦$10 per ticket for a single species
- ✦$30 per ticket for the Super Tag Trifecta (hunt 3 species)
- ✦Unlimited entries allowed
- ✦10 species: elk, deer, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, wild bison, black bear, mountain lion, gray wolf
- ✦11 winners total (10 single species + 1 Trifecta)
- ✦Winners keep all preference points
- ✦Not subject to once-in-a-lifetime restrictions
- ✦No mandatory waiting periods
2027 Super Tag Raffle
Sales open: February 17, 2026
Sales close: February 1, 2027
Winners announced: ~February 15, 2027
Purchase ONLY through the WGFD Electronic Licensing System →
Maps & Access
Know Your Hunt Area Before You Go
Wyoming manages hunting through hundreds of hunt areas, each with specific season dates, quotas, and access rules. Planning starts with the maps.
WGFD Hunt Planner (Interactive Map)
The official tool for finding hunt areas, draw odds, harvest data, public access, and season dates.
🗺️BLM Land Status Maps
Surface management maps showing public vs. private land. Essential for knowing where you can legally hunt.
📱goHUNT (Unit Profiles & Data)
Detailed unit profiles with draw odds, historical harvest data, and terrain analysis for every Wyoming hunt area.
📱onXmaps / HuntWise Apps
GPS mapping apps with landowner boundaries, public land overlays, and offline topo maps. Essential for field navigation.
Bighorn Region Hunt Areas
| Species | Hunt Areas |
|---|---|
| Elk | 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 (Bighorn Mountains) |
| Deer | 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (Sheridan/Johnson) |
| Antelope | 15–24 (Prairie) |
"Our properties in Sheridan and Dayton sit at the base of the Bighorn Mountains — 15 to 30 minutes from trailheads that access elk areas 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38."
Private Land Access Note
Private land in Wyoming does NOT need to be posted to deny access. Always get explicit permission before crossing private land — even to reach public land. The WGFD Access Yes program provides public hunting access on participating private lands.
Your Base Camp
Skip the Wall Tent. Come Home to a Real Bed.
Guided outfitter camps run $3,000 to $8,000 per hunter. Sheridan motels are fine, but they're not built for a hunting party — no gear storage, no game hanging, no kitchen to cook in at 4 AM.
Wyo Stays manages cabins and homes across Sheridan County that are 15 to 30 minutes from the Bighorn Mountain trailheads — with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, covered porches, and the space to spread out gear, hang meat, and actually sleep after a 14-hour day in the field.
Book direct and skip the Airbnb service fees. As a licensed Wyoming real estate brokerage, we're a real local team — not a platform.
Bighorn Mountain Cabins
Cabins near Dayton — closest lodging to elk areas 34-38. Full kitchens, covered porches, mountain access.
Browse →Sheridan Homes
Downtown Sheridan homes — perfect base camp with gear shops, restaurants, and processors minutes away.
Browse →Pet-Friendly (Hunting Dogs Welcome)
Bringing bird dogs? We have pet-friendly properties.
Browse →Planning lodging for a group of 4-8 hunters? Contact us directly — we can coordinate multiple properties near your hunt area.
Gear & Outfitters
Where to Get What You Need in Sheridan
Local Gear Shops
Rocky Mountain Discount Sports
Guns, ammo, bows, optics, camping gear, clothing. Scope bore sighting, archery bow tuning, reel relining. Wyoming family-owned — locations in Sheridan, Casper, Gillette, and Riverton.
Visit website →Fly Shop of the Big Horns
Primarily fishing, but carries outdoor clothing, packs, and accessories. Local knowledge on mountain conditions. Located in downtown Sheridan.
Sportsman's Warehouse (Billings, MT)
Full-service outdoor retailer, 90 minutes north. Worth the drive if you need specialized gear.
Outfitters & Guides
Big Horn Outfitters
Guided elk, deer, antelope, moose, and turkey hunts in hunt areas 34, 35, 36, 45. Wyoming natives.
Visit website →Wyo Stays does not operate guided hunts. We provide lodging for self-guided hunters. Non-residents hunting in designated wilderness areas ARE required to hire a licensed outfitter or have a resident guide.
Forgot something? Need gear shipped to your rental? Contact us — we can help source items locally or coordinate delivery.
Game Processing
Where to Process Your Harvest
After a successful hunt, you need a processor who treats your meat right. These are the trusted options near Sheridan and Johnson County.
Valley Meats
Dayton, WY
15 minutes from Sheridan. Known for clean facilities, fast turnaround, and great sausage. Highly recommended on every hunting forum covering the Bighorns.
Western Heritage Meat Company
Sheridan, WY
USDA-inspected facility. Custom processing for beef, pork, lamb, and wild game. Vacuum-sealed packaging.
Visit website →Big Horn Meat Cutting
Buffalo, WY
Trusted by hunters from all 50 states. Higher price point but excellent quality. Near Johnson County hunt areas.
Visit website →Wykota Wild Game Processing
Pavillion, WY
Custom wild game processing. No order mixing — you get only your meat back. Vacuum sealed.
Visit website →Paintrock Processing
Hyattville, WY
West side of the Bighorns. Good option for hunters in the western hunt areas.
Processing Tip
Call ahead during peak season (Oct-Nov). Processors book up fast. Some accept drop-offs only during specific hours. Confirm before you show up with an elk in the truck bed.
Need help coordinating game processing? Ask us →
Know Before You Go
Hunter Safety & Wyoming Regulations
Fluorescent Orange/Pink Required
All big game hunters (except archers during archery-only seasons) must wear at least one fluorescent orange or pink outer garment — hat, vest, or jacket. Camo orange counts.
Hunter Education Required
Anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1966 must carry proof of hunter education. All 50 states' cards accepted.
Learn more →Wilderness Area Guide Requirement
Non-residents hunting in federally designated wilderness areas MUST hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter OR have a Wyoming resident guide. The Bighorn Mountains include Cloud Peak Wilderness — verify if your area qualifies.
Private Land Access
In Wyoming, private property does NOT need to be posted. You MUST have explicit permission to access private land, even to cross it to reach public land.
WGFD Access Yes Program
Free public hunting access on participating private lands. Check the WGFD Hunt Planner for Access Yes areas near your hunt unit.
Learn more →CWD Awareness
Chronic Wasting Disease is present in Wyoming. Mandatory CWD testing may apply in certain hunt areas. Do NOT transport whole carcasses from CWD-endemic zones.
Learn more →Full WGFD Regulations
Always read the complete regulations for your species and hunt area before heading into the field.
Learn more →Hunting Concierge
We'll Help You Plan the Details
Wyo Stays isn't an outfitter. We're a licensed Wyoming vacation rental brokerage that understands what hunters need — because our team hunts this country too.
When you book with us, we can help coordinate:
- ✦Multi-property lodging for large hunting parties (4-12+)
- ✦Gear sourcing and delivery to your rental
- ✦Game processor introductions and scheduling
- ✦Local intel on mountain conditions and road access
- ✦Grocery stocking (including cooler ice and supplies)
- ✦Airport transfers from Sheridan County Airport (SHR)
We manage properties in Sheridan County and Johnson County with expansion planned across Wyoming. If you're hunting the Bighorn region, we're your base camp team.
Don't Leave Without Checking These Off
Your Hunt Planning Checklist
Hunting FAQ
Have a question we didn't answer? Ask us directly →
See all 40+ answers in our complete FAQ guide.