Hunting In Wyoming

So i have been doing a lot of reading about Wyoming and Montana, and I am going to move to Wyoming. I went there on vacation a couple years back and i fell in love with the weather.
I am really looking forward to moving out there, for the hunting and the backpacking. But i cannot make sense of Wyoming's hunting license system.

Do you only have the opportunity to hunt deer. elk, and antelope through the lottery system? And is that still so if you are a resident of the state? I was looking forward to the hunting, but the lottery is a real bummer. Id like to be able to go out and hunt, not hope i get the chance.
Thanks,
John

It is a lottery system, but if you look at the draw odds, there are several units with 100% draw for deer and antelope. Be aware that these are a higher percentage private land, and oftentimes the land is not clearly marked for borders, so make sure you bring a gps with a chip to tell you exactly where you are. Antelope diy is a very good first western hunt. My dad, brother, and I did it last year and tagged out in 2 days all public land on a second chance license. Now, we may have gotten better bucks if we would have gone a little slower, but we both shot mature bucks, and my brother a doe. Hard to resist shooting a mature buck once you stalked within range, the stalking isn't super easy. They have very good vision in very open country. I can tell you it would be easy to shoot a mule deer in NE Wyoming, as they're everywhere, but they aren't massive. Have seen a couple good ones, but they're harder to come by.

Almost every western state is a draw system even for residents. Its just part of the game however i think wy has some tags or areas that can be drawn every year as resident. If you want to hunt you'll get to hunt just maybe not the area you prefer.

There are several area for elk that are in the general unit which is for residents and is over the counter. Antelope tags are easy to get some trophy units are a little tougher to draw

Id be more worried about a job? Saw that your only 18 some areas wont have lots of career type jobs.

Okay, that's great to hear! Thanks for the replies in such short time. I don't hunt for trophy, so that's not a problem, I always hunt for meat. I was just worried there would be a slim chance to hunt each year, but i'll do some more reading. Specifically on the drawing odds. I didn't see that on their site until just a moment ago.
Thanks again,
John

I don't plan to move out just yet, but after a few years of banking my money. I am currently welding, have 1.5 years experience so far, and from what I've been finding, there are some good welding jobs that can be had with 2-5 years experience. I plan to work hard and live cheap while i can, then move.

Their are a lot of draw areas that are lottery. Some of them are trophy areas, some not. But as a resident you get access to general tags which are bought over the counter and can be used to hunt in general areas. You can buy general tags every year as a resident. The general tags are in addition to your drawn lottery tags also. If you want to hunt you will be able to every year as a resident. It also takes one year of living here to be considered a resident for hunting/fishing/trapping purposes.

Love Wyoming and Montana.Wasn't for the wife I'd be living there now.Still working on her.X2 on the general tags for residents.My brother lived there.

Great! Thank you for this information, exactly what i wanted to hear lol! Do you mind if i send you a pm if i ever get a question?
Thanks,
John

Good hunting and I believe residents have better odds getting a tag. I get crappy tags every year and hunt public land and fill them. From the people I have talked to out there I have no doubt you will be able to find a job easy if your willing to work or travel for work.

There is nothing eastern about western hunting.

If your a welder you will do good, I just recommend and might you have or do it allready is pipe weld. Oil feild and coal mine work will be good $$$. Good luck

Yes, feel free to PM me with any questions. I’m an eastern transplant and I’ve never regretted it for a second, western life is great.

Some if those jobs work so many hours, no time for family or hunting, cost of food and other things is higher there

I hope you don't mind the wind. I lived and worked in Wyoming for five years. It was amazing how many people quit and left due to the constant wind.

Good luck on your move...I'm Jealous, go West young man

Elk tags are over the counter for general, lottery for some areas, trophy/special mgmt. Antelope are lottery only for everyone. Not because of lack of game but to spread the hunters out. Deer are general otc and lottery. This is for resident. Turkey I believe are available for drawing and otc.
Moose,sheep,mt goats drawing only. Lion, bear are both I believe. If you want to hunt big game you will be able to every year. Just not the exotic species. As soon as you are here for a year start buying preference points for moose or sheep from what I understand some of the best areas take eighteen points to get drawn unless you are very lucky.

Thanks for all the replies! Im glad i can purchase a general license and be able to hunt. I don't want a trophy or anything as I said, so any game will do! I've only skimmed the basics of pipe fitting, and pipe welding. Its not my cup of tea, i'm more of a flux core guy. I'm going to be welding 8"-14" plate starting Monday, anything big is what i enjoy. Fabrication is also one of my favorites, and I've seen some jobs out there for that. I also plan to get a degree in Business Administration before i move out, to give myself something to lean back on.

I appreciate it Lurp, I'll surely have some questions.
Thanks again
John

Casper and just south of there Shirley basin, can be very windy

Check out the Casper area lots of job opportunity in that area. Don't be afraid to move out there without a job most will not hire you if your not living there. Plan on being close to a city because if you have never been there you won't understand the distance between point a to b. its nothing to have to drive 60 miles just to get to a town when you hunt out there and sometimes it takes 2 hours to go that far if your not on a state hwy because the county roads and 2tracks are rough or washboard gravel roads.