Welcome to SNS Outfitter & Guides classroom. Today, our topic at hand is Wyoming Preference Points. This subject ranks high on our list of Frequently Asked Questions so we wanted to provide you with some “cliff notes” and help answer your most burning questions.

The world of hunting has changed a lot over the years. Back in the day, a person could go out and purchase a license over the counter in just about any area they would like to hunt. In today’s world however, with the increased demand to hunt out west, the number of applicants has sky rocketed, making drawing a license far more difficult. The Wyoming Game and Fish offers problem solving solution, giving non-resident hunters the opportunity to purchase “Preference Points” for big game animals such as Antelope, Elk, Deer, Moose & Big Horn Sheep.

Preference points are a way to improve your odds of drawing a license. In the draw, 75% of available licenses will be allocated to non-residents with preference points. The higher the number of points you have, the higher your chances of successfully drawing are.

The remaining 25% of available licenses are allocated to a random drawing. The random drawing is intended to provide everyone who applies a chance of drawing a license regardless of how many preference points they have. The odds of success in the random draw are obviously at a much lower rate.

Non-resident hunters may purchase one preference point per species per year beginning at the age of 12. Wyoming’s preference points are specific to the species that you would like to hunt. The points are good for any area you apply for and not specific or tied to a particular area.

Preference points may be accumulated each year until you are ready to use them by applying for a license. They are available for purchase through the Wyoming Game and Fish website starting July 1st through October 31st. 

These preference points will never expire unless the person fails to purchase a point during the application period two consecutive years in a row, in which case all the cumulative points for that species will be forfeited. This makes remembering to purchase your preference points a top priority!

There is one exception to the yearly purchase of points that is important to note; a person cannot purchase a preference point & draw a license in the same year. Here is an example; You buy points for an antelope hunt in the years 2023, 2024, & 2025. You apply for a license in the area of your choice in 2026 so you go into the draw with three points. Should you be successful getting your tag in 2026, you are unable to buy any preference points that year. 

As you can see, it is extremely advantageous to plan ahead when it comes to hunting in Wyoming. With 75% of the non resident licenses going to point holders, the subject of Wyoming preference points is an important one to master. 

While some SNS hunts can be draw with little to no preference points, many of our hunts do require them to successfully draw. Some of examples of that are our Bull Elk Hunts, Record Book Antelope Hunts, some of our Trophy Antelope Hunts, and lastly, select Mule Deer Hunts.

Obviously, you don’t want to forget to purchase your Wyoming preference points or forfeit those points you have previously accumulated. Therefore, SNS Outfitter has found a way to take the hassle out of remembering to buy your points. We are pleased to offer you our Preference Point Program. Rather than having to remember to purchase points year after year, we do it for you and help ease the process of drawing highly sought after big game licenses.

With this program, we collect three years worth of preference point fees for the species you select and a small administration fee. The SNS office staff will then manage purchasing your preference points for you each year during the application period. When you are ready to book a hunt, these points will be there for you and ready to be applied toward your next big game hunting adventure. 

Signing up for SNS’ preference point program is easy and can be done in a matter of minutes! You may fill out our Reservation Form and indicate which species you would like our office staff to purchase points for or, if that isn’t your style, not to worry! Just give us a call or an email and we will handle the rest! 

Wyoming Preference Points only cost a small fee, but they open the door to some of the very best hunting opportunities Wyoming has to offer! If you have any questions, please contact our office at 1-307-266-4229 or email, sns@huntwyo.com