State comparison · Updated 2026

Colorado vs. Wyoming elk hunting.

Two great elk states, two very different systems. Colorado sells over-the-counter tags and holds the largest herd on Earth; Wyoming is draw-only with a wilderness guide law and lower-pressure units for those who wait. Head to head on tags, odds, access, and cost.

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The quick answer

Colorado for access and herd size; Wyoming for lower pressure if you'll wait.

The short version: Colorado has the largest elk herd in North America and the easiest access — historically over-the-counter tags and now accessible draw units — making it the better pick for a hunter who wants to go this year and have plenty of country to hunt. Wyoming is draw-only, holds excellent elk in lower-pressure units, and rewards hunters willing to build a point or two — but a wilderness guide law requires non-residents to hire an outfitter in designated wilderness. Choose Colorado for opportunity and herd size; choose Wyoming for quieter units and a willingness to wait.

Head to head

Colorado and Wyoming, side by side.

Dimension	Colorado	Wyoming
Elk herd	~280,000 — largest on Earth	~110,000
Nonresident tags	OTC available (archery, 2nd/3rd rifle) + limited entry	All by draw — no OTC for nonresidents
Point system	Preference points for limited units; OTC needs none	Preference points; popular units take several
Time to hunt	Can hunt this year via OTC	Often multi-year point build for good units
Wilderness rule	No guide requirement for DIY public land	Nonresidents MUST hire a guide in designated wilderness
Public land	~23M acres	~30M acres but more checkerboard access friction
Trophy quality	Strong in limited units	Excellent in low-pressure draw units
Nonresident license	$760.96 (2025)	Comparable; varies by license type

The honest verdict

Colorado to hunt now; Wyoming to wait for quality.

If you want to hunt elk this seasonwithout building points, Colorado is the answer — it still sells over-the-counter nonresident tags for archery and the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons, it has more than double Wyoming’s elk, and it puts no wilderness-guide requirement on DIY public-land hunters.

If you can wait several yearsand want a lower-density, potentially higher-quality draw hunt, Wyoming rewards patience — its draw-only system keeps pressure down in the better units. Just budget for the point years and remember the wilderness guide law if you’re a nonresident hunting designated wilderness.

For most hunters planning their first western elk trip, or anyone who doesn’t want to wait, Colorado is the lower-friction, higher-opportunity choice — which is the country Elk Glade guides.

Frequently asked

Colorado vs Wyoming questions.

Is Colorado or Wyoming better for elk hunting?

For accessibility, Colorado wins — it has the largest elk herd in the world (~280,000) and still sells over-the-counter tags to nonresidents for archery and 2nd/3rd rifle seasons, so you can hunt this year without a draw. Wyoming requires all nonresidents to draw, often building points over several years for good units, and legally requires nonresidents to hire a guide in designated wilderness areas. Wyoming's lower-pressure draw units can offer excellent quality for hunters willing to wait.

Can you hunt elk over the counter in Wyoming?

No — Wyoming does not offer over-the-counter elk tags to nonresidents. All nonresident elk licenses are allocated by draw, with a preference point system that favors applicants who have applied (and paid) in prior years. This is a key difference from Colorado, which still sells OTC nonresident tags for several seasons.

Do you need a guide to hunt elk in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, nonresidents are legally required to hire a licensed guide (or hunt with a qualified resident) to hunt big game in federally designated wilderness areas. This is a unique Wyoming law. Outside wilderness, nonresidents can hunt DIY on public land. Colorado has no equivalent wilderness-guide requirement, so DIY nonresident hunting is unrestricted on Colorado public land.

Which has more elk, Colorado or Wyoming?

Colorado has far more elk — roughly 280,000, the largest population of any state and the largest on Earth, versus Wyoming's approximately 110,000. Colorado's herd is more than double Wyoming's, which is one reason Colorado offers more tags and more OTC opportunity.

Is Wyoming elk hunting worth the wait?

For some hunters, yes. Wyoming's draw-only system keeps hunter density lower in many units, which can mean a higher-quality, less-crowded hunt and better trophy potential once you draw. The tradeoff is the wait — building points over multiple years — and the wilderness guide requirement for nonresidents. Hunters who want to hunt this year without points generally choose Colorado.

Pillar

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Guided GMU 59 elk at Elk Glade.