Wyoming Hunting Laws
Wyoming's rifle rule is cartridge-length based: deer and antelope need a centerfire of at least .22 caliber (the .22 Hornet is excluded) with a 60-grain expanding bullet and a cartridge at least 2 inches overall — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall. Elk and moose bump the floor to .24 caliber. Wyoming also bans computerized 'smart firearms' and thermal/infrared devices for big game, while suppressors are legal for lawful hunting.
Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 31, 2026.
At a glance
Check a cartridge in Wyoming
Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.
Sourced rules
Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.
All weapons
22 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| Wild Turkey |
Computerized 'smart firearms' — targeting systems that mark a target, calculate a firing solution, and discharge automatically — are banned for game birds and all big or trophy game.
"No person shall use a smart firearm to take any game bird, big game or trophy game animal." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 7 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion |
Thermal, infrared, and other non-visible-spectrum imaging devices — attached to the weapon or handheld, including real-time video — may not be used to spot or take big game. Only non-transmitting trail cameras are allowed.
"No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the int..." |
WGFC Chapter 2 § 20(a)-(c) | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Fully automatic firearms of any type may not be used to take wildlife.
"No person shall take any wildlife with any fully automatic weapon." |
W.S. 23-3-112(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Fully automatic firearms of any type may not be used to take wildlife.
"No person shall take any wildlife with any fully automatic weapon." |
W.S. 23-3-112(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
Fully automatic firearms of any type may not be used to take wildlife.
"No person shall take any wildlife with any fully automatic weapon." |
W.S. 23-3-112(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Fully automatic firearms of any type may not be used to take wildlife.
"No person shall take any wildlife with any fully automatic weapon." |
W.S. 23-3-112(a) | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
Suppressors are legal for otherwise-lawful hunting in Wyoming — the statute only bars their use while committing specific violations, not as a blanket ban.
"No person shall use a device designed to silence or muffle the report of any firearm in the commission of: (i) A violation of W.S. 23-3-102; (ii) A violation of W.S. 23-3-107; (iii) A violation of W.S. 23-3-305(b) whi..." |
W.S. 23-3-112(c) | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
At least one visible fluorescent orange or pink exterior garment is required while hunting big or trophy game; no square-inch minimum is set. Special-archery-season hunters are exempt.
"No person other than archers and crossbow hunters hunting during a special archery season shall hunt any big or trophy game animal in Wyoming without wearing in a visible manner one (1) or more exterior garments which..." |
W.S. 23-3-113(a); WGFC Chapter 2 § 11(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
At least one visible fluorescent orange or pink exterior garment is required while hunting big or trophy game; no square-inch minimum is set. Special-archery-season hunters are exempt.
"No person other than archers and crossbow hunters hunting during a special archery season shall hunt any big or trophy game animal in Wyoming without wearing in a visible manner one (1) or more exterior garments which..." |
W.S. 23-3-113(a); WGFC Chapter 2 § 11(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
At least one visible fluorescent orange or pink exterior garment is required while hunting big or trophy game; no square-inch minimum is set. Special-archery-season hunters are exempt.
"No person other than archers and crossbow hunters hunting during a special archery season shall hunt any big or trophy game animal in Wyoming without wearing in a visible manner one (1) or more exterior garments which..." |
W.S. 23-3-113(a); WGFC Chapter 2 § 11(a) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
At least one visible fluorescent orange or pink exterior garment is required while hunting big or trophy game; no square-inch minimum is set. Special-archery-season hunters are exempt.
"No person other than archers and crossbow hunters hunting during a special archery season shall hunt any big or trophy game animal in Wyoming without wearing in a visible manner one (1) or more exterior garments which..." |
W.S. 23-3-113(a); WGFC Chapter 2 § 11(a) | Aug 2026 |
Crossbow
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species |
Crossbows need at least a 90 lb peak draw weight and a bolt at least 16 inches long with a broadhead that cannot pass through a 7/8-inch ring when expanded.
"a crossbow having a peak draw weight of at least ninety (90) pounds and a bolt of at least sixteen (16) inches in length equipped with a fixed or expanding point broadhead that when fully expanded cannot pass through ..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 6(c) | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
6 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion |
Muzzleloading rifles and handguns for big game must be at least .40 caliber, firing an expanding bullet or lead ball with a charge of at least 50 grains of black powder or equivalent.
"Any muzzle-loading rifle or any muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent" |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(ii), (b)(ii) | Aug 2026 |
Rifle
22 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Deer, antelope, and mountain lion: centerfire of at least .22 caliber (the .22 Hornet is specifically excluded) with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .22 caliber (excluding .22 Hornet) and having a bullet weight of at least sixty (60) grains and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expandin..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Deer, antelope, and mountain lion: centerfire of at least .22 caliber (the .22 Hornet is specifically excluded) with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .22 caliber (excluding .22 Hornet) and having a bullet weight of at least sixty (60) grains and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expandin..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion |
Deer, antelope, and mountain lion: centerfire of at least .22 caliber (the .22 Hornet is specifically excluded) with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .22 caliber (excluding .22 Hornet) and having a bullet weight of at least sixty (60) grains and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expandin..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Bullets must weigh at least 60 grains for deer, antelope, and mountain lion. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Bullets must weigh at least 60 grains for deer, antelope, and mountain lion. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion | Bullets must weigh at least 60 grains for deer, antelope, and mountain lion. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(b)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion | Big game rifles must fire centerfire cartridges. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion | Expanding-point bullets (designed to create a wound channel larger than the bullet's diameter) are required for big game. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)-(b) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and black bear: centerfire of at least .24 caliber with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .24 caliber and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expanding point bullet, or any other cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one ..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose |
Elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and black bear: centerfire of at least .24 caliber with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .24 caliber and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expanding point bullet, or any other cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one ..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and black bear: centerfire of at least .24 caliber with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length — or any ≥.35-caliber cartridge at least 1.5 inches overall.
"Any center-fire firearm of at least .24 caliber and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in overall length and using an expanding point bullet, or any other cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one ..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(i) | Aug 2026 |
| Wild Turkey |
Wyoming is unusual: turkeys may be taken with any shotgun, any centerfire firearm, a rimfire of .17 HMR or larger (cartridge over 1 inch overall), a muzzleloader, or archery equipment. No shot-size restriction is set.
"For the taking of wild turkey, a hunter shall use any shotgun, center-fire firearm, .17 HMR or larger rimfire firearm with an overall cartridge length greater than one (1) inch, any muzzle-loading firearm, or any arch..." |
WGFC Chapter 32 § 5(b) | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
7 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion | Shotguns for big game must fire 00 or larger buckshot, or a slug. | WGFC Chapter 32 § 4(a)(iii), (b)(iii) | Aug 2026 |
| Waterfowl |
Wyoming statute restrains the Commission from banning lead shot statewide beyond high-density or federally designated zones — in practice, nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl under the federal mandate (50 CFR 20.21(j)).
"The commission shall not ban the use of lead shot except in areas where shotgun shell pellets will exceed twenty thousand (20,000) per acre as determined by sampling methods approved by the commission" |
W.S. 23-1-302(b)(i)-(ii) | Aug 2026 |
Federal rules that apply in every state
These federal requirements apply in Wyoming on top of state law.
Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species.
50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist.
50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules.
50 CFR § 32.2(k)
Sources
WGFC Regulation Chapter 2 — General Hunting Regulation (final Apr 22, 2026)
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission · retrieved August 31, 2026
WGFC Regulation Chapter 32 — Firearm Cartridges and Archery Equipment (adopted Jan 15, 2020)
Wyoming Game and Fish Commission · retrieved August 31, 2026
Wyoming Game and Fish Department — Hunting & Trapping Frequently Asked Questions
Wyoming Game and Fish Department · retrieved August 30, 2026
Wyoming Statutes Title 23 — Game and Fish
Wyoming Legislative Service Office · retrieved August 30, 2026
Sources & methodology
Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.
Legal disclaimer — please read
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.
- Confirm every rule in the current official Wyoming hunting regulations before your hunt.
- Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
- When in doubt, contact Wyoming Game and Fish Department directly.
The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.