Nonresident Elk Tag Costs by State
A nonresident elk tag is one of the biggest line items in a Western hunt. Here's what the tag costs in each state we track, starting at $651.75 in Idaho — with how the draw works and the fewest points it takes to draw.
| State | NR elk tag | Draw system | From (pts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $651.75 | controlled-hunt random draw | — |
| Wyoming | $692Regular | preference points (special/Type-1 draw) | 1 |
| New Mexico | $773Standard | random draw (no points) | — |
| Colorado | $845.16bull/either-sex/cow combo | preference points | 0 |
| Utah | $849 | bonus points | 1 |
| Montana | $1,112Elk Combination | bonus points | — |
Tag prices are the nonresident elk tag/combination as published by each state; always confirm the current license, application, and habitat fees with the state agency before applying.
Cost isn't the whole picture
The cheapest tag isn't always the cheapest hunt. A lower-priced tag in a hard-to-draw state can mean years of point-building before you ever hunt, while a pricier tag you can draw now puts you in the field this season. Weigh the tag price against how many points it takes to draw — both are in the table above.
Open any state to see every unit's draw odds, success rate, and harvest history before you commit your application.
Plan your elk hunt
Compare draw odds across states and track application deadlines so you never miss a window.
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