Any hunter who dreams of wide-open spaces and herds of plentiful big game will find that their hunting dreams lead to Wyoming. The state is a huge, high plateau broken by many wild, remote mountain ranges. Elk, mule deer, grizzlies, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep inhabit the high country of mountain ranges such as the Wind River and Teton ranges in the west, the Big Horns in the northcentral, and the Snowy Range in the south. The sweeping high plains of Wyoming are covered with cattle and cowboys, and the productive rangeland is shared with impressive herds of pronghorn antelope, deer, and elk. Wyoming’s most sought-after game animals are pronghorn, elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. The state also offers hunts for bighorn sheep, bison, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, mountain goats, turkeys, and upland birds. Elk are plentiful on public and private lands in both mountains and plains regions. Mule deer are found throughout the state, both on the plains and in the mountains, while whitetails are plentiful in the Black Hills region in northeastern Wyoming and in many farming areas and creek bottoms around the state. But Wyoming is best known for its pronghorn—more commonly called “antelope.” Wyoming has more pronghorn antelope than anywhere else on the North American continent, and success rates for hunters exceed 85 percent. Most Wyoming hunting is managed via a limited quota system, which means there are a set number of licenses for each hunting area, and hunters have to apply for licenses well in advance of the season. That means planning ahead is a must if you want to hunt in Wyoming. To hunt in Wyoming, you also need a conservation stamp and proof of completing a hunter safety course. Wyoming also requires big-game hunters to wear at least one item of fluorescent orange while hunting. Wyoming has more than 30 million acres of public land, making it a hunter’s paradise. Some of these areas are federally designated wilderness areas, and Wyoming law stipulates that nonresident big game hunters are required to use the services of a professional outfitter or resident guide when hunting in wilderness areas. All outfitters must be licensed by the Wyoming Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides. The Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, www.wyoga.org, is a great source of information on guides and outfitters in Wyoming. For more information on hunting in Wyoming and to apply for a license, contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department: wgfd.wyo.gov.