Where hunting as an out-of-state visitor will cost you the most
Western states with premium big game opportunities tend to charge premium prices for non-resident hunters. If you're planning an out-of-state hunt, knowing the true costs upfront helps you budget properly and avoid sticker shock. We've ranked the most expensive states based on total non-resident costs including licenses, tags, and required fees.
Most expensive non-resident big game package in the nation
Montana's Big Game Combo at $1,278 includes deer and elk tags, but that price tag is the highest you'll find anywhere. The state justifies it with 30+ million acres of public land and world-class hunting opportunities. Residents pay just $26 for a license that includes their tags.
Trophy elk with limited non-resident allocation
Nevada caps non-resident tags at just 10% of the total, making draws extremely competitive. The $1,200 elk tag price reflects the premium placed on Nevada's trophy-quality animals. Bonus points help, but expect a multi-year wait.
Guide requirement adds thousands more
Alaska's $1,000 brown bear tag is just the start. Non-residents must hire a registered guide for brown bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goat hunts. Total costs with guide services, bush plane transport, and logistics easily exceed $15,000-25,000.
38% fee increase hit hard in 2025
Washington implemented a massive 38% fee increase effective July 2025. Non-resident big game packages now exceed $1,000 for the first time. The state cited declining license sales and increased management costs as justification.
SB8 drove major 2025 fee increases
Utah passed SB8 in March 2025 with significant non-resident fee increases. General elk permits jumped to $849, and deer permits hit $599. Limited entry tags for trophy units cost even more. Utah produces legendary mule deer and elk, but you'll pay for the privilege.
Remote access adds massive expense
Beyond the $800 tag cost, most quality Alaska moose and caribou hunting requires bush plane access. Budget $3,000-8,000 for air transport alone, plus equipment for a remote wilderness hunt. DIY hunts are possible but challenging.
Base license alone costs more than most states
Montana's base non-resident hunting license runs $744 even before you add tags. Residents get their deer and elk tags included for just $26. That 28-to-1 price ratio is one of the widest gaps between resident and non-resident pricing.
Popular OTC archery options still available
Colorado's $711 non-resident elk tag hurts, but the state offers over-the-counter archery elk in many units. That means you can actually get a tag without playing the draw game. Add the $101.54 license and $50 preference point application fee, and costs approach $900.
Points system penalizes missed years
Wyoming's $692 elk license comes with a catch: miss two consecutive application years and you lose ALL accumulated preference points. The 75/25 draw system means 25% of tags go to random applicants, giving newcomers a chance.
OTC tags still available in many units
Idaho rounds out our top 10 with elk tags at $651.75 for non-residents. The silver lining: general elk tags remain available over-the-counter for many units, and Idaho uses random draws with no preference points required.
Different goals call for different destinations. Here are our top recommendations by category.
Highest Base Cost
At $1,278 for the Big Game Combo, Montana tops all states. That said, you get deer and elk included, plus access to 30 million acres of public land.
View Montana license detailsWorst Value for Money
The 10% non-resident quota means you'll likely pay for years of bonus points before drawing. Total investment can exceed $5,000 before you ever hunt.
View Nevada license detailsMost Hidden Costs
Tag prices look reasonable until you factor in mandatory guide requirements and bush plane access. Real costs are 10-20x the tag price.
View Alaska license detailsSteepest Recent Increase
The July 2025 38% fee increase pushed Washington past the $1,000 threshold for non-resident big game.
View Washington license detailsAll the key metrics in one view. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.
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| MT Montana | $744 | Included | Included | $1,278 combo | Bonus |
| NV Nevada | $155 | $240 | $1,200 | $1,595+ | Bonus (squared) |
| AK Alaska | $160 | N/A | N/A | $1,160+ (bear) | Random |
| WA Washington | $1,000+ | Included | Draw | $1,000+ package | Random |
| UT Utah | $144 | $599 | $849 | $1,592+ | Preference |
| CO Colorado | $101.54 | $411 | $711 | $1,223+ | Preference |
| WY Wyoming | $21.50* | $374 | $692 | $1,087+ | Preference (75/25) |
| ID Idaho | $185 | $371.75 | $651.75 | $1,208+ | Random |
| CA California | $219.81 | $368.20 | Draw only | $588+ | Preference |
| OR Oregon | $193 | $379.50 | Draw | $572+ | Preference |
In-depth breakdowns of our top recommendations with highlights and considerations.
Montana makes no apologies for its non-resident pricing structure. The $1,278 Big Game Combo is designed to manage hunting pressure while funding conservation. Residents hunt for a fraction of the cost, and that's by design. Montana wants non-residents, but not too many of them.
Our Verdict
Montana delivers on its price tag if you're after genuine wilderness hunting. But plan to invest both time (building points) and money. DIY hunts on public land help control costs once you draw.
Utah's March 2025 SB8 fee increases hit non-residents hard. General elk permits jumped to $849 and deer to $599. Limited entry tags for trophy units run even higher. The state produces some of the largest mule deer and elk in North America, and they price access accordingly.
Our Verdict
Utah is for serious trophy hunters willing to invest years of points and significant money for a chance at world-class animals. Casual hunters should look elsewhere.
Colorado's $711 non-resident elk tag and $411 deer tag add up, but the state offers something most expensive destinations don't: over-the-counter opportunity. Archery elk tags are unlimited in many units, meaning you can actually hunt without playing the draw lottery for years.
Our Verdict
Colorado offers the best balance of cost and opportunity among expensive western states. OTC archery elk makes it accessible even without points. Budget around $1,000 total and you can hunt elk this year.
Montana tops the list with its $1,278 Big Game Combo for non-residents. This package includes deer and elk tags, but the base price is still the highest in the nation. Washington recently exceeded $1,000 following their July 2025 fee increase.
Three main reasons: managing hunting pressure on limited resources, funding conservation programs, and ensuring residents get priority access to public wildlife. Non-resident fees help states maintain quality hunting without over-harvesting game populations.
For serious hunters targeting trophy animals or bucket-list hunts, yes. Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado offer hunting experiences you simply can't replicate in lower-cost states. But for casual hunting or tight budgets, plenty of affordable states offer excellent opportunities.
Not necessarily. Price reflects demand and management costs more than guaranteed success. Idaho uses random draws with no preference points and costs less than many competitors. Kansas charges premium non-resident deer prices but produces trophy whitetails. Research specific opportunities rather than assuming price equals quality.
For a DIY public land elk hunt in a western state, budget $2,000-4,000 including license, tags, travel, lodging, and food. Guided hunts typically run $4,000-8,000 for drop camps or $8,000-15,000+ for fully outfitted hunts. Alaska and trophy unit hunts can exceed $20,000.
Colorado and Idaho stand out. Colorado offers unlimited OTC archery elk tags in many units. Idaho has general deer and elk tags available over-the-counter for various units. Both options let you hunt without building preference points, though you'll face more competition.
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High-cost states like Montana, Nevada, and Utah charge premium prices because hunters keep paying them. Trophy-quality animals, vast public lands, and genuine wilderness experiences justify the expense for many. But expensive doesn't always mean better. Colorado's OTC archery elk, Idaho's accessible public land, and even Kansas's trophy whitetails offer excellent value at various price points. Know what you're paying for, build points strategically, and plan multi-year budgets for your western big game goals.
Keep all your licenses organized across expensive and budget states alike. Hunter Passport stores everything offline so you're ready when the warden approaches.