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Last checked Oct 28, 2026. We update this page when agencies post, and recheck it monthly.
The rule changes that matter before you apply for 2027, state by state. Every item comes from the agency’s own page, checked Oct 28, 2026. Where an agency has not published next year’s rules, we say so.
Jump to: Wyoming · Montana · Alaska · Texas · Colorado
The short version
- Wyoming moves to three-year seasons starting 2027.
- Montana keeps its 2026 changes for 2027: about 2,500 fewer nonresident deer licenses, most mule deer B licenses private land only.
- Alaska sheep hunters need an orientation course; draw applications close Dec 15, 2026.
- Texas expanded doe days and banned harvest of unbearded hens for 2026-27.
- Colorado has not posted 2027 changes yet.
Wyoming: Confirmed changes for 2027
The biggest structural change on this list. Wyoming Game and Fish is moving big game season setting from every year to every three years.
- Three-year seasons starting 2027. WGFD plans to set big game and small game seasons for 2027 through 2029 in one cycle, keeping flexibility for emergency changes such as severe winters or disease. Quotas, season dates and license types are meant to hold for three years once set.
- Donated licenses capped, effective Jan 1, 2027. WGFD’s governing board approved limiting a recipient to two full-price donated licenses in a five-year period (vote 4-1). Recipients can still apply in the regular draw.
- Disabled hunter rules (Chapter 35). Approved in July 2026: more access to Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge for disabled hunters, streamlined Disabled Hunter Companion Permits, and no age limit for persons with a life-threatening illness.
Watch: The 2027 to 2029 season and quota tables are not posted yet. Watch WGFD’s regulations page before the Jan 2 application opening.
Sources: WGFD, Multi Year Hunt Seasons, Sep 13, 2026; WGFD Regulations (July 2026 updates); WGFD Regulations.
Montana: Confirmed: 2026 rules carry into 2027
Montana sets most big game rules every two years. FWP’s governing board adopted the 2026 and 2027 regulations on Dec 4, 2025, so the changes below apply to the 2027 season too.
- Nonresident deer license cap. The board capped sales of a particular nonresident deer license, which FWP says cuts about 2,500 licenses for nonresidents.
- Most mule deer B licenses private land only in 2026 and 2027.
- Residents limited to three deer licenses, down from eight.
- No let-off limit on hunting bows. The previous 80 percent maximum let-off rule was removed.
- Archery antelope (900-20) quota set at 5,600, with Region 3 split into its own 500-license pool.
Watch: 2027 application dates are not posted. FWP’s next full season setting is for 2028 and 2029.
Sources: FWP Hunting Regulations (2026-2027 cycle); FWP Hunting Regulations.
Alaska: Confirmed for regulatory year 2026-2027
Alaska runs on a July 1 to June 30 regulatory year. These Board of Game changes apply to hunts from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, which includes the draw now open (applications close Dec 15, 2026, 5 p.m. Alaska time).
- Sheep orientation required statewide. You must complete a department-approved hunter orientation course before hunting full-curl rams in any general season harvest ticket hunt from Aug 10 to Sept 20.
- Brown bear bag limits up in Unit 1C (Chilkat Range, residents), Unit 3 (residents) and Unit 5, from one every four regulatory years to one every year. In Units 6, 7, 14C and 15 a wounded brown bear now counts against your bag limit.
- Cow caribou closed for the Western Arctic Herd in Units 22, 23 and southwest 26A, and in Unit 26B remainder.
- Zarembo Island elk (DE324) closed to nonresidents in Unit 3.
- Farewell moose (RM653), Unit 19C: permits now first come, first served, limited number.
- Goats: a wounded goat counts against the bag limit in Units 1, 4 and 5.
- Mountain lion season established in Units 1 to 5.
Watch: The Board of Game meets Jan 22-26, 2027 (Kotzebue) and Mar 19-26, 2027 (Fairbanks). Changes from those meetings would apply to 2027-2028.
Sources: ADF&G 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations (PDF), Major Changes; ADF&G Drawing Hunt Supplements.
Texas: Confirmed for the 2026-27 season
Texas changes take effect each season with the Outdoor Annual. These were adopted Apr 1, 2026 and apply through the 2026-27 season now underway.
- Doe days expanded from 4 to 16 in 21 counties, including Austin, Bastrop, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, Washington and Wilson (some counties only east of IH 35 or north of U.S. 59).
- Unbearded turkey hens off limits statewide; Matagorda and Wharton counties closed to wild turkey hunting.
- Muzzleloader definition updated to allow new muzzleloading technology for white-tailed deer.
- Dove: South Zone regular season starts Sept 1; Special White-winged Dove Days eliminated.
Watch: Changes for 2027-28 are usually proposed in winter and adopted in spring. Nothing for 2027-28 is posted yet.
Sources: Texas Parks and Wildlife, New This Year for Hunting; TPWD news release, Apr 1, 2026; TPWD drawn hunt deadlines.
Colorado: 2027 brochure not out yet
CPW publishes its “What’s New” pages in the Big Game brochure each winter. The 2027 brochure is not posted, so we list only what is already fixed for 2027 in CPW’s five-year season structure.
- 2027 dates fixed under the 2025-2029 season structure: archery deer and elk Sept 2 to Sept 30; muzzleloader and high country deer Sept 11 to Sept 19.
- Unknown for 2027: draw dates, license numbers and any rule changes. We will not guess. The 2026 primary draw closed Apr 7, 2026 for reference.
Watch: CPW’s Big Game brochure and its big game rule changes, which CPW typically posts in winter. We will not guess a date; check CPW’s Big Game page.
Sources: CPW Big Game hunting; CPW 2025-2029 Big Game Season Structure (PDF).
What we checked and what is still unknown
- Verified for the next season: Wyoming, Montana, Alaska (2026-2027 regulatory year), Texas (2026-27 season).
- Not yet published: Colorado 2027 brochure, Wyoming 2027 to 2029 season tables, Texas 2027-28 proposals, any Alaska 2027-2028 Board of Game changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wyoming setting hunting seasons for three years?
Yes. WGFD plans to set big game and small game seasons for 2027 through 2029 in one cycle, with flexibility for emergency changes.
Did Montana change nonresident deer licenses?
Yes. For 2026 and 2027 the board capped sales of a particular nonresident deer license, which FWP says removes about 2,500 nonresident licenses, and made most mule deer B licenses private land only.
Do I need a course to hunt sheep in Alaska?
For 2026-2027, yes for general season harvest ticket full-curl ram hunts from Aug 10 to Sept 20. You must complete a department-approved hunter orientation course first.
What changed in Colorado for 2027?
CPW has not posted its 2027 brochure. Only season dates under the 2025-2029 season structure are fixed so far.
Checked Oct 28, 2026 on official pages of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Summaries are ours; regulations are the agencies’. TagCanyon is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state agency. Always read the official regulations before you hunt.
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