Wyoming Elk Hunting: Best Units, OTC vs. Draw, and What a Guided Hunt Costs
Wyoming Elk Hunting: Best Units, OTC vs. Draw, and What a Guided Hunt Costs
Wyoming is elk country at its finest. With a statewide population of approximately 115,000 animals, outstanding public land access across the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests, and some of the most impressive limited-entry draw units in the West, Wyoming offers something for every type of elk hunter — the DIY adventurer willing to grind OTC country and the trophy hunter who's spent years accumulating preference points for a premium draw tag.
Wyoming Elk at a Glance
Wyoming's elk herd is managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) across more than 75 designated hunt areas. The state is divided into general (OTC) and limited-entry hunt areas — understanding which is which determines your entire planning approach.
Trophy quality is exceptional across multiple regions. The Jackson Hole area consistently produces 350"+ bulls; the wilderness units of the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone regularly yield 300–340" six-point bulls. Even in OTC general units, a mature 5×5 or 6×6 bull is a realistic outcome with the right effort.
What makes Wyoming special: The combination of vast wilderness public land, aggressive rut behavior in September, and a well-managed herd creates a hunting environment that's world-class for elk — both in trophy quality and sheer hunting experience.
OTC General Units: Where to Start
Wyoming's general elk hunt areas are available to any licensed hunter without entering a draw. These are the entry point for most nonresident Wyoming elk hunters.
Top OTC general hunt areas:
Hunt Area 7 — Medicine Bow National Forest (SE Wyoming) One of Wyoming's most accessible OTC elk areas, Unit 7 in the Medicine Bow offers good elk numbers on a mix of National Forest and state land. Timber country with open parks and meadows — classic rut country in September. Accessible from Laramie and Cheyenne. Expect moderate hunting pressure near roads; backcountry access rewards those willing to hike.
Hunt Area 39 — Bighorn National Forest (N Wyoming) The Bighorns hold excellent elk numbers with a mix of timbered ridges and open grassland parks. Unit 39 is known for consistent bull hunting — not the giant-bull destination of the limited-entry units, but solid for mature 5×5 bulls with moderate pressure. Accessible from Sheridan and Buffalo.
Hunt Area 63 — Bridger-Teton National Forest (W Wyoming) One of Wyoming's premier general units — rugged, remote, and holding good bull numbers. The Gros Ventre and southern Bridger-Teton drainages in Unit 63 offer spectacular scenery and classic Wyoming elk hunting. Backcountry packing experience is an advantage here.
Hunt Area 110 — Bridger-Teton / Green River drainages (SW Wyoming) Large, remote unit with excellent elk numbers and lower hunting pressure due to limited access. Horse or mule packing is the preferred access method for the best backcountry elk hunting. Unit 110 holds some of the best OTC bull hunting in the state for hunters willing to commit to a wilderness-style hunt.
Limited-Entry Draw Units: Wyoming's Crown Jewels
Wyoming's limited-entry (LE) hunt areas require drawing a tag through the annual license preference point system. These are the most coveted elk tags in the state — and many hunters consider them among the best in North America.
Hunt Area 62 — Jackson Hole / National Elk Refuge (NW Wyoming) This is the most famous elk hunt area in Wyoming. Unit 62 encompasses the National Elk Refuge and surrounding Bridger-Teton country near Jackson — the winter range for the Jackson Hole elk herd, one of the largest migratory elk herds in North America. Bulls in Unit 62 are among the largest in Wyoming, regularly exceeding 360–380+ inches. Draw odds: 8–15 preference points for archery, 10–20+ points for rifle in the most competitive seasons.
Hunt Area 100 — Teton Wilderness (NW Wyoming) The Teton Wilderness is a 585,000-acre roadless area adjacent to Yellowstone — one of the most pristine wilderness elk hunting environments in the country. Unit 100 holds exceptional trophy bulls and very low hunting pressure. Pack-in only; no motorized access. This tag is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Draw odds: 10–15+ preference points.
Hunt Area 101 — Upper Yellowstone River (NW Wyoming) Bordering Yellowstone National Park, Unit 101 holds elk that summer in the park and migrate out during hunting season. Some of the largest bulls in the state come from this unit — animals that spend summers in the sanctuary of Yellowstone growing massive antlers. Draw odds: 8–15 preference points.
Wyoming Elk License Costs (Nonresident)
Hunting elk in Wyoming as a nonresident requires:
- Wyoming hunting license: $15
- Nonresident elk license (general): $572
- Conservation license (required): $15
- Total base cost: approximately $602 nonresident
Limited-entry draw tags (for Units 62, 100, 101, and other premium areas) carry the same base fee structure plus application fees. Applications are submitted through the WGFD licensing system — the annual draw deadline typically falls in January/February for the following season.
Preference point system: Wyoming uses a preference point system (not a bonus point system like Colorado) — the hunter with the most points has the best odds in the draw. Building points costs $15–$25 per year depending on the species. Plan on 2–10 years of preference point accumulation before drawing premium limited-entry elk tags depending on the unit.
Best Seasons: Archery vs. Rifle
Archery season (September 1–30): September archery is Wyoming's premier elk hunting window — the rut begins in earnest during mid-September, with bulls bugling, thrashing brush, and responding to calls. This is the most exciting and dynamic elk hunting available. OTC archery tags are available for general units; limited-entry archery tags for premium units require the draw.
Rifle seasons (October–November): Wyoming's rifle elk seasons are structured by hunt area, with most running in late October through mid-November. The peak breeding rut is typically over, but bulls are still active and transitioning toward winter range — making glassing open country and identifying travel corridors the primary tactics.
Rut timing specifics: The bugling peak in Wyoming typically falls September 15–28. The first cold nights in mid-September trigger the most aggressive rut behavior.
Guided vs. DIY Cost Comparison
DIY Wyoming elk hunt:
- License + conservation fee: ~$602 NR
- Tags (preference points accumulated over prior years)
- Gear, vehicle, fuel, camping: $500–$1,000
- Meat processing (if needed): $200–$400
- Total DIY: $1,500–$3,000 for an OTC general unit hunt
Guided Wyoming elk hunt:
- Fully guided archery or rifle hunt in OTC or private-land units
- Typical pricing: $5,000–$8,000 for a 6–7 day guided OTC archery or rifle hunt
- Limited-entry guided hunts (Units 62, 100, 101): $8,000–$12,000+
- Includes: guide service, camp meals and lodging, spike camps, meat processing, trophy care
- Excludes: license/tags, travel to Wyoming, tips
The math for limited-entry draws often favors hiring a guide — an outfitter who knows Unit 62 elk movements, has horses/mules for access, and has guided the unit for 10+ years is worth every penny on a once-in-a-decade tag opportunity.
What to Look for in a Wyoming Elk Outfitter
Wyoming requires nonresident hunters on public land in wilderness areas to be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter or resident companion. For most nonresident hunters accessing the best backcountry elk country, hiring a licensed outfitter is both practical and required.
Key checklist for Wyoming elk outfitters:
- Wyoming outfitter license. Verify with the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides (wyo-ogb.state.wy.us). Any legitimate operation will have a license number.
- Specific unit history. An outfitter who has guided the same unit for 5–10+ years knows elk movement, water sources, and calving/rutting areas in a way that no newcomer can replicate. Ask how long they've been guiding their specific unit.
- Horse/mule access for wilderness country. The best OTC backcountry in Wyoming (Units 63, 100, 110) requires pack stock to access. An outfitter with horses gives you a decisive advantage over foot hunters.
- Transparent success rates by unit and weapon type. Ask for harvest rates separately for archery and rifle hunts, and specifically ask about mature bull harvest rates (5×5 or better).
- Written hunt agreement. Deposit schedule, included services, cancellation policy, and what happens in bad-weather years.
Ready to Hunt Wyoming Elk?
WildTag lists guided elk hunting outfitters across Wyoming — from general unit OTC archery specialists to limited-entry trophy rifle operations near Jackson Hole.