Wyoming Unit 1 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 1 elk hunting sits in the southeastern corner of the state, offering a compact but highly accessible landscape that consistently delivers solid harvest results for both resident and nonresident elk hunters. At just over 64,000 total acres with a remarkable 88% public land composition, this unit stands out as one of the more DIY-friendly elk destinations in Wyoming — a state where public access is often the first barrier hunters have to overcome. Elevations ranging from 3,835 to 6,661 feet mean hunters encounter a diversity of terrain without committing to the grueling high-alpine conditions found in Wyoming's more mountainous elk country.
What makes Unit 1 particularly compelling is its track record of consistent, above-average harvest success. Over the four most recent seasons tracked by HuntPilot, this unit has maintained harvest success rates ranging from 49% to 58% — numbers that significantly outperform the statewide Wyoming average for most elk units. For hunters doing their due diligence before committing application points, these figures tell a real story about elk density and huntability in this part of the state.
No wilderness acreage exists within Unit 1's boundaries, which simplifies logistics considerably. Wyoming law requires nonresidents to hire a licensed outfitter when hunting designated wilderness areas, but that restriction does not apply here — nonresident DIY hunters can pursue elk throughout this unit without a mandatory guide. That combination of high public land percentage, zero wilderness, and consistent success rates makes this unit worth a serious look for hunters across all residency categories.
Harvest Success Rates
The numbers out of Wyoming Unit 1 are straightforward and encouraging. Over the past four seasons, the unit has produced the following results:
- 2025: 169 hunters, 98 harvested — 58% success rate
- 2024: 163 hunters, 93 harvested — 57% success rate
- 2023: 164 hunters, 81 harvested — 49% success rate
- 2022: 158 hunters, 87 harvested — 55% success rate
The four-year average sits right around 55% overall success, which is a genuinely impressive figure for any elk unit. Notably, hunter participation has remained remarkably stable across this window — between 158 and 169 hunters per season — suggesting that tag quotas have held consistent and demand is well-matched to the resource. The 2023 dip to 49% is the outlier in an otherwise tight performance band; the subsequent rebound to 57% and 58% in back-to-back seasons signals that 2023 was likely a weather or distribution anomaly rather than a structural change in the herd.
For context, a unit where more than half of all hunters go home with an elk is performing at a level that many western hunters spend years of preference points chasing. These numbers represent the full hunter population — not just guided or outfitted hunters — which speaks to the genuine DIY viability of Unit 1.
Trophy Quality
Trophy history in the counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 1 is limited. Hunters targeting this unit should calibrate expectations accordingly: this is not a destination that has established itself as a producer of record-class bulls over time. The landscape — relatively modest in elevation and acreage — simply does not carry the remote, low-pressure character that tends to concentrate big-antlered bulls year after year.
That honest assessment should not discourage hunters who are primarily motivated by consistent harvest opportunity. A 55%+ average success rate in a highly accessible, DIY-friendly unit is a trade-off that many practical hunters will happily accept over a lower-odds draw for a unit with higher trophy ceiling but far fewer tags punched at the end of the season. Trophy-focused hunters who specifically want record-class bull potential will need to look elsewhere in Wyoming's draw system, likely investing more points for premium limited-entry units in the northwest or central portions of the state.
Herd Health & Population Trends
While Unit 1 does not have detailed wildlife survey data included in HuntPilot's structured dataset for this review, the harvest numbers themselves offer meaningful insight into herd condition. Stable hunter counts combined with a multi-year pattern of above-average success rates suggest a population that is supporting consistent harvest pressure without apparent decline. The jump from 81 harvested in 2023 to 98 in 2025 — across nearly identical hunter pools — indicates improving or rebounding elk density rather than a herd under stress.
The relatively low elevation ceiling of 6,661 feet means Unit 1 elk are likely year-round or near-year-round residents rather than high-country migrants. This can work in hunters' favor during the draw season, as animals are not displaced by early-season snowfall to the degree that higher-country elk populations might be.
Access & Terrain
With 88% of Unit 1 in public ownership and zero designated wilderness, this unit is as logistically clean as Wyoming elk country gets. The vast majority of huntable terrain is open to any licensed hunter without the need for landowner permission or outfitter arrangements. The remaining 12% private land may create some boundary awareness requirements but does not meaningfully restrict access across the overall unit.
Elevations from 3,835 to 6,661 feet place Unit 1 firmly in the transitional zone between plains and mountain terrain. Hunters can expect rolling terrain, mixed sagebrush-grassland habitat transitioning into timbered ridges and drainages as elevation increases. This type of country is generally accessible without pack animals or specialized backcountry gear, making it well-suited to hunters operating from trucks and day packs rather than multi-day spike camps.
The modest total acreage — just over 64,000 acres — means the unit is compact enough to learn thoroughly in a few days of scouting. Hunters who invest pre-season time understanding where elk transition between feeding and bedding areas, and how those patterns shift through the season, will be in a strong position given the unit's size and openness.
Because no wilderness exists within this unit, nonresident hunters are not subject to Wyoming's mandatory outfitter requirement that applies in designated wilderness zones. This is a meaningful distinction for DIY nonresidents who want to plan an independent hunt without the added cost and logistics of an outfitted trip.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 1 Worth Applying For?
For most hunters, the answer is a qualified yes — but the reasoning depends heavily on what they are looking for.
Resident hunters have the most clear-cut case. With application fees starting at just $5, tag fees in the range of $43–$57, and no license fee required to apply, the cost of entry is low. The consistent 55%+ success rate means residents who draw here have a genuinely strong chance of filling a tag in accessible, predominantly public terrain. This is a solid middle-of-the-road unit — not the trophy destination that takes a decade of points to access, but also not a consolation-prize tag where success feels like luck.
Nonresident hunters face a higher cost structure. Application fees of $15, tag fees ranging from $288 to $1,950 depending on hunt type, and an optional $52 point fee reflect the tiered nonresident pricing Wyoming uses across its system. Nonresidents should research current draw competitiveness carefully using HuntPilot's unit page at /states/wy before committing points. The high success rates make this unit genuinely attractive, but nonresidents will want to verify whether the draw is achievable within their current point status.
Trophy hunters specifically should temper expectations. Limited trophy history in the area means this is not a destination for hunters targeting a record-class bull as the primary objective. The value proposition here is opportunity and success probability, not antler size.
DIY nonresidents specifically benefit from the absence of wilderness within the unit — there is no guide mandate, and with 88% public land, self-guided hunters can access the vast majority of elk habitat on foot from public access points.
Overall, Unit 1 is a practical, high-success elk unit that rewards hunters prioritizing meat in the freezer and genuine DIY accessibility over remote wilderness adventure or record-book trophy aspirations.
How to Apply
Wyoming operates a true preference point system for nonresident elk, meaning higher point holders are drawn first when quotas are limited. Residents do not accumulate preference points for elk — resident draws are handled without a points-based priority system.
2026 Application Details
Resident elk applicants (2026):
- Application opens: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 1, 2026
- Application fee: $5
- Tag fee: $43 (lower tier) or $57 (upper tier, depending on hunt type)
- License fee required to apply: $0.00
Nonresident elk applicants (2026):
- Application opens: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: February 2, 2026
- Point fee deadline: November 2 (for hunters purchasing points only, not applying for a tag)
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fee: $288, $692, or $1,950 depending on hunt type
- License fee required to apply: $0.00
- Point fee: $52
Note that nonresident applicants face an earlier deadline (February 2) compared to residents (June 1) — a common Wyoming structural difference that nonresidents must plan around.
2028 Application Details
For the 2028 season, the application deadline for all hunters is March 1, 2028, with applications opening January 5, 2028.
Wyoming elk draw applications are submitted through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's online licensing system. Hunters should create or verify their account, check point balances if applicable, and confirm that their preferred hunt codes are correctly entered before submitting. Full current-year draw reports and point summary data are available through HuntPilot at /states/wy.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Wyoming Unit 1 for elk hunting?
Unit 1 covers a compact 64,348 acres at elevations ranging from 3,835 to 6,661 feet. The landscape is transitional — expect rolling sagebrush and grassland country at lower elevations transitioning into timbered drainages and ridges as elevation increases. There is no designated wilderness within the unit, and 88% of the acreage is public land, making it one of the more accessible elk units in Wyoming for DIY hunters. Pack animals and technical backcountry gear are generally not required.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 1?
Harvest success in Unit 1 has been consistently strong. Over the four most recent seasons: 58% in 2025 (98 of 169 hunters), 57% in 2024 (93 of 163), 49% in 2023 (81 of 164), and 55% in 2022 (87 of 158). The four-year average is approximately 55%, which is well above average for Wyoming elk units and reflects a healthy, accessible elk population in a huntable landscape.
How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 1?
Trophy history in the counties overlapping Unit 1 is limited. This is not a unit with an established record of producing exceptionally large bulls, and hunters should set expectations accordingly. Unit 1's strength is consistent harvest opportunity and DIY accessibility — not trophy ceiling. Hunters specifically targeting record-class bulls will likely need to invest more points and look at more remote, lower-pressure units elsewhere in Wyoming.
Is Wyoming Unit 1 worth applying for?
For hunters prioritizing a high probability of success in accessible, predominantly public terrain, yes — Unit 1 is worth serious consideration. The multi-year success rate averaging around 55%, combined with 88% public land and zero wilderness (meaning no mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents), makes this a standout option for practical DIY elk hunters. Trophy-focused hunters may find better options elsewhere in the state, but for anyone whose primary goal is filling a tag in accessible Wyoming elk country, Unit 1 delivers a strong value proposition.
Can nonresident hunters hunt Wyoming Unit 1 without a guide?
Yes. Wyoming's mandatory outfitter requirement applies only to nonresidents hunting in designated wilderness areas. Unit 1 contains zero designated wilderness, so nonresident hunters are not legally required to hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter or guide. With 88% public land throughout the unit, nonresident DIY hunters can access the vast majority of elk habitat independently. This makes Unit 1 one of the more approachable options in Wyoming for unguided nonresident elk hunters.