Wyoming Unit 111 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 111 is a mid-elevation elk unit that draws consistent hunter interest for its accessible public land base and steady harvest record. Spanning 588,540 total acres with 62% public land and zero wilderness designation, this unit sits squarely in the category of huntable ground that DIY hunters can access without hiring a licensed outfitter — a meaningful advantage in a state where wilderness requirements lock nonresidents out of self-guided hunts across large swaths of western Wyoming. Elevation ranges from 5,343 to 8,915 feet, covering a broad cross-section of terrain from foothill sagebrush flats to timbered ridges and alpine transition zones.
For hunters weighing their Wyoming elk options, Unit 111 offers something increasingly rare in the western draw landscape: a unit where harvest success has remained above 35% across four recent seasons. That consistency matters. It tells hunters the elk population is stable enough to sustain meaningful pressure year after year without collapsing into single-digit success rates. This article breaks down what HuntPilot's data shows about Unit 111's harvest history, herd health, trophy potential, and application calendar so hunters can make an informed decision about whether this unit fits their goals.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 111's recent harvest record is one of its strongest selling points. Across four seasons of data, the unit has posted success rates ranging from 36% to 45% — a range that places it well above the Wyoming statewide average for elk.
Here's the complete recent harvest breakdown:
| Season | Hunters | Harvested | Success Rate | |--------|---------|-----------|--------------| | 2025 | 428 | 165 | 39% | | 2024 | 391 | 141 | 36% | | 2023 | 311 | 140 | 45% | | 2022 | 196 | 75 | 38% |
Several things stand out in this data. First, hunter pressure has grown substantially — from 196 hunters in 2022 to 428 in 2025, more than doubling in three seasons. That kind of growth usually puts downward pressure on success rates, but Unit 111's success has held in the upper 30s even as hunter numbers climbed. The 2023 season produced the peak success rate at 45% despite 311 hunters in the field, suggesting the herd was in strong condition that year. The 2025 season absorbed the highest hunter count on record (428) and still delivered 39% success — a meaningful indicator of herd resilience.
The raw harvest numbers also reflect a unit that is producing real elk on the ground. 165 animals harvested in 2025 represents a substantial absolute take. Hunters looking for a unit where they have a legitimate shot at putting meat in the freezer — not just burning a tag in an area with thin numbers — should note those figures.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data from 2021 through 2024 (three surveys over four years) shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 56:100 in Unit 111. For context, ratios in the 40–60 bulls per 100 cows range reflect a reasonably healthy, managed herd with enough mature bulls present to sustain normal breeding activity. Wyoming Game and Fish typically targets bull:cow ratios in the 25–40:100 range for many general units, so a multi-year average near 56:100 is a positive signal — it suggests the unit is not being over-harvested on the bull side, and that breeding-age bulls are present in meaningful numbers.
Three surveys over four years is a reasonable data set for trend assessment. The consistency of the average across those surveys, combined with the stable success rates in the harvest data, paints a picture of a unit that has been managed sustainably through a period of rising hunter pressure. That said, hunters should not interpret a 56:100 average as a guarantee of finding mature bulls on every ridge — this is a population-level metric, and individual hunting experiences vary considerably based on timing, terrain, and pressure distribution across a 588,540-acre unit.
Trophy Quality
The counties overlapping Unit 111 carry a moderate history of trophy records. Hunters should understand an important caveat here: trophy records are logged by county, not by individual hunt unit. Every unit within those same counties shares the same county-level record history, meaning the same records are attributed to multiple neighboring units simultaneously — the animals could have been taken anywhere within those counties.
With that framing in mind, the area's trophy potential falls in the moderate category. The counties hold some history of producing record-class bulls, but this is not a unit widely celebrated as an elite trophy destination. Hunters whose primary goal is a legitimate shot at a record-book-caliber bull will find more compelling options among Wyoming's harder-to-draw, limited-entry units. Unit 111's data profile points more toward consistent opportunity — above-average success rates, accessible public land, and a healthy herd — rather than exceptional trophy ceiling.
That doesn't mean mature bulls are absent. A unit posting a multi-year average bull:cow ratio near 56:100 is carrying some age structure, and any season can produce a quality animal for a hunter who puts in the scouting work and is patient. Hunters setting realistic expectations will do better here than those projecting top-tier trophy potential onto a mid-tier opportunity unit.
Access & Terrain
Unit 111's 62% public land base is a legitimate asset for DIY hunters. With more than half the unit in public ownership, hunters have a functional range of terrain to work without needing to knock on private doors or pay for access. For comparison, many Wyoming elk units sit below 50% public land, where private land fragmentation effectively blocks access to large portions of otherwise huntable country.
The unit carries zero designated wilderness, which is directly relevant for nonresident hunters. Wyoming law requires all nonresidents hunting in designated wilderness areas to be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter or guide. Unit 111's lack of wilderness means nonresidents can legally hunt the entire public land base on a DIY basis — no guide required. This makes it one of the more accessible options in the state for out-of-state hunters who want to self-guide.
Elevation spanning 5,343 to 8,915 feet suggests the unit covers multiple ecological zones. The lower reaches likely hold foothill and sagebrush terrain, while the upper elevations push into timbered country where elk spend summers and transition into during fall hunting seasons. That elevation range gives hunters options — both for locating elk at different points in the season and for adjusting hunting strategy based on conditions. A unit that spans over 3,500 feet of vertical relief typically offers more diverse elk habitat than a purely high-country or purely low-country unit.
The 38% public land that remains in private ownership does create some access complexity. Hunters will need to map the private/public land mosaic carefully to avoid trespassing, particularly in the lower elevations where private agricultural land tends to concentrate. Tools like onX or HuntPilot's unit mapping layer are essential for understanding where public boundaries run.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 111 Worth Applying For?
Unit 111 belongs in the serious consideration set for hunters prioritizing harvest probability and DIY access over maximum trophy potential. The data makes a clear case:
Strengths:
- Four-season success rate range of 36–45%, well above Wyoming's statewide average
- Consistent absolute harvest even as hunter numbers climbed from 196 to 428
- 62% public land with zero wilderness — fully legal for nonresident DIY hunters
- Multi-year average bull:cow ratio of 56:100 suggesting a herd with decent age structure
Considerations:
- Trophy potential is moderate, not exceptional — hunters targeting record-book bulls will find better options in limited-entry units
- Hunter pressure has more than doubled in three years; competition for the best spots will be meaningful at 428+ hunters in the field
- The 38% private land requires diligent mapping to avoid access conflicts
For residents, Unit 111 fits the profile of a dependable draw unit worth applying. For nonresidents, the combination of DIY-legal access and above-average success rates makes this a legitimate option, but hunters should assess current draw competitiveness carefully before committing points — visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page for the most current draw data.
The bottom line: this is not a dream-hunt trophy unit. It is a well-managed, accessible, mid-tier opportunity unit that puts hunters in front of elk at a higher rate than most comparable Wyoming units. For hunters who want to fill a tag and spend time in Wyoming elk country without banking on a once-in-a-decade draw, Unit 111 is a sound investment.
How to Apply
Wyoming's elk draw operates on separate timelines for residents and nonresidents, and 2026 application data is the most current available from HuntPilot.
2026 Resident Application
For 2026, resident applications open January 2, 2026, with a deadline of June 1, 2026. Resident elk hunters have two tag fee tiers available:
- Application fee: $5 | Tag fee: $43
- Application fee: $5 | Tag fee: $57
No separate license fee is required to apply. Wyoming residents should confirm which tag fee tier corresponds to their target hunt type via the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's current regulation booklet.
2026 Nonresident Application
For 2026, nonresident applications open January 2, 2026, with a hard deadline of February 2, 2026 — nearly four months earlier than the resident deadline. Nonresidents must plan accordingly. Three nonresident tag fee tiers are listed in the current data:
- Application fee: $15 | Tag fee: $288 | Point fee: $52
- Application fee: $15 | Tag fee: $692 | Point fee: $52
- Application fee: $15 | Tag fee: $1,950 | Point fee: $52
No separate license fee is required to apply. Nonresidents who wish to apply for preference points only (without applying for a tag) have a November 2, 2026 point-only deadline.
2028 Application Window
Looking further ahead, HuntPilot's data shows the 2028 application deadline is set for March 1, 2028, with applications opening January 5, 2028.
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 harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 111 elk hunting?
Unit 111 has posted elk harvest success rates between 36% and 45% over the four most recent seasons (2022–2025). The 2023 season was the strongest at 45%, while 2024 came in at the low end at 36%. The 2025 season, which saw the highest hunter count on record at 428 hunters, still produced 39% success — an indicator that the unit's herd is holding up under increased pressure. These are above-average success rates for a Wyoming elk unit.
What is the terrain like in Wyoming Unit 111?
Unit 111 covers 588,540 acres with elevations ranging from 5,343 to 8,915 feet. That span encompasses multiple habitat types — lower sagebrush and foothill terrain transitioning into timbered ridges and higher-elevation country in the upper reaches. The unit has no designated wilderness, which keeps it road-accessible for DIY hunters across most of its public land. With 62% public land, hunters have substantial ground to work without requiring private land access, though careful mapping of public/private boundaries is essential.
How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 111?
The counties overlapping Unit 111 carry a moderate trophy history. This is not a unit with an elite reputation for producing record-class bulls, but it does have some history of trophy-class animals in the broader area. Hunters targeting a quality bull should set realistic expectations — the unit's data profile points toward consistent opportunity and above-average success rather than exceptional trophy ceiling. Hunters whose primary objective is a record-book bull will find more compelling options in Wyoming's more competitive limited-entry units.
Is Wyoming Unit 111 worth applying for?
For hunters prioritizing harvest probability and DIY-legal access over maximum trophy size, yes — Unit 111 is worth applying for. The four-season success rate range of 36–45% is well above Wyoming's statewide average. The unit is 62% public land with zero wilderness, making it fully legal for nonresident DIY hunters without requiring an outfitter. The tradeoffs are increased hunting pressure (hunter counts have more than doubled since 2022) and moderate rather than exceptional trophy potential. For hunters looking to fill a tag in accessible Wyoming elk country, this unit fits the bill. Visit HuntPilot's Wyoming page for current draw odds before applying.
What are the application deadlines for Wyoming Unit 111 elk?
For 2026, resident applications open January 2 and close June 1. Nonresident applications open January 2 but close much earlier on February 2 — nonresidents who miss that window have a point-only deadline of November 2, 2026. For 2028, the application window opens January 5 and closes March 1. Always confirm current dates with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, as deadlines are subject to change.