WYElkUnit 113July 2026

Wyoming Unit 113 Elk Hunting Guide

Wyoming Unit 113 sits in the eastern reaches of the state, covering roughly 550,792 total acres at elevations ranging from 4,189 to 5,280 feet. That relatively modest elevation band puts this unit firmly in the lower-foothill and rolling terrain category — a landscape that typically supports year-round elk populations that don't need to migrate far to find winter range. For hunters actively researching Wyoming elk opportunities, Unit 113 represents one of the more intriguing draws in the state's system, with harvest success rates that consistently rank among the highest in any comparable unit.

With 57% of the unit's acreage in public ownership, Unit 113 offers meaningful access for do-it-yourself hunters willing to put in the scouting time. That figure means just over half the unit is huntable without landowner permission, which is workable but not unlimited — roughly 43% of the ground is private, and hunters who can secure permission or work edges between public and private land will expand their options considerably. There is no designated wilderness within Unit 113, which simplifies the access equation for nonresident hunters and removes the Wyoming guide requirement that applies in wilderness areas.

This guide draws on harvest data, application details, and trophy history compiled by HuntPilot to give hunters a clear picture of what Unit 113 actually delivers — and what it takes to get a tag.

Harvest Success Rates

The harvest data from Unit 113 is genuinely impressive by Wyoming standards. Across the four most recent reporting years, success rates have not dropped below 76% — a floor that many hunters would consider a ceiling in other units.

Here's the breakdown:

2025: 419 hunters afield, 349 harvested — 83% success
2024: 140 hunters afield, 122 harvested — 87% success
2023: 196 hunters afield, 154 harvested — 79% success
2022: 190 hunters afield, 145 harvested — 76% success

The multi-year average sits well above 80%, which is exceptional for any elk unit in a western state. The 2025 figures stand out not just for the 83% success rate, but for the substantially larger hunter pool — 419 hunters compared to the 140–196 range in prior years. That jump in hunter numbers is significant context: even with roughly double to triple the pressure, success held strong. That suggests elk numbers in Unit 113 are robust enough to support increased hunting effort without a proportional collapse in harvest rates.

The 2024 season, with 140 hunters and an 87% success rate, represents the peak of this recent run — nearly nine out of ten hunters who entered this unit left with an elk. For hunters evaluating Wyoming draw applications, these numbers deserve serious attention.

Trophy Quality

The counties overlapping Unit 113 carry a moderate trophy history for elk based on available records. This is honest, middle-of-the-road territory — the area has produced trophy-class animals over time, but hunters should not approach this unit expecting the kind of trophy pedigree associated with Wyoming's premier limited-entry units in the northwest corner of the state.

It's worth understanding how to interpret county-level trophy data: records are catalogued by county, not by hunt unit, and every neighboring unit that shares those same counties draws from the same pool of historical entries. A mature bull taken miles away in a bordering unit counts in the same county total. With that caveat in mind, the available history suggests that trophy-class animals have been taken from this area — but they are the exception rather than the rule, and hunters who hunt this unit primarily for trophy quality should calibrate expectations accordingly.

Unit 113 is better characterized as a high-opportunity meat and general harvest unit with occasional trophy upside, rather than a destination unit for hunters targeting record-book bulls specifically. The exceptional harvest success rates reinforce this framing: units that produce high kill percentages year after year typically do so because elk are accessible and relatively numerous — not because bulls are hidden in remote, pressure-free country that allows them to age to full maturity.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The harvest data itself tells a meaningful story about herd health. A unit sustaining 76–87% annual harvest success across multiple consecutive years — with hunter numbers fluctuating between 140 and 419 — is not a unit with population problems. An 87% success rate in 2024 followed by 83% in 2025 even as hunter numbers tripled indicates that the elk population in Unit 113 is either stable or recovering well from harvest pressure.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages Unit 113 with clearly defined population objectives, and the consistent issuance of permits combined with these success rates suggests the herd is meeting or exceeding management targets. Hunters researching this unit can take some comfort in the fact that the recent trend shows no signs of a collapsing harvest rate despite variable tag numbers — a common indicator of herd stress in over-pressured units.

Access & Terrain

Unit 113 spans 550,792 acres at 4,189 to 5,280 feet elevation — a relatively low and consistent elevation band that shapes everything about how hunters should approach this unit. Unlike Wyoming's high-mountain units where elk move vertically with the seasons and hunters need to climb into alpine basins, Unit 113's terrain is characterized by rolling terrain and lower-elevation cover. Elk in this elevation range tend to use a patchwork of timbered draws, creek bottoms, and open flats, often in proximity to agricultural edges where private and public land meet.

With no designated wilderness in the unit, there are no mandatory guide requirements for nonresidents based on land designation alone. DIY nonresident hunters can legally access all public land in Unit 113 without hiring an outfitter — a meaningful distinction from many of Wyoming's more remote units. That said, the 43% private land component means hunters must pay attention to boundaries. Public land access is real but requires navigation around private parcels.

The relatively low elevation also means this unit is generally more road-accessible than Wyoming's backcountry units. Hunters who are not capable of or interested in extended pack-in trips can realistically hunt Unit 113 from a truck camp, making it a more approachable logistical undertaking than a true wilderness elk hunt. Forum accounts note that elk in this unit do move in response to hunting pressure, particularly toward areas with limited hunter access — behavior typical of any unit that sees consistent harvest effort. Hunters who are mobile and willing to push away from easy access corridors will find better opportunity than those who camp on a single spot for the week.

HuntPilot Analysis

Is Unit 113 worth applying for?

The direct answer is yes — with the right expectations clearly in mind.

Unit 113's harvest success rates are among the most consistent in the Wyoming draw system. An 83–87% success rate is not a fluke — it's a pattern built across four consecutive years with meaningfully different hunter pool sizes. For hunters whose primary goal is to fill a tag on a Wyoming elk, this unit delivers at a level that very few others can match on paper.

The trade-off is trophy quality. This is a moderate-trophy-history unit by the available records, and hunters who are specifically chasing a bull that will make record books should be looking at Wyoming's premium limited-entry units rather than Unit 113. But for hunters who want to hunt elk in Wyoming, have a realistic chance of success, and don't want to burn 10–multi-year points on a once-in-a-lifetime tag, Unit 113 is a legitimate and attractive option.

The 57% public land figure makes DIY hunting viable, though hunters should scout carefully given the private land mixed throughout. The absence of wilderness means no mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents. The lower elevation terrain is accessible and realistic for a broad range of hunter fitness levels.

For resident hunters, this unit may draw at more accessible point levels — residents should check current draw data on the HuntPilot Wyoming page for specifics. Nonresidents face a more competitive draw and should evaluate their point standing before committing, but the tag fees and application structure are straightforward.

Bottom line: Unit 113 is a high-success, moderate-trophy unit that rewards hunters who want a realistic harvest outcome over a long-odds trophy gamble.

How to Apply

Wyoming elk tags for Unit 113 are available through the state's limited-entry draw system. Both residents and nonresidents must apply — there are no over-the-counter elk tags available for this unit.

2026 Application Dates & Fees

Nonresident applicants should plan around the following structure for 2026:

Application opens: January 2, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Nonresident application fee: $15
Nonresident tag fees: vary by hunt type — $288, $692, or $1,950 depending on the specific permit
Preference point fee: $52 (for hunters who apply but do not draw)
License fee: $0.00 (required to apply — no separate license purchase required for application)
Point deadline: November 2 (for hunters building preference points without applying for a specific tag)

Resident applicants have a longer window and lower fee structure for 2026:

Application opens: January 2, 2026
Application deadline: June 1, 2026
Resident application fee: $5
Resident tag fees: $43 or $57 depending on the specific permit
License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)

2028 Application Deadline

For hunters planning ahead, the 2028 application deadline for all regular draws is March 1, 2028, with the application window opening January 5, 2028. Always confirm the open date — the window typically opens early in January, but the exact date matters for hunters with automated reminders set.

For current draw odds, point requirements, and unit comparisons, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page at huntpilot.ai/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 113?

Unit 113 sits between 4,189 and 5,280 feet elevation — low by Wyoming standards. The terrain is characterized by rolling country rather than steep alpine topography. Hunters will encounter a mix of timbered draws, open flats, and areas where public and private land share boundaries. This is not a pack-in wilderness unit; the lower elevation and road accessibility make it realistic for hunters who want to run a truck camp rather than a base camp miles from a trailhead. That said, elk respond to pressure and will move into less-accessible pockets as hunting seasons progress.

What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 113?

Recent harvest data shows consistent success rates between 76% and 87% over the 2022–2025 period. In 2024, 122 of 140 hunters harvested an elk — an 87% success rate. In 2025, 349 of 419 hunters were successful at 83%. These are among the highest multi-year averages in the Wyoming draw system and represent a reliable pattern rather than a one-year spike.

How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 113?

Trophy potential in Unit 113 is best described as moderate based on the available records from counties overlapping this unit. The area has a history of producing trophy-class animals, but this is not a premier trophy unit on par with Wyoming's most exclusive limited-entry draws. Hunters targeting the largest bulls in the state should look at units that trade lower harvest success for higher trophy quality. Unit 113 is better suited to hunters who want a high probability of harvesting a legal elk with legitimate, if not exceptional, bull quality.

Is Wyoming Unit 113 worth applying for?

Yes — particularly for hunters who prioritize harvest success over maximum trophy size. A consistent 76–87% success rate over four years, combined with 57% public land and no wilderness (meaning no mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents), makes this unit an honest, achievable Wyoming elk experience. Nonresidents should evaluate how competitive the draw is for their point level; for current draw odds and point requirements, check the HuntPilot Wyoming page at huntpilot.ai/states/wy.

Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt Wyoming Unit 113?

No. Because Unit 113 contains no designated wilderness, the Wyoming state law requiring nonresidents to hire a licensed outfitter/guide does not apply here. Nonresident hunters can legally access all public land in Unit 113 on a DIY basis. The 57% public land figure provides meaningful ground to hunt without landowner permission, though careful attention to boundary lines is essential given the substantial private land component throughout the unit.

← Back to all articles