Wyoming Unit 124 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 124 elk hunting draws attention from both resident and nonresident hunters looking at a large, mostly public landscape with a strong recent run of harvest success. Spanning 1,836,547 acres with elevations ranging from 6,059 to 8,743 feet, this unit offers a mix of accessible terrain without any wilderness designation complicating logistics for nonresident hunters. With 71% public land, the majority of Unit 124 is open to hunters without needing to negotiate private access — a meaningful advantage for anyone planning a self-guided hunt.
What separates Unit 124 from many other Wyoming elk units is the combination of consistently strong harvest numbers and a tag quota structure that has been expanding rather than shrinking. Hunters researching this unit on HuntPilot will find a unit that rewards those who draw a tag with a legitimate shot at putting an elk on the ground, backed by data across multiple recent seasons.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 124's harvest data over the past four seasons shows a unit that consistently produces for hunters who draw tags. In 2025, 276 hunters harvested 220 elk for an 80% success rate. That followed an even stronger 2024 season, when 198 hunters harvested 162 elk for an 82% success rate — the high point of the four-year stretch. Going back further, 2023 saw a dip to 64% success (160 hunters, 102 harvested), while 2022 landed at 75% success (153 hunters, 114 harvested).
The trend line here is notable: hunter numbers have climbed steadily from 153 in 2022 to 276 in 2025, and success rates have largely kept pace, with three of the last four years landing at 75% or better. That's a strong overall track record for a unit of this size, and it suggests Unit 124 is neither overrun nor underperforming — elk are there in sufficient numbers to support both a growing hunter pool and success rates well above what many western elk units produce.
Trophy Quality
Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 124 show a moderate history of producing trophy-class elk. This isn't a unit with a heavy, decades-long pedigree of exceptional bulls, but it isn't devoid of trophy potential either. Hunters should treat this as a unit where mature bulls are present and attainable, without expecting it to compete with Wyoming's most storied trophy country. As with any unit assessment based on county-level record data, these entries are shared with neighboring units, so Unit 124 shouldn't be viewed as uniquely responsible for that trophy history — but it is part of a broader landscape that has produced quality animals over time.
Given the moderate trophy designation paired with strong harvest success, Unit 124 looks like a unit better suited to hunters prioritizing a high-probability elk hunt over a unit chosen purely as a trophy destination.
Access & Terrain
With 71% of Unit 124 in public ownership, DIY hunters have substantial room to operate without leaning heavily on private land access or paid landowner programs. The elevation band — 6,059 to 8,743 feet — points to a unit that doesn't demand the same high-altitude conditioning required in some of Wyoming's more mountainous elk country. This is moderate-relief terrain rather than extreme alpine country, which tends to make the unit more approachable for hunters without prior high-elevation experience.
Zero percent wilderness designation means there are no Wyoming outfitter-mandated wilderness access restrictions to plan around in this unit. Nonresident hunters do not need to arrange for a licensed guide here on the basis of wilderness regulations, which simplifies logistics considerably compared to units carrying significant wilderness acreage. That said, hunters should still expect a mix of terrain types across nearly 1.84 million acres — this is a large unit, and scouting specific drainages, elevation bands, and public-land pockets before the season matters. HuntPilot's map tools, including public land overlays, can help hunters identify likely access points and terrain features worth glassing ahead of opening day.
HuntPilot Analysis
Unit 124 presents a compelling case for hunters weighing where to apply. The core strength here is opportunity: an 80% success rate in 2025 and 82% in 2024 put this unit well above what many hunters experience in more competitive or trophy-focused Wyoming units. Even accounting for the softer 64% success year in 2023, the overall four-year average points to a unit where drawing a tag translates into a real chance of filling it.
The tag quota trends reinforce this picture. Type 4 tags increased from 100 in 2024 to 150 in 2025 and again to 200 in 2026 — a 33% jump in the most recent year alone. Type 6 tags doubled from 25 in 2024 to 50 in 2025. Type 1 tags have held steady at 100 for both 2025 and 2026 after rising from 70 in 2024. This kind of quota growth, particularly in Type 4 and Type 6, suggests wildlife managers see room for additional harvest pressure in Unit 124 — typically a signal of a healthy, sustainable elk population that can absorb more hunters without collapsing success rates.
For hunters chasing trophy bulls above all else, Unit 124's moderate trophy history means expectations should be tempered. This isn't a unit to burn years of nonresident points on purely for the chance at an elite bull. But for hunters who want a high-probability hunt on a large, majority-public unit with growing tag availability and no wilderness-access complications, Unit 124 earns a place on the shortlist. It's a unit built for filling a freezer and enjoying a good elk hunt in approachable country — not necessarily for chasing a record-book bull.
Residents should also note that Wyoming's resident elk draw doesn't operate on a preference point system, so there's no point-banking strategy to consider — simply apply for the units that fit your goals based on the data available.
How to Apply
For the 2026 season, the state has published more granular fee and date information across tag types. Alternatively, check HuntPilot's Wyoming state page at /states/wy for the latest updates.
Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Wyoming page at /states/wy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Wyoming Unit 124? Unit 124 spans elevations from 6,059 to 8,743 feet across nearly 1.84 million acres, indicating moderate-relief terrain rather than extreme high-alpine country. With no wilderness acreage in the unit, access tends to be more straightforward than in Wyoming units carrying heavy wilderness designations. Hunters should still expect varied terrain across such a large area and are encouraged to use mapping tools to identify specific drainages and public-land access points before the season.
What is harvest success like in Unit 124? Harvest success in Unit 124 has been strong in recent years, hitting 80% in 2025 and 82% in 2024. The unit did see a softer season in 2023 at 64% success, and 2022 came in at 75%. Across the four most recorded years, three of four seasons topped 75% success, making this one of the more productive units for hunters who manage to draw a tag.
How big are the elk in Unit 124? Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 124 reflect a moderate history of trophy production. This suggests mature bulls are present and attainable, but the unit hasn't built the kind of elite, decades-long trophy pedigree found in Wyoming's most renowned elk country. Hunters should view Unit 124 as a solid opportunity unit rather than a dedicated trophy destination.
Is Unit 124 worth applying for? Based on the available data, yes — particularly for hunters prioritizing a high success-rate hunt over a chase for record-book bulls. Strong harvest numbers across multiple recent years, a majority-public land base at 71%, no wilderness-access complications, and rising tag quotas in Type 4 and Type 6 categories all point toward a unit in good shape for hunters wanting a realistic chance to fill a tag. For current draw odds specific to residency and tag type, check HuntPilot's Unit 124 page directly.
Is Unit 124 a good option for nonresident DIY hunters? With 71% public land and 0% wilderness, nonresident hunters can plan a self-guided hunt in Unit 124 without the Wyoming outfitter requirement that applies in wilderness-heavy units. The moderate elevation range also makes the terrain more approachable for hunters without extensive high-altitude experience.