Wyoming Unit 16 Elk Hunting

Wyoming Unit 16 presents a complex draw scenario for elk hunters, with opportunities ranging from extremely difficult premium bull tags to more accessible cow hunts. Located in south-central Wyoming, this 1,125,083-acre unit spans elevations from 5,267 to 9,123 feet with 55% public land access. The unit offers multiple season types and weapon options, making it essential for hunters to understand the significant differences in draw odds and hunting opportunities across tag types.

Unit 16's diverse terrain and substantial elk population support various hunting strategies, from archery-focused September hunts to extended rifle seasons running into winter months. The unit's moderate public land percentage provides reasonable access, while the absence of designated wilderness areas eliminates concerns about guide requirements for nonresidents. Understanding the draw dynamics and season structures is crucial for hunters considering this unit, as the differences between tag types can mean the difference between virtually guaranteed tags and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

HuntPilot Analysis

Unit 16 represents a mixed opportunity for elk hunters depending on tag choice and residency status. For Wyoming residents, the unit offers reasonable odds on some tag types, while nonresidents face extremely challenging draws on premium bull tags but find accessible options in cow categories.

Residents enjoy the best opportunities with Type 4 and Type 7 cow tags showing 100% or near-100% draw rates. Type 6 cow tags require more patience at 39% resident draw rates, while the premium Type 1 and Type 2 either-sex tags remain challenging at 9-11% draw rates. These either-sex opportunities provide genuine trophy potential but require patience even for residents.

Nonresidents face a stark reality check on premium tags. Type 1 and Type 2 either-sex hunts essentially require 17-18+ preference points in the regular draw, with only 1-2% aggregate odds. The Special draw improves prospects slightly but still demands exceptional point accumulation. The Type 2 nonresident regular draw showed 0% success in 2025, effectively making it a points-only proposition.

The bright spot for nonresidents lies in cow hunting opportunities. Type 4 cow tags show strong draw prospects with 31% general draw rates and excellent preference point odds starting around 1-2 points. Type 7 cow hunts offer even better prospects at 56% nonresident draw rates. These cow opportunities provide legitimate hunting experiences with reasonable success rates, making them viable options for hunters seeking Wyoming elk hunting without decade-long point accumulation.

Success rates across tag types reveal productive hunting. Type 1 and Type 2 either-sex hunts produced 68-69% success rates in 2025, indicating quality hunting opportunities for those who draw. Cow hunts showed more variable success, with Type 4 at 53% and Type 7 at 57%, while Type 6 came in lower at 35%. These rates suggest the unit maintains healthy elk populations across season dates.

Draw Odds & Tag Availability

Unit 16's draw odds vary dramatically by tag type and residency. For 2025, Wyoming residents faced 9% draw rates on Type 1 either-sex tags with 1,976 applicants competing for 183 tags. Type 2 either-sex tags offered slightly better 11% resident odds with 703 applicants and 77 available tags.

Nonresident hunters encounter severe competition on either-sex tags. Type 1 nonresident general draw applicants faced brutal 1% odds with 471 applicants for only 3 tags. The preference point pool for Type 1 showed 2% aggregate draw rates, but individual point level analysis reveals the true picture: hunters needed 17-18+ points for reliable draws, with 17.5-point holders achieving 100% success rates.

Type 2 nonresident odds proved even more challenging, with 0% success in the general draw despite 452 applicants for 2 tags. The preference point system for Type 2 required 18+ points for reliable success, with 56% draw rates at 18 points improving to 100% at 19 points.

Special draw options provide alternative pathways but still demand significant point investments. Type 1 Special preference point applicants saw 7% aggregate draw rates, with reliable draws requiring 16+ points. Type 2 Special preference point odds reached 12% aggregate rates, offering somewhat improved prospects over regular preference point pools.

Cow hunting presents dramatically different odds. Type 4 tags delivered exceptional opportunities with residents enjoying 100% draw rates and nonresidents seeing 31% general draw success. The Type 4 preference point system strongly favors applicants, with 1+ point holders achieving 76% draw rates and 2+ point holders reaching 100% success.

Type 6 cow tags showed moderate difficulty with 39% resident draw rates and 19% nonresident odds. Type 7 cow hunts offered the most accessible nonresident opportunity at 56% draw rates, making them attractive options for hunters without extensive point accumulation.

Season Dates & Weapon Types

For 2026, Unit 16 offers diverse season structures accommodating various hunting preferences and weapon types. Type 1 archery either-sex seasons run September 1-30 with 275 total quota. Type 2 archery either-sex hunts share the same September 1-30 dates but with reduced 125 quota, creating tighter tag availability.

Cow hunting seasons provide extended opportunities. Type 4 rifle seasons span September 1 through January 31, offering hunters maximum flexibility across fall and early winter months. Type 4 archery seasons focus on September 1-30, aligning with peak elk activity periods. The generous 300-tag quota for Type 4 hunts supports the favorable draw odds.

Type 6 seasons maximize hunting opportunity with rifle seasons running August 15 through November 30 and archery options during September 1-30. The 300-tag quota maintains accessibility while spreading pressure across the extended season framework.

Type 7 hunts provide additional cow opportunities, though specific 2026 season dates weren't detailed in available data. Historical patterns suggest these hunts typically occur during shoulder seasons, providing hunters with alternative timing options.

The September archery window coincides with peak elk bugling activity, making it attractive for hunters seeking active elk behavior. Extended rifle seasons through winter months allow hunters to target elk during various behavioral phases, from early fall patterns through winter concentration areas.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 16 demonstrates solid harvest success across multiple tag types based on 2025 harvest data compiled by HuntPilot. Type 1 either-sex hunts produced 68% hunter success with 170 elk harvested by 248 hunters. Type 2 either-sex opportunities showed comparable 69% success rates, with 70 elk taken by 102 hunters.

Cow hunting success varied by tag type and timing. Type 4 cow hunts resulted in 53% success rates with 148 elk harvested by 277 hunters. Type 7 cow seasons achieved 57% success with 82 elk taken by 143 hunters. Type 6 cow hunts showed lower 35% success rates with 92 elk harvested by 263 hunters.

The 2024 Type 2 season demonstrated exceptional performance with 82% success rates, suggesting year-to-year variation in hunting conditions and elk behavior. This variability indicates hunters should prepare for diverse scenarios while maintaining realistic expectations based on multi-year averages.

Success rate patterns reflect both elk populations and hunting pressure dynamics. Either-sex hunts consistently achieving 68-69% success rates indicate healthy bull populations and productive hunting opportunities. Cow hunt variation suggests seasonal timing and weather conditions significantly impact harvest success across different hunt structures.

These success rates compare favorably to many Wyoming elk units, particularly considering the draw difficulty on premium tags. Hunters drawing either-sex tags can expect legitimate opportunities for success, while cow hunters face more variable prospects depending on specific tag types and seasonal conditions.

Trophy Quality

Unit 16 demonstrates strong trophy potential based on historical record-book data from Carbon County, which comprises 89% of the unit area. The area has produced trophy-class elk consistently across multiple decades, with record entries spanning from 1929 through 2022.

Trophy production appears to be declining from historical peaks. Pre-2000 entries averaged higher scores with maximum entries reaching exceptional levels, while recent decades show sustained but reduced trophy production. The 2010s and 2020s maintained consistent trophy-class animal harvests, indicating ongoing but potentially diminished trophy potential compared to historical standards.

Recent record-book entries from 2013-2022 demonstrate the area's continued ability to produce trophy-class bulls. The consistency of entries across recent years suggests trophy opportunities remain available for successful hunters, though the highest-scoring animals may be less common than in previous decades.

The unit's either-sex hunting opportunities, particularly Type 1 and Type 2 tags, provide the best access to potential trophy animals. However, the extremely difficult draw odds mean most hunters will never access these premium opportunities. Hunters who do secure either-sex tags enter areas with documented trophy potential but should maintain realistic expectations about encountering record-book animals.

Trophy potential in Unit 16 requires balancing opportunity costs against draw odds. While the area has demonstrated trophy production, the years required to accumulate sufficient points for either-sex tags may offset trophy-seeking goals for many hunters.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Unit 16's elk herd shows positive demographic indicators based on wildlife survey data from 2021-2024. The four-year average bull-to-cow ratio of 65 bulls per 100 cows indicates a healthy breeding population with good bull survival rates. This ratio exceeds management targets in most western elk units and suggests balanced harvest management.

The 65:100 bull-to-cow ratio supports both hunter opportunity and herd productivity. Adequate bull numbers ensure breeding success while providing hunting opportunities across various tag types. This demographic balance contributes to the unit's ability to support both either-sex and cow-only hunting seasons.

Survey consistency across four years indicates reliable population monitoring and stable herd dynamics. The multi-year average provides confidence in herd assessment rather than single-year anomalies that can skew population understanding.

Harvest data alignment with population surveys suggests sustainable hunting pressure. Success rates in the 35-69% range across different tag types indicate elk availability while maintaining population stability. The combination of healthy bull-to-cow ratios and moderate harvest success suggests the unit maintains productive elk populations.

Population trends support continued hunting opportunities across tag types. The demographic balance allows wildlife managers to offer both trophy-focused either-sex seasons and recruitment-conscious cow hunting, maximizing hunter opportunities while maintaining herd health.

Access & Terrain

Unit 16 encompasses 1,125,083 acres with 55% public land access, providing reasonable hunting opportunities across diverse terrain. Elevations ranging from 5,267 to 9,123 feet create varied habitat supporting different elk behaviors and hunting strategies throughout the season.

The moderate public land percentage requires hunters to secure private land permissions for comprehensive unit coverage. However, the substantial public acreage provides access to significant elk habitat without private land requirements. The absence of designated wilderness areas eliminates guide requirements for nonresidents, reducing hunt costs and complexity.

Elevation diversity supports elk movement patterns across seasons. Lower elevations provide winter habitat and shoulder season opportunities, while higher country offers summer range and early season hunting prospects. This vertical habitat diversity contributes to the unit's ability to support hunting from August through January across different tag types.

Terrain variation accommodates different hunting styles and weapon preferences. The elevation range supports both archery hunting in timbered high country and rifle hunting across varied landscapes. Extended seasons allow hunters to adapt strategies as elk move through seasonal habitat transitions.

Access planning should account for the mixed public-private land pattern. Hunters benefit from detailed mapping and landowner contact to maximize hunting area availability. The significant public land base provides backup options when private access proves unavailable.

How to Apply

For 2026, Wyoming elk applications open January 2 with a deadline of February 2 for nonresidents and June 1 for residents. Nonresident application fees are $15 per species, with preference point fees of $52. Tag fees vary significantly by license type: nonresident general elk licenses cost $288, special licenses cost $692, and super special licenses cost $1,950.

Residents pay $5 application fees with tag fees of $43 for Type 4 tags and $57 for other license types. The extended resident application deadline through June 1 provides additional planning time compared to the February nonresident deadline.

Nonresidents can purchase preference points only through November 2, extending beyond the application deadline for those not applying for current year hunts. The current maximum point holders possess 19 preference points, indicating the system's maturity and competitive nature.

Point deadline dates allow strategic point accumulation for hunters planning future applications. The November deadline provides flexibility for hunters deciding between applying for tags or building points for future years. Understanding these timing differences helps optimize long-term draw strategies.

Application strategy should account for the dramatic odds differences between tag types. Nonresidents face decade-plus point accumulation for either-sex tags but can access cow hunting opportunities with minimal point investment. Residents enjoy better overall odds but still face competitive draws on premium either-sex tags.

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

How hard is it to draw Wyoming Unit 16 elk tags? Draw difficulty varies dramatically by tag type and residency. Nonresidents need 17-18+ preference points for either-sex tags with only 1-2% aggregate draw odds. Residents face 9-11% odds on either-sex hunts. Cow tags offer much better prospects, with nonresident Type 4 tags showing 31% draw rates and Type 7 tags reaching 56% odds.

What are the success rates for Unit 16 elk hunting? Success rates range from 35-82% depending on tag type and year. Type 1 and Type 2 either-sex hunts consistently produce 68-69% success rates. Type 4 cow hunts show 53% success, Type 7 cow hunts achieve 57% success, while Type 6 cow hunts had 35% success in 2025.

When do Wyoming Unit 16 elk seasons run? For 2026, archery either-sex seasons run September 1-30. Type 4 cow rifle seasons span September 1 through January 31, while Type 6 cow rifle seasons run August 15 through November 30. Archery cow seasons typically occur during September 1-30 across tag types.

Is Unit 16 a good choice for nonresident elk hunters? Unit 16 works best for nonresidents seeking cow hunting opportunities or those with 17+ preference points targeting either-sex tags. Type 4 and Type 7 cow hunts provide reasonable draw odds with decent success rates. Either-sex hunting requires exceptional point accumulation but offers genuine trophy potential for patient hunters.

What is the public land access like in Wyoming Unit 16? The unit contains 55% public land across 1,125,083 total acres, providing substantial hunting access without private land requirements. Elevations range from 5,267 to 9,123 feet with no designated wilderness areas, eliminating guide requirements for nonresidents. Hunters should prepare for mixed public-private land patterns requiring strategic access planning.