Wyoming Unit 22 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide
Introduction
Wyoming Unit 22 is a pronghorn antelope destination that consistently delivers some of the highest harvest success rates in the state. Situated at elevations ranging from 3,926 to 5,426 feet, this unit covers 551,940 total acres of classic high-plains and rolling terrain — the kind of open country where pronghorn thrive and hunters can glass for miles. For hunters doing their research before committing to a draw application, the numbers here are hard to ignore: four consecutive years of harvest data show success rates ranging from 76% to 81%, making Unit 22 one of the more reliably productive pronghorn units in Wyoming.
The critical factor that every hunter needs to understand before applying is the private land situation. Only 19% of Unit 22's total acreage is public land. That means the overwhelming majority of this unit — roughly 81% — is private property. DIY hunters cannot characterize this as an open-access unit. Success here is closely tied to a hunter's ability to secure access, whether through landowner permission, hunting leases, or focusing strategy on the limited public parcels that do exist. Hunters willing to work for that access, however, are rewarded with some of Wyoming's most consistent pronghorn harvest numbers in recent memory.
This article draws on harvest data, wildlife survey results, trophy history, and application details compiled by HuntPilot to give hunters a clear picture of what Unit 22 offers and what it demands.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 22's harvest performance over the last four seasons is a genuine standout. The data tells a consistent story:
- 2025: 703 hunters, 562 harvested — 80% success
- 2024: 755 hunters, 580 harvested — 77% success
- 2023: 878 hunters, 667 harvested — 76% success
- 2022: 899 hunters, 724 harvested — 81% success
Across all four years, success rates never dipped below 76% and averaged roughly 78.5%. That level of consistency is meaningful — it suggests the unit is not a boom-and-bust producer but rather a stable, well-managed hunting area where hunters who put in the work find animals.
It is also worth noting that hunter numbers have declined from a high of 899 in 2022 to 703 in 2025, while success rates have remained strong or improved. Fewer hunters combined with sustained harvest numbers points to a healthy resident pronghorn population absorbing hunting pressure without degradation. This trend is a positive signal for applicants considering Unit 22 as a multi-year option.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data from four survey years spanning 2021 to 2024 shows an average buck-to-doe ratio of 58:100 across Unit 22. For context, a buck-to-doe ratio in this range reflects a reasonably healthy age structure in the breeding population. It is not an extraordinary ratio that signals outstanding trophy quality, but it is solid enough to support consistent recruitment and sustainable harvest at the levels the data shows.
Hunters should interpret this ratio alongside the harvest trends rather than in isolation. The combination of a stable buck-to-doe ratio in the 58:100 range and four consecutive years of 76–81% harvest success suggests a herd that is being managed responsibly — producing enough animals to sustain significant hunter access year after year without population collapse.
Trophy Quality
The counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 22 carry a moderate history of producing trophy-class pronghorn. This is not a unit with an elite or exceptional trophy reputation — hunters targeting the largest bucks in Wyoming typically focus on other units with longer draw timelines and more restricted access. That said, trophy-class animals have been taken from this area, and the herd structure documented in survey data is sufficient to support some quality bucks in a given season.
For most hunters, Unit 22 is better evaluated as a high-success opportunity unit rather than a dedicated trophy draw. Hunters whose primary goal is hanging a pronghorn on the wall and enjoying a productive Wyoming hunt in accessible terrain will find Unit 22 compelling. Hunters chasing a genuinely exceptional buck with the intent of recording it should research units with stronger trophy histories and accept the longer point investment those typically require.
Access & Terrain
Unit 22 sits in the lower-elevation zone of Wyoming pronghorn country, ranging from 3,926 to 5,426 feet. There is no wilderness designation within the unit, which means access is straightforward from a legal standpoint — no guide requirement applies regardless of residency status.
The terrain itself is characteristic of the high-plains pronghorn habitat that Wyoming is known for: rolling ground, open sagebrush flats, and wide viewsheds that favor spot-and-stalk hunting. Pronghorn in this type of country are often visible at long distances, and the absence of heavy timber or steep canyon terrain makes physical access less demanding than many western big game hunts. Hunters in average physical condition can pursue pronghorn in Unit 22 effectively without the demands of high-altitude or backcountry hunting.
The access challenge in Unit 22 is not terrain — it is land ownership. With only 19% public land, DIY hunters must be strategic. The public parcels that do exist are real opportunities, but hunters planning a DIY approach should map public access carefully before the season and identify where pronghorn are likely using those parcels. Hunters who invest time in scouting access boundaries and building relationships with landowners in the region will dramatically improve their odds compared to hunters who show up without a plan.
Nonresident hunters in particular should not assume that the publicly accessible portions of this unit offer unlimited opportunity. Access competition on the limited public ground is real, and private land access will determine whether a hunter sees genuine pronghorn hunting or spends most of their time working around boundary fences.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 22 Worth Applying For?
The honest answer: yes — with realistic expectations about private land access.
Unit 22 earns serious consideration based on its harvest data alone. Four consecutive years of 76–81% success rates are difficult to match in Wyoming pronghorn hunting. The unit is not a lottery-style gamble — it produces harvested animals at a high and consistent rate. The herd appears stable, the terrain is accessible, and the draw is not exclusively the domain of max-point hunters.
The significant caveat is the 19% public land coverage. Hunters who have a plan for access — whether through landowner relationships, a lease, or a detailed strategy for hunting the available public ground — will find this unit genuinely rewarding. Hunters expecting to drive in, park on public land, and wander will face a much more limited experience than the harvest numbers might suggest. The high success rates include hunters with private land access, and that context matters.
For residents, Unit 22 represents a strong draw option where accumulating preference points can improve position in competitive draw years. For nonresidents, the draw is more competitive and the tag fee investment is meaningful — the structured data shows nonresident tag fees ranging from $326 to $1,200 depending on the hunt type, making private land access planning even more critical to justify the cost.
Bottom line: if hunters have access figured out, this is one of Wyoming's better pronghorn units by the numbers.
How to Apply
Wyoming's pronghorn draw is administered through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Applications are submitted online through the agency's licensing system. Below are the application details from the structured data available.
2026 Application Details
Nonresident applicants:
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fees: $326 (standard) or $1,200 (depending on hunt type)
- Point fee: $31
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Applications open: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 1, 2026
- Point-only deadline: November 2, 2026
Resident applicants:
- Application fee: $5
- Tag fees: $37 or $22 (depending on hunt type)
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Applications open: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 1, 2026
- Point-only deadline: November 2, 2026
2028 Application Deadline
For hunters planning ahead, the 2028 application deadline for all regular pronghorn draws is March 1, 2028, with applications opening January 5, 2028.
Wyoming uses a preference point system for pronghorn. Hunters who do not draw a tag can purchase a point-only option before the point deadline to maintain and build their preference point total. This is a meaningful consideration for nonresidents targeting competitive draw units over multiple application cycles.
Note that Wyoming requires a valid license as part of the application — the license fee for pronghorn is listed as $0.00, but hunters should confirm current requirements at the time of application, as this can change. For current draw odds by hunt type in Unit 22, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page for up-to-date data.
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 22 for pronghorn hunting?
Unit 22 spans elevations from 3,926 to 5,426 feet in classic Wyoming high-plains habitat. The terrain is predominantly open rolling country with sagebrush flats and wide sight lines — ideal for spot-and-stalk pronghorn hunting. There is no wilderness within the unit. The primary access challenge is not terrain difficulty but rather the 19% public land coverage, which requires hunters to plan access carefully before the hunt.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 22 for pronghorn?
Harvest success in Unit 22 has been exceptionally consistent in recent years. From 2022 through 2025, annual success rates were 81%, 76%, 77%, and 80%, respectively, across hunter totals ranging from 703 to 899 hunters per season. This multi-year average of approximately 78–79% positions Unit 22 among Wyoming's more productive pronghorn units by harvest performance.
How big are the pronghorn in Wyoming Unit 22?
The counties overlapping Unit 22 have a moderate trophy history. This is not among Wyoming's elite trophy pronghorn destinations, but it is capable of producing quality bucks. Hunters focused primarily on filled tags and consistent action will find Unit 22 well-suited to their goals. Hunters targeting a genuinely record-class buck may want to compare Unit 22 against units with stronger trophy histories, keeping in mind those draws typically require a significantly longer point investment.
Is Wyoming Unit 22 worth applying for?
For hunters who have a realistic plan for accessing land in a unit that is 81% private, yes — Unit 22 is worth serious consideration. The harvest success data is among the strongest available for Wyoming pronghorn, and the herd health indicators support continued production. The unit is not recommended for hunters expecting extensive DIY public land access. Those who have secured or can secure private access will find Unit 22 delivers a high probability of punching a tag.
What does it cost to apply for a pronghorn tag in Wyoming Unit 22 as a nonresident?
For 2026, nonresident applicants pay a $15 application fee plus a $31 point fee if applying for bonus points. Tag fees range from $34 to $1,200 depending on the specific hunt. The license fee is listed at $0.00 as required to apply. Applications open January 2, 2026, with a deadline of June 1, 2026. For current draw odds and to compare specific hunts within Unit 22, hunters should check the HuntPilot Wyoming page at /states/wy or verify directly with Wyoming Game and Fish.