Wyoming Unit 23 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 23 sits in one of the state's more accessible mid-elevation landscapes, spanning 810,587 acres with an elevation range of 5,102 to 8,222 feet. Roughly 54% of the unit is publicly accessible land — a majority share that gives both resident and nonresident hunters a viable DIY footprint, though nearly half the acreage is private and will require permission or creative access planning. With no designated wilderness within unit boundaries, nonresidents face no mandatory guide requirement under Wyoming law, making this a legitimate self-guided option for hunters willing to put in the scouting work.
Over the past four seasons, Wyoming Unit 23 has hosted between 425 and 544 elk hunters annually — a moderately competitive field that reflects genuine hunter interest in the unit. Harvest success has fluctuated in the 38–55% range from 2022 through 2025, which is solid by Wyoming standards and suggests a sustainable elk population with reliable hunting opportunity. Whether this unit belongs in your application strategy depends heavily on your residency, point status, and expectations — and the data tells a nuanced story worth understanding before you commit.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 23 Worth Applying For?
HuntPilot's assessment of Wyoming Unit 23 lands in the "solid opportunity unit" category rather than the trophy-chaser category. Here is the honest breakdown.
Harvest success is real but variable. The four-year trend from 2022–2025 shows meaningful swings: 45% success in both 2022 and 2023, jumping to 55% in 2024, then pulling back to 38% in 2025. That 2025 dip — 204 elk harvested from 544 hunters — is the weakest of the four-year window and worth watching. It could reflect increased hunter pressure as tag allocations expand (more on that below), tougher conditions in a specific season, or early movement out of the unit. One year doesn't define a trend, but hunters targeting this unit should not anchor their expectations to the 2024 high-water mark.
Bull:cow ratios are a concern. The four-survey average from 2021–2024 comes in at 16 bulls per 100 cows. That figure is meaningfully below the 25–30:100 threshold most biologists target for a balanced, huntable herd. Low bull ratios typically point to sustained harvest pressure on bulls, and it suggests hunters will be competing for a thin pool of mature animals. This is not a unit where passive glassing will turn up bulls around every corner.
Tag allocation is expanding on one hunt type. The Type 1 allocation increased 17% from 2025 to 2026, going from 150 tags to 175. Type 4 and Type 6 both hold at 200 tags, and Type 9 remains at 50. That Type 1 increase adds more hunters to the field and, combined with the already-low bull:cow ratio, is something hunters should factor into their hunt-type selection. Units absorbing quota increases often see tighter competition on the ground, particularly during peak movement periods.
Trophy potential is moderate. Counties overlapping Unit 23 carry a moderate history of trophy-class elk, meaning the unit has produced record-caliber bulls but is not among Wyoming's premier destinations for hunters whose primary goal is a wall-hanger. If a mature bull is the mission, hunters should weigh whether limited-entry units with longer point requirements and tighter harvest pressure better match those expectations.
Bottom line: Unit 23 is a legitimate option for hunters prioritizing genuine kill probability over trophy ceiling — particularly residents who can draw tags efficiently. Nonresidents targeting quality bulls will find stronger options elsewhere in Wyoming's limited-entry draw, but those units cost more in both point investment and tag fees. Unit 23 represents a workable middle ground.
Harvest Success Rates
The four-year harvest record for Wyoming Unit 23 provides one of the more complete data pictures available for a Wyoming elk unit.
| Year | Hunters | Harvested | Success Rate | |------|---------|-----------|--------------| | 2022 | 425 | 193 | 45% | | 2023 | 483 | 218 | 45% | | 2024 | 526 | 291 | 55% | | 2025 | 544 | 204 | 38% |
The most notable data point is the contrast between 2024 and 2025. In 2024, 526 hunters produced 291 harvested elk at 55% — the highest success rate and absolute harvest in the four-year window. Just one year later, 544 hunters (18 more in the field) produced only 204 harvested elk, a drop to 38% success. That's a 30% decline in harvest despite a slightly larger hunter cohort.
The longer-term pattern at 45% success in both 2022 and 2023 is probably the most reliable baseline. Hunters should plan around a roughly 40–45% aggregate success expectation, understanding that any given year can swing 10–15 points in either direction based on conditions, weather, and herd dynamics.
Hunter numbers have grown steadily — from 425 in 2022 to 544 in 2025, a 28% increase over four years. As tag allocations continue to expand (particularly Type 1), that upward pressure on hunter numbers is likely to continue, which has implications for per-hunter success.
Trophy Quality
Based on available trophy records from counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 23, the area carries moderate trophy potential for elk. The unit has contributed to the broader trophy record pool over time, but it is not among Wyoming's high-production trophy destinations. Hunters whose primary measure of success is a record-class bull will find more compelling options in Wyoming's most coveted limited-entry units.
For hunters focused on a quality mature bull rather than a record-book entry, Unit 23 can deliver — but the low bull:cow ratio of 16:100 (four-survey average) signals that mature bulls are not abundant. Patience, mobility, and willingness to cover ground will separate successful hunters from those who come up empty.
Herd Health & Population Trends
The wildlife survey data from 2021–2024 paints a cautious picture of the bull segment of the Unit 23 elk herd. The four-survey average bull:cow ratio of 16:100 sits well below the biological targets most state agencies use to maintain a huntable and diverse age structure in bull populations.
A ratio this low generally reflects one or more contributing factors: heavy historic harvest on bulls, accessibility allowing consistent hunting pressure, or herd composition that skews heavily toward cows and calves. With the unit's moderate public land access (54%) and no wilderness buffer to protect bulls from hunting pressure, year-round access likely contributes to sustained harvest on mature bulls.
Hunters scouting Unit 23 should not expect high densities of mature bulls in open terrain. Success in this environment typically requires covering more country, hunting terrain transitions between private and public, and targeting areas with lower competition from other hunters. The unit's elk are there — harvest numbers confirm that — but finding a quality bull demands more from hunters than simply accessing public land.
The sustained hunter interest (483–544 hunters in recent years) also suggests the elk are accessible enough to attract repeat applicants, which cycles back to pressure on the bull segment.
Access & Terrain
At 810,587 total acres spanning 5,102 to 8,222 feet in elevation, Wyoming Unit 23 covers substantial mid-elevation terrain. The unit's elevation band is particularly relevant: the 5,100-foot floor means lower-elevation sagebrush and mixed-grass habitat grades into timbered and higher-elevation terrain approaching the 8,200-foot ceiling. This range supports elk movement across multiple habitat types depending on season, weather, and hunting pressure.
With 54% public land, hunters have access to more than half the unit without additional permissions — but the remaining 46% private land creates meaningful fragmentation in some areas. Effective DIY hunting in Unit 23 requires thorough mapping work to understand where public parcels connect and where private land creates barriers to movement. Hunters who do that homework and are willing to hike away from easy access points will encounter less pressure and better hunting.
There is no designated wilderness within this unit, which has two implications: first, motorized vehicle access is available across most of the public land (subject to specific road and area closures that vary by season and agency order); second, nonresident hunters are not required to hire a licensed Wyoming guide — this is a fully legal DIY option for out-of-state applicants, unlike units with significant wilderness percentages.
The unit's terrain and mid-elevation character mean elk are likely distributed across a mix of drainages, timbered benches, and open parks rather than concentrated in remote backcountry. That distribution pattern rewards hunters with good glass and the discipline to hunt edges and transitions.
How to Apply
Wyoming Unit 23 elk draws fall under two separate application timelines depending on residency.
For 2026 (Resident Elk): Applications open January 2, 2026 and close June 1, 2026. The application fee is $5. Resident tag fees are $57 (one hunt type) or $43 (another hunt type) depending on the specific hunt applied for. No license fee is required to apply, but hunters must comply with all current Wyoming Game and Fish licensing requirements at the time of tag issuance.
For 2026 (Nonresident Elk): Applications open January 2, 2026 with a deadline of February 2, 2026. The application fee is $15 for all nonresident applications. Tag fees vary by hunt type: $1,950 (premium), $692 (mid-tier), and $288 (lower-tier) — these correspond to different hunt designations within the unit. The preference point fee for nonresidents is $52, and the point-only deadline is November 2, 2026 for hunters who want to accrue points without applying for a specific tag this cycle. No license fee is required to apply (license fee is listed at $0.00 in current data).
For 2028: For hunters planning further ahead, applications for the 2028 draw open January 5, 2028 with a single deadline of March 1, 2028 covering all regular hunts.
Wyoming uses a true preference point system for nonresident elk. Points accumulate with each unsuccessful application, and draws for limited-entry units prioritize highest-point applicants. Hunters who are not yet competitive for their target unit can apply for the point only to build position without being placed in a specific draw pool. For current draw odds and point requirements specific to Wyoming Unit 23, visit HuntPilot's Wyoming state 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 23? Unit 23 spans 810,587 acres with an elevation range of 5,102 to 8,222 feet. The terrain ranges from lower-elevation sagebrush and grassland at the base to timbered slopes and higher-elevation parks approaching the 8,200-foot ceiling. There is no designated wilderness, so the country is primarily accessible by motorized vehicles on established roads, with some foot travel required to reach less-pressured areas on the 54% public land base.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 23? Over the four years from 2022 to 2025, success has ranged from 38% to 55%. The two middle years (2022 and 2023) both registered 45%, which is probably the most reliable baseline. In 2025, success dropped to 38% with 204 elk harvested from 544 hunters — the weakest result of the four-year window. Hunters should plan around a 40–45% expectation.
How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 23? Based on trophy records from counties overlapping the unit, elk in Unit 23 carry moderate trophy potential. The area has produced trophy-class bulls over time, but it is not among Wyoming's top-tier trophy destinations. The low average bull:cow ratio of 16:100 (2021–2024 surveys) signals limited density of mature bulls, so hunters prioritizing a record-class animal should research more restrictive limited-entry units.
Is Wyoming Unit 23 worth applying for? It depends on the hunter's goals. For residents seeking genuine kill probability at reasonable cost, Unit 23 is a solid draw — consistent mid-40% success rates with accessible terrain and multiple hunt types available. For nonresidents, the $1,950 tag fee at the premium tier is a significant investment against a moderate trophy ceiling and a bull:cow ratio that raises questions about bull density. Hunters chasing a once-in-a-lifetime bull will likely find better value in high-demand Wyoming units. Hunters who want a realistic shot at harvesting elk in accessible country at reasonable draw investment will find Unit 23 worth serious consideration.
Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt Wyoming Unit 23? No. Wyoming Unit 23 contains no designated wilderness, which means the Wyoming law requiring nonresidents to hire a licensed outfitter for wilderness hunting does not apply here. Nonresidents can legally hunt this unit without a guide, making it a viable DIY option for out-of-state applicants who are willing to do their own scouting and logistics.