Wyoming Unit 24 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 24 elk hunting draws consistent interest from both resident and nonresident hunters looking for a high-success, high-public-land option in Wyoming's diverse elk country. Sitting between 6,169 and 9,229 feet in elevation and covering just under 435,000 acres, Unit 24 offers a substantial footprint of huntable terrain. With 94% public land, DIY hunters can access nearly every corner of this unit without worrying about locked gates or permission requests — a genuine rarity in the West. For hunters doing their research before committing application points or fees, the data paints a clear picture of what to expect here.
Unit 24 carries no designated wilderness, which simplifies access logistics considerably. Nonresident hunters are not subject to Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement that applies in wilderness areas, making this a legitimate DIY option for out-of-state hunters willing to put in the legwork. The unit spans a meaningful elevation range — over 3,000 vertical feet from valley floor to ridgeline — meaning hunters can find both accessible lower-country terrain and demanding high-country elk habitat depending on their preference and physical ability.
This article draws on harvest data, wildlife survey information, and application details compiled by HuntPilot to give hunters a data-grounded assessment of Unit 24.
Harvest Success Rates
Wyoming Unit 24's harvest record over the past four seasons is one of the most consistent in the state. The numbers speak for themselves:
| Season | Hunters | Harvested | Success Rate | |--------|---------|-----------|--------------| | 2025 | 420 | 216 | 51% | | 2024 | 423 | 251 | 59% | | 2023 | 416 | 202 | 49% | | 2022 | 386 | 197 | 51% |
The four-year average sits right around 52% — a number that stands out in Wyoming's draw system. Statewide, many limited-entry elk units hover in the 30–45% success range depending on the year; Unit 24's track record consistently exceeds that threshold. The best year on record in this window was 2024, when 251 of 423 hunters tagged out at a 59% rate. Even the lower end — 2023's 49% — represents a near-coin-flip success rate for hunters who drew the tag.
Hunter participation has remained stable, ranging from 386 to 423 hunters over this four-year window, suggesting consistent tag allocation and steady demand. This is not a unit experiencing dramatic fluctuations in pressure or quota — it's operating in a stable band that gives hunters reasonable confidence the experience in a future season will mirror what the data shows.
Hunters should understand that a 51–59% success rate doesn't mean the hunt is easy. Wyoming elk hunting at this elevation requires physical preparation, navigation skill, and time afield. But compared to units where hunters might grind five days without a legal shot opportunity, Unit 24's historical numbers suggest the elk are consistently present and accessible.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data across four years (2021–2024) shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 31:100 for Unit 24. This is a meaningful benchmark for evaluating herd composition.
A 31:100 bull-to-cow ratio reflects a moderately pressured herd — typical for a unit with a legitimate tag allocation and regular hunting seasons. Ratios in the 25–35:100 range are the norm across most productive Wyoming elk units, and Unit 24 sits within that expected window. Hunters should not read this number as cause for concern; it reflects a hunted population where mature bulls are present but not loafing around every ridge. It takes hunting effort to find them.
What this ratio does suggest is that the herd supports a sustainable harvest. Wyoming Game and Fish manages elk populations with post-season survey targets in mind, and a multi-year average of 31:100 across four survey years indicates the herd structure has been fairly consistent. Dramatic year-to-year swings in bull:cow ratios can signal data reliability issues or major herd disruptions — Unit 24's steady average across four years suggests neither is occurring here.
Hunters looking for a unit where the population data is backed by multiple years of survey work — rather than a single-year snapshot — will find Unit 24's four-year dataset reassuring.
Trophy Quality
Counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 24 carry a moderate history of trophy production. This places Unit 24 in the middle tier of Wyoming elk hunting units — behind the state's most renowned limited-entry trophy hunts, but well above units with sparse or no trophy history.
Hunters pursuing Unit 24 should calibrate expectations accordingly. Trophy-class bulls have been taken from this area, and the unit's history demonstrates it's capable of producing quality animals. However, this is not one of Wyoming's elite, long-wait trophy units where every other hunter walks out with a record-book contender. The realistic expectation for most hunters is a solid mature bull — the kind of animal that represents a legitimate trophy elk hunt without the multi-decade point investment required by the state's most prestigious units.
For hunters whose primary goal is a quality Wyoming elk experience with strong odds of tagging out, Unit 24's moderate trophy potential paired with its 50%+ historical success rate is a compelling combination. For hunters whose singular focus is maximum trophy ceiling, the data suggests investing points in Wyoming's more selective limited-entry areas.
Access & Terrain
At 94% public land across 434,896 acres, Unit 24 is one of Wyoming's most accessible DIY elk units. The sheer proportion of public ownership means hunters can plan camps, access routes, and hunting strategies without the land-ownership puzzle that plagues lower-public-land units. This is a unit where hunters can show up with a map and a pack and realistically execute a self-guided hunt.
The elevation range of 6,169 to 9,229 feet creates a diversity of habitat types within a single unit. Lower elevations tend to hold more open sagebrush and grassland terrain, while mid-to-upper elevations transition into timbered slopes and high basins where elk seek thermal cover and security. This gradient means hunters can choose their level of commitment — road-accessible hunting at lower elevations versus harder-to-reach high country that sees less pressure.
With zero designated wilderness within Unit 24, there are no guide requirements for nonresident hunters — a significant logistical and financial advantage. DIY nonresident hunters can plan and execute this hunt without hiring a licensed Wyoming outfitter, which is not the case in many other Wyoming units with substantial wilderness coverage.
The unit's size — nearly 435,000 acres — means hunters have room to spread out and avoid concentrations of pressure. Hunters willing to put distance between themselves and primary access points will find less-pressured elk and, historically, better odds at mature bulls.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 24 Worth Applying For?
Short answer: Yes — with a clear-eyed understanding of what this unit delivers.
Unit 24 is not Wyoming's trophy crown jewel. It's something arguably more useful for most hunters: a consistent, high-public-land, above-average-success elk unit with a legitimate shot at a quality bull. The four-year harvest record averaging over 52% success across 400+ hunters annually is a data point that should get serious attention. Many hunters spend years accumulating points for units that deliver similar or lower success rates.
The 94% public land figure is nearly unmatched in Wyoming and makes Unit 24 a standout option specifically for DIY hunters. The absence of wilderness removes the mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents, lowering the total cost of this hunt considerably compared to wilderness-heavy alternatives.
The moderate trophy history means hunters should come in expecting a quality mature bull — not a guaranteed record-book entry, but a legitimate, hard-earned Wyoming elk. For hunters who want to hunt Wyoming elk in a unit that will actually give them a realistic chance of filling their tag, Unit 24's numbers make a compelling case.
Hunters with significant point accumulation may want to weigh whether Unit 24 is the best use of those points versus Wyoming's more trophy-selective units. But for hunters early in their point accumulation, or those prioritizing success rate and access over maximum trophy potential, Unit 24 deserves serious consideration.
How to Apply
2026 Application Dates & Fees
For the 2026 season, Wyoming elk applications open January 2, 2026, with a deadline of June 1, 2026 for residents and February 2, 2026 for nonresidents. Hunters should note the nonresident deadline is substantially earlier — missing the February 2 cutoff means waiting another full year.
Resident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $5
- Tag fee: $43 (one tag option) or $57 (second tag option)
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
Nonresident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fee options: $288 / $692 / $1,950 (depending on the specific hunt applied for)
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Preference point fee: $52
- Point deadline: November 2, 2026 (for hunters who want to purchase a point without applying for a tag)
The range in nonresident tag fees reflects the different hunt types available within the unit — hunters should review current Wyoming Game and Fish regulations to understand which tag category applies to their intended hunt.
Wyoming does not use a preference point system for resident elk tags. Resident hunters can apply annually without a points strategy. Nonresidents do accumulate preference points for elk, and points are a meaningful factor in draw probability for competitive hunts.
2028 Application Window
For 2028, the application deadline for all regular hunts is March 1, 2028, with applications opening January 5, 2028. Check the HuntPilot Wyoming state page at huntpilot.ai/states/wy for current draw odds, tag availability, and hunt-specific details before applying.
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 24?
Unit 24 spans elevations from 6,169 to 9,229 feet across nearly 435,000 acres, offering a range of terrain from lower sagebrush and open grassland country to mid-elevation timber and high alpine basins. The unit has no designated wilderness, making it more road-accessible than many Wyoming elk units. With 94% public land, hunters can access virtually the entire unit without private land barriers — a significant advantage for DIY planning.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 24?
Unit 24 has averaged over 52% success across the past four seasons: 51% in 2025 (420 hunters, 216 harvested), 59% in 2024 (423 hunters, 251 harvested), 49% in 2023 (416 hunters, 202 harvested), and 51% in 2022 (386 hunters, 197 harvested). This is among the more consistent success records for a Wyoming limited-entry elk unit and is a primary reason the unit attracts steady applicant interest.
How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 24?
Counties overlapping Unit 24 have a moderate history of producing trophy-class animals. Hunters should expect a realistic chance at a mature bull, and the unit has demonstrated the ability to produce quality elk over multiple decades. It is not Wyoming's top-tier trophy unit, but hunters pursuing a legitimate quality bull — rather than chasing record-book expectations — will find the trophy history here to be credible and consistent with what the unit's success rates suggest.
Is Wyoming Unit 24 worth applying for?
For hunters prioritizing a combination of strong harvest success, excellent public land access, and DIY-friendly terrain, Unit 24 is one of Wyoming's better all-around elk options. The four-year average success rate exceeds 52%, the unit is 94% public land with no wilderness guide requirements for nonresidents, and the trophy history is moderate but legitimate. It is not the unit to apply for if a record-book bull is the only acceptable outcome, but for hunters who want to actually kill a good Wyoming elk, the data strongly supports the application.
Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt Wyoming Unit 24?
No. Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents applies only within designated wilderness areas. Unit 24 contains zero designated wilderness, so nonresident hunters are fully legal to plan and execute a self-guided DIY hunt here. This is a meaningful distinction compared to many Wyoming units that carry significant wilderness acreage and effectively require nonresidents to hire a licensed outfitter.