Wyoming Unit 31 Elk Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 31 elk hunting draws serious applicants looking for a high-success, fully accessible public land experience in a mid-elevation landscape. Sitting between 6,033 and 9,150 feet, this 179,514-acre unit offers a diverse range of terrain that holds elk across multiple habitat types throughout the season. With 100% public land and zero wilderness designation, every acre of Unit 31 is open to DIY hunters — residents and nonresidents alike — without any requirement to hire a licensed guide. For hunters who want genuine over-the-counter-style access in a limited-entry framework, Unit 31 checks many of the right boxes.
The unit's recent harvest record is one of the most compelling datasets available for any Wyoming elk unit. Four consecutive years of tracked harvest data show consistent success rates ranging from 55% to 72%, placing Unit 31 well above the Wyoming statewide elk harvest average in most years. That level of performance reflects a combination of good elk numbers, manageable hunting pressure relative to tag supply, and terrain that rewards hunters willing to put in the boot work without requiring technical backcountry skills or pack animals. Unit 31 is the kind of place where a prepared DIY hunter can realistically expect to fill a tag.
This guide pulls data directly from HuntPilot's unit analysis to give hunters a clear-eyed look at what Unit 31 offers — from harvest history to application logistics — so they can make an informed decision about whether this unit belongs in their draw strategy.
Harvest Success Rates
The numbers in Unit 31 speak for themselves. In 2022, 255 hunters took the field and 183 of them filled their tags — a 72% success rate that ranks among the strongest single-year performances for any Wyoming elk unit. In 2023, success held firm at 65%, with 172 of 265 hunters harvesting elk. The 2024 season showed a modest dip to 55% as hunter numbers climbed to 229, and 2025 data shows 139 hunters in the field with 85 harvested — a 61% success rate.
Several patterns emerge from this four-year window. First, success rates have remained consistently above 50% every year, which is a strong floor for a unit with meaningful tag numbers. Second, the drop in hunter counts from 265 in 2023 to 139 in 2025 is significant and likely tied to tag quota adjustments rather than decreased interest. Third, even in the lowest-success year tracked (55% in 2024), the majority of hunters punched their tags — which is more than can be said for many Wyoming units where 30–40% success is considered acceptable.
For hunters evaluating where to invest a tag application, those sustained success numbers carry real weight.
Trophy Quality
Counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 31 carry a moderate history of trophy-class elk production. This is not a unit with an outsized reputation as a destination for record-book bulls, and hunters should calibrate their expectations accordingly. The unit's high success rates and liberal tag structure suggest that hunters are harvesting elk across a broad demographic — bulls of all ages — rather than a management model narrowly focused on growing mature bulls to their maximum potential.
That said, moderate trophy history means the area has produced record-class animals over time. Hunters who are patient, selective, and willing to pass on younger bulls do have a realistic chance at a mature animal. The unit should be approached primarily as a high-probability opportunity tag rather than a once-in-a-lifetime trophy investment. Hunters with limited points or residents looking for a dependable elk season will find this unit more rewarding than those chasing a specific caliber of bull.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data from 2021 through 2024 puts the average bull-to-cow ratio in Unit 31 at 24:100 across four survey years. That figure reflects a herd with a meaningful cow-heavy composition, which is consistent with a unit carrying moderate harvest pressure across multiple years and a management structure that keeps bull numbers at a functional but not exceptional level.
A 24:100 bull-to-cow ratio indicates that the herd is not heavily trophy-managed. Bulls are present in huntable numbers, but the population skews toward cows — a pattern common in Wyoming units with multi-tag structures. From a practical standpoint, this ratio suggests hunters will encounter elk regularly but may need to work to locate mature bulls as opposed to simply finding the nearest herd. Cow sightings will be frequent; targeting bulls requires more intentional glassing and scouting.
The consistent harvest success over four years supports the interpretation that despite the bull-to-cow ratio, hunters are finding and harvesting bulls at a high rate. The herd appears stable and capable of sustaining the current harvest structure.
Access & Terrain
Unit 31 is 100% public land with no wilderness designation — a combination that makes it one of the most accessible configurations available for Wyoming elk hunters. Nonresidents hunting this unit do not need to hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter, as the wilderness guide requirement applies only to Wyoming's designated wilderness areas, and Unit 31 carries none. Every acre of the unit is DIY-legal for residents and nonresidents.
The elevation range of 6,033 to 9,150 feet places most of the unit in mid-elevation terrain, with the upper reaches touching subalpine habitat. This spread suggests a mix of lower sagebrush and grassland transition zones, timbered slopes, and upper-elevation parks and ridges that hold elk at different points in the season. Hunters should expect country that is physically demanding without being technically extreme — the kind of terrain where physical conditioning matters more than mountaineering skill.
The 179,514-acre footprint is large enough to absorb hunting pressure across multiple areas, and with 100% public land access, hunters are not dependent on landowner permission or access agreements. Road-accessible camping and trailhead parking are typical in this type of Wyoming block, allowing hunters to glass from elevated vantage points and plan morning and evening approaches. Stock-assisted hunting is entirely legal in this unit for those who prefer it, but it is not required to reach productive country.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 31 Worth Applying For?
Unit 31 earns a strong recommendation for a specific type of applicant: the hunter who wants a realistic shot at filling an elk tag on public land without committing to a multi-year point grind or hiring a guide. The combination of 100% public access, zero wilderness, and a four-year harvest success rate that has never dipped below 55% makes this unit genuinely exceptional from a probability standpoint.
Residents should seriously consider Unit 31 as a primary draw target, particularly hunters who prioritize tag-in-hand certainty over trophy upside. The resident tag fee structure is reasonable, and the draw accessibility (relative to Wyoming's more competitive limited-entry units) means hunters can realistically plan a season in the near term.
Nonresidents should weigh the full cost picture carefully. With nonresident tag fees ranging from $288 to $1,950 depending on tag type, the financial commitment is substantial — but Unit 31's documented harvest success rates make it one of the stronger value propositions in Wyoming for a nonresident who draws a tag. A unit where 6 in 10 hunters harvest an elk is not a speculative bet; it is a proven production unit.
One important flag for nonresidents and applicants of all types: the Type 4 tag quota was cut 50% from 2025 to 2026 — dropping significantly in total availability. This quota reduction will directly affect draw competition for those hunt types. Hunters should check current draw odds on HuntPilot's Wyoming page before committing their application strategy, as reduced tag numbers mean increased competition in the draw pool.
The Type 1 quota held steady from 2025 to 2026, suggesting those tags remain a consistent allocation. But the Type 4 reduction is a meaningful structural change that any applicant should factor into their planning.
Trophy expectations should remain realistic. This is a moderate-trophy-history unit, not a destination for hunters with a single goal of hanging a record-book bull. It is an excellent choice for hunters who want meat in the freezer and a high-quality DIY experience in proven Wyoming elk country.
How to Apply
2026 Application Details
For 2026, Wyoming elk applications for Unit 31 open January 2 and carry a deadline of February 2 for nonresidents. Resident applications also open January 2 with a deadline of June 1.
Nonresident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $15 (per application)
- Tag fee: $1,950 / $692 / $288 (depending on tag type)
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Preference point fee: $52
Resident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $5 (per application)
- Tag fee: $57 or $43 (depending on tag type)
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
Nonresident hunters who do not draw a tag can purchase a preference point for $52 to maintain or build point status for future draws. The nonresident preference point deadline for elk is November 2, 2026.
2028 Application Calendar
For hunters planning further ahead, the 2028 application deadline for all regular draws is March 1, 2028. Applications open January 5, 2028.
Hunters should note that Wyoming's elk draw for nonresidents operates as a preference point system — points accumulate and improve draw odds over time, making it worth applying or purchasing points even in years when a specific tag is not the primary goal.
For current draw odds, tag quota breakdowns, and year-over-year comparison data, visit HuntPilot's Wyoming unit 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 31?
Unit 31 spans 179,514 acres of 100% public land ranging from approximately 6,033 to 9,150 feet in elevation. The terrain covers mid-elevation sagebrush and grass transition zones at lower elevations, timbered slopes in the middle range, and open parks and ridges approaching the upper end. The unit carries no designated wilderness, making it fully accessible to DIY hunters without technical backcountry requirements. It is physically demanding country but does not require specialized mountain skills or stock animals to hunt effectively.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 31?
Recent data shows consistently strong success rates: 72% in 2022 (183 of 255 hunters), 65% in 2023 (172 of 265 hunters), 55% in 2024 (125 of 229 hunters), and 61% in 2025 (85 of 139 hunters). The four-year average sits above 60%, which is well above typical Wyoming elk hunting benchmarks. Unit 31 is one of the more reliable production units in the state for DIY hunters.
How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 31?
Counties overlapping Unit 31 carry a moderate trophy history. The unit is not known as a destination for record-book bulls, and its high-success, higher-volume tag structure is not oriented toward growing a large percentage of mature, heavily antlered bulls. Hunters should expect a quality, fair-chase Wyoming elk experience with a realistic chance at a mature bull — but trophy-focused hunters with the patience to hold out for the largest animals may find the trophy upside more limited than in Wyoming's more restricted, lower-pressure units.
Is Wyoming Unit 31 worth applying for?
For hunters who prioritize harvest probability and DIY public land access over trophy ceiling, Unit 31 is one of the better options in Wyoming. The four-year harvest record, 100% public land, zero wilderness, and no guide requirement for nonresidents combine into a strong package. The Type 4 tag quota was cut in half from 2025 to 2026, which is an important variable to monitor — but the Type 1 quota held stable. For current draw odds and to evaluate whether this unit fits a specific point level or residency status, check HuntPilot's Wyoming draw analysis at huntpilot.ai/states/wy.
Do nonresidents need to hire a guide to hunt Wyoming Unit 31?
No. Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents applies only to designated wilderness areas. Unit 31 has no wilderness designation, meaning nonresident hunters are fully permitted to hunt the entire unit without hiring a licensed Wyoming outfitter or guide. This makes Unit 31 one of the more accessible limited-entry Wyoming elk units for nonresidents pursuing a self-guided experience on 100% public ground.