Wyoming Unit 38 Moose Hunting Guide

Wyoming Unit 38 represents one of the state's premier moose hunting destinations, spanning over 2 million acres of diverse terrain in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This massive unit encompasses elevations ranging from 6,545 feet in the valley floors to 11,924 feet in the high country, creating the varied habitat that supports Wyoming's robust Shiras' moose population. With 45% public land access and minimal wilderness restrictions at just 2% of the unit, hunters have substantial opportunities to pursue these magnificent animals across accessible terrain.

The unit's location in northwestern Wyoming places it within prime moose habitat characterized by willow-lined creek bottoms, aspen groves, and mixed conifer forests. This diverse ecosystem supports not only healthy moose populations but also provides the thermal cover and forage necessary for year-round moose survival. The relatively low wilderness percentage means that most hunting opportunities remain available to DIY hunters without guide requirements, making Unit 38 an attractive option for self-guided moose pursuits.

HuntPilot Analysis

Unit 38 deserves serious consideration from moose hunters who have accumulated sufficient preference points. The harvest data from HuntPilot reveals consistently strong success rates, with hunters achieving 85-96% success over the past four seasons. In 2022, hunters reached an exceptional 96% success rate with 51 moose harvested from 53 hunters. Even in the most recent 2025 season, success remained high at 85% with 53 moose taken by 62 hunters.

The unit's trophy potential is particularly noteworthy. Counties overlapping Unit 38 have a strong history of producing trophy-class moose, indicating this area has consistently supported animals capable of reaching exceptional size. Combined with the strong success rates, hunters drawing this unit have excellent prospects for both filling their freezer and potentially harvesting a trophy-quality bull.

From an access perspective, the 45% public land provides substantial hunting opportunities without requiring private land permissions or expensive access fees. The minimal 2% wilderness designation means nonresident hunters can pursue moose throughout virtually the entire unit without Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement that applies to designated wilderness areas.

The primary challenge remains the competitive draw odds typical of Wyoming moose hunting. However, hunters who do secure this coveted tag are entering one of the state's most productive moose units with proven track records for both harvest success and trophy quality.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 38 has demonstrated remarkable consistency in harvest success over recent seasons. The 2025 harvest statistics show 62 hunters participating with 53 successful harvests, producing an 85% success rate. This represents a slight decline from the exceptional performance in previous years but remains well above average for Wyoming moose hunting.

Looking at the four-year trend, 2024 produced 88% success with 52 moose harvested by 59 hunters. The 2023 season achieved 90% success as 45 hunters successfully harvested moose from a field of 50. The standout year was 2022, when hunters reached 96% success with 51 moose taken from 53 total hunters—an exceptional achievement that speaks to both the unit's moose density and habitat quality.

These consistently high success rates indicate several favorable factors working in hunters' favor. The unit's diverse terrain provides multiple hunting strategies, from spot-and-stalk opportunities in open meadows to calling setups near willow-lined creek bottoms. The substantial acreage of over 2 million acres helps distribute hunting pressure while providing moose with ample habitat to support healthy populations.

The slight decline in success rates from 2022's peak of 96% to 2025's 85% likely reflects natural population fluctuations rather than concerning trends. Even at 85%, Unit 38's success rate substantially exceeds many moose hunting opportunities across the West, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for hunters fortunate enough to draw.

Trophy Quality

Unit 38 offers exceptional trophy potential for moose hunters. Counties overlapping this unit have established a strong history of producing trophy-class moose, with consistent records spanning multiple decades. This track record indicates the area's capacity to support bulls that reach exceptional size and antler development.

The unit's diverse elevation range from 6,545 to 11,924 feet creates the varied habitat conditions that promote optimal moose growth. Lower elevation valleys provide rich forage during spring and early summer, while higher elevation areas offer cooler conditions and diverse browse during peak growing seasons. This elevation diversity allows moose to utilize different habitat zones throughout the year, contributing to their overall body condition and antler development.

The combination of excellent habitat, relatively low hunting pressure due to limited tag allocation, and strong genetic stock has produced moose that consistently rank among Wyoming's finest. Hunters entering this unit should prepare for the possibility of encountering truly exceptional bulls, as the area's trophy history demonstrates its capacity to produce record-book quality animals.

Forum reports from successful hunters consistently mention encounters with multiple trophy-quality bulls during their hunts, suggesting that exceptional animals are not isolated occurrences but rather a regular feature of the unit's moose population. This pattern reinforces the area's reputation as one of Wyoming's premier trophy moose destinations.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Wildlife survey data from 2021-2024 reveals interesting insights into Unit 38's moose population structure. The four-year average bull-to-cow ratio stands at 87 bulls per 100 cows, which appears exceptionally high for moose populations. However, this elevated ratio likely reflects small survey sample sizes rather than an actual population phenomenon, as bull-to-cow ratios above 60:100 are extremely unusual in wild moose populations.

Despite the questionable reliability of the specific ratio, the consistent survey effort across four years indicates active wildlife management and monitoring within the unit. State biologists continue tracking population parameters to ensure sustainable harvest levels and maintain the long-term health of the moose population.

The consistently high harvest success rates over recent years suggest stable or healthy population levels. Moose populations experiencing stress typically show declining success rates as animals become more difficult to locate and harvest. Unit 38's maintenance of 85-96% success rates indicates adequate moose density to support current harvest levels.

Environmental factors including winter severity, drought conditions, and habitat changes can influence moose populations significantly. The unit's diverse elevation range provides some buffer against extreme weather events, as moose can move between elevation zones to find optimal conditions. This habitat diversity likely contributes to population stability and the unit's consistent hunting success.

Access & Terrain

Unit 38's 45% public land composition provides substantial hunting opportunities while requiring careful planning to maximize access. Nearly half the unit remains available for DIY hunting without private land permissions, though hunters should expect to encounter checkerboard ownership patterns common throughout Wyoming.

The terrain varies dramatically across the unit's elevation span from 6,545 to 11,924 feet. Lower elevation areas typically feature sagebrush parks, willow-lined creek bottoms, and scattered aspen groves—prime moose habitat that offers relatively easy access and good visibility for spotting animals. Middle elevations transition into mixed conifer forests with dense timber that can make hunting more challenging but provides excellent thermal cover where moose concentrate during warm weather.

High elevation areas approaching the 11,924-foot maximum become increasingly rugged and may require backpack hunting strategies. However, these areas often hold less hunting pressure and can provide opportunities for hunters willing to invest extra effort. The minimal 2% wilderness designation means nonresident hunters can access virtually all terrain without Wyoming's mandatory guide requirements that apply to designated wilderness areas.

Road access varies throughout the unit, with some areas accessible by standard vehicles while others require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Hunters should prepare for potentially long hikes from road access points, as moose often inhabit areas away from main travel corridors. The unit's substantial size of over 2 million acres provides ample opportunities to find less pressured areas for hunters willing to invest effort in scouting and accessing remote locations.

How to Apply

For 2026, Wyoming moose applications open January 2 with a deadline of April 30. Nonresident hunters face application fees of $15, with successful applicants paying $2,752 for the tag itself. No license fee is required to apply for moose in Wyoming. Nonresidents may purchase preference points for $150, with the point deadline of November 2 extending well beyond the application deadline.

Wyoming residents benefit from significantly lower costs, paying just $5 to apply and $152 for successful tags. Resident point costs are $7, making point accumulation much more affordable for in-state hunters. Like nonresidents, Wyoming residents face the same January 2 application opening and April 30 deadline.

The preference point system in Wyoming operates on a true preference basis, meaning applicants with the most points receive priority for available tags. Given the limited tag allocation and high demand, hunters typically need substantial point accumulation before becoming competitive for Unit 38 moose hunts.

For 2028, all applications open January 5 with a deadline of March 1, though specific fee structures for that year are not yet published. Hunters should verify current fees and dates at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website, as dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the state wildlife agency website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Wyoming Unit 38? Unit 38 features diverse terrain spanning 6,545 to 11,924 feet in elevation. Lower areas consist of sagebrush parks and willow-lined creek bottoms ideal for moose habitat, while middle elevations transition into mixed conifer forests providing thermal cover. High elevation areas become increasingly rugged and may require backpack hunting strategies, though the minimal 2% wilderness means most terrain remains accessible without guide requirements.

What is the harvest success rate in Unit 38? Recent harvest data shows consistently high success rates ranging from 85-96% over the past four seasons. The 2022 season achieved an exceptional 96% success rate with 51 moose harvested from 53 hunters, while 2025 produced 85% success with 53 moose taken by 62 hunters. These rates substantially exceed average moose hunting success across the West.

How big are the moose in Unit 38? Counties overlapping Unit 38 have a strong history of producing trophy-class moose with consistent records spanning multiple decades. The unit's diverse elevation range and quality habitat support bulls that regularly reach exceptional size and antler development. Hunters consistently report encounters with multiple trophy-quality bulls during their hunts, indicating exceptional animals are a regular feature rather than rare occurrences.

Is Unit 38 worth applying for? Yes, Unit 38 represents one of Wyoming's premier moose hunting opportunities. The combination of 85-96% success rates, strong trophy potential, and substantial public land access at 45% makes this unit highly desirable. The minimal wilderness restrictions mean most hunters can pursue moose without guide requirements, though the competitive draw odds typical of Wyoming moose hunting require significant point accumulation.

What is the public land access like in Unit 38? With 45% public land, Unit 38 provides substantial hunting opportunities for DIY hunters. However, this means the majority of the unit consists of private land, so hunters should expect checkerboard ownership patterns requiring careful navigation. The minimal 2% wilderness designation ensures nonresident hunters can access virtually all terrain without mandatory guide requirements that apply to Wyoming wilderness areas.