WYElkUnit 39June 2026

Wyoming Unit 39 Elk Hunting Guide

Wyoming Unit 39 elk hunting offers one of the more accessible and productive public land experiences in the state. With 99% public land across 147,285 total acres and an elevation range spanning from 3,626 to 9,954 feet, this unit provides genuine DIY access across a diverse landscape that supports a healthy and huntable elk population. Hunters researching where to put in their Wyoming elk application will find Unit 39 backed by four consecutive years of solid harvest data — not hype, not hearsay, but actual numbers worth analyzing.

This guide is built from structured unit data compiled by HuntPilot, covering harvest success rates, wildlife survey information, trophy history, and application details for resident and nonresident hunters. Whether hunters are deciding whether to apply, comparing this unit against others, or simply trying to understand what the draw commitment looks like, this article covers the ground-level facts needed to make an informed decision.

Harvest Success Rates

The harvest data for Unit 39 tells a consistent and encouraging story. Across four recent seasons, success rates have ranged from 44% to 54% — a level of performance that few public land elk units in Wyoming can match year over year.

Here is the breakdown by year:

2025: 528 hunters, 231 harvested — 44% success
2024: 440 hunters, 237 harvested — 54% success
2023: 495 hunters, 234 harvested — 47% success
2022: 470 hunters, 250 harvested — 53% success

A few things stand out in these numbers. First, the average success rate across all four years sits right around 50%, which is genuinely strong for a Wyoming public land elk unit. Second, hunter participation has fluctuated between 440 and 528, yet harvest totals have remained remarkably stable — ranging only from 231 to 250 animals. This suggests the unit is not heavily pressure-dependent; the elk are consistently accessible regardless of minor year-to-year swings in hunter counts.

The 2025 season showed the highest hunter participation of the four years (528) alongside the lowest success rate (44%), which may reflect some increased demand. However, a 44% success rate is still well above the Wyoming statewide average for most limited-entry elk units. Hunters should not read the slight dip as a red flag — the multi-year trend is what matters, and that trend is solid.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Wildlife survey data from 2021 through 2024 shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 26:100 across four survey years. That figure is worth unpacking honestly.

A 26:100 bull-to-cow ratio is on the lower end of what managers typically target for trophy-quality elk herds. Many quality bull units in Wyoming aim for ratios in the 30–40 bulls per 100 cows range. A 26:100 average indicates that cow numbers are healthy and the herd is productive, but the bull segment is not unusually robust. This is common in units that carry higher hunter pressure or manage for cow harvest alongside bull harvest.

What this means practically: hunters should expect to encounter elk — cows, calves, and bulls — with reasonable regularity. The herd is not sparse. However, mature bulls may require more effort to locate and identify than in units with higher bull-to-cow ratios. This is a numbers game, not a unit in crisis.

The four-year average provides a reliable baseline. Hunters who go into Unit 39 expecting a high-volume trophy bull experience based on herd ratios alone may be disappointed. Hunters who go in expecting a solid opportunity to harvest an elk — including some quality bulls — will find the data supportive of that expectation.

Trophy Quality

Counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 39 carry a moderate trophy history for elk. This is not a unit known for producing exceptional bulls on a regular basis, but trophy-class animals have been taken from this area over the years. Hunters focused primarily on filling a tag and experiencing a Wyoming public land elk hunt will find the unit well-suited to that goal. Those chasing a once-in-a-lifetime bull may want to compare Unit 39's trophy history against more historically productive units before committing application resources.

Given the bull-to-cow ratio data and the unit's accessibility — 99% public land, no wilderness designation, and an elevation range that keeps terrain manageable — this unit receives meaningful hunting pressure across its acreage. That pressure, combined with the moderate bull ratio, tends to limit the number of mature bulls that survive multiple seasons. Trophy potential exists, but it is not the unit's defining attribute.

Access & Terrain

Unit 39 is a DIY hunter's unit in every meaningful sense. At 99% public land and zero wilderness designation, there are virtually no private land barriers to navigate and no Wyoming outfitter requirement triggered by wilderness access rules. Nonresident hunters can plan a fully self-guided hunt without the logistical and financial burden of hiring a licensed outfitter — a significant advantage compared to heavily wilderness-loaded Wyoming units.

The elevation range of 3,626 to 9,954 feet provides genuine habitat diversity. Hunters can expect lower-elevation sagebrush and mixed terrain transitioning into timbered slopes and higher basins as elevation increases. Elk will move through this gradient depending on season pressure, weather, and forage availability. The 9,954-foot ceiling is high enough to hold elk in classic summer and early-fall patterns, while the lower elevation floor ensures the unit doesn't become inaccessible during early-season or late-season hunts when high country may be snowbound.

The absence of wilderness designation means road access is generally more available than in Wyoming's more remote draw units. This makes glassing from roads viable as a scouting strategy and reduces the pack-in logistics burden. For hunters without pack strings or helicopter access budgets, Unit 39's terrain profile is a genuine asset.

At 147,285 total acres with 99% public land, the unit offers approximately 145,000 acres of huntable ground. Spreading 440–528 hunters across that acreage leaves reasonable opportunity for hunters willing to move away from obvious access points and put in the boot work.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 39 Worth Applying For?

The honest answer for most hunters is yes — with clear-eyed expectations about what this unit delivers.

Unit 39 is a consistency unit, not a trophy factory. Four years of 44–54% success rates on a 99% public land canvas with no wilderness complications is a genuinely appealing package. Hunters who have burned years building points chasing elite trophy units may look at this data and see an opportunity to tag out at a realistic clip while enjoying a legitimate Wyoming elk experience.

For resident hunters, the draw commitment here is meaningful to evaluate against the OTC general tag option. Wyoming residents can buy general elk tags over the counter for many areas of the state, so the calculus of using a limited-entry application on Unit 39 should be weighed against what the general tag areas offer in comparable country. If Unit 39's access profile and harvest numbers are better than a hunter's nearby OTC options, the application makes sense.

For nonresident hunters, Wyoming elk is always a draw — there is no OTC path. The question becomes how Unit 39 stacks up against the full range of drawable nonresident options. The combination of 99% public land, no guide requirement, ~50% average success, and manageable terrain makes Unit 39 a legitimate target for nonresidents who want a realistic shot at elk without a multi-decade point commitment or a mandatory outfitter bill. Hunters should check HuntPilot's unit page for current draw competitiveness data before applying, as nonresident draw pressure varies year to year.

For trophy-focused hunters who are building a points strategy around a once-in-a-lifetime bull, Unit 39's moderate trophy history and modest bull-to-cow ratio suggest other units may be a better use of accumulated preference points. This unit rewards hunters who want to hunt elk — not necessarily hunters who want to maximize bull score probability.

Bottom line: If a hunter's primary goal is a successful Wyoming elk hunt on accessible public land with reasonable draw expectations, Unit 39 deserves serious consideration. If the primary goal is a record-class bull, the data points toward other units.

How to Apply

Wyoming elk applications are processed through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department draw system. Hunters should apply directly through the WGFD online licensing portal.

2026 Application Details

Resident Elk:

Application opens: January 2, 2026
Application deadline: June 1, 2026
Application fee: $5
Tag fee: $43 or $57 depending on hunt type
License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)

Nonresident Elk:

Application opens: January 2, 2026
Application deadline: February 2, 2026
Point deadline: November 2
Application fee: $15
Tag fee: $288, $692, or $1,950 depending on hunt type
Point fee: $52
License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)

Note the significantly earlier nonresident deadline (February 2) compared to the resident deadline (June 1). Nonresident hunters who miss the February deadline forfeit their application opportunity for that year. The November point deadline is a separate date for hunters who only want to purchase a preference point without applying for a specific hunt.

2028 Application Details

Application opens: January 5, 2028
Application deadline: March 1, 2028

Wyoming's elk draw for nonresidents does not use a preference point system in the same way as deer or pronghorn — nonresident elk draws are competitive but structured differently. Resident hunters should be aware that Wyoming does not use preference points for elk draws — the draw system for elk operates without accumulated point advantages for residents.

For current draw odds and unit-specific competitiveness data, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page at /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 39?

Unit 39 spans an elevation range of 3,626 to 9,954 feet across 147,285 acres. The terrain transitions from lower-elevation sagebrush and mixed open country to timbered mid-elevation slopes and high alpine basins near the upper range. The unit has no designated wilderness, which generally means better road access than Wyoming's more remote units. The vast majority of the unit — 99% — is public land, making it highly navigable for self-guided hunters.

What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 39?

Recent harvest data shows strong and consistent success. In 2022, hunters posted a 53% success rate (250 of 470 harvested). In 2023, that figure was 47% (234 of 495). In 2024, success climbed to 54% (237 of 440). In 2025, 44% of 528 hunters tagged out (231 harvested). The four-year average sits near 50%, which is above average for Wyoming public land elk units.

How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 39?

Counties overlapping Unit 39 carry a moderate trophy history. Trophy-class bulls have been harvested from this area over the years, but the unit is not consistently recognized as an elite trophy producer. The average bull-to-cow ratio of 26:100 across 2021–2024 survey data suggests a healthy but not bull-heavy population. Hunters focused on meat and experience will find the unit well-suited to their goals; hunters targeting a record-class bull will find stronger historical performance in other Wyoming units.

Is Wyoming Unit 39 worth applying for?

For hunters prioritizing a realistic, high-success elk experience on 99% public land with no outfitter requirement and manageable terrain, Unit 39 is a strong candidate. The four-year harvest average near 50% is difficult to dismiss. Hunters chasing elite trophy potential may find other units a better fit given the moderate bull-to-cow ratios and moderate trophy history. The unit is particularly well-suited for nonresidents who want a DIY-friendly Wyoming elk hunt without the wilderness guide requirement that burdens many other draw units. For current draw competitiveness, check the HuntPilot Wyoming page at /states/wy.

Do nonresidents need an outfitter to hunt Wyoming Unit 39?

No. Because Unit 39 has 0% designated wilderness, Wyoming's mandatory outfitter law — which requires nonresidents to hire a licensed guide when hunting in designated wilderness areas — does not apply here. Nonresident hunters can plan and execute a fully self-guided DIY hunt across the unit's 99% public land without any legal obligation to hire an outfitter or guide. This is a meaningful practical and financial advantage for nonresidents comparing Unit 39 against wilderness-heavy Wyoming units.

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