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WYElkUnit 40June 2026

Wyoming Unit 40 Elk Hunting Guide

Wyoming Unit 40 elk hunting attracts a broad cross-section of applicants each season — and for good reason. Sitting within a unit that spans from approximately 3,600 feet to over 10,000 feet in elevation, Unit 40 offers a dramatic range of elk habitat across nearly 300,000 total acres. With 90% of that ground in public ownership, this is one of Wyoming's more accessible elk units for DIY hunters willing to put in the legwork. If hunters are trying to decide whether Unit 40 deserves a spot on their application list, the data below provides a clear-eyed picture of success rates, herd dynamics, trophy potential, and what it costs to play.

Unit 40 carries a significant elevation spread — from roughly 3,600 feet in the lower reaches to just over 10,000 feet at its upper limits — meaning elk move through a wide variety of terrain depending on season and pressure. Lower country tends toward open sagebrush and mixed-grass foothills, while the upper reaches push into timbered slopes and high basins where elk find summer and early-season refuge. That diversity of habitat translates directly into hunting options: hunters can work the lower country as bulls push down from elevation, or commit to more aggressive backcountry pushes into the high ground early in the season when elk are less pressured. With no designated wilderness in the unit, all of this terrain is accessible to both resident and nonresident DIY hunters without any guide requirement.

This article draws on data compiled by HuntPilot, covering four years of harvest returns, four years of wildlife survey data, and current application information for both residents and nonresidents. The picture that emerges is more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no" — and understanding the trends is critical before committing application fees and preference points.

Harvest Success Rates

The harvest data for Unit 40 tells an important story — one of meaningful year-to-year volatility that hunters should understand before anchoring expectations.

In 2023, Unit 40 posted its strongest recent performance with 585 hunters afield and 274 animals harvested, producing a 47% success rate. That is a standout number for a Wyoming elk unit with this level of access. However, the trend since then has moved in the wrong direction. In 2024, 493 hunters participated with 151 harvested — a 31% success rate. In 2025, that figure declined further to 28%, with 469 hunters and only 131 animals taken. The 2022 season sits at 34% success across 614 hunters and 206 harvested.

What does this tell hunters? A few things. First, the 2023 season was likely an outlier — a convergence of favorable conditions, herd distribution, or weather that pushed success rates well above the unit's baseline. Second, the multi-year average across 2022–2025 sits roughly in the low-to-mid 30s in percentage terms, which is a reasonable benchmark for planning. Third, hunter participation itself has declined from 614 in 2022 to 469 in 2025, which suggests either draw competition is shifting or hunters are self-selecting away from this unit based on recent results. The 2025 figure of 28% is the weakest of the four years on record — hunters should enter with realistic expectations rather than banking on a repeat of 2023.

For context, a 28–34% success range in a Wyoming general or limited-entry unit is not unusual. It represents a meaningful harvest challenge, not a sure thing. Hunters who commit to scouting, understand the terrain, and put in physical effort will consistently outperform the average.

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 in Unit 40. That figure is on the lower end of what managers typically target in limited-entry elk units and signals a cow-heavy herd structure. A 26:100 bull-to-cow ratio means bulls are relatively scarce relative to the cow population — which has direct implications for rut competition, hunter experience during the peak September bugling period, and the overall quality of the herd entering any given season.

To put this in perspective: Wyoming Game and Fish managers generally aim for bull-to-cow ratios in the 25–35:100 range for many units, with premium limited-entry units pushing higher. Unit 40 sits at the lower threshold of that range. This does not necessarily indicate a unit in crisis — it may reflect the impact of harvest pressure, weather-driven survey conditions, or natural herd dynamics — but hunters should not expect the density of mature bulls that premium, low-pressure units produce.

The declining success rates from 2023 to 2025 align directionally with what a relatively low bull ratio would predict: when the mature bull component of a herd is thin, hunter success per effort declines. Hunters focused on any-antlered elk will have more opportunities than those holding out for mature 6x6 bulls, and the data suggests adjusting expectations accordingly.

Trophy Quality

Counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 40 carry a moderate history of producing trophy-class elk. This is not one of Wyoming's premier trophy destinations — hunters should not expect the kind of concentrated trophy production that legendary limited-entry units across the state have built their reputations on. However, the area has produced trophy-class animals over time, and a patient, skilled hunter working this unit's best habitat during favorable conditions will encounter bull elk capable of reaching trophy thresholds.

The moderate trophy designation combined with a 26:100 bull-to-cow ratio suggests that while trophy animals exist in the unit, they represent a smaller fraction of the huntable bull population than hunters would find in units managed more aggressively for trophy quality. Hunters whose primary goal is maximum trophy potential should weigh this unit against other Wyoming options. Hunters whose goals center on a genuine DIY public land elk experience with a realistic harvest opportunity will find Unit 40 a credible choice.

Access & Terrain

Unit 40's 90% public land composition is one of its strongest selling points. With nearly 296,000 total acres in the unit and 90% of that open to the public, access barriers are minimal compared to many Wyoming units where private land checkerboards or outright blocks the majority of huntable ground. DIY hunters can move through this unit without constantly worrying about property boundaries cutting off their approach.

The elevation range — 3,628 to 10,162 feet — creates a functional vertical migration corridor for elk. Early in the season, hunters willing to push to upper elevation will find elk in high basins before pressure builds. As the season progresses and temperatures drop, elk naturally move toward lower elevations, concentrating animals in transitional zones where hunters can intercept them with less physical output. Understanding this seasonal dynamic is arguably the most important single factor in Unit 40 hunting success.

The unit contains no designated wilderness, which is significant for a couple of reasons. First, nonresident hunters are not subject to Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement (which applies only inside designated wilderness areas). DIY nonresidents can legally and practically hunt every acre of Unit 40 without hiring an outfitter. Second, the absence of wilderness means that most terrain in the unit is accessible by road or short hike — reducing the logistical barrier of packing deep into roadless country while still offering plenty of elk habitat in the upper reaches.

Terrain in the lower elevations runs toward open sagebrush country and rolling foothills, which rewards spot-and-stalk hunters and those hunting with longer-range setups. Higher ground transitions into timbered slopes and ridgelines where calling and still-hunting become more effective tactics. Hunters should be prepared for a range of physical demands depending on where elk are holding.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 40 Worth Applying For?

The honest assessment: Unit 40 is a legitimate Wyoming elk option for DIY public land hunters, but it carries real caveats that make it less appropriate as a "point burner" for hunters chasing a once-in-a-lifetime bull.

The case for Unit 40:

  • 90% public land makes it one of Wyoming's most accessible units for self-guided hunters
  • No wilderness means no guide requirement for nonresidents
  • Historical success rates have touched 47% (2023), showing the unit can produce under favorable conditions
  • Moderate trophy history means genuine bulls are in the system, even if not in elite numbers

The case against Unit 40 (or for managing expectations):

  • Success rates have declined from 47% in 2023 to 28% in 2025 — a meaningful three-year downward trend
  • A 26:100 average bull-to-cow ratio is on the lean side for hunters specifically targeting mature bulls
  • Trophy quality is moderate, not exceptional — hunters with premium points should consider whether higher-quality alternatives are accessible
  • Hunter participation has declined alongside success rates, which may reflect market feedback on recent hunting quality

For resident hunters looking for a drawable elk tag without committing to years of point accumulation, Unit 40 represents a viable opportunity. For nonresidents, the calculation depends on point investment and goals: hunters with limited points who want a real Wyoming elk experience on public land will find this unit workable. Hunters with significant point banks who are targeting maximum trophy opportunity should look at premium limited-entry units before settling here.

How to Apply

Wyoming operates a preference point draw system for elk, with separate application windows and fees for residents and nonresidents.

2026 Application Details

For the 2026 season, applications open January 2, 2026, with a deadline of February 2, 2026. Nonresidents should note a separate preference point-only deadline of November 2 for those choosing to purchase a point without applying for a tag.

Nonresident fees (2026):

  • Application fee: $15 (required with every application)
  • Tag fee: varies by hunt type — $288, $692, or $1,950 depending on the specific hunt
  • License fee: $0.00 (required to apply — verify current license requirements)
  • Preference point fee: $52 (for point-only applicants)

Resident fees (2026):

  • Application fee: $5
  • Tag fee: $43 or $57 depending on the specific hunt
  • License fee: $0.00 (required to apply — verify current license requirements)
  • Resident applications open January 2 with a deadline of June 1, 2026

2028 Application Window

For hunters planning ahead, the 2028 application deadline for all regular draws is March 1, 2028. Applications for the 2028 draw open January 5, 2028.

For current draw odds by hunt type and point level, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page — draw odds shift year to year based on applicant pools and quota adjustments, and the most current figures will always live there rather than in a static article.

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 40? Unit 40 spans a broad elevation range from roughly 3,600 feet to just over 10,000 feet across nearly 296,000 acres. Lower elevations consist of open sagebrush country and rolling foothills, while upper reaches transition into timbered ridges and high basins. The unit contains no designated wilderness, making it accessible without the logistical challenges of pure backcountry hunting. With 90% public land, access is generally excellent for DIY hunters across the unit's full footprint.

What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 40 elk hunting? Recent years show meaningful variation. The 2023 season produced a 47% success rate across 585 hunters — the strongest recent year on record. That figure declined to 34% in 2022, 31% in 2024, and 28% in 2025. Hunters should plan around a realistic baseline in the high-20s to mid-30s percent range rather than expecting a repeat of the 2023 outlier performance.

How big are the elk in Wyoming Unit 40? Counties overlapping Unit 40 carry a moderate trophy history, meaning the unit has produced trophy-class bulls over time but is not among Wyoming's premier trophy destinations. The 26:100 bull-to-cow ratio recorded across four survey years (2021–2024) indicates a relatively cow-heavy herd, which typically means fewer mature bulls available to hunters than in units managed primarily for trophy quality. Hunters should set realistic expectations — quality bulls are present, but they require effort to locate and are not as densely concentrated as in elite limited-entry units.

Is Wyoming Unit 40 worth applying for? It depends heavily on the hunter's goals and point status. For DIY public land elk hunters — particularly residents and lower-point nonresidents — Unit 40 is a legitimate option with 90% public land, no wilderness guide requirements, and historical success rates that can reach 47% in strong years. For hunters specifically targeting maximum trophy quality or hunting on a significant point investment, the moderate trophy history and declining recent success rates may push the value calculus toward other Wyoming units. Check current draw odds at the HuntPilot Wyoming page to calibrate expectations against current competition for this unit.

Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt Wyoming Unit 40? No. Wyoming's mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents applies only inside designated wilderness areas. Unit 40 contains no designated wilderness, so nonresident hunters can legally pursue elk throughout the entire unit on a DIY basis without hiring a licensed Wyoming outfitter. This makes Unit 40 significantly more approachable for self-guided nonresident hunters than many of Wyoming's wilderness-heavy units.

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