Wyoming Unit 42 Moose Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 42 is one of the state's consistently productive moose units, covering over 1.25 million acres of diverse terrain that rises from roughly 3,600 feet in the lower reaches to over 13,000 feet at its highest elevations. With 87% of the unit in public hands, hunters have exceptional access to prime moose habitat without the private land barriers that plague so many western hunting units. For serious moose hunters willing to invest the point capital this tag demands, Unit 42 deserves a close look.
Moose hunting in Wyoming is a point-intensive, once-in-a-career endeavor for most hunters. Tags are limited, competition is real, and the commitment — both in points and in the field — is substantial. But Unit 42's track record of consistent harvest success and its broad public land base make it one of the more compelling options in the Wyoming moose draw. This guide pulls from HuntPilot's structured data on Unit 42 to give hunters the full picture before they commit their points.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 42 has posted some of the most consistent moose harvest numbers in recent Wyoming history. The data speaks clearly:
- 2025: 12 hunters, 11 harvested — 92% success
- 2024: 8 hunters, 6 harvested — 75% success
- 2023: 12 hunters, 11 harvested — 92% success
- 2022: 13 hunters, 11 harvested — 85% success
Averaging across four years, Unit 42 hunters have succeeded at a rate well above 85%. That kind of consistency is rare in any big game unit, and it's particularly meaningful for moose — an animal that many hunters only get one realistic opportunity at in a lifetime. The dip to 75% in 2024 coincides with the smallest hunter pool of the four years (8 hunters), suggesting the variation is more about sample size fluctuation than any meaningful decline in moose population or huntability.
It's worth noting that tag numbers in Unit 42 are limited — the unit has hosted between 8 and 13 hunters per year across this dataset. That small pool means the percentage swings somewhat with individual outcomes, but the overall trajectory is strong and consistently above the Wyoming average for moose.
Trophy Quality
Counties overlapping Unit 42 have a limited history of trophy records based on available data. Hunters targeting this unit should approach it as a quality opportunity to harvest a legal Shiras' moose in excellent country rather than as a destination known for producing record-class bulls. Trophy-class animals have been taken from this general area, but they are not the unit's calling card. The honest expectation here is a quality, mature bull in wild Wyoming terrain — which, for most hunters who have spent years accumulating moose points, is exactly what the tag represents.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data from 2021 through 2024 shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 69:100 across four survey years. This is a meaningful data point. A ratio approaching 70 bulls per 100 cows suggests a reasonably well-balanced herd structure — one where bulls are present and accessible to hunters, not hammered down by overhunting or predation pressure to the point of scarcity.
For context, bull:cow ratios in heavily pressured moose units can drop into the 30–40 range, which tightens the hunting window and makes mature bulls harder to locate. Unit 42's sustained four-year average of 69:100 indicates a herd with meaningful bull representation, which aligns with the unit's high harvest success rates. When bulls are present in good numbers relative to cows, hunters find them — and the success data from 2022 through 2025 confirms that pattern.
It is worth noting that moose populations across Wyoming face ongoing pressure from habitat quality, climate-related forage shifts, and predator dynamics. However, nothing in the Unit 42 survey data suggests an alarming trend. The ratios have been stable enough across four survey cycles to project continued huntability in the near term.
Access & Terrain
Unit 42 spans 1,256,702 acres with 87% public land — one of the higher public access percentages available in any Wyoming big game unit. This means DIY hunters have a legitimate path into moose country without needing to knock on private land doors or navigate complex land ownership mosaics. The unit's terrain runs from lower-elevation sagebrush and riparian bottoms near 3,600 feet up into alpine terrain exceeding 13,000 feet.
Moose in this unit occupy a classic range of habitat types. Lower-elevation willow flats, creek drainages, and marshy areas serve as core feeding habitat during late summer and into the hunting season. As elevation increases, hunters encounter timbered ridges, subalpine basins, and eventually open rocky terrain above treeline. Productive moose habitat in Unit 42 tends to concentrate in the transition zones — where timber meets meadow, and where water sources create willow and shrub communities that moose depend on for forage.
The unit carries 7% wilderness designation. Wyoming law is clear: nonresident hunters in designated wilderness areas must hire a licensed Wyoming outfitter or guide — this is state law, not a suggestion. At 7% wilderness coverage, the majority of Unit 42's public land is accessible to nonresident DIY hunters outside the wilderness boundary. However, hunters should identify where wilderness boundaries fall within the unit before finalizing their access strategy. Nonresidents who want to hunt wilderness drainages will need to budget for a guide or outfitter accordingly.
The elevation range in Unit 42 also has practical implications for logistics. Hunters should plan for varied terrain and weather conditions — early-season warmth at lower elevations can give way to snow and freezing temperatures at higher elevations within the same hunt. Moose can be found across this gradient, but locating them efficiently requires pre-season scouting or in-season glassing from key vantage points.
Pack-out logistics for a mature bull moose deserve serious pre-trip planning. A large bull can yield several hundred pounds of meat, and in country with limited vehicle access, having a game cart, packframes, or pack animals lined up before the hunt is not optional — it is essential. Hunters without prior Wyoming moose experience should research this logistical challenge before arriving in the field.
HuntPilot Analysis
Is Unit 42 worth applying for?
Yes — with clear eyes about what it takes to draw and what hunters can expect.
The harvest data is genuinely strong. Sustained success rates in the 85–92% range over four consecutive years, with a healthy four-year average bull:cow ratio of 69:100, point to a unit that produces hunts that actually result in harvested animals. For moose hunting in the American West, that matters enormously. There are moose units across Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Utah where hunters invest decades of points only to draw tags in country where success rates hover in the 50–60% range. Unit 42 is not that unit.
The public land percentage — 87% — is a significant advantage for hunters who want to self-guide their hunt or at least have flexibility in how they approach it. The 7% wilderness overlay means nonresidents need to be aware of the guide requirement in those areas, but it does not make Unit 42 a guide-mandatory unit overall.
The honest caveat is trophy quality. Hunters dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime bull that challenges the top of the record books should research units with stronger trophy histories. Unit 42 is not well-represented in that category. What it does offer is a very high probability of harvesting a legal, mature Shiras' moose in excellent Wyoming terrain with outstanding public access — and for most hunters, that is precisely what a lifetime moose tag should deliver.
This unit is best suited for hunters who prioritize a high-quality, high-success moose hunt over chasing maximum trophy potential. If the goal is to fill a moose tag in beautiful country with an honest chance of success, Unit 42 is a compelling investment of points.
How to Apply
Wyoming moose is a limited-entry draw for all hunters, resident and nonresident alike. Both groups compete in separate pools, and this tag demands a meaningful point investment given the unit's consistent performance.
2026 Application Details
Residents:
- Application opens: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: April 30, 2026
- Application fee: $5
- Tag fee: $152
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Point fee: $7
- Point-only deadline: November 2, 2026
Nonresidents:
- Application opens: January 2, 2026
- Application deadline: April 30, 2026
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fee: $2,752
- License fee: $0.00 (required to apply)
- Point fee: $150
- Point-only deadline: November 2, 2026
2028 Application Details
For the 2028 draw cycle, the application deadline for all hunters is March 1, 2028. Applications open January 5, 2028.
Wyoming uses a preference point system for moose — hunters accumulate points each year they apply and do not draw. Points are critical for competitive moose units, and the point fee allows hunters to purchase points in years they choose not to apply for a tag. Nonresidents should be prepared for a multi-year, potentially decade-long point accumulation process before drawing a tag in a unit of this caliber.
For current draw odds and up-to-date application information specific to Wyoming moose, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page at huntpilot.ai/states/wy or the Wyoming Game & Fish Department's official draw resources.
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 42?
Unit 42 covers over 1.25 million acres of diverse Wyoming terrain spanning from approximately 3,600 feet to over 13,100 feet in elevation. The lower sections feature sagebrush flats, riparian corridors, and willow-choked drainages that serve as core moose habitat. Mid-elevation terrain transitions into timbered ridges and subalpine meadows. Higher elevations include open alpine basins and rocky terrain above treeline. Prime moose habitat concentrates in areas where willows, water, and timber converge — typically in the 6,000–9,000-foot range. With 87% public land, hunters have broad access to this varied terrain without significant private land obstacles.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 42 for moose?
Unit 42 has delivered strong harvest success across the last four documented seasons. Success rates came in at 92% in both 2023 and 2025, 85% in 2022, and 75% in 2024, averaging well above 85% across all four years. Hunter numbers have ranged from 8 to 13 per year, which is typical for a limited-entry Wyoming moose unit. These success rates rank among the more consistent in the state and reflect both the unit's moose population quality and the relative accessibility of animals given the high public land percentage.
How big are the moose in Wyoming Unit 42?
Based on available trophy data, Unit 42 falls in the category of limited trophy history. Hunters should not target this unit with expectations of producing a top-end record-class Shiras' bull. The more realistic expectation is a mature, legal bull in quality terrain — which remains a meaningful achievement on a species where most western hunters have limited lifetime opportunities. The wildlife survey data, which shows a four-year average bull:cow ratio of 69:100, suggests bulls are present in good numbers relative to cows, meaning hunters are likely to encounter mature animals. Quality over record-breaking size is the honest framing for this unit.
Is Wyoming Unit 42 worth applying for moose?
For hunters who prioritize a high probability of harvesting a legal Shiras' moose on accessible public land, yes — Unit 42 is worth serious consideration. The four-year average success rate exceeding 85%, a healthy bull:cow ratio of 69:100, and 87% public land make this one of the more consistently productive and accessible moose units in Wyoming. The tradeoff is limited trophy history — hunters chasing record-book potential should research units with stronger trophy production. For draw odds and current point requirements specific to Unit 42, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming page at huntpilot.ai/states/wy, where current draw data is updated each cycle.
Do nonresident hunters need a guide for Wyoming Unit 42 moose?
Nonresident hunters are not required to use a licensed outfitter or guide for the entire hunt — but Wyoming law mandates that nonresidents hunting in designated wilderness areas must be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming guide. Unit 42 carries a 7% wilderness designation. Hunters planning to access wilderness drainages within the unit must budget accordingly. The majority of the unit's public land falls outside the wilderness boundary and is legal for nonresident DIY hunting. Nonresidents should map wilderness boundaries carefully before finalizing their access plan and contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department if there are any questions about specific areas within the unit.