Wyoming Unit 47 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting

Wyoming Unit 47 represents a challenging but rewarding pronghorn hunting opportunity spanning 706,668 acres across Carbon and Albany counties. This high-elevation unit, ranging from 6,423 to 9,136 feet, offers hunters access to quality antelope populations with 50% public land access and no wilderness restrictions. The unit's terrain and elevation create unique hunting conditions that separate it from Wyoming's typical prairie pronghorn units, requiring hunters to adapt their strategies for success in more mountainous country.

Unit 47 operates under Wyoming's limited-draw system with multiple tag types available throughout archery and rifle seasons. The unit's draw statistics reveal varying levels of competition depending on tag type and residency status, with residents enjoying significantly better odds than nonresidents across all categories. Recent harvest data shows consistently strong success rates, with hunters achieving 80-95% harvest success across different tag types in recent seasons.

HuntPilot Analysis

Unit 47 presents a moderate to difficult draw for most hunters, particularly nonresidents seeking buck tags. The data from HuntPilot reveals that residents face the most favorable odds, with Type 6 tags offering a 46% draw rate and Type 2 tags providing 53% odds in 2025. However, nonresident hunters encounter significantly more challenging prospects, with general draw rates ranging from just 4-11% across buck tag categories.

For nonresidents building points, the preference point system offers more predictable outcomes. Hunters with 8+ preference points can expect 100% draw odds for Type 1 tags, while Type 2 tags require 7+ points for reliable drawing in the regular preference point pool. The special preference point draws provide better odds at lower point levels, with Type 1 special requiring 4.5+ points and Type 2 special needing 4+ points for consistent success.

The unit's harvest success rates strongly support its viability as a hunting destination. Recent data shows Type 1 hunters achieving 89-95% success, Type 2 hunters posting 80-89% success, and Type 6 (doe) hunters maintaining 80-86% success rates. These consistently high harvest percentages indicate healthy pronghorn populations and huntable terrain that allows skilled hunters to locate and harvest animals effectively.

Trophy potential in Unit 47 appears strong based on the available record data from overlapping counties. Carbon County, which comprises 77% of the unit, has produced 410 all-time record-book entries with an average score of 83.3 and a maximum entry of 91.5. This extensive trophy history suggests the area consistently produces quality bucks, though record-book animals represent only the top 1-2% of harvested pronghorn.

Draw Odds & Tag Availability

Unit 47 operates as a limited-entry draw unit with multiple tag types and seasons. In 2025, resident hunters faced draw rates of 40% for Type 1 tags (1,182 applicants competing for 473 tags), 53% for Type 2 tags (758 applicants for 400 tags), and 46% for Type 6 doe tags (1,033 applicants for 478 tags).

Nonresident hunters encounter much steeper competition in the general draws. Type 1 nonresident tags showed only a 4% draw rate in 2025, with 473 applicants competing for just 17 tags. Type 2 nonresident odds were similarly challenging at 5%, with 332 applicants vying for 15 tags. Type 6 nonresident doe tags offered better prospects at 11%, though still requiring luck with 1,073 applicants for 119 available tags.

The preference point system provides more predictable paths for nonresident hunters. In 2025, Type 1 preference point holders needed 8+ points to guarantee drawing, with 100% success at 8, 8.5, 9, and 10 points. The 7.5-point level showed partial success at 10%, while 6.5-7 points resulted in 0% draw rates. Type 2 preference point requirements were slightly lower, with 7.5+ points ensuring 100% draw success and 7 points achieving 61% odds.

Special preference point draws offer premium tag opportunities at reduced point requirements. Type 1 special tags required 4.5+ points for guaranteed drawing in 2025, while Type 2 special tags needed 4+ points. The special draw system provides 35 Type 1 tags and 30 Type 2 tags annually, creating opportunities for hunters willing to pay premium fees for better odds.

Season Dates & Weapon Types

Unit 47 offers both archery and rifle seasons across multiple tag types for 2026. Archery seasons run August 15 through September 24 for all tag types, providing hunters with extended opportunities during the early season when pronghorn are less pressured and weather conditions remain favorable.

Type 1 archery (either-sex) tags carry a quota of 600, while rifle seasons run September 25 through October 31 with the same quota. Type 2 tags offer 500 quotas for both archery (August 15-September 24) and rifle seasons (October 5-October 31). The Type 2 rifle season provides a later start date, beginning October 5 rather than September 25.

Type 6 female tags maintain the highest quotas at 700 for both seasons. The archery season spans August 15 through September 24, while rifle hunters enjoy September 25 through October 31. These extended seasons and higher tag allocations reflect Wyoming's management objectives for doe harvest in the unit.

The extended archery seasons provide significant advantages for bowhunters willing to invest time scouting and hunting. The 41-day archery window allows hunters to adapt to changing weather conditions, animal movements, and hunting pressure while pursuing pronghorn during their less wary early-season behavior patterns.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 47 demonstrates consistently strong harvest success across all tag types and recent seasons. Type 1 either-sex hunters achieved exceptional success rates of 95% in 2024 (464 harvested from 487 hunters) and 89% in 2025 (499 harvested from 562 hunters). These high success rates indicate abundant pronghorn populations and terrain that allows effective hunting strategies.

Type 2 either-sex tags also produced strong harvest results, with 89% success in 2024 (409 harvested from 460 hunters) and 80% success in 2025 (368 harvested from 463 hunters). The slight decline from 2024 to 2025 may reflect weather conditions, hunting pressure, or natural population fluctuations, though success rates remain well above average for Wyoming pronghorn units.

Type 6 doe hunters experienced varying success between seasons, achieving 80% in 2024 (341 harvested from 429 hunters) and improving to 86% in 2025 (422 harvested from 490 hunters). The 2025 improvement suggests either better hunting conditions or hunters becoming more familiar with the unit's doe populations and movement patterns.

These consistently high success rates across multiple tag types and seasons indicate that Unit 47 maintains healthy, huntable pronghorn populations. Hunters who draw tags can expect realistic opportunities for harvest success when employing proper scouting, hunting strategies, and persistence throughout their chosen seasons.

Trophy Quality

Unit 47 demonstrates strong trophy potential based on the extensive record-book history from its constituent counties. The area has a well-documented history of producing quality pronghorn, with Carbon County contributing 410 all-time record-book entries and Albany County adding 35 entries. This substantial trophy database indicates consistent production of exceptional animals over multiple decades.

Recent trophy production appears stable, with 13 record-book entries during the 2020s maintaining quality standards established in previous decades. The 2010s proved particularly productive with 107 entries, while the pre-2000 period and 2000s each contributed over 160 entries. This sustained trophy production across different decades suggests the area's habitat and genetics continue supporting quality buck development.

Wildlife survey data shows a healthy buck-to-doe ratio averaging 45:100 across recent surveys from 2021-2024. This ratio indicates sufficient breeding-age bucks in the population to maintain genetic diversity and provide hunting opportunities for quality animals. The ratio falls within normal parameters for healthy pronghorn populations in similar terrain and elevation ranges.

The unit's elevation range of 6,423-9,136 feet creates habitat diversity that can support pronghorn development across different seasonal ranges. Higher elevation summer ranges typically provide quality forage during peak growing seasons, while lower winter ranges offer crucial survival habitat. This elevation gradient allows bucks to access premium nutrition during antler development periods.

Access & Terrain

Unit 47 encompasses 706,668 acres with 50% public land access, providing hunters with substantial opportunities to locate huntable populations without requiring private land permissions. The absence of wilderness areas removes additional access restrictions that might limit hunting opportunities in other high-elevation units. This combination creates favorable conditions for hunters willing to invest effort in scouting and accessing more remote areas.

The unit's elevation range from 6,423 to 9,136 feet presents unique challenges compared to typical pronghorn habitat. This mountainous terrain requires hunters to adapt strategies developed for prairie hunting to more vertical landscapes. Pronghorn in this elevation range utilize different movement patterns, often following ridge systems and utilizing saddles for travel between feeding and bedding areas.

Higher elevation pronghorn hunting demands increased physical conditioning due to both altitude and terrain challenges. Hunters accustomed to flat-ground pronghorn hunting may find the mountainous conditions more demanding, particularly during longer pursuits or when packing out harvested animals. The terrain can provide advantages through elevated vantage points for spotting, but also creates challenges for approach routes and shot opportunities.

Weather conditions at these elevations can change rapidly, particularly during October rifle seasons. Hunters should prepare for potential snow, high winds, and temperature swings that can dramatically affect animal behavior and hunting conditions. Early season archery hunters typically encounter more stable weather, though afternoon thunderstorms remain common at higher elevations.

How to Apply

For 2026, Wyoming pronghorn applications open January 2 with a deadline of June 1 for residents and nonresidents. Point-only applications must be submitted by November 2 for hunters choosing to build preference points rather than apply for tags.

Resident hunters face application fees of $5 with tag fees varying by type. Standard resident tags cost $22, while special resident tags require $37. Residents can accumulate a maximum of 2 preference points before being required to apply for tags, creating a system that encourages regular participation in the draw.

Nonresident fees vary significantly based on tag type and fee structure. Regular nonresident tags carry $15 application fees with $326 tag fees and $31 preference point fees. Special nonresident tags require the same $15 application fee but jump to $1,200 tag fees. A third fee tier shows nonresident tags at $34, likely representing doe tags based on the reduced cost structure. Nonresidents can accumulate up to 19 preference points.

The preference point system allows nonresidents to build points over time for better draw odds in future years. Point fees of $31 provide a lower-cost option for hunters planning future applications rather than applying for current-year tags. Hunters can purchase points only by the November 2 deadline, providing flexibility for year-end hunting planning.

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

How many preference points do nonresidents need to draw Unit 47 pronghorn tags? Based on 2025 data, nonresidents need 8+ preference points for reliable Type 1 tag drawing (100% success), while Type 2 tags require 7+ points for high probability draws. Special preference point draws offer better odds with 4-5 points needed for consistent success, though these carry premium tag fees of $1,200.

What are the harvest success rates for Unit 47 pronghorn hunters? Recent harvest data shows strong success across all tag types. Type 1 hunters achieved 89-95% success, Type 2 hunters posted 80-89% success, and Type 6 doe hunters maintained 80-86% success rates. These consistently high percentages indicate healthy pronghorn populations and huntable conditions.

Is Unit 47 worth applying for as a nonresident hunter? Unit 47 offers solid opportunities for nonresidents with adequate preference points. The unit's 50% public land access, strong trophy history, and high harvest success rates justify the point investment for serious pronghorn hunters. However, nonresidents should plan for 4-8 year point accumulation depending on desired tag type and draw system.

When do Wyoming pronghorn applications open and close? For 2026, applications open January 2 and close June 1 for both residents and nonresidents. Point-only applications have a separate deadline of November 2. These dates provide hunters with a five-month application window for tag draws and additional time for point-only purchases.

What is the terrain like in Unit 47 compared to other Wyoming pronghorn units? Unit 47's elevation range of 6,423-9,136 feet creates more mountainous hunting conditions than typical Wyoming pronghorn units. This terrain requires different hunting strategies, increased physical conditioning, and preparation for rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly during higher-elevation hunts and later rifle seasons.