Wyoming Unit 48 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide
Wyoming Unit 48 sits in a productive stretch of pronghorn country spanning 548,435 acres across a broad elevation range of 5,683 to 9,019 feet. For hunters actively researching pronghorn antelope opportunities in the western Wyoming draw system, Unit 48 consistently delivers one of the more compelling combinations of access, herd density, and harvest success found anywhere in the state. With 55% public land and zero designated wilderness, this is a unit that rewards self-sufficient hunters willing to put in the legwork on foot without the logistical complexity of pack-in wilderness travel.
The numbers tell a convincing story. From 2022 through 2025, Unit 48 has posted harvest success rates ranging from 84% to 91% — figures that rank among the stronger performing pronghorn units in Wyoming's system. That kind of consistency across four consecutive years isn't noise; it reflects a stable, healthy antelope population and a well-managed draw structure. Hunters who draw a tag here have a strong statistical reason to expect a filled cooler.
This guide draws on harvest data, wildlife survey results, tag quota trends, and application fee information compiled by HuntPilot to give serious applicants a clear picture of what Unit 48 offers and what it costs to get in the game.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 48's harvest record over the last four seasons is one of the unit's strongest selling points. The data breaks down as follows:
- 2025: 371 hunters, 316 harvested — 85% success
- 2024: 317 hunters, 277 harvested — 87% success
- 2023: 294 hunters, 248 harvested — 84% success
- 2022: 315 hunters, 286 harvested — 91% success
The four-year average hovers right around 87% — a number that holds up under scrutiny. Hunter numbers have grown from 294 in 2023 to 371 in 2025, suggesting increased tag issuance and likely greater interest in the unit, yet success rates have remained consistently high. That resilience in the face of rising hunter pressure speaks well of both the pronghorn population and the terrain's capacity to hold animals.
For context, Wyoming pronghorn success rates statewide tend to cluster in the 70–85% range for most units. Unit 48's multi-year performance sits at or above the upper end of that range, which reinforces its reputation as a reliable producer for both resident and nonresident tag holders.
Trophy Quality
The counties overlapping Wyoming Unit 48 carry an extensive history of trophy-class pronghorn production. Based on the available trophy record data, this area demonstrates exceptional trophy potential — a characterization not applied lightly given the species baseline. Pronghorn scoring above 85 is genuinely difficult, and animals pushing into the uppermost tiers of the record books are exceedingly rare anywhere in North America. Unit 48's surrounding geography has a demonstrated track record of producing animals that reach those levels.
That said, hunters should calibrate expectations realistically. Trophy-class pronghorn in any unit represent a fraction of the total harvest, and the higher the draw pressure and hunter numbers, the more selective a hunter needs to be on the ground. The good news is that Unit 48's harvest success rate gives hunters the confidence to pass on marginal bucks early in a hunt — a luxury not available in units where tagging out isn't a given.
For hunters whose primary goal is a mature, representative Wyoming buck rather than a potential record-book animal, Unit 48 offers strong prospects. For those chasing a genuine wall-hanger, the area's trophy history suggests it's worth the application investment.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data collected across four survey years from 2021 to 2024 shows an average buck-to-doe ratio of 45:100 in Unit 48. For pronghorn, that figure lands in a healthy range — wildlife managers generally target ratios in the 40–50 bucks per 100 does range for sustainable, well-structured populations. A ratio of 45:100 averaged across four surveys indicates the herd is not being over-harvested on the buck side and that reproduction potential is being maintained.
This ratio, combined with the harvest success data, paints a picture of a unit where pronghorn numbers are neither crashing nor inflated — a stable, managed population that responds predictably to hunting pressure. Hunters scouting the unit can expect to find animals distributed across the landscape rather than concentrated in isolated pockets, which increases the odds of encountering multiple buck groups during a hunt and allows for selectivity.
Access & Terrain
Unit 48 covers 548,435 acres with 55% public land, meaning just over half the unit is huntable without landowner permission. The unit contains no designated wilderness, which eliminates the complexity of wilderness-only access and — critically for nonresident hunters — removes the Wyoming requirement to use a licensed outfitter that applies in designated wilderness areas. This is a DIY-accessible unit for both residents and nonresidents.
The elevation range of 5,683 to 9,019 feet is broader than most pure pronghorn units in Wyoming. The lower elevations represent classic open sagebrush terrain where pronghorn spend the bulk of their time, while the upper reaches transition into rougher country that can push hunting into more physically demanding territory late in the season as animals shift with weather and feed conditions. Hunters who plan to access pronghorn in the upper reaches of the unit should be prepared for more strenuous terrain than the flat-open country typically associated with Wyoming antelope.
Forum discussions about Unit 48 and surrounding antelope units consistently note that hunters willing to move more than a mile from roads encounter significantly better access to public land and reduced competition from roadside hunters. The 55% public land figure means private ground is a real obstacle in parts of the unit — identifying public-private boundaries before the hunt using current mapping tools is essential. Hunters who invest time in pre-season digital scouting to locate public land blocks and plan approach routes on foot will consistently outperform those who rely on road hunting alone.
No wilderness designation means no mandatory guide requirement for nonresidents — a significant cost and logistics advantage over Wyoming's wilderness-heavy units. Hunters can run a self-sufficient camp and cover ground on their own terms.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Wyoming Unit 48 Worth Applying For?
Short answer: Yes — with appropriate context for your residency and goals.
For Wyoming residents, Unit 48 is a legitimate target unit. The draw is competitive but the combination of strong harvest success (84–91% over four years), solid buck-to-doe ratios, and extensive trophy history makes it worth preference point investment. Residents applying for the doe/fawn tag type can also use that as an entry point while building points toward a buck tag in future seasons.
For nonresidents, the calculus depends on point status and tag type. The nonresident tag fee structure spans a wide range (see the How to Apply section below), reflecting different tag tiers available in the draw. The unit's 85%+ average success rate and exceptional trophy history make it a legitimate target for nonresidents willing to invest in a quality Wyoming antelope hunt. The absence of wilderness also makes this a realistic DIY option — nonresidents don't need to factor in outfitter costs on top of the tag fee.
The tag quota data shows stability in the primary buck hunt allocations from 2025 to 2026, while the Type 6 allocation doubled from 50 to 100 tags — a significant increase that improves access to that tag type without impacting buck hunt pressure. Hunters should check current draw odds on the HuntPilot Unit 48 page for specific draw percentages by tag type and residency, as these shift with annual applicant pools.
One honest note: Unit 48 is not a sleeper. Harvest success rates this high, combined with documented trophy history, attract attention. This is not a unit where a first-year applicant with zero points should expect an automatic draw for the top buck tags. Build points strategically and check HuntPilot's current draw data before committing your application.
How to Apply
Wyoming pronghorn draw applications are filed through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's online licensing system. All applicants — resident and nonresident — must apply during the designated window. There is no over-the-counter option for Unit 48 pronghorn; all tags are limited-entry draw.
2026 Application Details
For 2026, applications open January 2, 2026 with a deadline of June 1, 2026. Hunters who wish to purchase a preference point only (without applying for a tag) have a separate point deadline of November 2, 2026.
Resident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $5
- Tag fee: $22 (one tag type) or $37 (second tag type)
- License fee: $0.00 required to apply
- Preference points: Residents accumulate points automatically when applying and not drawing
Nonresident fees (2026):
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fee: $34, $326, or $1,200 depending on tag type applied for
- License fee: $0.00 required to apply
- Point fee: $31 (for point-only applications)
The range in nonresident tag fees — from $34 to $1,200 — reflects the different hunt types available in the draw, with premium tag types carrying significantly higher fees. Hunters should confirm which tag type they are applying for before submitting fees, as the fee structure varies substantially across options.
2028 Application Details
For hunters planning further out, the 2028 application window opens January 5, 2028 with a deadline of March 1, 2028. Note that the 2028 deadline is earlier in the year than the 2026 June 1 deadline — this difference is significant for planning purposes.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website before applying.
For current draw odds by tag type and point level, visit the HuntPilot Wyoming draw page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Wyoming Unit 48? Unit 48 spans 548,435 acres with elevations running from 5,683 feet at the lower end to 9,019 feet at the upper reaches — a broader range than most classic pronghorn flats units. The lower elevations hold typical open sagebrush terrain where pronghorn congregate, while higher ground transitions into rougher, more physically demanding country. With 55% public land and no wilderness, the unit is accessible to DIY hunters, but private land is present throughout and requires careful pre-hunt mapping to navigate legally.
What is the harvest success rate in Wyoming Unit 48 pronghorn hunting? Unit 48 has posted four consecutive years of strong harvest success: 91% in 2022, 84% in 2023, 87% in 2024, and 85% in 2025. The four-year average sits near 87%, placing Unit 48 consistently at or above the upper range of Wyoming pronghorn units statewide. Hunters who draw a tag here have a strong statistical track record of filling it.
How big are the pronghorn in Wyoming Unit 48? The counties overlapping Unit 48 carry an extensive trophy record history, indicating exceptional trophy potential relative to the species baseline. While most hunters will harvest representative mature Wyoming bucks rather than record-book animals — that's true everywhere — the area's documented trophy production history means legitimate wall-hanger bucks are achievable for hunters who are selective and patient. The combination of high harvest success and strong trophy history makes Unit 48 one of the more well-rounded pronghorn units in the Wyoming system.
Is Wyoming Unit 48 worth applying for as a nonresident? For nonresidents, Unit 48 is a legitimate target given its 85%+ average success rate, exceptional trophy history, and DIY-accessible terrain (no wilderness, no mandatory guide requirement). Nonresident tag fees range from $34 to $1,200 depending on tag type, so applicants should understand which tier they're targeting before applying. The draw is competitive — this is not a low-demand unit — so point accumulation matters. Check current draw odds on HuntPilot's Wyoming page before finalizing your application strategy.
What do the buck-to-doe ratios look like in Unit 48? Wyoming Game and Fish survey data from 2021 through 2024 shows an average buck-to-doe ratio of 45:100 across four survey years. That figure falls within the healthy target range for pronghorn management and suggests the buck age structure is being maintained at sustainable levels. A 45:100 ratio averaged over multiple years is a reliable indicator of a well-managed, stable herd.