Wyoming Elk Mule Deer Antelope

Unit 026 (Absaroka)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope

Area 26 covers the South Absaroka Range in Park County — some of the most remote and rugged elk country in Wyoming. With 85% public land on Shoshone National Forest, low hunting pressure, and high trophy potential, this is a destination unit for serious backcountry hunters near Cody. The terrain is unforgiving — deep canyons, heavy timber, and elevations exceeding 12,000 feet along the Absaroka crest. Horseback hunting is strongly recommended. Bull quality is exceptional with 330-370 class animals taken regularly. Grizzly activity is a constant factor.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 026

Where to Find Elk in Area 26

Elk in Area 26 are distributed across the vast South Absaroka wilderness terrain south and west of Cody.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls concentrate in the high alpine basins between 9,500 and 11,000 feet along the Absaroka crest. The headwaters of the South Fork of the Shoshone River, Ishawooa Creek, and the upper Greybull River hold vocal rutting bulls. These basins are 6-12 miles from any trailhead — plan accordingly.

Rifle Season (October–November)

Elk begin dropping from the alpine into the heavy timber between 8,500 and 10,000 feet. The transition zones along the South Fork Shoshone drainage and its major tributaries hold herds staging for winter migration. The timbered ridges above the Ishawooa Valley and Carter Mountain area are productive.

Migration Corridors

Area 26 elk migrate toward the Shoshone River valley and lower-elevation winter range as snow deepens. Saddles through the Absaroka crest and established trail corridors serve as natural funnels during this movement toward Cody-area winter range.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 26

Area 26 is not for the unprepared. Success demands backcountry competence and physical endurance in the South Absaroka wilderness.

Pack-In Camp Strategy

Most successful hunters establish a base camp 6-10 miles from the trailhead via horseback along the South Fork Shoshone corridor. Spike camps deeper into the wilderness extend your range. Plan for at least a 5-7 day hunt to properly cover the terrain and account for weather delays.

Glassing Alpine Basins

The open alpine basins along the Absaroka crest allow effective glassing at extreme distances. Set up on ridgelines at dawn overlooking the large meadow complexes above Ishawooa Creek and the upper South Fork. Bulls feed in the open during low-light hours and bed in adjacent timber fingers.

Calling the Rut

September bulls in the South Absaroka are highly responsive to bugles — they encounter few other hunters this deep in the wilderness. Aggressive calling works well. Move toward responding bulls using the steep canyon terrain to close distance while staying below ridgelines.

Grizzly and Pack-Out Planning

Any bull killed in Area 26 requires serious pack-out logistics and bear awareness. Bone out the animal completely and plan multiple horse trips. Bear spray is mandatory — the South Absaroka is core grizzly habitat. Process game quickly to minimize bear conflict.

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Elk Success Rates

Area 26 rifle success rates average 30-40%, among the highest in Wyoming for wilderness elk units. Archery success runs 12-18%. The low pressure and high elk density in the South Absaroka reward hunters who invest the time and effort to reach remote areas. Success correlates strongly with time spent in the field and distance from trailheads.

Elk Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Non-resident Type 1 elk tags for Area 26 require 10-14 preference points under Wyoming's 75/25 system. Type 6 archery tags are more accessible at 4-7 points. The extreme remoteness somewhat limits applicant numbers compared to easier-access areas, but trophy quality keeps demand high. Random draws do occur for lower-point applicants through the 25% allocation.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 026

Area 26 provides solid mule deer opportunity as a bonus to its world-class elk hunting in the South Absaroka Range near Cody. Bucks in the 155-175 class occupy the lower drainages and transitional timber zones along the South Fork Shoshone corridor. With 85% public land on Shoshone NF and low pressure, deer hunting here is uncrowded. The same rugged Absaroka terrain that makes elk hunting challenging provides excellent habitat for mature mule deer bucks.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 26

Mule deer in Area 26 favor the lower and mid-elevation bands below the prime elk habitat in the South Absaroka.

Early Season

Bucks hold in the aspen-covered benches and brushy draws between 7,500 and 9,000 feet along the South Fork Shoshone and Ishawooa Creek drainages. North-facing slopes with mixed aspen and conifer provide bedding cover.

Rifle Season

As snow pushes into the high Absaroka country, deer concentrate on south-facing sage slopes and the lower creek bottoms near the South Fork Road corridor. The November rut moves bucks into the open where they can be spotted from a distance on exposed hillsides.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 26

Deer hunting in Area 26 is more accessible than the backcountry elk hunting but still requires solid mountain skills in the Absaroka foothills.

Spot-and-Stalk

Glass the sage benches and aspen transitions along the South Fork corridor and its tributaries. Bucks bed on prominent points with good visibility. Use draws and timber fingers to close the distance on spotted bucks.

Rut Tactics

November hunts overlap the mule deer rut. Focus on doe concentrations on south-facing slopes along the lower Ishawooa and South Fork drainages. Mature bucks cruise between groups and are more visible during peak rut activity.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule deer success in Area 26 runs 35-45% for rifle hunters. The low hunting pressure and quality Absaroka habitat support good buck survival rates. Most successful hunters focus the lower drainages accessible from the South Fork Road rather than penetrating deep into the wilderness.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Mule deer tags for Area 26 are moderately competitive at 3-6 preference points for non-residents. The remoteness of the South Absaroka keeps applicant numbers manageable. Type 6 archery tags occasionally appear as leftover.

Antelope Hunting in Unit 026

Wyoming's Unit 026 pronghorn hunt is administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) as a limited-quota big-game tag. Applicants enter through Wyoming's preference-point draw, where accumulated preference points advance you in line for the unit's limited-quota tag pool.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 026

WGFD manages pronghorn distribution and habitat for Unit 026. Consult the WGFD Hunt Planner and unit management notes for the agency's most current distribution information.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 026

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Antelope Success Rates

WGFD publishes harvest and draw statistics by unit. The chart above reflects the data WGFD reports for the Unit 026 pronghorn tag.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	793	177	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Wyoming pronghorn tags are drawn through WGFD's preference-point draw. Accumulated preference points advance you in line for the unit's limited-quota tag pool.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Trailhead parking areas accommodate RVs but no hookups. Cody has full-service RV parks.

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Camp Sites

Trailhead camping at multiple access points along the South Fork Shoshone Road and Ishawooa drainage. Backcountry camping unrestricted in Shoshone NF. Established outfitter camps throughout the wilderness.

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Trailer Access

Horse trailer access at main trailheads off South Fork Road. Roads are maintained but may require 4WD in late season.

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Water

Excellent. South Fork Shoshone River, Ishawooa Creek, and numerous tributaries throughout the area. Always treat backcountry water.

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Road Conditions

South Fork Road (WY-291) is maintained gravel to trailheads. Generally passable through October but snow can close upper access early. Check with Shoshone NF for current conditions.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extremely strenuous. Deep canyons, heavy deadfall, steep Absaroka terrain, and high-altitude approaches. Horseback strongly recommended for any serious backcountry penetration.

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Hunting Pressure

Low. The remoteness and difficulty of the South Absaroka naturally limit hunter numbers. Expect to see few other parties once you leave the trailhead.

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Weather

Mountain weather is extreme and unpredictable. Snow possible any time after September 15. Temperatures from single digits to 50°F. Pack for full winter conditions.

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Cell Service

None in the backcountry. Limited service in Cody. Satellite communicator required.

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Nearest Town

Cody (45-90 minutes from trailheads depending on access point). Full services including outfitter supply shops and horse feed. Meeteetse provides a closer staging option for south-side access.

Note: Hire an outfitter or arrange horse support well in advance — demand is high for South Absaroka hunts. Cody-based outfitters know this country best. Book 6-12 months ahead for prime season. Stock up on all supplies in Cody before heading to trailheads.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 26 a horseback-only hunt?

Not technically, but horseback is strongly recommended. Most quality elk habitat is 6-15 miles from any road. Backpack hunters can succeed but face extreme pack-out challenges. Most successful non-guided hunters use horses or arrange outfitter pack support.

How remote is Wyoming Unit 26?

Extremely remote. The core of the unit is 8-15 miles from the nearest trailhead. There is no cell service, no road access, and limited trail infrastructure. This is true wilderness hunting.

What bull quality can I expect in Unit 26?

Unit 26 regularly produces bulls in the 330-370 class, with occasional 380+ animals. The limited hunting pressure and mature age structure support exceptional trophy quality.

Is Unit 26 worth applying for mule deer specifically?

Yes, if you want uncrowded public land hunting with 155-175 class bucks. The unit is best as a combo trip while building elk points, but stands on its own for hunters seeking remote, low-pressure deer hunting.

How do mule deer tags compare to elk tags for draw difficulty?

Significantly easier. Deer tags typically draw with 3-6 preference points versus 10-14 for elk. Archery deer tags occasionally appear as leftover.

How are pronghorn tags drawn for Unit 026?

WGFD issues pronghorn tags through Wyoming's preference-point draw, administered by the Department for resident and nonresident applicants.

Where do I find the official WGFD hunt information for this unit?

WGFD posts the Hunt Planner, current regulations, and Applications & Drawings pages on wgfd.wyo.gov. Those resources carry the authoritative boundary, season dates, and quota.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

WGFD Hunt Planner — Elk (Elk Hunting) — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Wyoming elk hunt area boundaries, Season structure (rifle/archery), Non-resident quotas and Special vs Regular license structure, Land-ownership overview · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Current regulation brochures (Commission Regs Ch. 1, 4, etc.), License classes and draw structure, Season proclamations · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference point system rules, Application deadlines (resident + non-resident), Point purchase periods · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunter success rates per hunt area, Total harvest data by species and area, Mandatory harvest reporting via 'Make Your Hunt Count' · accessed 2026-04-16
Wyoming Elk Elk Area 26 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Hunt Planner — Mule Deer (Mule Deer Hunting) — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Wyoming mule deer hunt area boundaries, Season structure (rifle/archery), Non-resident quotas and Special vs Regular license structure, Land-ownership overview · accessed 2026-04-16
Wyoming Mule Deer Deer Area 26 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Hunt Planner — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 026 pronghorn hunt boundaries, Season dates and quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Pronghorn regulation framework, License and tag rules · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Applications & Drawings — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference-point draw procedures, Application timelines and fees · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 026 (Absaroka)

Elk Hunting in Unit 026

Where to Find Elk in Area 26

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

Migration Corridors

How to Hunt Elk in Area 26

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 026

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 26

Early Season

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 26

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Antelope Hunting in Unit 026

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 026

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 026

Antelope Success Rates

Antelope Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 7 — Laramie Peak Elk

Unit 26 — Absaroka Mule Deer

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification