Wyoming Elk Mule Deer Antelope

Unit 038 (Tongue)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope

Area 38 covers the Tongue River drainage on the eastern slope of the Bighorn Mountains in Sheridan and Johnson Counties. With 70% public land on Bighorn National Forest, moderate hunting pressure, and above-average trophy potential, this is a productive elk area in NE Wyoming. The terrain ranges from sage-covered foothills to heavy spruce-fir timber along the Tongue River headwaters. Bulls in the 290-330 class are realistic for hunters who work the timbered drainages.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 038

Where to Find Elk in Area 38

Elk distribution in Area 38 follows the Tongue River drainage and its tributaries flowing east from the Bighorn Mountains.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls concentrate in the dark timber and meadow systems between 8,000 and 9,500 feet along the upper Tongue River, Little Tongue Creek, and Wolf Creek drainages. The spruce-fir parks and aspen groves on the east slope of the Bighorns hold rutting bulls in September.

Rifle Season (October–November)

As snow accumulates on the Bighorn crest, elk push down the Tongue River drainage toward the lower foothills. The transition zones between 6,500 and 8,500 feet along the timbered benches hold staging herds. The pine-covered ridges and creek bottoms between the mountain front and the prairie become key hunting terrain.

Foothill Movement

Late-season elk in Area 38 move onto the sage-covered foothills and ranch land edges east of the Bighorns. Snow depth drives this movement — heavier snowfall means more elk pushing into the lower foothill hunting areas accessible from county roads near Sheridan and Dayton.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 38

Area 38 offers a range of strategies from road-accessible foothill hunting to moderate backcountry camps along the Tongue River.

Tongue River Corridor

The Tongue River trail system provides hike-in access to productive elk habitat. Pack in 3-6 miles along the river corridor and set up camp near tributary confluences. The timbered benches above the river hold elk through rifle season.

Mountain Front Hunting

The transition where Bighorn Mountain timber meets the foothill sage along the eastern front is prime rifle territory. Set up overlooking these edges at dawn — elk feed out of timber onto sage slopes during low-light hours. The draws and coulees along the Tongue River foothills near Dayton funnel elk movement.

Timber Tactics

Still-hunting through the dark timber on windy or snowy days is effective in the upper Tongue drainage. The Bighorn timber is broken by parks and meadows. Work the edges of these openings methodically, glassing ahead before moving.

Access

US-14 through the Bighorn Mountains and the Tongue River canyon road provide access to multiple trailheads. Forest roads off these corridors reach productive elk habitat within 1-3 miles of the vehicle.

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Elk Success Rates

Archery22%

Rifle44%

Area 38 elk success rates average 20-30% for rifle and 10-14% for archery. The Tongue River drainage supports healthy elk numbers and the Bighorn NF trail system provides reasonable access. Success improves after early snowfall pushes elk from the high timber into the transition zones.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— General	210	813	25.8%
Rifle— General	312	336	92.9%
Rifle— General	81	529	15.3%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Non-resident Type 1 elk tags for Area 38 require 5-9 preference points. Type 6 archery tags draw with 2-5 points. The area falls in the mid-tier of Wyoming elk draws — more accessible than the premier NW units but still competitive enough to reflect the quality hunting available in the Bighorn Mountains.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 038

Area 38 holds quality mule deer in the transitional terrain along the Tongue River drainage and the eastern Bighorn Mountain foothills. Bucks in the 145-170 class inhabit the sage benches, oak brush draws, and aspen transitions between the mountain front and the Sheridan-area plains. The 70% public land base on Bighorn NF and moderate hunting pressure create favorable conditions for mature buck survival. November rut hunts on the sage-covered foothills are the most productive approach.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 38

Mule deer in Area 38 concentrate in the foothill transition zone where the Bighorn Mountains meet the Sheridan-area plains along the Tongue River corridor.

Early Season

Bucks occupy the aspen draws and mountain mahogany patches between 6,500 and 8,000 feet on the east slope of the Bighorns. The coulees and timbered draws draining into the Tongue River and Little Tongue Creek hold scattered bucks on browse-rich slopes.

Rifle Season

November pushes deer onto south-facing sage and grass hillsides in the Bighorn foothills. The rut concentrates bucks around doe groups on these exposed slopes near Dayton and the Tongue River canyon area. Glass the open foothill country for productive hunting.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 38

Deer hunting in Area 38 centers on glassing the open sage-grass foothills and transitional terrain along the eastern Bighorn front.

Glassing Strategy

Set up on high points overlooking the sage benches and foothill draws at first and last light. The east-slope Bighorn foothills provide excellent long-range visibility. Bucks feed on exposed slopes and bed on points with commanding views of the Tongue River valley.

Rut Hunting

November rifle season overlaps peak rut activity. Focus on doe concentrations on south-facing slopes in the Tongue River foothills near Dayton. Bucks cruise between groups and are more visible than at any other time of year. Ridgeline saddles connecting the major foothill draws are natural interception points.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule deer success in Area 38 averages 35-45% for rifle hunters. The Bighorn Mountain foothills support a healthy deer population with reasonable age structure. The rut-timed November season produces the best results as bucks become active on the open foothill slopes.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

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

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Deer tags for Area 38 are moderately competitive at 2-5 preference points for non-residents. The quality Bighorn Mountain foothills habitat and proximity to Sheridan attract steady applicant interest. Type 6 archery tags draw with fewer points.

Antelope Hunting in Unit 038

Pronghorn Area 038 covers the Bates Hole country south of Casper — rolling sage basins sandwiched between the Rattlesnake Hills to the west and the Laramie Range foothills to the east. Public-private split is moderate (roughly 55-60% public BLM plus State sections), antelope densities are reliable, and buck quality tends to be better than the Red Desert average thanks to quality forage in the higher-elevation sage. Quotas have been moderately competitive with 895 tags against 1,213 applicants, meaning the full quota is being filled every year.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 038

Bates Hole pronghorn occupy a broad sage bowl with distinct concentration patterns tied to water, wind, and a handful of large ranches that control private access points.

Central Bates Hole

The heart of the unit holds the bulk of the herd. Glass the rolling sage between the Bates Creek drainage and Stinking Creek for buck groups during early September.

Rattlesnake Foothills

On the west side, the sage benches rising toward the Rattlesnake Hills hold mature bucks using the break country for cover. This is where 14-15 inch animals tend to live.

North Platte Edge

The east end of the unit toward Alcova and the North Platte corridor holds transient groups following the river corridor; buck quality is decent but public access is thinner.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 038

Bates Hole hunts are classic glass-and-stalk pronghorn hunts with the added wrinkle of navigating checkerboarded public-private ground.

Glass From High Ground

The rims along the edges of Bates Hole proper give you 3-5 miles of glassing. Set up at dawn and work a spotting scope methodically through buck groups.

Time Stalks Around Wind

The Bates Hole country sees persistent 15-30 mph winds. Use them — stalk downwind, knowing pronghorn are more concerned about scent than silhouette inside 300 yards.

Decoy Aggressive Bucks

Mature herd bucks respond well to a decoy during the rut (mid-to-late September). Set up with the decoy visible across 200 yards of sage and let the buck come to you.

Boundary Discipline

Several large ranches (Pathfinder, Lazy B, and others) are interwoven with BLM. onX is non-negotiable. A few BLM walk-in or HMA parcels also exist within 038 — check WGFD's Access Yes map before applying.

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Antelope Success Rates

Area 038 rifle success averages 85-92% and archery runs 30-45%. Days per harvest is typically 2-3 — animals are plentiful and stalks are usually finished on day 1 or 2 for rifle hunters with decent optics and patience.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	235	266	88.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming draws antelope tags with a 75/25 preference-point / random split (random weighted by points, not squared). Area 038 Type 1 non-resident tags typically clear at 1-3 preference points; Type 2 doe/fawn tags usually draw at 0-1. Residents draw on first choice in most years. The unit has firmed up over the last five years as word has spread about buck quality.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Some developed campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs. Sheridan has full-service RV parks.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping along Bighorn NF forest roads and the Tongue River corridor. Developed campgrounds at Prune Creek and Connor Battlefield. Backcountry camping unrestricted in the national forest.

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Trailer Access

Horse trailer access at main Bighorn NF trailheads. The Tongue River canyon road handles trailers to established pulloffs.

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Water

Excellent. The Tongue River and its tributaries provide reliable water throughout the area. Treat all backcountry sources.

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Road Conditions

US-14 through the Bighorns is paved. Forest roads off the highway are maintained gravel. 4WD recommended for spur roads in late season. Snow can close upper access by mid-October.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Timbered mountain terrain with significant elevation changes along the Tongue River drainages. The foothill areas are more accessible.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Proximity to Sheridan brings steady hunter numbers. Pressure concentrates near roads — push 2+ miles in for better hunting.

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Weather

Snow and cold from mid-October. The east slope of the Bighorns gets consistent weather systems. Temps 15-45°F during rifle season with persistent wind.

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Cell Service

Good near Sheridan. None in the upper Tongue River drainage or Bighorn NF backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Sheridan (30-45 minutes to main access points). Full services and a strong hunting culture. Dayton provides closer staging for south-side Tongue River access.

Note: Sheridan is one of Wyoming's best hunting towns — excellent gear shops, outfitter support, and a community that revolves around hunting season. The Tongue River drainage is a productive and relatively accessible elk area compared to the remote NW Wyoming units.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 38 elk hunting special?

The Gros Ventre hosts one of the largest elk herds in North America, with predictable migration patterns driven by the Jackson Hole feed ground system. Late-season hunts coincide with massive elk concentrations that few other units can match.

How many preference points for Unit 38 elk?

Non-resident Type 1 tags typically require 12-16 preference points. Type 6 archery tags need 5-9 points. Late-season cow tags are significantly more accessible.

Is grizzly bear activity a concern in Unit 38?

Yes, major concern. Unit 38 is core grizzly habitat. Bear spray is mandatory, proper food storage is essential, and elk carcasses attract bears quickly. Plan to process game rapidly and pack out the same day when possible.

Is Unit 38 a good mule deer unit?

It is a solid unit with 155-180 class bucks and very low hunting pressure. Not a trophy-first destination, but the combination of quality deer, vast public land, and wilderness character makes it an excellent choice for hunters who value the backcountry experience.

When is the best time to hunt mule deer in Unit 38?

November rifle season during the rut offers the best combination of buck visibility and trophy potential. Bucks are active during daylight hours and concentrated around doe groups on south-facing slopes.

How many points do I need for Area 038 pronghorn?

Non-resident Type 1 licenses typically draw at 1-3 preference points. Type 2 doe/fawn tags usually clear at 0-1. Residents generally draw on first choice.

Is there walk-in or Access Yes ground in Area 038?

Yes — WGFD's Access Yes program maintains several walk-in parcels in and around Bates Hole each year. Enrollment changes annually; check the current WGFD walk-in atlas before you apply.

What is the closest town for hunt planning?

Casper is 30-50 miles from most access points and has full services. Alcova is a closer micro-town useful for ice and beer but limited otherwise.

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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 38 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 38 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Hunt Planner — Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Pronghorn Area 038 boundary, License types and season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Casper Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Bates Hole public land ownership, Road access and camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 038 (Tongue)

Elk Hunting in Unit 038

Where to Find Elk in Area 38

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

Foothill Movement

How to Hunt Elk in Area 38

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 038

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 38

Early Season

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 38

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Antelope Hunting in Unit 038

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 038

Central Bates Hole

Rattlesnake Foothills

North Platte Edge

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 038

Antelope Success Rates

Antelope Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification