Wyoming Elk Mule Deer

Unit 041 (Gros Ventre / Hoback)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Wyoming Elk Area 041 covers the Gros Ventre Range and upper Hoback drainage south of Jackson in Teton and Sublette counties. The Gros Ventre Wilderness and adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest provide quality elk habitat with strong bull populations. This is a mixed license area where both general and limited quota options may apply depending on the season and weapon type.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 041

Where to Find Elk in Area 041

The Gros Ventre Range holds elk in the timbered draws and high meadows above the Gros Ventre River valley. Glass the aspen and sage-grass parks along the Gros Ventre Road corridor at first and last light. The upper Hoback drainages on the south side hold elk that migrate through toward winter range on the National Elk Refuge.

Seasonal Patterns

September archery season finds bulls in the upper Gros Ventre and Red Hills country. Rifle season elk move toward the lower valley and Hoback canyon as temperatures drop. The Gros Ventre Road provides vehicle access to several quality trailheads.

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How to Hunt Elk in Area 041

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Elk Success Rates

Archery22%

Rifle44%

Area 041 in the Gros Ventre system benefits from proximity to the Jackson elk herd and the significant elk movement corridor toward the National Elk Refuge. WGFD harvest reports include Area 041 data. The accessible road network combined with quality backcountry terrain produces solid elk hunting for those willing to work away from the roads.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— General	84	231	36.4%
Rifle— General	316	54	100.0%
Rifle— General	17	37	45.9%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 041 sees consistent applicant pressure given its location in the Jackson elk herd range. Check the WGFD Applications & Drawings page for current draw statistics and whether general or limited quota licenses are available for Area 041 in your target season and weapon type.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 041

Mule Deer Area 41 lies inside Wyoming's Region D — the iconic Wyoming Range / Salt River Range complex in Lincoln and Sublette counties. This is one of the most storied mule deer hunts in North America, with high-country bucks still carrying genetics from the pre-2016/2017 winterkills. Three-year records show 333 applicants drawing 41 tags — a true trophy-point hunt. The terrain is steep, timbered, and includes extensive designated wilderness in the Wyoming and Salt River ranges that triggers the non-resident wilderness-guide requirement.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 41

Area 41 mule deer use classic high-country summer patterns before migrating toward lower winter range in late October.

Early Season

Bucks hold in the high timber and alpine basins between 8,500 and 11,000 feet along the Wyoming and Salt River range crests. Look for them on north-facing aspen slopes and in timber just below the high meadows.

Late Season and Migration

Early snows push deer onto lower-elevation transition range at 7,000-8,500 feet. The migration corridors along the major creek drainages are well-documented — intercepting them pays off in the last week of season.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 41

This is a point-of-a-lifetime trophy hunt. We hunt Area 41 like a high-stakes backcountry mission, not a drive-and-glass trip.

Backcountry Glassing

Commit 4-8 miles into the high country on opening day. Set up on high vantage points with good spotting glass and cover multiple basins per sitting. Quality bucks are rare — finding the right one takes days, not hours.

Guided Wilderness or General Forest

Non-residents face a hard rule: designated wilderness inside Area 41 requires a licensed outfitter or resident guide. Either book an outfitter drop camp or plan your hunt entirely on BTNF general forest, BLM, and state land outside wilderness boundaries.

Migration Intercept

If weather cooperates with early snow, the last week of the season can produce trophy-class animals on lower migration benches. Preseason e-scouting of historic migration lines is essential.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Area 41 rifle success runs 40-55% thanks to the tight tag allocation and quality buck genetics. Archery success is 15-25% — the steep timber and distances erode archery opportunities. With 41 tags against 333 applicants over three years, the point investment is real but the hunt quality justifies it.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	20	143	14.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Wyoming's 75/25 preference / random draw. Area 41 (Region D) non-resident tags have required 12-16 preference points in the Regular pool over the last three cycles. The Special pool typically runs 10-13. Residents draw with 4-6 points. This is a trophy-point hunt — budget a full point cycle and build expectations accordingly.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Gros Ventre Road is maintained gravel; closes with early heavy snow in October

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to difficult — combination of accessible drainages and high-country Gros Ventre Wilderness terrain

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — Jackson proximity increases pressure near road corridors; backcountry sections are less crowded

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Nearest Town

Jackson (approx. 20–35 mi). Full services. Kelly and Hoback Junction have limited services.

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Permit Notes

Verify license type and Wilderness regulations before hunting Gros Ventre Wilderness sections

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there grizzly bears in the Gros Ventre Range?

Yes. The Gros Ventre area is within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and grizzly bears are present. Carry bear spray, practice proper food storage, and report all encounters to WGFD.

How many preference points does Area 41 mule deer take?

Non-residents are running 12-16 preference points in the Regular pool over the last three cycles and 10-13 in the Special pool. Residents draw at 4-6 points. This is a point-burn trophy hunt.

Does Area 41 require a guide for non-resident hunters?

Inside designated wilderness, yes. The Wyoming and Salt River ranges contain wilderness study areas and, in places, designated wilderness — Wyoming statute requires non-residents hunting inside designated wilderness to be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter or adult resident guide. DIY non-residents can still hunt BTNF general forest, BLM, and state land outside wilderness boundaries.

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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 — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 041 boundaries, License types, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Weapon restrictions, Wilderness area regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Point system rules, Application period, Draw statistics · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 041 harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Mule Deer (Deer Hunting) — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 41 boundary inside Region D, Season dates, License class structure · accessed 2026-04-17
Bridger-Teton National Forest — Wyoming Range — USDA Forest Service — Bridger-Teton National Forest · supports: Wyoming Range wilderness study areas, Salt River Range access, Road and trail network · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 041 (Gros Ventre / Hoback)

Elk Hunting in Unit 041

Where to Find Elk in Area 041

How to Hunt Elk in Area 041

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 041

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 41

Early Season

Late Season and Migration

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 41

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification