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Wyoming Antelope

Unit 042 (Shirley Basin)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Antelope

Pronghorn Area 042 covers the Shirley Basin country north of Medicine Bow — rolling sage benches and broken rim country with historically high pronghorn densities. Public land mix is roughly 50% BLM and State, with significant private ranchland (several large ranches and the former Shirley Basin uranium district). Quotas remain moderate (452 tags against 1,139 applicants) and buck quality is solid — 13-15 inch animals are realistic.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Antelope Hunting in Unit 042

Pronghorn Area 042 covers the Shirley Basin country north of Medicine Bow — rolling sage benches and broken rim country with historically high pronghorn densities. Public land mix is roughly 50% BLM and State, with significant private ranchland (several large ranches and the former Shirley Basin uranium district). Quotas remain moderate (452 tags against 1,139 applicants) and buck quality is solid — 13-15 inch animals are realistic.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 042

Shirley Basin pronghorn use a classic sage-basin landscape with better forage than the Red Desert, producing heavier-bodied animals.

Central Basin

The rolling sage south of the Shirley Mountains and east of Pathfinder Reservoir holds the bulk of the herd. BLM two-tracks and county roads provide broad access.

Rim Country

Buck concentration increases along the rims and broken terrain at the basin edges. Glass from elevated points overlooking feeding flats.

Ranch Boundaries

Several private ranches (Pathfinder Ranch, Q Creek) border BLM ground. Pronghorn ghost across boundaries daily and buck density is highest where public sage meets private forage.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 042

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Antelope Success Rates

Area 042 rifle success averages 85-92%, archery 30-45%. Days per harvest typically 2-3 for rifle hunters. Buck quality is above the Wyoming average thanks to good forage in the Shirley Basin grassland-sage mix.

Antelope Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— General22332468.8% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Wyoming 75/25 preference-point draw (75% max-point, 25% random weighted by points — not squared). Area 042 Type 1 non-resident licenses typically draw at 1-3 preference points; Type 2 doe/fawn at 0-1. Residents generally draw on first choice.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need for Area 042 pronghorn?
Non-resident Type 1 tags typically draw at 1-3 preference points. Type 2 doe/fawn tags draw at 0-1. Residents usually draw on first choice.
Are there Access Yes walk-in parcels in Area 042?
Yes. WGFD's Access Yes program has maintained several walk-in parcels in the Shirley Basin area. Enrollment changes annually; check the current WGFD walk-in atlas.
What is the closest town for base camp?
Medicine Bow is the closest small town. Casper and Rawlins offer full services and are reasonable daily commutes.

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Sources & Verification

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

  1. WGFD Hunt Planner — Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Pronghorn Area 042 boundary, Season and license structure · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. WGFD Harvest Reports and Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 042 success and harvest · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. BLM Rawlins Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Shirley Basin public land ownership, Access and camping · accessed 2026-04-17
  4. WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference-point draw structure · accessed 2026-04-17