Wyoming Elk Mule Deer Antelope

Unit 047 (Copper Mountain)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope

Area 47 covers the Copper Mountain area in central Wyoming's mountain country. With 70% public land on national forest, moderate hunting pressure, and above-average trophy potential, it offers a productive elk hunting opportunity in the central Wyoming mountains. Elk herds are healthy and bulls in the 280-320 class are common. The terrain mixes timbered mountain slopes, aspen parks, and sage-covered transitional foothills at moderate elevations.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 047

Where to Find Elk in Area 47

Area 47's diverse terrain supports elk across the Copper Mountain area and surrounding drainages.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls hold in the timbered basins and meadow systems between 8,000 and 9,500 feet around Copper Mountain. Wallows and rub lines concentrate in the dark timber benches. Listen for bugles at dawn in the meadow complexes along the upper drainages.

Rifle Season (October–November)

Pressure and snow move elk into the heavier timber quickly. Focus on the north-facing timber benches between 7,500 and 9,000 feet. The timbered drainages feeding off Copper Mountain and the surrounding ridges hold elk through rifle season. Areas away from main access roads concentrate more animals.

Late Season

Snow drives elk toward lower winter range in the sage foothills. The transition zones between the mountain timber and open sage country see significant late-season elk movement as animals stage for winter.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 47

Area 47 accommodates various hunting styles from road-accessible day hunts to moderate backcountry camps.

Road-Accessible Hunting

Forest roads in the Copper Mountain area provide access to productive elk habitat within 1-3 miles of the vehicle. Start early and push into the timber before other hunters to claim productive glassing points along the timbered ridges.

Backcountry Strategy

Hunters willing to hike or ride 3-5 miles beyond road access find significantly lower pressure and better elk concentrations. The higher drainages around Copper Mountain have trail systems that access quality backcountry basins.

Timber Tactics

Still-hunting through dark timber on windy or snowy days is the bread-and-butter rifle tactic. Elk bed in the thick spruce-fir timber and move short distances to feed in meadow openings. Move slowly, glass ahead through parks, and use wind to your advantage.

Pro Members Only

Unlock hunting tactics for Area 47

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 47 elk success rates average 18-28% for rifle hunters and 8-12% for archery. The accessible terrain draws more hunters than remote wilderness areas, which moderates success rates. Hunters who invest effort in reaching areas beyond 2 miles from roads report significantly higher encounter rates.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	103	70	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Non-resident Type 1 tags for Area 47 typically require 4-8 preference points. Type 6 archery tags are more accessible at 2-4 points. This area represents a good mid-tier draw option offering quality hunting on extensive public land without the extreme point requirements of the premier wilderness areas.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 047

Area 47 provides accessible mule deer hunting across the Copper Mountain area foothills. Bucks in the 140-165 class occupy the sage and aspen transition zones, and the 70% public land base ensures walk-in opportunity. The varied terrain supports both road-accessible glassing hunts and moderate backcountry spot-and-stalk. November rut timing coincides with rifle season for productive hunting.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 47

Mule deer in Area 47 favor the transitional zones between the sage foothills and the timbered mountain slopes around Copper Mountain.

Early Season

Bucks hold in the aspen draws and mountain mahogany patches between 7,000 and 8,500 feet along the lower drainages. Browse-rich north-facing slopes provide summer and early fall habitat.

Rifle Season

November moves deer to south-facing sage slopes in the foothills. The rut concentrates activity on open hillsides where does gather. Glass the sage benchlands and aspen edges for the best combination of deer density and buck visibility.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 47

Deer hunting here is straightforward glassing-and-stalking country in the Copper Mountain foothills.

Morning Glassing

Set up on ridge points overlooking sage-covered slopes at first light. Bucks feed in the open during low-light hours and bed on prominent points by mid-morning. Cover as much country as possible with your optics before committing to a stalk.

Afternoon Stalks

Bedded bucks on points and ridgeline benches are approachable using terrain features. Use draws and terrain folds to close within rifle range. Wind direction is critical in the open sage country.

Pro Members Only

Unlock mule deer tactics for Area 47

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Mule deer success rates in Area 47 average 35-45% for rifle. The accessible terrain makes deer hunting productive for hunters who invest time glassing. November rut hunts produce the highest success as bucks move more during daylight.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	20	173	11.6%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mule deer tags for Area 47 draw with 2-4 preference points for non-residents. A reasonably accessible deer tag, making it a good option while building elk points for the same area.

Antelope Hunting in Unit 047

Wyoming's Unit 047 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 047

WGFD manages pronghorn distribution and habitat for Unit 047. Consult the WGFD Hunt Planner and unit management notes for the agency's most current distribution information.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 047

Pro Members Only

Unlock pronghorn tactics for this unit

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Antelope Success Rates

WGFD publishes harvest and draw statistics by unit. The chart above reflects the data WGFD reports for the Unit 047 pronghorn tag.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	400	758	52.8%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

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

🚐

RV Sites

Some developed campgrounds accommodate RVs. No hookups in the field.

⛺

Camp Sites

Numerous dispersed camping sites along forest roads in the Copper Mountain area. Several developed campgrounds available on the national forest.

🛻

Trailer Access

Main forest roads handle horse trailers. Spur roads narrow — scout before hauling large trailers.

💧

Water

Good along the major drainages and their tributaries.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Mix of maintained gravel and rougher forest roads. 4WD recommended for spur roads and late-season access.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Timbered mountain terrain with meaningful elevation changes. Less extreme than the Absaroka wilderness but still requires good fitness.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Accessible terrain draws steady hunter numbers. Pressure concentrates near roads and established trails.

🌦️

Weather

Snow and cold from October onward. Temps 15-45°F during rifle season. Wind is a persistent factor on exposed ridges.

📱

Cell Service

Variable. Limited along forest roads. None in the backcountry.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Nearest central Wyoming town varies by access point (30-60 minutes). Basic to full services depending on direction of approach.

Note: Area 47 is a solid choice for hunters who want quality central Wyoming elk hunting without the extreme logistics of the NW Wyoming wilderness areas. Day hunting from a vehicle camp is feasible here.

Pro Members Only

Unlock logistics for Area 47

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 47 good for a first Wyoming elk hunt?

Yes. Unit 47 offers quality elk hunting with more accessible terrain and logistics than the remote wilderness units. Day hunting from a vehicle camp is feasible, and the moderate draw requirements make it achievable within 6-10 preference points.

What size bulls does Unit 47 produce?

Bulls in the 300-340 class are common. Occasional 350+ bulls come from the backcountry areas. This is an above-average unit for trophy potential without the extreme draw requirements of the top-tier wilderness units.

What draw odds for Unit 47 mule deer?

Non-residents typically draw with 2-4 preference points. Type 6 archery tags are even more accessible. This is one of the easier NW Wyoming deer tags to obtain.

Can I hunt deer and elk in Unit 47?

Yes, with separate tags. Many hunters apply for the easier deer tag while accumulating elk preference points. Overlapping seasons allow hunting both species on the same trip.

How are pronghorn tags drawn for Unit 047?

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.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

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 47 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 47 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 047 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 047 (Copper Mountain)

Elk Hunting in Unit 047

Where to Find Elk in Area 47

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

Late Season

How to Hunt Elk in Area 47

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 047

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 47

Early Season

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 47

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Antelope Hunting in Unit 047

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 047

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 047

Antelope Success Rates

Antelope Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification