Wyoming Elk Pronghorn

Unit 048 (Buffalo Fork / Togwotee)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Pronghorn

Wyoming Elk Area 048 covers the Buffalo Fork drainage and Togwotee Pass corridor in Teton and Park counties. Positioned between Grand Teton National Park and the Shoshone National Forest, this unit offers accessible backcountry elk hunting with US-26/287 providing vehicle access to major trailheads. General and limited quota licenses may both be available depending on the season.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 048

Where to Find Elk in Area 048

Elk in Area 048 stage in the spruce-fir and lodgepole timber along the Buffalo Fork River and its tributaries above Moran Junction. The Togwotee Pass corridor provides natural elk movement lanes between the high country and lower winter range. Glass the open sage parks and timber edges flanking US-26/287 early and late in the day.

Key Zones

The Buffalo Fork drainage above the Turpin Meadows area holds elk throughout the season. North-facing timbered benches above the valley floor concentrate elk during midday. As snow builds in October, elk push toward the lower valley floor and sage benches above Blackrock Creek.

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How to Hunt Elk in Area 048

The Togwotee corridor is one of Wyoming's more accessible backcountry elk hunts. US-26/287 allows hunters to reach multiple drainage trailheads without long approach marches. We recommend glassing from the highway-visible sage benches at first and last light, then committing to foot or horse access into the timbered draws once elk are located.

Calling Strategy

September archery hunters find responsive bulls in the Buffalo Fork timber. The combination of proximity to Grand Teton National Park genetics and relatively low in-unit pressure produces quality bull encounters during the rut.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 048 benefits from its position adjacent to the Jackson elk herd concentration area and the national park boundary. WGFD harvest reports include Area 048 data annually. Hunter success here is influenced heavily by timing — coinciding your hunt with the rut and early-season pre-rifle elk concentrations improves outcomes significantly.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	119	1	100.0%	0
Rifle— General	306	302	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 048 near Togwotee Pass draws consistent applicant interest from hunters seeking proximity to the Jackson herd. Both general and limited quota license types may be available. Check the WGFD Applications & Drawings page for current Area 048 draw statistics and preference point requirements.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 048

Area 48 surrounds South Pass and the northwestern rim of the Red Desert between Atlantic City and the Green Mountain country. High-elevation sage plains sweep from 7,200 feet upward toward the Wind River foothills, and the unit's huge BLM footprint makes it a reliable public-access hunt. Bucks in the 14-15 inch range are common; patient hunters regularly find 15-16+ inch animals.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 48

Area 48 holds pronghorn across its sage plains, with concentrations shifting with weather and pressure.

Opening Week

Glass the benches between South Pass City and the Sweetwater River. Bucks bachelor up on ridgelines and are visible from distance.

Mid-Season

Pressure pushes animals east toward Green Mountain. The country south of WY-28 toward the Oregon Buttes holds mature bucks that slip away from pressured road corridors.

Late Season

Winter herds form. Mature bucks separate into small groups near reliable water — windmills and spring seeps concentrate animals.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 48

Cover ground, glass aggressively, and be willing to hike off the road.

Ridge Glassing

The low ridges off WY-28 deliver long-range visibility. A tripod-mounted 15x or 20x spotter separates shooter bucks from average animals at 1-2 miles.

Foot Stalks

Plan stalks using terrain folds. Wind matters — pronghorn detect scent from hundreds of yards downwind. Keep it in your face.

Dry-Year Water Ambush

In dry Octobers, water-source sits produce consistent shots. Locate active tanks 48 hours out, brush in a blind, and hunt the afternoon.

Green Mountain Edge

The transition from sage flat to juniper-timbered lower slopes of Green Mountain sees less pressure. Bucks hold along those edges late-morning and evening.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 48 rifle success runs 75-85%. The slightly lower success reflects the unit's size and the extra scouting time needed compared to smaller, road-dense units. Days-per-harvest is 3-4. Non-resident hunters who invest a full weekend almost always notch tags.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	120	152	78.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 48 Type 1 draws for non-residents at 1-3 preference points in most years — slightly tougher than Areas 25 or 103 due to trophy reputation. Wyoming's 75/25 split gives random applicants an annual chance. Type 2 doe/fawn tags draw at 0 points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

US-26/287 paved year-round; forest roads off the highway are gravel with 4WD recommended in late season

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — roadside-accessible drainages with optional backcountry commitment for higher-quality hunting

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — highway access increases visibility and hunter density near the road corridor

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Nearest Town

Moran Junction (approx. 10–20 mi). Limited services. Jackson (50+ mi) for full services.

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Permit Notes

Check WGFD for current license type (general vs. limited quota) for Area 048

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Area 048 near Grand Teton National Park?

Yes, Area 048 borders Grand Teton National Park. Hunting is permitted on the Bridger-Teton National Forest lands within the area boundaries, but not inside the national park itself. Elk that cross the park boundary during your hunt are no longer legal to take.

Is Area 48 worth the extra preference points vs easier units?

For trophy-minded hunters, yes — the South Pass country consistently produces 15+ inch bucks. For meat hunters, Areas 25 and 103 deliver similar shot opportunity with fewer points burned.

Is the terrain physically demanding?

No — easy walking at moderate elevation. The 7,000+ foot elevation is the only real physical consideration; arrive a day early to acclimate if you live at sea level.

What about trespass risk?

Land-status layers are essential. Checkerboard patterns in parts of Area 48 mean a stalk can cross section boundaries. Use onX, Basemap, or the WGFD Hunt Planner app to verify before crossing fences.

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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 048 boundaries, License types, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Weapon restrictions, License class definitions · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference point system, Application period, Draw statistics · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 048 harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Pronghorn — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 48 boundary and hunt structure, South Pass herd management · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Lander Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: South Pass and Green Mountain BLM lands, Travel management · accessed 2026-04-17