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Wyoming Elk Pronghorn

Unit 051 (Shirley Basin)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Pronghorn

Elk Area 051 spans the Shirley Basin country and western Shirley Mountains in south-central Wyoming — a mix of sage basins, timber-covered ridges, and broken rim country. Tag quotas are moderate (467 tags against 987 applicants) and public land is about 60% BLM and small NF parcels. Bulls average 260-290 class with occasional larger animals from the deeper timber. The unit fills reliably but is not overly competitive.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 051

Elk Area 051 spans the Shirley Basin country and western Shirley Mountains in south-central Wyoming — a mix of sage basins, timber-covered ridges, and broken rim country. Tag quotas are moderate (467 tags against 987 applicants) and public land is about 60% BLM and small NF parcels. Bulls average 260-290 class with occasional larger animals from the deeper timber. The unit fills reliably but is not overly competitive.

Where to Find Elk in Area 051

Shirley Basin elk use a mix of timbered ridges in the western Shirley Mountains and transitional sage-timber edges.

Western Shirley Mountains

Pine-covered ridges on the western flank of the Shirleys hold bulls in the 7,500-8,500 foot band.

Basin Transitional Edges

Timber-sage interfaces provide morning and evening feeding opportunities. Glass from rim vantage.

Seminoe Reservoir Benches

Late-season elk push toward the lower sage country bordering Seminoe Reservoir.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 051

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Elk Success Rates

Archery22%
Rifle44%
Area 051 rifle elk success averages 35-48%, archery 12-18%. Days per harvest 4-6. Reliable mid-tier elk unit for hunters wanting accessible terrain.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Archery— General678281.7% 0
Rifle— General4211636.2% 0
Rifle— General348241.5% 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 051 Type 1 non-resident licenses typically require 3-5 preference points. Type 6 archery tags draw at 1-3. Residents usually draw with moderate point counts.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points do I need for Area 051 elk?
Non-resident Type 1 licenses typically require 3-5 preference points. Type 6 archery tags draw at 1-3 points.
Is Area 051 grizzly country?
No. Well south of occupied grizzly range. Black bears are present.
Can I combine with a pronghorn hunt?
Yes. Area 042 or 065 pronghorn tags overlap geographically. Time your elk hunt for October and antelope for September in the same base camp.
Is Area 51 a trophy antelope area?
It carries a steady trophy reputation in Shirley Basin. Plan extra glassing days for a mature buck.

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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 — Elk — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Elk Area 051 boundary description, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. WGFD Harvest Reports and Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 051 elk harvest data · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. BLM Rawlins Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Shirley Basin public land, 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
  5. WGFD Hunt Planner — Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Pronghorn Area 51 boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
  6. 2025 Wyoming Hunting Regulations — Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: License types, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
  7. WGFD Drawing Statistics — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 51 historical draw odds · accessed 2026-04-17