Wyoming Pronghorn Elk

Unit 058 (Sweetwater / South Pass)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Elk

Wyoming Pronghorn Area 058 covers the Sweetwater Valley and South Pass sagebrush terrain in Fremont and Sweetwater counties. The area spans the broad sage flats between the Wind River Range foothills and the northern Great Divide Basin, holding a resident pronghorn population supported by the extensive public land base managed by the BLM.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 058

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 058

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How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 058

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Pronghorn Success Rates

The Sweetwater Valley is productive pronghorn country with consistent animal populations supported by the large BLM land base. WGFD harvest reports include Area 058 data annually. Rifle hunter success in open basin terrain typically runs 70–85% for prepared hunters.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	35	342	10.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 058 in the Sweetwater Basin is a moderately competitive pronghorn draw. Check the WGFD Applications & Drawings page for current draw statistics and whether general licenses are available for Area 058 in your target season.

Elk Hunting in Unit 058

Elk Area 58 covers the front of the Wind River Range above Dubois — Shoshone National Forest country with high basins, aspen benches, and wilderness access to the Fitzpatrick and Teton Wilderness edges. Tags are limited and the unit is known for quality mature bulls, with backcountry hunters regularly taking 320-350 class animals. Grizzly bears and wolves are active.

Where to Find Elk in Area 58

Area 58 elk follow Wind River Range seasonal patterns.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls hold in high basins and aspen drainages above 9,000 feet on the Wind River front. Headwaters of Horse Creek, Bear Creek, and Torrey Creek hold rut action.

Rifle Season (October–November)

Snow moves elk from the highest country to mid-elevation benches. Migration through saddles and along forest-meadow edges produces consistent movement.

Late Season

Heavy snow triggers major migration toward winter range. Predictable routes funnel elk past pinch points.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 58

Area 58 is a serious backcountry hunt — bring gear, fitness, and bear awareness.

Basin Glassing

Top-tier optics and long-range viewing from basin rims. Mature bulls visible at 1-3 miles at dawn.

Spike Camps

3-5 mile backpack camps or horse drops access low-pressure country. Cold-weather gear mandatory.

Migration Hunting

Late-season migration through forest-meadow saddles is a classic Wind River tactic. Set up on pinch points during storms.

Bear Awareness

Grizzly country. Bear spray on hip, proper food storage, and group hunting improve safety.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 58 rifle success averages 15-22% — the lower number reflects the difficult country and limited access. Backcountry hunters and horse-supported hunts show dramatically higher success. Mature bull quality is excellent.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	20	202	9.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 58 Type 1 non-resident tags draw at 6-10 preference points. Wyoming's 75/25 split offers random opportunity. Type 6 archery tags draw easier (3-6 points). This is a multi-year point accumulation unit for most non-residents.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

WY-28 paved; BLM roads are dirt/gravel — 4WD recommended especially after rain

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate — broad sage flats with some rolling terrain near South Pass

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — relatively remote location reduces casual hunter pressure

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Nearest Town

Lander (approx. 40–55 mi) or Rock Springs (approx. 60 mi). Limited services at South Pass City. Stock up in Lander before heading to the area.

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Permit Notes

Verify license type at WGFD before applying; check current quota and draw requirements for Area 058

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Frequently Asked Questions

What services are available near Area 058?

South Pass City (historic site) has no fuel or groceries. Lander to the north on US-287 is the closest full-service town. Rock Springs to the south on I-80 is another option. Plan to arrive with full fuel and supplies.

How many grizzlies are in Area 58?

The unit overlaps established grizzly range. Bears are present in meaningful numbers. Bear spray, group hunting, and regulated carcass handling are non-negotiable.

Do I need an outfitter?

Strongly recommended for non-residents without backcountry experience. DIY is possible for skilled hunters, but the country's scale, weather, and bear density make guided or semi-guided approaches sensible for most.

When should I apply for points?

Start now. Most non-residents take 6-10 years to accumulate enough points for Area 58. The 25% random component gives yearly chances, but plan for the long haul.

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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 — Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 058 boundaries, License types, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Bag limits, Weapon restrictions · 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 058 harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Elk — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 58 boundary and season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
Shoshone National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Dubois-area public lands, Fitzpatrick Wilderness boundary, Travel management · accessed 2026-04-17