Wyoming Antelope Elk

Unit 065 (Seminoe / Pathfinder)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Antelope, Elk

Pronghorn Area 065 sits around Seminoe Reservoir and Pathfinder Reservoir in south-central Wyoming — a mix of rolling sage, rim country, and shoreline benches. Quotas are moderate (196 tags against 1,118 applicants — tight enough to signal limited-access demand). Public land is mostly BLM around the reservoirs with large private inholdings. Bucks average 13-14 inches with occasional larger animals in the broken terrain around the reservoirs.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Antelope Hunting in Unit 065

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 065

Pronghorn in Area 065 concentrate around water features and the sage benches rolling away from Seminoe and Pathfinder reservoirs.

Reservoir Benches

The open sage above Seminoe Reservoir and the broken country around Pathfinder Reservoir hold steady numbers of bucks. Glass from rim viewpoints above the water.

Dugway Creek and Pathfinder Tributaries

Creek bottoms with willow and sage mix provide cover-oriented habitat for mature bucks.

Ranch-Edge Sage

Large ranches (Pathfinder Ranch, Sun Ranch) border BLM ground. Dawn and dusk movement from private forage to public sage creates reliable glassing opportunities.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 065

Area 065 is compact compared to Red Desert units — hunt from reservoir-area state parks and glass hard from rim country.

Rim Glassing

Setup on rims above reservoir arms at first and last light. The combination of water and sage pulls bucks into glassable positions.

Archery Water Sits

Early-September archery hunters do well on reservoir shoreline and stock tanks in 80+ degree heat.

Decoy During Rut

Mid-to-late September rutting bucks respond to decoys in the sage breaks. Set 200-300 yards from glassed-in herds.

Boundary Discipline

Private ranchland is significant. onX is essential; violations in Area 065 are actively prosecuted.

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Antelope Success Rates

Area 065 rifle success averages 80-88%, archery 25-40%. Days per harvest 2-4. Buck quality is average by Wyoming standards — pick your animal carefully in the sage.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	51	327	15.6%	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 065 Type 1 non-resident licenses typically require 2-4 preference points; Type 2 draws at 0-1. Residents usually draw on first choice.

Elk Hunting in Unit 065

Elk Area 65 covers the south end of the Wind River Range near Lander — big timber, high alpine basins, and the east slope drainages that fall off toward the Sweetwater. Three-year records show 77 applicants against 117 tags. We hunt Area 65 as a strong backcountry elk unit where the best bulls live well above the last gravel road. Portions of Area 65 overlap the Popo Agie Wilderness, which matters for non-resident hunters under Wyoming's guide law.

Where to Find Elk in Area 65

Elk in Area 65 use the high timber and alpine basins for early season and drop toward the foothills as snow accumulates.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls gather in spruce-fir stringers and high basins between 9,000 and 10,500 feet. We focus on timbered drainages feeding east off the Wind River crest and hunt wallows near alpine parks.

Rifle Season (October)

Early rifle finds elk still high. As storms roll through, bulls move into middle-elevation timber on north-facing slopes between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.

Late Season / Migration

Heavy snow pushes elk toward the foothills above Lander. We watch for concentrations near winter range edges and plan late-season hunts around storm tracking.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 65

We treat Area 65 as a backcountry elk hunt — the best bulls live multiple miles beyond any road.

Pack In and Stay In

We set a spike camp at 9,000-9,500 feet on a bench with water and hunt from there. Day-tripping from the trailhead burns too much daylight walking.

Basin Glassing

Glass timber edges in alpine basins at first and last light. Bulls stage in pockets where timber meets grass and break cover for short windows.

Calling in Archery

The steep drainages amplify bugles. We locate with soft cow calls first, then challenge with bugles only when we are in range of a specific bull.

Storm Hunting

A rifle season storm that drops six inches on the crest is our cue to drop elevation fast — migrating elk often commit to predictable routes down specific drainages.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 65 elk success typically runs 20-30% for rifle and 8-15% for archery. The terrain filters casual hunters and rewards packers, and success spikes when early snow triggers migration during rifle season.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	149	33	100.0%	0
Rifle— General	16	54	29.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming uses a 75/25 non-resident draw — 75% preference point, 25% random weighted by bonus points. Area 65 typically requires 2-4 preference points for non-residents in the Regular pool, with Special tags running slightly lower. Portions of Area 65 overlap the Popo Agie Wilderness; W.S. 23-2-401 requires non-resident hunters in that designated wilderness to be accompanied by a licensed outfitter or a Wyoming-resident guide. Verify trail-by-trail whether your planned hunt crosses the wilderness boundary before applying.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Seminoe State Park accommodates RVs. Rawlins and Casper have full-service parks.

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Camp Sites

Seminoe State Park developed campgrounds; dispersed BLM throughout. Pathfinder Reservoir sites also available.

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Trailer Access

State park roads paved; BLM mains graded gravel.

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Water

Both reservoirs plus creek tributaries. Ample natural water; haul drinking supply.

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Road Conditions

Paved to state parks, graded gravel and two-track elsewhere. 4WD recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Rolling sage at 6,500-7,200 feet.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Reservoir proximity brings Casper and Rawlins day-hunters.

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Weather

Early-season highs 65-85°F, lows 30-45°F. Wind strong near reservoirs.

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Cell Service

Decent near reservoirs and I-80; spotty in deeper sage.

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Nearest Town

Rawlins (40 miles southwest), Casper (50 miles northeast), Alcova (south end) for minimal services.

Note: Area 065 is a convenient pronghorn unit with reservoir recreation options that pair well for family trips. Tag timing is firmer than historical norms but remains achievable for mid-point applicants.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need for Area 065 pronghorn?

Non-resident Type 1 tags typically draw at 2-4 preference points. Type 2 doe/fawn tags draw at 0-1.

Can I camp at Seminoe State Park for an Area 065 hunt?

Yes. Seminoe State Park sits inside the unit and has developed campgrounds that make excellent hunt bases.

Are there large private landholdings?

Yes — Pathfinder Ranch and Sun Ranch are significant, as are several smaller operations. Use onX to stay on public and never assume verbal permission.

Is Area 65 inside a designated wilderness for the Wyoming guide law?

Portions of Area 65 overlap the Popo Agie Wilderness. Under W.S. 23-2-401, non-residents hunting inside a Wyoming designated wilderness must be accompanied by a licensed outfitter or a Wyoming-resident guide. Check your specific route against the wilderness boundary before the hunt.

How many preference points do I need for Area 65 elk?

Non-resident Area 65 elk tags typically draw with 2-4 preference points in the Regular license pool. Special licenses usually draw one point lower. The 25% random pool gives low-point applicants occasional opportunities.

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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: Pronghorn Area 065 boundary, Season and license structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports and Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 065 success and harvest · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Rawlins Field Office — Seminoe/Pathfinder — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Reservoir-area public land, Recreation and camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: 75/25 preference-point draw structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Elk — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 65 boundary description, Wind River elk management, Type 1/Type 6 license structure · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Wyoming Elk Hunting Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates for Area 65, Non-resident quota, Special/Regular license split · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 065 (Seminoe / Pathfinder)

Antelope Hunting in Unit 065

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 065

Reservoir Benches

Dugway Creek and Pathfinder Tributaries

Ranch-Edge Sage

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 065

Antelope Success Rates

Antelope Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 065

Where to Find Elk in Area 65

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (October)

Late Season / Migration

How to Hunt Elk in Area 65

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification