Wyoming Elk Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 070 (Cloud Peak)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Unit 70 encompasses the Cloud Peak Wilderness in the heart of the Bighorn Mountains — a classic high-country elk unit with 75% public land, low-to-moderate pressure, and high trophy potential. The Cloud Peak Wilderness offers dramatic alpine terrain with cirques, granite peaks, and timbered basins. Bulls in the 310-350 class are regular, and the wilderness character ensures quality hunting experiences for those willing to pack in.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 070

Where to Find Elk in Unit 70

Elk in Unit 70 range across the Cloud Peak Wilderness and surrounding Bighorn NF terrain.

Archery Season (September)

Rutting bulls concentrate in the sub-alpine basins and timbered parks between 9,000 and 11,000 feet. The drainages feeding into the Tongue River and Clear Creek hold vocal bulls in the dark timber. Alpine meadows along the Cloud Peak crest provide glassing opportunities.

Rifle Season (October–November)

Snow drives elk from the alpine into the heavy timber between 8,000 and 9,500 feet. The timbered benches and parks along the main drainages hold staging elk. The eastern slope drainages (Tongue River, Clear Creek) and western slope drainages (Paintrock Creek) are both productive.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 70

Cloud Peak hunting rewards wilderness skills and physical conditioning.

Wilderness Pack-In

The best elk hunting in Unit 70 requires packing 4-8 miles into the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Horse or llama support is recommended for the pack-in and game retrieval. Establish a base camp near a major drainage junction and hunt the surrounding basins.

Alpine Basin Glassing

The Cloud Peak Wilderness has spectacular alpine basins ideal for long-range glassing. Set up on granite ridges overlooking the basins at dawn. Bulls feed in the meadows below treeline and bed in the adjacent timber fingers.

Timber Hunting

During rifle season, still-hunting through the dark spruce-fir timber on the benches between 8,000 and 9,500 feet is the primary tactic. Move slowly through the timber, using parks and meadows as waypoints. Snow dramatically improves tracking and sound cover.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 70 rifle success rates average 25-35%. Archery success runs 10-15%. The wilderness character filters out casual hunters, and those who invest the effort report high encounter rates. Early snow consistently improves success by pushing elk into predictable timber patterns.

Elk Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Non-resident Type 1 elk tags for Unit 70 require 6-10 preference points. Type 6 archery tags draw with 3-6 points. Draw difficulty falls between the premier NW units and the accessible foothill units. The wilderness quality makes this unit a strong value proposition for the point investment.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 070

Unit 70 holds quality mule deer in the Bighorn Mountain foothills and lower timbered slopes surrounding the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Bucks in the 150-175 class occupy the sage-covered benches and aspen draws between 6,500 and 8,500 feet. With 75% public land and low-to-moderate pressure, mature bucks are present throughout the unit. November rut timing makes rifle season the most productive period.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 70

Mule deer in Unit 70 favor the foothill and lower mountain terrain on both slopes of the Bighorns.

Early Season

Bucks hold in the aspen parks and brushy draws between 7,000 and 9,000 feet. The east-slope drainages above Buffalo and the west-slope terrain above Ten Sleep hold scattered bucks in browse-rich cover.

Rifle Season

November pushes deer to south-facing sage and oak brush slopes. The rut concentrates activity on exposed hillsides where does feed. The foothill benchlands on both slopes of the Bighorns offer productive glassing terrain.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 70

Bighorn foothill deer hunting with excellent optics opportunities.

Glassing

Set up on ridgeline points overlooking the sage and aspen transition zones. The Bighorn foothills provide long sight lines across quality deer habitat. Cover maximum country with optics at dawn and plan stalks on located bucks.

Aspen Draw Hunting

Early-season bucks concentrate in aspen draws. Slow-hunt through the aspens on the edges of open parks, glassing ahead for feeding or bedded deer.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule deer success in Unit 70 averages 38-48% for rifle hunters. The quality habitat and moderate pressure produce consistent hunting. The rut-timed November season generates the best results as bucks move actively during daylight.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Non-resident mule deer tags draw with 2-4 preference points. Archery tags are even more accessible. A strong option for hunters building elk points in the Bighorn region.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 070

Pronghorn Area 70 covers the high-desert country around Baggs and the Red Rim-Grizzly Wildlife Habitat Management Area in south-central Wyoming. We like this unit for its strong mix of BLM sage flats, state sections, and HMA public access — plus enough tags (about 284 over three years against 275 applicants) that drawing is realistic without heavy point investment. Bucks run 72-78 inches on average, and open terrain makes the unit an excellent first Wyoming antelope hunt.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 70

Pronghorn in Area 70 are thick on the ground — the challenge is sorting mature bucks out of big bachelor groups and does.

Red Rim-Grizzly HMA

The HMA straddles WY-789 south of Rawlins and holds a resident herd year-round. The western edges along the Red Rim escarpment consistently produce mature bucks in open sage.

Baggs / Savery Country

South and west of Baggs, BLM benches between the Little Snake and Muddy Creek drainages hold strong buck numbers. The ag-edge near Savery attracts bucks in early season.

Atlantic Rim

The sage country on the Atlantic Rim west of the unit gets less pressure and holds old bucks. Motorized travel is restricted — plan a walking approach.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 70

Area 70 is a glass-and-stalk unit on a grand scale.

Pick a Ridge, Glass Three Miles

Tripod up on the Red Rim or Atlantic Rim escarpments and glass every bench in sight before moving. We routinely sort 15-20 bucks before committing to a stalk.

Respect the HMA Rules

The Red Rim-Grizzly HMA has seasonal closures and specific public access points. Check the current WGFD walk-in atlas before opening day — boundaries are enforced.

Cover Country on Foot

Vehicle pressure off WY-789 is significant opening weekend. A two-mile walk into the HMA interior or onto an Atlantic Rim bench drops pressure dramatically.

Shoot Inside Your Range

The open country tempts long shots. Most mature bucks fall at 250-400 yards here, but pushing beyond practiced distances costs hunters a high percentage of their chances.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 70 rifle success has run 90-95% the past several seasons. The combination of strong herd numbers, accessible public land, and generous tag allocations means most hunters who put in a full day fill their tag on a mature buck.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	76	51	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming's 75/25 preference/random split applies. Area 70 non-resident Type 1 tags typically draw at 1-2 preference points in the max-point pool, with zero-point random draws common. Residents usually clear at zero points. This is one of Wyoming's more attainable quality antelope units.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Trailhead parking areas accommodate RVs. No hookups. Buffalo and Sheridan have RV parks.

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Camp Sites

Trailhead camping at multiple access points. Backcountry camping unrestricted in the wilderness.

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Trailer Access

Horse trailer access at main trailheads. Some rough approaches require scouting.

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Water

Good. Alpine lakes, streams, and springs throughout the wilderness.

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Road Conditions

Paved and gravel access to trailheads. 4WD recommended for some approaches. Snow closes some access roads by mid-October.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Alpine terrain with significant elevation changes. Granite rock fields, heavy timber, and steep climbs. Physical fitness essential.

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Hunting Pressure

Low-Moderate. Wilderness character limits hunter numbers. Trailhead areas see moderate use; the backcountry is lightly hunted.

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Weather

Mountain weather is unpredictable. Snow possible from September onward. Sub-zero temps possible during late rifle season. Pack for winter.

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Cell Service

None in the wilderness. Service in Buffalo and Sheridan.

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Nearest Town

Buffalo or Sheridan (45-75 minutes from trailheads). Both offer full services.

Note: The Cloud Peak Wilderness is one of Wyoming's best-kept elk hunting secrets. Less famous than the NW units but with comparable quality and easier draw odds. Plan your trip around the wilderness trailheads on both the east and west slopes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cloud Peak Wilderness like for elk hunting?

Spectacular high-country terrain with granite peaks, alpine lakes, and heavy timber. The wilderness feel is similar to NW Wyoming but in the Bighorn Mountains. Expect 4-8 mile pack-ins, no motorized access, and pristine backcountry conditions.

How does Unit 70 compare to NW Wyoming elk units?

Similar quality (310-350 class bulls) with easier draw odds (6-10 points vs. 10-16). The Bighorn terrain is comparable but more compact. Less grizzly concern than the Yellowstone-area units. A strong value option for quality wilderness elk.

What size mule deer bucks does Unit 70 produce?

Bucks in the 150-175 class are realistic. The quality habitat and moderate pressure in the Bighorn foothills support a healthy age structure. November rut hunts on south-facing sage slopes yield the best trophy opportunities.

Is Area 70 a good first Wyoming antelope hunt?

Yes. Draw odds are attainable, public land access is strong, terrain is easy to hunt, and success rates routinely top 90%. It is one of the best-known introduction units in the state.

Can I camp inside the Red Rim-Grizzly HMA?

Rules vary by year and parcel. Check the current WGFD HMA brochure and on-site signage — some zones close seasonally and others restrict camping to designated spots.

What is the average buck size?

Mature bucks in Area 70 average 72-78 inches. Bucks over 80 inches come out every season from the less-pressured Atlantic Rim country.

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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 (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 70 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 70 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
WGFD Hunt Planner — Pronghorn — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 70 boundary around Baggs, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
Red Rim-Grizzly HMA — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Red Rim-Grizzly HMA public access rules, Seasonal closures · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Rawlins Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Public land mosaic south of Rawlins, Motorized travel rules · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 070 (Cloud Peak)

Elk Hunting in Unit 070

Where to Find Elk in Unit 70

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (October–November)

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 70

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 070

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 70

Early Season

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 70

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 070

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 70

Red Rim-Grizzly HMA

Baggs / Savery Country

Atlantic Rim

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 70

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification