Wyoming Elk Mule Deer

Unit 080 (Platte)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Area 80 covers the North Platte River area in Carbon and Albany Counties — a mix of Medicine Bow National Forest timbered mountains and sage-covered foothills in south-central Wyoming. With 55% public land and moderate hunting pressure, this area offers solid elk hunting in accessible mountain terrain. Bulls in the 270-310 class inhabit the timbered ridges and parks of the Medicine Bow NF. The proximity to Saratoga and Laramie provides convenient staging, and moderate draw odds make this practical for mid-point hunters.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 080

Where to Find Elk in Area 80

Elk in Area 80 use the timbered mountain terrain and foothill transitions of the Medicine Bow National Forest along the North Platte corridor.

Early Season

Herds occupy the lodgepole pine and spruce-fir timber between 8,000 and 10,000 feet on the Medicine Bow NF. The timbered ridges and aspen parks along the upper North Platte tributaries hold elk through September. Wallows concentrate in the dark timber.

Rifle Season

Pressure and snow push elk into the heavy timber and creek bottoms between 7,500 and 9,000 feet. Focus on the timbered drainages feeding into the North Platte River. The transition from Medicine Bow NF timber to sage foothills is productive as elk stage for winter movement.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 80

Medicine Bow NF elk hunting that rewards timber skills and scouting.

Timbered Ridge Hunting

Still-hunt through the lodgepole and spruce-fir forests on Medicine Bow NF. Elk bed in the thick timber and move to meadow edges and aspen parks to feed. Work slowly through the timber, paying attention to fresh sign and using parks as waypoints.

Park and Meadow Hunting

The Medicine Bow NF has scattered mountain parks and meadow complexes. Set up overlooking these openings at dawn and dusk — elk move through parks on predictable routes between bedding and feeding areas.

North Platte Corridor

The North Platte River and its tributaries concentrate elk movement. The riparian corridors and adjacent timbered benches hold elk through the fall. Focus on public land parcels along the river corridor.

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Elk Success Rates

Area 80 elk success rates average 18-25% for rifle. The Medicine Bow NF provides quality habitat, and hunters who invest time learning the timber patterns see consistent results. Early snow improves success by moving elk into predictable timber-edge 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 Area 80 draw with 3-6 preference points. Archery tags are more accessible at 1-3 points. A solid mid-tier draw option offering quality Medicine Bow NF elk hunting at moderate point investment.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 080

Area 80 offers quality mule deer hunting in the sage-covered foothills and aspen transition zones along the North Platte River in Carbon and Albany Counties. Bucks in the 140-165 class inhabit the sage breaks, foothill draws, and lower Medicine Bow NF edges. The 55% public land base provides walk-in access on BLM, state, and NF parcels. November rut timing overlaps rifle season, and the open foothill terrain is ideal for a glassing approach.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 80

Mule deer in Area 80 occupy the sage foothills, breaks, and aspen transition zones along the North Platte corridor and the lower slopes of the Medicine Bow mountains.

Habitat

Deer concentrate in the sage breaks and aspen draws where the Medicine Bow NF meets the North Platte valley. Creek bottoms with brush and cottonwoods provide water and travel corridors. South-facing sage slopes hold deer through the late season.

Rifle Season

November rut activity moves bucks into the open sage and grass country. Glass the breaks and foothill ridgelines between Saratoga and the Medicine Bow NF boundary for cruising bucks during peak rut.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 80

Sage-foothill mule deer hunting along the North Platte corridor.

Glassing the Breaks

Set up on high points overlooking the sage breaks and drainage systems above the North Platte. The open foothill terrain allows covering large areas with optics. Bucks bed in draws and on sage-covered points with commanding views.

Timber-Edge Hunting

The lower edge of the Medicine Bow NF timber provides excellent deer habitat. Glass the aspen and sage transition zone where NF land meets the foothills. Bucks use these edges for bedding and browse.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Mule deer success in Area 80 averages 32-42% for rifle hunters. The combination of Medicine Bow NF edges and sage foothills along the North Platte supports healthy deer populations. The rut-timed November season produces the best results.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	118	274	43.1%	0
Rifle— General	178	275	64.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Mule deer tags for Area 80 draw with 1-3 preference points. Archery tags are more accessible. A solid option for south-central Wyoming deer hunting with reasonable draw odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on Medicine Bow NF and BLM lands. Developed campgrounds along the North Platte corridor.

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Road Conditions

Mix of paved and maintained gravel. WY-130 (Snowy Range Road) provides main access. Forest roads rougher, 4WD recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Timbered mountain terrain with reasonable trail access. Less extreme than NW Wyoming wilderness but still involves meaningful elevation changes.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. The accessible terrain and proximity to Laramie bring steady hunter numbers. Push away from roads for better hunting.

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Weather

October-November: 15-45°F. The Medicine Bow mountains catch consistent snow. Wind is persistent at elevation.

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Cell Service

Variable. Service near Saratoga and highways. None in the Medicine Bow NF backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Saratoga (20-40 minutes). Basic services and a strong hunting culture. Laramie offers full services 60-90 minutes away.

Note: Saratoga is a charming hot springs town that makes an excellent base for Medicine Bow NF elk hunts. Stock up on supplies before heading into the mountains — options are limited once you leave town.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 80 a good elk unit?

It is an average-quality unit with easier draw odds. Trophy potential is below the mountain units (260-300 class), but the accessibility and lower point requirements make it a practical option for hunters who want to hunt elk without waiting years. Scouting and map work are essential.

How do I navigate the public/private land mix in Unit 80?

Use a GPS mapping app or similar GPS mapping with private/public land boundaries. Identify public land parcels (BLM, state) in advance and plan access routes that avoid trespassing. Wyoming does not have walk-through access — you cannot cross private land to reach public land without permission.

What kind of mule deer hunting is Unit 80?

Open sage-country hunting with moderate buck quality (130-155 class). The terrain is less dramatic than the mountain units but offers accessible hunting with easy draw odds. Best suited for hunters who enjoy glassing open country.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-16.

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 80 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 80 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16

Unit 080 (Platte)

Elk Hunting in Unit 080

Where to Find Elk in Area 80

Early Season

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Elk in Area 80

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 080

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 80

Habitat

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 80

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification