Wyoming Pronghorn

Unit 085 (85)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Pronghorn

Area 85 covers the Hanna Basin region of Carbon County in south-central Wyoming — a trophy-class sage basin with tight quotas. Roughly 16 tags issued over three recent reporting years against 161 applicants makes this one of the lowest-quota pronghorn tags in the state. Buck quality is exceptional — this country produces some of the biggest pronghorn bucks in Wyoming each year. Access is mixed, with BLM dominating but meaningful private-land pockets.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 085

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 85

Area 85 pronghorn use the Hanna Basin sage country, scattered benches, and the drainages feeding toward the North Platte.

Hanna Basin Floor

The sage flats of the Hanna Basin proper hold core herds. Glass from the elevated rim roads at first and last light.

Benches Along the Medicine Bow River

The elevated benches along the Medicine Bow drainage produce mature bucks. Rut-season patrols of these benches turn up the biggest animals.

Water Sources

Early-season hunts concentrate on reliable reservoirs and springs. We scout water 2–3 weeks before season using satellite imagery and confirmed on-ground presence.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 85

With only 16 tags over three years, Area 85 is a hunt-of-a-lifetime — preparation makes or breaks it.

Scout Before the Draw Closes

For max-point applicants, the draw is all but guaranteed — scouting the summer before a probable draw year pays off huge. We've watched specific bucks for two summers before taking them.

Glass From Rim Roads

Elevated BLM rim roads give us long views into the basin. A quality spotter is essential to sort mature bucks from the everyday ones.

Wind-Right Stalks

Once a shooter is located, wind and patience are everything. These bucks have been hunted for years and will not tolerate sloppy approaches.

Rut Decoy Tactics

October rut hunts open the door to decoy tactics. A silhouette in a territorial buck's sightline often pulls him across previously impassable ground.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 85 pronghorn success runs 85–100% per WGFD harvest reports — the combination of tiny tag count and committed hunters essentially guarantees tag fill. Buck quality is the real story: horn-length averages are among the highest in Wyoming, with B&C-class bucks coming out regularly.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	16	141	11.3%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming uses a 75% preference / 25% random split. Area 85 non-resident pronghorn tags require 6–10 preference points in recent cycles — among the highest-point pronghorn tags in Wyoming. Residents draw at 3–5 points. The 25% random pool opens rare zero-point hits.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Rawlins has RV parks. Seminoe State Park offers RV-friendly camping.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping is standard. Seminoe State Park (to the north) offers developed sites. Most trophy hunters use motels in Rawlins.

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Trailer Access

US-30 and state highways are paved. BLM roads are gravel and clay — handle trailers in dry conditions only.

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Water

Limited. Medicine Bow River and scattered reservoirs are reliable. Pack drinking water.

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Road Conditions

Gravel and clay BLM roads. Impassable after rain — weather-watch closely.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Rolling sage at 6,500–7,500 feet.

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Hunting Pressure

Low. Tiny tag count keeps pressure minimal.

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Weather

Early season 40–75°F. October drops sharply with wind and possible snow. Pack for serious cold.

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Cell Service

Limited. Rawlins area has service; unit interior is dead. Satellite communicator strongly recommended.

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Nearest Town

Hanna (limited services). Rawlins and Medicine Bow are larger options.

Note: Draw a tag here and plan a full week — you owe it to the hunt to be patient and thorough. An outfitter with local knowledge pays for itself on a tag this hard to draw.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need for Area 85 pronghorn?

Non-resident tags require 6–10 preference points in recent cycles. Residents need 3–5 points. This is a point-build tag for trophy hunters.

What buck size can I expect in Area 85?

Horn-length averages are among the highest in Wyoming. B&C-class bucks come out regularly — this is legitimate trophy 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 — Pronghorn Antelope — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 85 boundary and season structure, Tight quota allocations, License and weapon structure · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Rawlins Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Hanna Basin BLM surface ownership, Travel management, Camping regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 85 harvest success rates, Buck horn-length averages, Historical trends · accessed 2026-04-17