Wyoming Mule Deer Pronghorn Elk

Unit 087

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk

Wyoming Hunt Area 087 offers mule deer hunting managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). Tags are allocated through a preference-point draw with resident and non-resident quotas. Hunters should review current regulations, boundaries, and season structure published by WGFD before applying.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 087

Mule deer in Area 087 use a range of habitats from sage benches to timber pockets. Pre-season scouting and glassing at dawn and dusk are the most effective ways to locate bucks.

Check WGFD's Hunt Planner for unit boundaries and plan access around public-land parcels.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 087

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Success rates vary year to year based on weather, pressure, and tag allocation. Consult WGFD harvest reports for the most recent unit-level rifle and archery success data.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	25	1,167	2.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming uses a preference-point draw with a 75/25 split between preference-point holders and weighted bonus-point random draws. Non-resident and resident quotas differ — review current draw statistics on the WGFD Applications & Drawings page.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 087

Pronghorn Area 87 sits along the Wyoming Range front in Sublette County — high-elevation sage parks and benches framed by the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The area produces excellent pronghorn for its geography, with 16-inch bucks more frequent than the state average. Three-year records show 655 applicants against 139 tags, making this one of the tighter pronghorn draws in the state. The reward is uncrowded country, mountain scenery, and mature bucks. Note: Designated-wilderness portions trigger Wyoming's non-resident guide requirement on the west side of the Wyoming Range.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 87

Pronghorn in Area 87 live in the sage parks and open benches at 7,000-8,000 feet between the Wyoming Range foothills and the Green River valley.

Sage Parks

The sage parks west of Pinedale and north toward Daniel hold the bulk of the herd. Glass from elevated rim edges at first and last light. Pronghorn here behave more like classic sage-country animals than most of the other BTNF foothill units.

BLM-USFS Interface

The transition where BLM sage meets USFS timber holds territorial bucks on subtle rises. Focus on the public-land benches east of the forest boundary.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 87

Area 87 rewards patience and selectivity. With tight tag numbers and good genetics, we hold out for 15+ inch bucks rather than shooting the first legal animal.

Glass Before You Move

At 7,000-8,000 feet, sightlines are extreme — we set up on high points and cover multiple parks with a spotter before committing to any stalk. Spend the morning rather than chasing.

Terrain-Aided Stalks

Use creek drainages and the subtle rolling sage topography to close inside 300 yards. Bucks here are less pressured than the I-80 units but still spot motion at long range.

Weather Timing

The first week of rifle season in Area 87 is prime. Early-October snow can drop pronghorn off the higher benches onto the lower sage — great for hunters but forces quick adjustments to your plan.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 87 rifle success runs 85-95% — among the highest in Wyoming thanks to low tag numbers, low pressure, and good-quality bucks. Archery success is lower (25-35%) because the open sage parks rarely give archers a natural approach lane. With 139 tags drawn from 790 applicants over three years, this is a hunt you work for in the application phase, not in the field.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	12	87	13.8%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming's 75/25 preference / random draw. Area 87 Type 1 non-resident tags have required 4-6 preference points in the Regular pool over the last three cycles, with the Special pool shaving 1-2 points. Residents draw with 1-2 points. This is a quality-pronghorn hunt — apply expecting to burn points for a mature, uncrowded experience.

Elk Hunting in Unit 087

Elk Area 87 wraps the Wyoming Range front in Sublette County — high-elevation sage parks, aspen benches, and timbered ridges climbing into the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The area holds a strong resident elk herd with seasonal migration onto the forest, and public land dominates the huntable country. Three-year records show 97 applicants for 16 tags, making this one of the tighter non-resident draws in the region. Portions of the unit fall inside designated wilderness (Gros Ventre and Bridger) — W.S. 23-2-401 requires non-residents hunting wilderness to be accompanied by a licensed guide or a resident.

Where to Find Elk in Area 87

Elk in Area 87 follow a predictable elevation-driven pattern along the Wyoming Range front.

Archery Season (September)

Bulls hold high on the aspen-spruce benches and dark-timber pockets between 8,500 and 10,000 feet. Wallows concentrate along the spruce-fir stringers, and bugling bulls answer consistently through the first two weeks of September.

Rifle Season (Mid-October–November)

As rifle pressure builds, elk shift off the high benches into the timbered ridges and aspen pockets around 7,500-8,500 feet. The drainages feeding east off the range — Cottonwood Creek, Middle Piney, and the upper Hoback tributaries — hold consistent elk numbers.

Migration Timing

Hard early-November snowstorms push the high-country herd toward winter range in the sage basins below. A well-timed late rifle season can intercept migrating bulls at the forest edge.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 87

Area 87 is a big-country elk hunt. Success comes from hiking, glassing, and knowing which slopes hold elk given the current weather.

Timber Edge Glassing

We set up on an aspen-sage bench before first light, glass the openings and timber edges for 60-90 minutes, and commit to the best bull located. Mature bulls bed in dark timber and feed on the open benches at dawn and dusk.

September Calling

Archery hunters in Area 87 find responsive bulls in the upper drainages during peak rut. We locate bulls with a locator bugle at dawn, close within 200 yards, and work cow calls and aggressive bugles depending on bull temperament.

Wilderness Planning

Non-residents hunting inside the Gros Ventre or Bridger Wilderness portions must be accompanied by a licensed outfitter or a resident — this is state law under W.S. 23-2-401. The non-wilderness forest and BLM parcels outside the wilderness boundaries give plenty of DIY country, but we verify boundaries on onX before planning any pack-in.

Access Strategy

Forest Road 10138 and the Middle Piney Road corridor are the main road accesses into the range. Most quality hunts involve hiking 2-5 miles off the mainline to drop pressure.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 87 elk success rates typically run 25-35% for rifle hunters and 12-18% for archery. The mountain terrain and wilderness country filter out casual hunters — success rewards fitness, good optics, and the willingness to hunt hard for a full week.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	8	30	26.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming runs a 75/25 preference-point draw — 75% of non-resident tags go to the highest point holders, and 25% are awarded in a random draw weighted by bonus points. Non-resident Area 87 elk Type 1 (any weapon) tags have historically required 6-9 preference points in the Regular category, with Special tags clearing roughly one point lower. Type 6 (archery) tags are notably easier, commonly drawing at 2-4 points. Note: The Gros Ventre and Bridger wilderness portions trigger W.S. 23-2-401 — non-residents hunting those designated wilderness areas must be accompanied by a licensed guide or a resident.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a mule deer tag in Wyoming Hunt Area 087?

Apply through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's online application system during the posted application window. Tags are allocated through a preference-point draw with resident and non-resident quotas.

What regulations apply to hunting mule deer in Hunt Area 087?

Consult the current WGFD regulation brochure for season dates, legal methods of take, boundaries, and harvest reporting requirements before the hunt.

Does Area 87 trigger Wyoming's non-resident wilderness-guide rule?

Parts of it do. The Gros Ventre and Bridger wilderness areas on the west flank of the Wyoming Range fall inside the boundary. Non-residents hunting inside those wilderness areas must be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter or a resident guide. DIY non-resident hunts are legal on BLM, USFS general forest, and state land inside Area 87 — stay off designated-wilderness sections or hire a guide.

How many preference points does Area 87 pronghorn take?

Non-residents are running 4-6 preference points in the Regular pool and 3-5 in the Special pool. Residents draw at 1-2 points. Expect to burn points for a quality hunt.

How many preference points do I need for Wyoming Area 87 elk?

Non-resident Type 1 (any weapon) Regular tags in Area 87 have historically required 6-9 preference points. Special tags clear roughly one point lower. Type 6 archery tags are much more accessible, commonly drawing at 2-4 points. Wyoming's 25% random pool gives lower-point applicants a real chance.

Can non-residents hunt the wilderness portions of Area 87 DIY?

No. Wyoming state law (W.S. 23-2-401) requires non-residents hunting inside any designated wilderness — including the Gros Ventre and Bridger Wilderness portions of Area 87 — to be accompanied by a licensed guide or a Wyoming resident. Non-wilderness forest and BLM parcels outside those boundaries remain open to DIY hunting.

Is Area 87 better for rifle or archery?

Archery gives better draw odds and responsive rutting bulls in September. Rifle gives higher success rates and easier pack-outs but requires significantly more preference points to draw. We prefer the September archery hunt if we have 2-4 points and the rifle hunt if we are building long-term toward a Type 1 Regular tag.

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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 — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit boundaries, Season dates, Species availability · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: License types, Legal methods of take, Harvest reporting · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Applications & Drawings — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Preference point system, Application deadlines, Draw structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Pronghorn (Antelope) Hunting — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 87 boundary and map, Season dates, Sublette County pronghorn quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Wyoming Antelope Hunting Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Current regulation brochure, Type 1 vs Type 6 structure, Wilderness-guide rule cross-reference · accessed 2026-04-17
Bridger-Teton National Forest Access — USDA Forest Service — Bridger-Teton National Forest · supports: Gros Ventre Wilderness and Bridger Wilderness boundaries, Road access to Wyoming Range front, Trailhead network · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Elk — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 87 boundary and map, Type 1 and Type 6 structure, Sublette County quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 87 elk success rates, Bull age structure, Hunter days per tag · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 087

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 087

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 087

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 87

Sage Parks

BLM-USFS Interface

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 87

Glass Before You Move

Terrain-Aided Stalks

Weather Timing

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Elk in Area 87

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (Mid-October–November)

Migration Timing

How to Hunt Elk in Area 87

Timber Edge Glassing

September Calling

Wilderness Planning

Access Strategy

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Weather

Nearest Town

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification

Unit 087

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 087

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 087

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 87

Sage Parks

BLM-USFS Interface

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 87

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 087

Where to Find Elk in Area 87

Archery Season (September)

Rifle Season (Mid-October–November)

Migration Timing

How to Hunt Elk in Area 87

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification