Wyoming Elk Pronghorn

Unit 098 (Black Hills)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Pronghorn

Elk Area 098 covers the Wyoming portion of the Black Hills in the state's far northeast corner — rolling ponderosa pine country on the Black Hills National Forest around Sundance and Newcastle. Elk populations here are recovering from historical lows, and quotas have expanded accordingly (1,113 tags vs 1,161 applicants). The habitat is friendlier than the western Wyoming backcountry — lower elevations (4,500-6,800 feet), more roads, easier terrain. Bulls in the 270-300 class are typical.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 098

Where to Find Elk in Area 098

Black Hills elk in the Bearlodge Ranger District of the Black Hills NF use timbered benches and small meadow systems — very different country from western Wyoming mountain hunts.

Bearlodge Mountains

The Bearlodge Mountains around Sundance hold the unit's core elk population. Focus on the ponderosa pine benches above Cook Lake, around Sundance Mountain, and the Reuter Campground area.

Meadow and Park Edges

Small open parks surrounded by pine timber are prime dawn and dusk feeding locations. The meadows along FR 828 and FR 830 systems concentrate elk.

Timbered Ridge Lines

Mid-day elk bed on north-facing timbered ridges. Still-hunt slowly along spine trails to find bedded animals.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 098

The Wyoming Black Hills are a relatively accessible, less-physical elk hunt compared to most Wyoming units — more like hunting the Black Hills portion of South Dakota.

Meadow-Edge Glassing

Set up overlooking park edges at first and last light. Elk feed in the small meadows and retreat into surrounding pine timber.

Still-Hunt Timber Benches

Work slowly along benches and gentle ridgetops in the ponderosa pine. Visibility is 100-200 yards — shots are close by western Wyoming standards.

Use the Road Network

The Bearlodge Ranger District has a dense road system. Drive to listening points at first light during archery to locate bugling bulls.

Private Ranch Boundaries

Private ranchland is interwoven with NF ground. Use onX to stay on public, but be aware that some private permissions are available for rifle season if arranged in advance.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 098 rifle elk success averages 35-50%, a strong number reflecting friendlier terrain and moderate pressure. Archery success runs 10-15%. The unit has grown from sub-500 tags a decade ago to over 1,100 as herd recovery has allowed aggressive harvest expansion.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	105	4	100.0%	0
Rifle— General	294	296	99.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming's 75/25 preference-point draw (75% max-point, 25% random weighted by points — not squared). Area 098 non-resident Type 1 tags typically draw at 0-2 preference points. Type 6 archery tags often draw at zero points. Residents draw on first choice. Strong odds make this a rare Wyoming elk opportunity for low-point applicants.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 098

Pronghorn Area 98 covers the sage country around Cokeville and the Bear River valley in southwest Wyoming. The area produces quality pronghorn at elevation in a low-pressure setting, with bucks regularly breaking 15 inches out of the long-view sage parks. Three-year records show 639 applicants against 163 tags — tight but not prohibitive. The surrounding Bridger-Teton National Forest wilderness touches the unit edges, so non-residents should verify wilderness boundaries before hunting.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 98

Area 98 pronghorn hold in the sage parks and benches on the west side of the Bear River valley between Cokeville and Afton.

Bear River Sage

Glass the rolling sage north and south of Cokeville where pronghorn favor the higher, drier ground. The western foothills of the Salt River Range hold small but trophy-quality herds.

BLM Benches

BLM parcels east of the Bear River hold scattered bucks. Use onX to keep stalks on public land — the ranch-BLM mosaic in this country is tight.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 98

We treat Area 98 like a true mountain-fringe hunt. Lower densities mean more driving, longer glassing sessions, and a higher bar on which bucks get the stalk.

Patient Glassing

Dense cover is absent here, but distances between herds are long. Plan to spend at least the first morning on a rim with a spotting scope before moving.

Rim-to-Rim Stalks

Once a good buck is located, use rolling sage and creek drainages to close inside 250 yards. Many shots come at 250-400 yards — practice at distance before the hunt.

Public-Land Navigation

Keep your GPS active. The private-ranch mosaic in the Bear River valley means you can walk yourself off public in seconds without good maps.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 98 rifle success runs 80-90%. With 163 tags and 639 applicants over three years, pressure is low and mature bucks are available. Archery success from blinds is limited by sparse water and open terrain — 20-30% is the realistic range.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	40	158	25.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming's 75/25 preference / random draw. Area 98 Type 1 non-resident tags have required 3-5 preference points in the Regular pool over the last three seasons. Residents draw with 1-2 points. Type 6 doe/fawn tags draw most years. A mid-tier quality hunt worth a point cycle.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Sundance RV parks; Reuter Campground accommodates mid-size RVs.

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Camp Sites

Black Hills NF developed campgrounds (Reuter, Sundance, Cook Lake). Dispersed camping throughout.

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Trailer Access

Paved roads into the range; NF mains handle trailers easily.

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Water

Creeks and springs throughout the Bearlodge. Not as abundant as western mountain NFs but sufficient.

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Road Conditions

Paved and graded gravel. 4WD not generally required except on old logging spurs.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Elevations 4,500-6,800 feet with modest climbs. This is the friendliest terrain of any Wyoming elk hunt.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Close to population centers in SD and eastern Wyoming; weekend pressure is real.

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Weather

Mild compared to western Wyoming. Rifle season (October) typically runs 25-60°F.

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Cell Service

Decent around Sundance and major roads. Spotty in deeper parts of the Bearlodge.

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Nearest Town

Sundance is the primary base; Newcastle also works. Both have motels, food, fuel, and processing. Rapid City (SD, 60 miles east) for full services.

Note: Area 098 is an excellent first-elk-hunt unit for low-point non-residents. The terrain, elevation, and access are friendlier than iconic western Wyoming units while offering legitimate 270-310 class bulls.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points do I need for Area 098 elk?

Non-resident Type 1 licenses typically draw at 0-2 preference points. Type 6 archery tags often draw with zero points. This is one of the most reachable Wyoming elk units for low-point applicants.

Is the terrain in Area 098 comparable to South Dakota Black Hills?

Essentially yes. The Bearlodge Mountains are the Wyoming extension of the Black Hills — ponderosa pine, rolling ridges, and small meadows at 4,500-6,800 feet.

Are there grizzlies in Area 098?

No. The Black Hills are well outside occupied grizzly range. Black bears are present in low numbers.

Is Area 98 legal for DIY non-resident hunters?

Yes, on BLM, state, and USFS general forest. However, designated wilderness areas in the adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest (Bridger Wilderness, Salt River Range Wilderness Study Area portions) trigger Wyoming's non-resident wilderness-guide statute. Stay off designated wilderness if hunting alone as a non-resident, or hire a licensed outfitter.

How many preference points does Area 98 pronghorn require?

Non-residents are running 3-5 preference points in the Regular pool. Residents draw at 1-2 points. Doe/fawn Type 6 tags draw most years and sometimes appear as leftover.

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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 — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Elk Area 098 boundary, Season structure and license types · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports and Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 098 elk success and harvest · accessed 2026-04-17
Black Hills National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Wyoming Black Hills access, Bearlodge Ranger District trailheads, Camping and road rules · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: 75/25 preference-point draw mechanics · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Pronghorn (Antelope) Hunting — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 98 boundary and map, Lincoln County pronghorn quotas, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Wyoming Antelope Hunting Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Current regulation brochure, Quota structure for Area 98 · accessed 2026-04-17
Kemmerer BLM Field Office Access — Bureau of Land Management — Kemmerer Field Office · supports: BLM landownership in Lincoln County, Travel management, Dispersed camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 098 (Black Hills)

Elk Hunting in Unit 098

Where to Find Elk in Area 098

Bearlodge Mountains

Meadow and Park Edges

Timbered Ridge Lines

How to Hunt Elk in Area 098

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 098

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 98

Bear River Sage

BLM Benches

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 98

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification