Wyoming Elk Mule Deer

Unit 120 (North Natrona)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Area 120 covers the open rangeland and BLM country of North Natrona County — a vast, sparsely populated landscape of sage steppe, scattered buttes, and creek bottom corridors north of Casper. With 60% public land (mostly BLM) and low hunting pressure, this area offers uncrowded elk hunting in accessible but remote terrain. Bulls in the 260-300 class inhabit the timbered draws and sage-covered ridges. The open rangeland character and easier draw odds make this practical for hunters who enjoy wide-open BLM country.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 120

Where to Find Elk in Area 120

Elk in Area 120 use the scattered timbered draws and sage-covered ridges across the open North Natrona County rangeland.

Habitat

Small herds occupy the isolated pine-covered buttes, creek bottom corridors, and sage draws across the BLM rangeland. Elk here are scattered in smaller groups rather than large mountain herds. The terrain is open and rolling with occasional timbered ridges providing cover.

Rifle Season

Snow and cold consolidate elk in the timbered draws and creek bottom cover. Focus on the sage-timber edges and creek corridors where elk feed at dawn and dusk across the open rangeland.

How to Hunt Elk in Area 120

Open-rangeland elk hunting across BLM sage country north of Casper.

Timbered Draw Hunting

The scattered timbered draws and pine-covered buttes provide cover for small elk groups. Locate these features on mapping tools and hunt the edges at dawn and dusk. Elk emerge from cover to feed on the sage slopes.

Creek Bottom Focus

The creek bottoms running through the open rangeland concentrate elk movement. Set up along these corridors where elk travel between bedding cover and feeding areas.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Area 120 elk success averages 15-22% for rifle. The scattered elk distribution across open rangeland creates variable hunting. Pre-season scouting to locate elk on BLM land is essential for success. The low pressure means elk are less educated than near populated areas.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	105	33	100.0%	0
Rifle— General	124	582	21.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Non-resident elk tags draw with 2-5 preference points. Archery tags often available as leftover. Accessible draw for open-rangeland elk hunting.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 120

Area 120 provides open-rangeland mule deer hunting across the BLM sage country of North Natrona County. Bucks in the 130-155 class inhabit the sage breaks, creek bottoms, and scattered butte features across the 60% public BLM land base. The open terrain supports effective long-range glassing, and the November rut timing overlaps rifle season. Low pressure and easy draw odds make this a solid option for uncrowded Wyoming mule deer hunting.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 120

Mule deer in Area 120 occupy the sage breaks, creek bottoms, and scattered butte features across the North Natrona County rangeland.

Habitat

Deer concentrate in the sage breaks and draws where browse and cover intersect. Creek bottoms running through the open rangeland provide water and travel corridors. South-facing sage slopes hold deer through winter.

Rifle Season

November rut moves bucks into the open sage country. Glass the sage ridgelines, breaks, and butte edges for cruising bucks during peak rut activity.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 120

Open-rangeland glassing and stalking on BLM sage terrain north of Casper.

Break Hunting

Set up on butte tops and high points overlooking the sage breaks at dawn. The open terrain allows covering vast areas with optics. Bucks feed on exposed slopes early and bed on prominent sage-covered points.

Creek Bottom Focus

Brush-lined creek bottoms cutting through the open rangeland concentrate deer movement. Glass the adjacent sage hillsides from the creek corridors at dawn and dusk.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Mule deer success in Area 120 averages 30-40% for rifle. The BLM access and low pressure support consistent hunting. November rut timing produces the best results across the open rangeland.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	47	110	42.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mule deer tags draw with 0-2 preference points. Archery tags frequently available as leftover. Very accessible.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping throughout. The open rangeland has flat camping spots anywhere on public land.

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Road Conditions

County roads and BLM two-track. 4WD recommended. Some roads cross remote rangeland — carry extra fuel.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Open rolling rangeland with scattered timbered features.

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Hunting Pressure

Low. The remote, open character limits hunter numbers. One of the least-pressured elk areas in Wyoming.

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Weather

October-November: 15-45°F. Wind is persistent across the open rangeland. Snow possible but less than mountain areas.

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Cell Service

Variable to poor. Good near highways. Limited to none in the remote rangeland.

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Nearest Town

Casper (45-75 minutes depending on location within the area). Full services as Wyoming's second-largest city.

Note: North Natrona County is wide-open BLM rangeland — different from mountain elk hunting. Carry extra fuel, water, and supplies. The remote character means you may not see another hunter. Map study is essential for locating timbered features that hold elk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Unit 120 compare to the Sierra Madre units for elk?

Lower trophy potential and less dramatic terrain than the Sierra Madre (units 54/55 area). However, the 55% BLM public land provides good walk-in access and the draw is slightly easier. Best for hunters prioritizing accessibility over trophy quality.

Is Unit 120 good BLM mule deer country?

Yes. The 55% BLM land base provides walk-in access across quality sage-country habitat. Buck quality is average (130-155 class) but the access and low pressure make for enjoyable, productive hunting.

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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 — Pronghorn (Antelope Hunting) — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Wyoming pronghorn 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 Pronghorn Antelope Area 110 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 120 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-land access overview · accessed 2026-04-16

Unit 120 (North Natrona)

Elk Hunting in Unit 120

Where to Find Elk in Area 120

Habitat

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Elk in Area 120

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 120

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 120

Habitat

Rifle Season

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 120

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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