Unit 049 (Teton Wilderness / South Boundary)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Elk

Wyoming Elk Area 049 covers the Teton Wilderness and southern Yellowstone boundary terrain in Teton and Fremont counties. This high-elevation wilderness unit holds a portion of the Jackson elk herd and offers challenging backcountry hunting on Bridger-Teton National Forest land. Limited quota licenses and significant preference points are typically required.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

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61%

Public Land

Elk Hunting in Unit 049

Where to Find Elk in Area 049

Elk in Area 049 concentrate in the high meadows and timbered drainages of the Teton Wilderness, particularly in the upper Yellowstone, Buffalo Fork, and Thorofare Creek drainages. During September, bulls are active in the open parks between the dense spruce-fir forest patches.

Seasonal Movement

Early season elk are found at 9,000–10,500 feet elevation in high meadows and alpine basins. As weather turns in October, they move toward lower valley and creek-bottom terrain. The Wilderness designation means motorized access is prohibited — all hunting is on foot or horseback.

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How to Hunt Elk in Area 049

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle44%

Teton Wilderness elk hunting yields above-average trophy quality due to low hunting pressure and strong herd genetics from the Jackson/Yellowstone population. WGFD harvest reports include Area 049 data. The access barrier means motivated hunters who commit to the backcountry experience favorable success rates.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — General Type 1 either sex (resident)	255	353	72.2%	—
Rifle — General Type 1 either sex (nonresident)	5	87	5.7%	—
Rifle — General Type 4 antlerless (resident)	92	24	100.0%	—
Rifle — General Type 4 antlerless (nonresident)	4	0	100.0%	—

Data from 2026 draw results. Each row is one residency pool — read the label before the number. This agency publishes no point thresholds, so the Pts column stays blank and these are pool odds, not what a point total draws.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 049 is a competitive limited quota draw. Non-residents should expect to accumulate multiple preference points before drawing. Wyoming's 75/25 draw structure means max-point holders have priority access. Review current draw statistics and point requirements at the WGFD Applications & Drawings page.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Abundant — upper Yellowstone system and numerous high-country lakes and streams

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Terrain Difficulty

Very difficult — high-elevation wilderness, horse strongly recommended, 10+ miles to core hunting areas

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Hunting Pressure

Low — Wilderness designation and access barrier keep hunter numbers low

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Nearest Town

Jackson (approx. 40–55 mi to trailhead). Full services. Moran Junction has limited services closer to access.

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Permit Notes

Limited quota license required; Wilderness regulations prohibit motorized vehicles

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ATVs or motorized vehicles in Area 049?

No. Area 049 includes the Teton Wilderness, which is a federally designated Wilderness area. All motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited. Access is by foot or horse only.

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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: Area 049 boundaries, License types, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Wilderness regulations, Weapon restrictions · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Point requirements, Application deadline, Draw structure · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 049 harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17