32 year old son and I are in planning stages for our first ever trek out west to give a shot at elk hunting (rifle) in Wyoming in 2019. I figure this first attempt will be where we make lots of mistakes... to increase chances of success I figure we should go with cow/calf tags and stay below 10,000 feet elevation to help ward off the effects of high altitude sickness. I live at 300 feet elevation and he is at literally 33 feet elevation in SC... Intent is to get the Ram 1500 4x4 truck up as far as we can safely go, then set up a base camp and foray out from the truck with backpacks... returning to the truck every other day. any recommendations on which units to apply for? it appears to me that public land in the southwestern corner either side of the Green River up to about Jackson is where we should consider (?)... no horses so the wilderness areas are not an option... when i see those western Wyoming mountains i am going to be in hog heaven.

thanks in advance.

Personally, I'd suggest one of the late hunts. December or January. The elk will be in the low sage country. Some roads may be snowed in, but you should be able to drive to spots to glass from, then hike in once you get a herd spotted. Camping wouldn't be much fun, but hotels in town are available. If you're intent on hunting the high mountains, then this probably won't be your best option, though you'll see the mountains for sure.

The extra cow hunts during October can be nice, but you'll likely have lots of competition from the general season hunters. Some areas such as 94 you can avoid this though as the general season for bulls is only 10 or so days long and that's when the vast majority of people will be there.

No wilderness unless you have a resident guide to hunt with you. Grizz and wolves also over there so I would look elsewhere Lots of areas with good elk hunting, cow tags , not in Western side of the state. And yes you can find some areas that cow season opens early and goes very late into Jan.

thanks, found a range map and lo and behold plenty of elk in eastern Wyoming... i have lots of homework to do...

I would steer you away form area 6, mostly private and you'll probably end up eating that tag.

thanks for that advice.

Lots of good areas with cow calf tags here in WY. Area 35 above Buffalo has great access, area 34 too. Plenty of places to DIY and stay outta wilderness and need for a guide / resident guide.

Spend ALOT of time in Wyo Game and fish regs looking at hunter success stats....and call the local Game and Fish offices. in my experience they have been very good to deal with, offer a lot of good information.

second what sendero man said. look at the Bighorns, (35,36,34,445, 49,41) ...most hunts will be from 4500 in the low sage to 8000 ft in the mountains. as the mts max at 9k.