Teton Wilderness: Remote, Rugged, and Rich with Elk
Wyoming's Elk Unit 70 encompasses the breathtaking Teton Wilderness, offering hunters a chance to pursue elk in one of the most remote and pristine areas of the state.
With elevations ranging from rolling timber-covered hills to steep mountainous terrain, the unit provides diverse habitats that elk favor throughout the hunting season. This unit is one of the most remote elk hunting zones in the Lower 48, bordered by Yellowstone National Park to the north. There's no vehicle access—everything is on horseback, which means limited pressure, older bulls, and the kind of raw, unfiltered backcountry experience hunters dream of.
The terrain is vast and wild—timbered ridges, high mountain meadows, deep drainages, and alpine plateaus—offering elk the cover and forage they need to thrive. It’s not uncommon to glass bulls feeding in high basins at sunrise or hear bugles echo through pine valleys on cold September mornings.
Unit 70 Elk Hunting Stats & Tag Draw Odds
Tag Type: General elk tag for residents; for nonresidents, there are two types:
Regular (standard) nonresident tag
Special nonresident tag (higher fee, slightly better odds)
Nonresident Draw Odds:
For the Regular general tag, applicants typically need 5 or more preference points to have a reasonable chance of drawing.
For the Special General tag, applicants generally need 4 or more preference points to be competitive.
Success Rates: On guided hunts, we consistently see 50–60% harvest success, with around a 95% hunter opportunity rate. Our average bull scores around 310” Boone and Crockett.
One of the most unique aspects of hunting Unit 70 is the ability to rifle hunt during the rut with a general tag—a privilege few states offer. While most western rifle seasons don’t begin until the bugling has died down, Wyoming’s early rifle opener (Sept 20) puts hunters right in the heart of the action. Bulls are still screaming, chasing cows, and highly responsive to calls, giving rifle hunters the kind of experience typically reserved for archery seasons.
This unit is part of the Jackson elk herd, one of Wyoming’s most famous and well-managed herds. Bulls here grow old—and big—thanks to the rugged terrain and light pressure that keeps weekend warriors at bay.
The Horseback Advantage
Most hunters don’t reach the best spots in Unit 70—because they can’t. The true gems of this wilderness are a day’s ride or more from any trailhead. That’s where we come in.
Our trips are fully outfitted with seasoned horses and mules, allowing us to set up camp deep in the backcountry where the elk rut is raw and uninterrupted. You're not road hunting or hiking from a crowded parking lot—you’re dropped into untouched country few people ever see.
Camp Life Built for Hard Hunters
After a long day glassing basins or chasing bugles through timber, we get you back to a basecamp that’s equal parts comfort and wilderness grit.
Heavy-duty canvas wall tents
Sturdy cots with foam sleeping pads
Wood stoves for chilly nights
Homestyle meals cooked over open fire or propane camp stoves
You’ll sleep, eat, and wake up ready to chase bulls.
Unit 70 Hunt Dates & Prep
Archery Season: September 1–19 — Perfect for rut action with bulls responding to calls.
Rifle Season: September 20–October 31 — A great balance of rut activity and bull visibility.
Given the remote access, our trips are structured as 8-day adventures, providing ample time to immerse yourself in the hunt without racing the clock.
Why Choose Unit 70?
No Roads. No Pressure. Just Elk.
Prime rut country during both archery and rifle seasons
High-quality bulls with minimal competition
Real-deal backcountry hunting the way it was meant to be
Rifle hunting the rut on a general tag — an opportunity nearly exclusive to Wyoming
Serious elk hunters know that some tags are worth the wait, and some places are worth the ride. Unit 70 is both.
Get in touch if you’re ready to ride deep into the Teton Wilderness and hunt elk on their turf. We’re booking for this season and future years.
Contact Graylight Outfitters to reserve your spot or ask about point strategies and draw help.
