Elk Hunt Area 45, Paint Rock Creek: harvest, draw results and public land
Elk Hunt Area 45 (Paint Rock Creek) covers 777 square miles in WGFD's Cody Region and is 82.9% public land, most of it BLM (213,813 acres), measured from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Office of State Lands data. WGFD's 2025 harvest report estimates 903 active hunters took 314 elk here, 34.8% success. The 2026 season table lists 7 license rows here.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WGFD reports for 2021 to 2025. Seasons: WGFD Commission Chapter 7, final April 2026. Draw: WGFD 2026 demand reports. Land: PAD-US 4.1 and the Office of State Lands, read 2026-10-18.
National forestBLMState trust landBureau of ReclamationArea 45Neighboring areasWGFD access areaLakeHighway
| WGFD region | Cody Region |
|---|---|
| Herd unit | Medicine Lodge (211) |
| Size | 777 square miles (497,549 acres) |
| Public land | 82.9% (412,654 acres) |
| Designated wilderness | 60,066 acres |
| Harvest, 2025 | 314 (34.8% of 903 active hunters) |
| Limited quota license types, 2026 | Type 1, Type 4, Type 5, Type 6, Type 7, Type 9 |
| Special archery opens | September 1 |
| Towns in and near it | Worland, Ten Sleep, Hyattville, Manderson, Basin and Greybull |
How much public land is in Elk Area 45?
82.9% of elk Area 45 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 412,654 of 497,549 acres. The largest share is BLM, 213,813 acres or 43% of the area.
| Manager | Acres | Share of Area 45 |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 213,813 | 43% |
| National forest | 180,382 | 36.3% |
| State trust land | 17,905 | 3.6% |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 554 | 0.1% |
State trust land by access: the Office of State Lands and Investments' own parcel layer has 18,111 acres here (a few parcels overlap federal land in the source maps, so this can differ a little from the table). 11,770 acres road access or reached from other state land, 6,332 acres next to other public land and 9 acres no known public access. State trust land is open to hunting where it can be reached legally, but not to camping or open fires.
Designated wilderness: Cloud Peak Wilderness (60,066 acres). A nonresident hunting big game in a designated wilderness area must be accompanied by a licensed professional guide or a resident guide (W.S. 23-2-401).
WGFD access areas in Elk Area 45
Wildlife Habitat Management Area: Renner (15,509 acres here). Public Access Areas: Carter/Billy Miles (4,909 acres here) and Wigwam Rearing Station (401 acres here). Hunter Management Area: Lower Nowood (651 acres here). Walk-In Hunting: 13 areas covering 2,370 acres of private land enrolled in WGFD's Access Yes program.
Measured by FilledTag inside WGFD's hunt area boundary (WGFD elk hunt areas) from USGS PAD-US 4.1 (federal land) and the Office of State Lands and Investments (state trust land). Access areas: WGFD's WHMA, PAA, HMA and Walk-In boundaries. Wilderness: USFS wilderness boundaries as WGFD publishes them.
How many elk are harvested in Elk Area 45?
WGFD estimates 314 elk were taken in elk Area 45 in 2025: 154 bulls, 6 spikes, 136 cows and 18 calves. 903 hunters hunted, and 34.8% of them took an animal. Residents: 742 hunters, 32.2% success; nonresidents: 161 hunters, 46.6% success.
| Year | Active hunters | Harvest | Bulls | Spikes | Cows | Calves | Hunter success | Hunter days | Days per animal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 903 | 314 | 154 | 6 | 136 | 18 | 34.8% | 6,753 | 21.5 |
| 2024 | 1,126 | 362 | 131 | 13 | 199 | 19 | 32.1% | 9,744 | 26.9 |
| 2023 | 1,030 | 406 | 157 | 0 | 214 | 35 | 39.4% | 9,011 | 22.2 |
| 2022 | 1,147 | 403 | 151 | 0 | 232 | 20 | 35.1% | 8,377 | 20.8 |
| 2021 | 931 | 395 | 185 | 17 | 184 | 9 | 42.4% | 7,364 | 18.6 |
| License type | Licenses sold | Active licenses | Harvest | Success | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | 306 | 296 | 137 | 46.3% | 2,206 |
| Type 4 | 249 | 207 | 49 | 23.7% | 1,345 |
| Type 5 | 201 | 180 | 75 | 41.7% | 1,037 |
| Type 6 | 50 | 23 | 0 | 0% | 190 |
| Type 7 | 50 | 38 | 18 | 47.4% | 151 |
| Type 9 | 183 | 170 | 35 | 20.6% | 1,824 |
Source: WGFD 2025 elk harvest report, page 12 of the PDF; earlier years from 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021. WGFD counts a hunter as active if he hunted. Days per animal is worked out from WGFD's own two figures. A bull, in WGFD's tables, is a branch-antlered bull; spikes are counted apart.
When is elk season in Elk Area 45 in 2026?
No general license season; every license here is limited quota. Special archery seasons open September 1. Every row WGFD prints for Area 45:
| License type | Special archery season | Regular season | Quota | WGFD's limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Oct 15 to Nov 4 | 300 | Any elk | |
| Type 4 | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | 250 | Antlerless elk | |
| Type 5 | Oct 1 to Oct 10 | 200 | Antlerless elk | |
| Type 5 | Oct 25 to Nov 30 | Antlerless elk | ||
| Type 6 | Sep 1 to Sep 30 | Dec 1 to Dec 21 | 50 | Cow or calf |
| Type 7 | Sep 1 to Oct 14 | 50 | Cow or calf valid on or within one (1) mile of irrigated land | |
| Type 9 | Sep 1 to Sep 30 | 175 | Any elk, archery only |
Source: WGFD Commission Chapter 7 (final, April 2026), page 7. WGFD can change a season by emergency rule: check WGFD's regulations page before you go.
What did the 2026 draw look like in Elk Area 45?
From WGFD's 2026 initial drawing demand reports: each limited quota hunt's licenses, its first-choice applicants in each drawing, how many were drawn in the preference point drawings, and the fewest points that drew. WGFD does not publish how many drew in the random drawings. The rules for points and the deadlines are on the Wyoming draw page.
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, regular, random | 7 | 203 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, special, random | 4 | 49 | not published | |
| Residents | 237 | 914 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, regular, preference points | 21 | 224 | 21 | 13 |
| Nonresidents, special, preference points | 15 | 64 | 15 | 9 |
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, regular, random | 9 | 17 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, special, random | 4 | 0 | not published | |
| Residents | 210 | 94 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, regular, preference points | 27 | 45 | 28 | 0 |
| Nonresidents, special, preference points | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, regular, random | 7 | 22 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, special, random | 3 | 0 | not published | |
| Residents | 168 | 118 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, regular, preference points | 23 | 45 | 23 | 1 |
| Nonresidents, special, preference points | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, reduced price, random | 8 | 65 | not published | |
| Residents | 40 | 199 | not published |
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, reduced price, random | 8 | 14 | not published | |
| Residents | 41 | 67 | not published |
| Drawing | Licenses | First-choice applicants | Drawn | Fewest points that drew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidents, regular, random | 4 | 103 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, special, random | 3 | 47 | not published | |
| Residents | 142 | 369 | not published | |
| Nonresidents, regular, preference points | 12 | 115 | 12 | 12 |
| Nonresidents, special, preference points | 9 | 56 | 9 | 12 |
Source: WGFD 2026 elk demand report, nonresident preference point drawing and the other 2026 demand reports on WGFD's draw results page. Applicants who miss in a nonresident preference point drawing go on to the random drawing, so one person can be counted in both. On some rows WGFD prints more licenses drawn than the quota; they are shown as printed.
How do you get to Elk Area 45?
Highways through the area: US 16 (about 48 miles inside it), US 20 (about 20 miles inside it), WY 789 (about 20 miles inside it) and WY 31 (about 7 miles inside it). Towns inside: Worland, Ten Sleep and Hyattville. Nearby: Manderson (on the line), Basin (8 miles), Greybull (15 miles) and Kirby (18 miles).
Which elk hunt areas border Area 45?
Elk Area 45 touches 7 other elk hunt areas. Their size, public land and latest WGFD harvest, for comparison:
| Hunt area | Name | Square miles | Public land | Harvest (year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area 34 | Upper Powder River | 826 | 40.2% | 470 (2025) |
| Area 35 | Hunter Mesa | 251 | 75.5% | 143 (2025) |
| Area 36 | Rock Creek | 209 | 67.9% | 145 (2025) |
| Area 37 | Goose | 684 | 52.9% | 282 (2025) |
| Area 41 | Medicine Lodge | 666 | 84.9% | 356 (2025) |
| Area 49 | Otter Creek | 1,237 | 69.5% | 400 (2025) |
| Area 66 | Basin | 1,915 | 78.2% | 76 (2025) |
Questions hunters ask
How much public land is in Elk Area 45?
82.9% of elk Area 45 is public land: 412,654 of its 497,549 acres, the largest share BLM (213,813 acres). Measured by FilledTag inside WGFD's boundary from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Office of State Lands data.
What is the hunter success in Elk Area 45?
WGFD's 2025 harvest report puts hunter success at 34.8%: 903 active hunters took 314 elk. In 2024 it was 32.1% (362 taken). WGFD estimates these numbers from its hunter survey.
When does elk season open in Elk Area 45 in 2026?
The special archery season opens September 1. The earliest regular season row opens September 1 and the latest closes December 21, by WGFD Commission Chapter 7. Each license type has its own dates and limitations, listed on this page.
How many licenses were in the 2026 draw for Elk Area 45?
WGFD's 2026 demand reports list 6 limited quota hunts for elk Area 45. The largest, Type 1, had 284 licenses and 1,454 first-choice applicants across its drawings.
What is the closest town to Elk Area 45?
Worland, Ten Sleep and Hyattville are inside the hunt area. Just outside: Manderson (on the line), Basin (8 miles) and Greybull (15 miles).
Is there wilderness in Elk Area 45?
Yes. Cloud Peak Wilderness (60,066 acres) lies inside it. Wyoming law requires a nonresident hunting big game in a designated wilderness area to be accompanied by a licensed professional guide or a resident guide (W.S. 23-2-401).
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, hunters and days: WGFD elk harvest reports, 2021 to 2025, listed here.
- Seasons, quotas and limitations: WGFD Commission Chapter 7 (final, April 2026), page 7.
- Draw: WGFD 2026 demand reports; deadlines and fees on the Wyoming draw page.
- Hunt area boundary: WGFD elk hunt areas. Public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (federal land) and the Office of State Lands and Investments (state trust land). Highways and towns: Census TIGER/Line 2024 and the 2024 Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Numbers are copied from WGFD and the other agencies named, or measured by FilledTag from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WGFD's regulations are the final word on every rule.
Wyoming hunting Elk hunt areas Cody Region Area 34 Area 35 Area 36 Area 37 Area 41 Area 49 Area 66