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Area 17 - Hoback

Last Updated: Jan 27, 2021
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Quick Tips

  • GPS, Maps, or a compass are highly recommended
  • Be sure to call and check with the Wyoming Game and Fish office to ensure the hunt area is still open

On The Ground

This unit is located on the west side of the state and is probably known best as the Hoback. Situated between Jackson Hole and Pinedale, this is a rugged and beautiful unit that would be a backcountry hunter’s dream. This unit is arguably one of the best units in Wyoming. With a massive fire in the southern portion of the unit, this unit could just get better over the next few years.

This could arguably be the number one unit for black bears in the state. Some of the largest black bears are found in this unit. There was a massive fire in the fall of 2018 in the southern portion of the unit which will only help hunts in the years to come.

Terrain

The terrain in this unit consists of rugged, steep timber covered mountains opening up at higher elevations to beautiful alpine mountain tops. The higher you go in this unit, the more majestic and beautiful the country gets. There are plenty of areas to glass and find black bears.

  • Roughly 319 square miles

  • 93% public land

  • Elevations range from 6,500-12,500 feet

This mountain range is like most in Wyoming, with thick timber slopes in the lower elevations, and beautiful alpine meadows and lakes in the mountains. Like everywhere in Wyoming, the most common trees found in this mountain range are lodgepole pine, as well as some scattered aspen patches. The vegetation in alpine areas consist of grass and berries. You will find some small farms and ranches along State Highway 189, between Pinedale and Jackson, as well as along the Upper Hoback River Road. There was a massive fire in the southern portion of this unit in the fall of 2018.

Unlike most units in Wyoming, this unit does not have nearly the amount of road access in and around the mountain. The Cliff Creek Road is the only road that travels into the mountain range in this unit. All of the other roads are basically the boundary lines for the unit. There are more than a dozen established hiking and horseback trailheads that help provide access to this mountain range. Because there are a limited number of roads and an abundance of hiking trails, this unit is best suited for a backcountry hunter. Another plus for nonresidents is there are no Wilderness Areas in this unit.

  • Maps, GPS, and a Compass are recommended

  • This unit is best suited for a backpack or horseback hunt

This unit is going to be best suited for a backcountry hunter, whether they travel on foot or horseback. Depending on which side of the unit you are hunting, you have three towns that can support you, Jackson, Pinedale and Alpine. So either make sure you bring all of the supplies you need, or stop off in one of these towns on your way to the trailhead. Even though this unit is located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, there are not many established campgrounds here, which is why this unit is best suited for a backcountry hunt.

  • Limited number of campgrounds

  • More than 20 trailheads throughout this unit

  • Depending on where you plan to hunt, there are only three towns to can provide support

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