Wyoming State Flag

Area 42 - West Bighorn

Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024
  • Share on Twitter

  • Share on Facebook

  • Email

Topographic Loading Image

A map error has occurred


Quick Tips

  • A GPS with land status map is recommended
  • Fishing for rainbow trout can be good year round on the rivers and streams
  • Snow chains, a shovel and four-wheel drive are helpful during the rifle season

On The Ground

Area 42 is located along the Bighorn Mountains on the Montana border. This area allows hunters to hunt for big bulls with a high success rate, but drawing a permit can be difficult.

This huge unit offers a month-long rifle hunt and can be a great hunt for the opportunity to take a mature bull. Bulls typically are 35-40” wide.

Terrain

The Bighorn Mountains run north into Montana. The high elevation ridge line serves as the eastern boundary of Area 42. Upper elevations north of Highway 14 have rolling grasslands mixed with timber pockets and canyons that dive off to the west. Upper elevations south of Highway 14 climb to rocky bare peaks. Terrain around that area is very rocky and rugged. Mid elevations are largely timbered with a mix of open grassy meadows and slopes of thick timber pockets and forests. Lower elevations to the west have broken canyon country, rolling sagebrush hills and grasslands near the valley floor.

  • Roughly 1,358 square miles

  • 83% public land

  • Elevations from 3,600-13,100 feet

Wilderness

Under Wyoming law nonresidents are not permitted to hunt big game or trophy game in any federally designated wilderness areas without the presence of a licensed guide or resident companion. The resident companion must first get a free non-commercial guide license from a Game and Fish office. The law does not prohibit nonresidents from hiking, fishing or hunting game birds, small game, or coyotes in wilderness areas.

  • 7.4% Wilderness

Several major creeks and rivers flow within the boundaries of this area. The river and streams provide riparian habitat with a diversity of willows, cottonwoods, shrubs, grasses and forbs. In the higher elevations the vegetation transitions into grassy open slopes. Sagebrush and heavily timbered slopes and pockets of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and Douglas fir can be found at mid elevations. Wet meadow grasses, forbs and sedges are found at higher elevations. The landscape above timberline is rocky with some grassy pockets.

Highway 14 runs east from Greybull and Shell toward Dayton and Sheridan directly through the area. Some roads from Highway 14 travel both north and south and provide access into the majority of the unit. Near the southern boundary, Highway 16 runs between Ten Sleep and Buffalo. Several USFS roads that branch from Highway 16 run to the northern portion of the unit.

  • ATVs are not required but can be helpful

Sheridan is located to the east and has multiple options for gas, lodging and food. The Pony Bar and Grill and Mint Bar have good food and drinks. Located on the western edge, Greybull has several options for lodging. Greybull has limited food options. Lovell, located near the northwest side, has lodging and multiple motels, but food options are limited to a small supermarket and a pizza place. Several campgrounds including Paint Rock, Shell Creek, Bald Mountain and Porcupine Campgrounds are located near the unit. Camping is allowed on most public lands. Hunts are typically done by day hunting from Sheridan, Greybull, Lovell or from a campsite or campground on the mountain.

High

Low

April 2025


Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

insider access

Become a member to access this content

Only Insiders can access this content. For premium hunting content, tips & tricks, and access to our full suite of hunting tools, become an Insider today.

Already have an account?

Log in

insider Membership

Our top tier membership gives you everything we offer! Research tool, maps, and gear shop rewards, all in one plan.