- Cell service is spotty throughout the area
- Fishing in nearby rivers and reservoirs
- Good access with a lot of roads
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|
Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
Whitetail Deer | 110"-120" | 120"+ |
Located in the Pinedale region, this is a general deer unit that has mule deer and whitetail deer. This does not hold a lot of resident deer and most years requires weather to push mature bucks to lower elevations from the Wind River Range. If weather is received hunters can find good bucks in the low benches and sagebrush draws that are common here. Whitetails can mainly be found on private land.For nonresidents, this area is part of Region H and tags drawn for this area are also valid in: 130, 139, 140, 142, 146, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156.
Mule deer hunting here can be tough since there aren't a lot of deer for most of the year and weather is a key factor later in the year because it can push deer from higher elevations to more winter range habitat. Nonresidents will need to be accompanied by an outfitter to hunt most of the higher elevations, which is in the Bridger Wilderness area. Low to average numbers of deer.
This area has rolling hills, ravines and drainages giving mule deer a lot of places to hide and find cover. Some agriculture land and river bottom terrain can be found on the north and west edges of the unit giving whitetail deer good habitat. The south end of the area has more open country with sagebrush and grass while the northern end of the unit has more elevation with a lot of water, rocky areas and plenty spots to glass mule deer.
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.
Most of the unit is covered in grass and sagebrush. Not a lot of trees are found throughout most of the area. The high elevation areas have aspen and mixed conifer along with grassy meadows and sagebrush slopes. Most of the higher elevations found within the wilderness have steep terrain with high peaks around the mountain lakes.
Hunters can find a lot of access points throughout the area. There are mainly well-maintained, gravel roads here, because of oil and gas exploration. Some roads on the south end can become hard to travel on in bad weather. Most roads can be travelled using most vehicles, but a high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, ATVs or side-by-sides are also recommended. Bridger Wilderness areas can be reached by a few maintained trails throughout the unit.
Accommodations can be found in Boulder, Big Piney, La Barge, Pinedale and Farson. Hunters can also camp in the campground at Fontenelle Reservoir and other campsites throughout the unit.
Roughly 1,630 square miles
91.7% public land
Elevations from 6,200-11,300 feet