Located on the eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains, this unit features a decent population of elk and a moderate distribution. of public lands. Most of the elk habitat in this unit is roadless and public but success rates tend to be lower and hunters will need to work hard to find success.

This area is heavily timbered and glassing is not very effective, which can make for a difficult hunt. There is a small amount of high elevation wilderness area that can be found in this unit with some rough country.

Upper elevations within the Cloud Peak wilderness area are rugged, rocky mountain peaks with some pine pockets and high mountain grassy meadows. Moving down in elevation, ridges and valleys are made up of heavy timber and mountain grassy meadows. Several high mountain lakes are found within the unit. Dropping off in elevation to the east, broken canyon country, rolling sagebrush steppes and grasslands near the valley floor can be found.

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.

Typical trees found here include lodgepole pine, Douglas fir and subalpine fir. High elevation wet meadow grasses, forbs, sedges and willows can be found here. A variety of grasses, forbs, and some sagebrush are found throughout mid elevations. Grasses include wheatgrass species, fescue, bluegrass, needle and thread and ricegrass. Sagebrush steppes and rolling grasslands are found on the eastern edges of the unit.

Highway 16 runs near the southern boundary of unit 36. USFS roads from Highway 16 allow access north into the unit including the French Creek Road, Hunters Creek Road and various roads that split from these. The eastern low elevation portions of the unit are largely private and access can be very difficult if early storms push elk into these areas. Maps with land ownership and hunting unit boundaries overlaid is recommended.

Buffalo located on the southeastern boundary of the unit has food, gas and lodging. Several campgrounds are located just off of Highway 16 including the South Fork and Tie Hack campgrounds that near the southern boundary of the unit. Camping is allowed on public lands.