Check weather forecasts and be prepared for a variety of weather conditions; may include cold snowy conditions especially if you plan to hunt late into November
Buffalo Bill reservoir on the north end of the unit offers good fishing for lake trout, browns, rainbows and cutthroat
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Elk
320"-350"
350"+
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Camping and Lodging
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December 2024
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This area is located just southwest of Cody and offers a hunter a longer and later season hunt. A type 1 permit will allow hunters to hunt during the early archery season and return if their permit has not been filled. Relatively good access and no wilderness area within the unit make this a good option for a nonresident. Some great bulls are taken every year in the later season. There is a lot of private land within this unit, which is something to consider, but I wouldn't count this unit out because of it.
This area offers a very good opportunity to hunt and harvest a branch-antlered bull. Late season hunting for a big bull can be great if the winter weather pushes elk from surrounding units into this area. This area can provide good bowhunting opportunities for rutting bulls during the September archery season. Relatively low hunting pressure. Grizzly bear encounters are a possibility.
The terrain within the public land of the Shoshone National Forest ranges from valleys to mountain peaks. Terrain within this section is rough and steep with some access roads. Upper elevations have grassy meadows, open rocky faces and pine pockets. Mid elevations are covered in heavily timbered pine pockets, open grassy faces and meadows. The northeastern portion of the unit heading toward Cody is largely private with some checkerboard BLM and State lands.
The Carter Mountain range extending northeast is made up of open face grasslands with barren, rocky high elevation tops. A variety of grasses, forbs and some sagebrush are found throughout mid elevations. Grasses include wheatgrass species, fescue, bluegrass, needle and thread and ricegrass. Wet meadow grasses and forbs are found at higher elevations. Typical trees include lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, subalpine fir, whitebark pine, limber pine and Engelman spruce near the treeline. Several small creeks, seeps and reservoirs can be found here with typical riparian vegetation including willows and sedges.
There is good access available into the unit, with primary access coming from the Meeteetse Creek Road from the east and several roads south of the South Creek Road out of Cody. An open road running from the south to the top of Carter Peak from the Pitchfork Road can also provide access. A good map will be needed and GPS with land ownership and hunting unit boundaries overlaid.
Meeteetse is located near the southeastern boundary and has limited amenities. The Wea Market on State Street offers gas and some groceries and the Elk Horn Bar and Grill and the Outlaw Café offer drinks and dining. Lodging is available at the Oasis Motel. Cody is located near the northeastern boundary and has several hotels, campgrounds, gas stations, markets, restaurants, bars and a sporting goods store.