Quick Tips
- Bring fishing gear
- Certified “weed free” hay required on National Forest
- Nonresidents must hunt with a guide in wilderness areas
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 270"-300" | 310"+ |
On The Ground
This area is made up of pretty rough mountainous terrain and found in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near the western edge of the state. This unit is due south of the town of Jackson and highway 189 cuts the unit in two. You have the opportunity to hunt north or south of the highway with lots of access points, with little roads. Those who are willing to put in the effort can put themselves into some good remote areas and have a chance of finding success. There is a section of the Gros Ventre Wilderness, so nonresidents will have to take caution on boundaries.
There is a lot of rugged and steep terrain here, and elk can be found all throughout the area. This is a decent-sized area with a lot of drainages to hunt and is a good place for hunters to take branch-antlered bulls.
Terrain
This unit reaches from the Snake River valley floor, east to the mountaintop divide. Terrain is more gently contoured at lower elevations, but gets more steep and rugged with higher elevations, and timberline at about 8,500 feet.
Roughly 378 square miles
92% public land
Elevations from 5,800–11,400 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.
31.3% Wilderness
Vegetation
Low and middle elevations have grassy and sage-covered meadows mixed with Douglas fir and aspen. Higher up near timberline, the country has thick spruce fir forest, with intermittent grassy meadows, rough ridges and sedge-filled alpine basins.
Access
Public access here is good along Hoback Canyon, Granite Creek and Dell Creek roads. There are a few maintained side roads and several secondary logging roads. The unit is covered by a big trail system, and packing in with horses or backpack hunting is recommended, but day hunts are possible too. This area is bordered by Snake River and U.S. Highway 89 on the west, with State Highway 22 and Cache Creek on the north. The divide between Granite Creek and the Gros Ventre River is on the east, with Cliff Creek and the Hoback River on the south. This unit also has a small piece of the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Some popular trailheads within this unit are Granite Highline, Willow Creek, Horse Creek and Jackpine.
Camping and Lodging
Jackson is the closest town, and has lodging options. Grocery stores, gas stations and other stores are also available. Camping is allowed on all public ground for up to 16 days in one location. There are several designated campgrounds located throughout the unit. Hunters can also camp in remote locations.
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