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Area 1 - Goose Creek

Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024
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Quick Tips

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

On The Ground

Area 1 is located along the northeast side of the Bighorn Mountains on the Montana border. It has been one among the top producing areas for a big bull moose in Wyoming for several years.

This is a great hunt with an opportunity to take a very good bull. Bulls on average are 40” wide.

Terrain

The Bighorn Mountains in this area run north into Montana. The high elevation ridgeline serves as the western boundary of this hunt area. Upper elevations north of Highway 14 are largely rolling grasslands with timbered pockets and canyons. Canyons, shallow near upper elevations, deepen as they dive off toward the northeast. South of hwy 14 upper elevations climb to rocky bare peaks with Cloud Peak climbing to over 13,000 feet near the south end of the unit. Terrain on the south end is very rocky and rugged. Mid elevations are largely timbered with open grassy meadows and slopes. Dropping off in elevation there is broken canyon country turning into rolling sagebrush flats and grasslands near the valley floor.

  • Roughly 1,145 square miles

  • 66% public land

  • Elevations from 3,700-13,100 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.

  • 7.2% Wilderness

Several major creeks and rivers are found in this area. The river and streams provide riparian habitat with a diversity of willows, cottonwoods, shrubs, grasses and forbs. Moving up in elevation vegetation transitions into open grassy slopes. Some sagebrush exists throughout the mid elevations along with heavily timbered slopes and pockets of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Douglas fir. At the higher elevations there are wet meadow grasses, forbs and sedges. Above timberline the landscape is rocky with a few grassy pockets.

Highway 14 running west from Dayton runs directly through this hunt area. From it several roads going both north and south provide access into the majority of the unit. The Woodrock Road (26) looping to the southeast back toward Big Horn will provide good access into likely moose habitat.

  • ATVs are not required but can be helpful

  • Day hunting from Sheridan is possible

Sheridan has multiple options for gas, lodging and food. Check out the Pony Bar and Grill for good food and drinks. Also the historic Mint Bar has drinks and has been open for over a 100 years and a fascinating place to spend an evening. Several campgrounds are located just off of Highway 14. They include Sibley Lake Campgrounds, Prune Creek Campground, Owen Creek and Tie Flume Campgrounds. Camping is allowed on most public lands.

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