Area 9 is a huge unit located in the Absaroka and Owl Creek Mountains in northwest Wyoming. This can be a great hunt for mature bulls in some very scenic country.

This area offers a good hunt with very little hunting pressure. This area has a month-long rifle hunt with only a few permits, giving hunters the opportunity to take a mature bull. The terrain here is rough to moderate and moose habitat can typically be located around creeks or river drainages.

The terrain in the Absaroka Range varies from deep, narrow valleys to towering peaks. Upper elevations are made up of grassy meadows, some pine pockets and open rocky faces. Mid elevations have timbered pine pockets and open grassy faces. Creeks and river bottoms in this area are mostly timbered. Eastern lowland country is primarily rolling grassland and sagebrush.

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.

Several tributaries and creek drainages can be found in this area. Rivers and streams provide riparian habitat with a diversity of willows, cottonwoods, shrubs, grasses and forbs. Mid elevation canyon walls and faces have grasses and timber pockets of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, whitebark pine and limber pine. A variety of native grasses, forbs and some sagebrush can be seen throughout mid elevations. Wet meadow grasses, forbs and sedges can all be found at higher elevations.

The Pitchfork Road running west out of Meeteetse offers access into portions of the Greybull River and moose habitat along the various drainages running in the Greybull. The Wood River Road also out of Meeteetse offers access into moose habitat found along the Wood River and Gooseberry Creek. The Grass Creek Road and Upper Cottonwood Creek Road coming off of Highway 120 can also provide hunters with access into moose habitat. A good map and GPS with land ownership and hunting unit boundaries overlaid are recommended.

Meeteetse is located on the eastern edge of Area 9. The Wea Market on State Street is a convenience store offering gas and some groceries. The Elkhorn Bar and Grill and the Outlaw Café offer drinks and dining. Lodging is available at the Oasis Motel. Thermopolis on the southeastern portion of the area offers gas, dining and some lodging. Camping is allowed on most public lands.