Hunters' experiences in Wyoming's Area 54 indicate a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. Many hunters found elk thriving on private lands while public lands offered elk sightings with more difficult terrain, notably along private-public boundaries. The presence of grizzly bears and the cattle grazing issue on public lands presents complications that some hunters find daunting, making part of the hunting experience less appealing. Focused planning, such as understanding private land borders and utilizing updated maps with detailed access points, can improve the success for both elk and cow hunts, especially with the help of insights from other hunters about specific zones and seasonal patterns. Overall, while the unit presents potential for trophy-sized bulls, careful consideration about the interplay of public access, private boundaries, and the omnipresent grizzlies is advised.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 320"-350" | 360"+ |
High
Low
Bordering Montana in northwest Wyoming, this area has some great trophy potential. Hunters can have a few good chances and some long season dates to hunt big bulls in this unit. No designated wilderness here, which is good for nonresident hunters. Located northwest of Cody, this unit offers a lot country to choose from.
There are some access issues, but hunters who are hiking, backpacking or hunting with horses can access good country here. Tough draw odds in this unit. Bowhunting can be good at upper elevations. Rugged terrain, but no designated wilderness.
Most of the terrain has is steep with rugged canyons. The western parts of the unit are typically more rugged with deep canyon country and high mountain peaks. Open hillsides and meadows with pine-dominated canyons are common throughout the whole unit, while the eastern half has lower elevation and is mainly covered in sagebrush, rolling hills and grasslands.
Highway 296 runs through the central portion of the unit and have a few spur roads that provide access into the unit. Additionally, Highway 120 runs north and south along the eastern border of the unit and can provide additional access into other portions of the unit.
Creeks here have a lot of different kinds of vegetation with willows, shrubs, grasses, forbs and timber pockets. In higher elevations, the vegetation is grassy with open slopes and heavily- timbered pine forests. Hunters can find a lot of wheatgrass and bluegrass here, with pockets of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, Douglas fir and whitebark pine. In the higher elevations, there are a lot of meadow grasses, forbs and sedges.
Cody is located in the southeast corner of the unit and has several hotels, campgrounds, gas stations, markets, restaurants and bars.
Roughly 400 square miles
70% public land
Elevations from 4,500-10,500 feet