Good summer and fall elk populations, early winter weather can get herds moving
Check weather forecasts and be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, can include cold snowy conditions
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Elk
300"-330"
340"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
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November 2024
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This area is found in the Teton wilderness area near the southeastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. The entire unit is located within a designated wilderness area and cannot be hunted by nonresidents without an outfitter or registered Wyoming resident guide. The area can be hunted on a Type 9 (archery only) permit or on a General season permit, both allocated through a drawing process. This area provides hunters with good hunting opportunities for mature bulls in hard, remote wilderness terrain. This is big time grizzly country, so proper precautions need to be taken here.
This area is one of the best for general season elk hunts in this state. The area offers a decent chance for hunters to take a mature branch-antlered bull. The rifle hunt generally starts in mid September which gives hunters an opportunity to hunt during the rut.
Large, broad mountain tops with step-like cliff face terraces that drop into deeper, narrow drainage bottoms can be found here. The Yellowstone River and many other tributaries flow through the area, providing lots of running water. Creek and river bottoms are made up of open rocky bottoms that transition into heavily vegetated willow, pine and shrub pockets. Spring and wet meadows can be found on mid elevation benches, providing good feeding and wallow areas.
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.
The rivers and streams provide riparian habitat with a diversity of willows, cottonwoods, pine, shrubs, grasses and forbs. Mid elevations are a mixture of heavy cover pine forests and open meadow grassy hillsides. Vegetation found here includes lodgepole, subalpine, Douglas fir, whitebark pine, limber pine and aspen. Grassy hillsides and meadows have lots of feed with a variety of wheatgrass species. Higher elevations have wet meadows, grasses, forbs and sedges with some pine pockets.
This area is accessible only by horseback, foot travel and well-established pack trails. There is no motorized access into the unit. A good map and GPS with land ownership and wilderness boundaries overlaid are recommended. The area is remote, rugged and demanding but good trail systems make access easier. Easy access can be provided by the Deer Creek and Ishawooa pack trails from South Fork Road, which runs southwest out of Cody, Wyoming.
Cody is located to the northeast and has several hotels, campgrounds, gas stations, markets, restaurants, bars and a sporting goods store. There are also some amenities within Yellowstone National Park including gas, lodging and dining. Camping is allowed on public lands.