At a Glance
Quick Tips
- No motorized access within the wilderness area
- Grizzly bear encounters are a possibility
- Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions




Hunters discussing Boulder Basin in Wyoming's Area 59 appreciate its challenging terrain, which may require higher physical readiness and a willingness to navigate less accessible landscapes. The consensus suggests that understanding the area's layout and seasonal behavior of game will significantly enhance hunting success. The feedback emphasizes the importance of preparing for variable weather conditions and suggests early scouting trips could be beneficial for locating game movements and patterns. Overall, hunters are encouraged to harness detailed planning and personal endurance as keys to a fruitful experience in this unit.
The South Fork of the Shoshone River flows through this area which sits near the heart of the Washakie Wilderness Area. More than half of the unit is within designated wilderness, so nonresident hunters will need to be with an outfitter or a resident guide. Hunting opportunities for bull elk consist of two general seasons. The late season Type 1 tag can have 340” plus bulls or much bigger if winter conditions push elk out of the rugged terrain. This is definitely grizzly country, so proper precautions should be taken.
The late season November hunt typically offers a very good opportunity to hunt and harvest a branch-antlered bull. This can be a tough bowhunt, but trophy potential bulls definitely can still be found. The late season hunt is one of the better hunts for a big bull in this state. Grizzly bear encounters are a possibility.