Bring fishing gear to fish in the many lakes throughout the unit
Certified “weed free” hay required on National Forest
Grizzly bears are present in this unit, use caution
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
160"-170"
170"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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Low
Moon Phases
November 2024
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Comprised of the Shoshone National Forest in the west-central part of the state. This area is bordered by the Continental Divide and the East Fork of Torrey Creek on the west, U.S. Highway 26/287 on the north and the Wind River Indian Reservation on the east. It contains a lot of public land with the majority of it in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness Area in the Wind River Mountain Range.
Sheep are concentrated in this unit deep within the wilderness near Gannett Peak, the tallest peak in Wyoming. Sheep tend to stay above timberline until snowfall moves them down, usually after the season ends. Horses are a big advantage when hunting this unit, rams are typically a two-day ride from the nearest trailhead. Good rams can be found with hard work.
This hunt area spans from the foothills along the Wind River Indian Reservation and the valley floor along U.S. Highway 26/287, south and west across a portion of the Wind River Mountain Range, to some of the tallest peaks in Wyoming. It is exceptionally steep and rugged, with most sheep habitat at or above timberline, occurring about 10,500 feet. Most alpine basins contain small lakes.
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.
High up near timberline, the country consists of thick spruce and fir forest, some Whitebark pine with a few grassy meadows and ridges. Sheep forage on a variety of sedges and bunch grasses in the alpine basins and around rocky scree fields. Middle elevations have Douglas fir and aspen forests.
Public access in this unit is limited and horses are necessary. A few roads come into or close to the unit from the northeast with trailheads at each. Several trails traverse the unit but a lot of the country doesn’t have marked or maintained trails. Most areas that hold sheep are miles from the trailhead.
Dubois is the closest town of any size, and offers a few options for lodging. Some motels are Black Bear Inn, Super 8 Motel, Rocky Mountain Lodge and Trails End Motel. Groceries, gas, and other amenities are available as well. Camping is allowed on all public ground for up to 16 days in one location.
Roughly 252 square miles
95% public land
Elevations from 6,500-13,800 feet
90.1% Wilderness
ATVs are not necessary
Glacier Trail is the main trail for access to sheep country
There are no designated campgrounds within the unit