Wyoming Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 079 (Salt Range / Greys River)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Mule Deer Area 079 covers the Salt River Range and Greys River drainage on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming — rugged, heavily-timbered mountain country with pockets of high-quality mule deer hunting. Public-land percentages are high (80-90% on Bridger-Teton NF) and the terrain provides real backcountry character. Bucks are available in the 150-180 class, with better animals tucked into the heads of the Greys River, Little Greys, and Salt drainages. Quota is moderately tight (732 tags vs 1,209 applicants) and success runs 45-55% rifle.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 079

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 079

Area 079 deer use steep, timbered mountain terrain that differs markedly from Wyoming's more open sage-country units. Hunting success requires reading elevation and aspect.

Early Season

Bucks hold in the aspen-fir transition zones above 8,500 feet along the Salt River Range crest. Glass the high basins near Corral Creek, Blind Bull, and upper Little Greys drainages at dawn.

Mid-Season Rifle

As snow arrives, bucks descend to benches and dark-timber pockets at 7,500-8,500 feet. The Greys River corridor and its side drainages — Sheep Creek, Cabin Creek, Hoback Canyon — hold concentrations.

Late Season and Rut

November bucks follow doe groups into the lower Greys River bottoms and the sage-grass breaks on the west slope of the Salts. The rut opens shot opportunities on bucks that spent the early season in unglassable timber.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 079

This is a timber-and-basin hunt — spot-and-stalk from ridges into pockets of open country surrounded by heavy fir and spruce.

Glass the Heads of Drainages

Pick a ridge overlooking the head of a major drainage (Corral Creek, Blind Bull) and glass from first light through mid-morning. Bucks feed into open fingers of aspen and meadow, then drop into timber.

Still-Hunt Dark Timber

Mid-day, slip slowly along benches and ridgetop trails in the fir. Wind matters enormously; deer bed in pockets where they can watch their backtrail.

Horseback Access

Many of the best pockets are 3-6 miles off a trailhead. Stock access along the Greys River Road and from the Salt River Pass trailheads opens country that foot hunters rarely reach.

Late-Season Lower Country

By late October, focus on the sage-aspen benches on the west side of the range between Afton and Etna. Rut movement brings bucks out into glassable terrain.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle35%

Area 079 rifle mule deer success averages 45-55% and archery runs 10-18%. Buck quality is solid — the long three-point or small four-point in the 150-170 class is the representative animal, with better mature bucks available to hunters willing to push deep.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	193	382	50.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Wyoming's 75/25 preference-point draw (75% to max-point holders, 25% random weighted by points — not squared) makes Area 079 a 2-4 point draw for non-resident Type 1 licenses in most years. Type 6 archery tags are more accessible at 0-2 points. The random component regularly pulls zero-point applicants through.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 079

Area 79 covers the Little Snake River country around Baggs in southern Wyoming — transition country between the Red Desert sage plains and the Sierra Madre foothills. Pronghorn densities are solid, and the mix of BLM, state sections, and HMAs gives decent public access. It's a quieter unit with less hunter competition than the high-profile areas to the north.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 79

Area 79 pronghorn live across sage plains and the foothill country of the Sierra Madre.

Opening Week

Bucks hold on sage benches above the Little Snake River. Glass the country along WY-789 north of Baggs.

Mid-Season

Animals drift toward foothill junipers and HMA parcels. Less-roaded BLM country south of WY-70 produces unpressured bucks.

Late Season

Winter groups form on south-facing benches; bucks separate and hold near water.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 79

Glass methodically, hike off the road, and use HMAs.

Road and Ridge

Drive BLM mains at dawn, stop at every ridgetop vantage, and glass until the country goes quiet.

HMA Walk-Ins

Several HMAs inside Area 79 deliver access to private ranches. Sign in and walk.

Foothill Stalks

Juniper-sage transitions near the Sierra Madre foothills hold mid-season bucks. Use cover for 400-600 yard stalks.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Area 79 rifle success averages 72-82%. Days-per-harvest 3-4. The unit's lower visibility on out-of-state radar keeps pressure manageable and effort moderate.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— General	37	145	25.5%	0
Rifle— General	10	116	8.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Area 79 Type 1 non-resident tags draw at 1-3 preference points. Wyoming's 75/25 preference-point/random split gives low-point applicants yearly chances.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Greys River Road campgrounds accommodate mid-size RVs. Alpine and Afton have private RV parks.

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Camp Sites

Bridger-Teton NF developed campgrounds along the Greys River Road (Forest Park, Moose Flat, Murphy Creek). Dispersed camping is unlimited on NF ground.

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Trailer Access

Greys River Road (FR 10138) is maintained gravel the entire 65-mile length — excellent for horse trailers.

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Water

Abundant. Greys River, Little Greys, Blind Bull, Corral, Sheep, and dozens of tributaries flow all season. Treat all backcountry water.

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Road Conditions

Main Greys River Road is graded gravel; spur roads are rough and seasonal. Upper roads close with snow by mid-October.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Timbered mountain ridges with 2,000-3,000 foot elevation changes from road to ridgetop. Horseback access recommended for deep hunts.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. The Greys River is a well-known destination; front-country pressure exists but backcountry parcels hold far fewer people.

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Weather

September highs 55-75°F, October drops into snow territory fast. Pack for 10-50°F and regular precipitation.

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Cell Service

None in the drainage. Jackson and Afton have service.

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Nearest Town

Alpine (north access), Afton (west access), and Big Piney/Marbleton (east access) all serve as bases. Jackson (60 miles north) has the largest services.

Note: The Greys River corridor is one of Wyoming's prettiest roadside hunts — but the roadside pressure reflects that. Plan to push at least 2 miles off the main road or into a side drainage to find uncrowded deer. Grizzly presence has increased; carry bear spray.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need for Area 079 mule deer?

Non-resident Type 1 rifle tags typically draw at 2-4 preference points. Type 6 archery tags draw at 0-2 points. The 25% random component regularly pulls through lower-point applicants.

Is Area 079 in grizzly bear country?

Yes. Grizzly occupancy in the Salt River Range and Greys River drainage has expanded. Carry bear spray, hang meat and food, and be aware when approaching downed game.

Do I need horses to hunt Area 079?

Not required, but strongly recommended for reaching the best country. Several outfitters in Alpine and Afton offer drop-camp horse support.

Is Area 79 a good choice for a first Wyoming pronghorn hunt?

Yes. Easy draw, good access, manageable pressure, and solid buck quality. A strong first-hunt option for non-residents with few points.

How's the drive from Colorado?

Excellent — Craig, CO is 45 minutes south. Many Front Range hunters stage in Craig and day-hunt into Area 79.

Are there trophy bucks in Area 79?

Occasional 15-16 inch bucks, but the unit is more a meat-and-experience hunt than a trophy destination. Solid 13-14 inch bucks are realistic for most hunters.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

WGFD Hunt Planner — Mule Deer — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Mule Deer Area 079 boundary description, Season structure and license types · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Harvest Reports and Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 079 mule deer success and harvest · accessed 2026-04-17
Bridger-Teton National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Greys River Ranger District access, Road closures and trailheads, Camping rules and fire restrictions · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Preference Points — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: 75/25 preference-point draw mechanics · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD Hunt Planner — Pronghorn — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 79 boundary, Season dates and quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Rawlins Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Little Snake River country BLM lands, Access and travel rules · accessed 2026-04-17
WGFD HMAs & Walk-In — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Area 79 walk-in blocks · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 079 (Salt Range / Greys River)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 079

Where to Find Mule Deer in Area 079

Early Season

Mid-Season Rifle

Late Season and Rut

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Area 079

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 079

Where to Find Pronghorn in Area 79

Opening Week

Mid-Season

Late Season

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Area 79

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification