Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Moose

Unit 10 (Bighorn Canyon / Pryor Mountains Area)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Moose

Hunt Area 10 covers the rugged canyon country of the Bighorn Basin's eastern rim, including terrain adjacent to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and the Pryor Mountains foothills in Big Horn and Washakie counties. Bighorn sheep occupy the dramatic sandstone and limestone cliffs overlooking the Bighorn River corridor at elevations from 4,500 to 8,500 feet. Ram quality is solid — mature 4/5-year-old rams in the 155–165 class are the norm, with exceptional individuals occasionally taken. Tags are rare and require significant preference point accumulation.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 10

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 10

Unit 10 sheep concentrate in the cliff-face terrain of the Bighorn River canyon system and the rocky ridges east of the Bighorn Basin.

Bighorn Canyon Rims (4,500–7,500 ft)

The canyon walls of the Bighorn River and its western tributaries provide year-round sheep habitat. Rams use the sheer cliff faces for security cover and the adjacent grassy benches and ridge tops for feeding. The canyon environment is lower-elevation than typical Wyoming sheep country — sheep are accessible without extreme altitude, but the technical cliffs and canyon walls require careful approach planning.

Eastern Bighorn Basin Ridges

The rocky ridges and breaks east of the Bighorn River hold a less-concentrated but significant sheep population. Glass from ridge tops overlooking multiple canyon systems to maximize your observation area.

Seasonal Distribution

Sheep in this area tend to be more sedentary than high-alpine populations — the canyon topography provides year-round security. Rams are most visible during the October–November rut when they move actively between ewe groups along the canyon rims.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 10

Unit 10 is lower-elevation canyon sheep hunting — different in character from the high-alpine units to the west but equally demanding in terms of technical terrain navigation.

Canyon Rim Glassing

Glass the canyon walls systematically from rim positions. Use your spotting scope to identify sheep on the opposing walls — the canyon system allows you to observe large sections of cliff habitat from single vantage points. Mark sheep locations on a map and plan approach routes that use terrain to conceal your movement.

Canyon Bottom Approach

In lower canyon sections where access allows, walking the canyon bottom and glassing upward can reveal sheep feeding on the rim benches. This approach requires careful wind management — canyon thermals shift predictably morning to evening.

Physical Demands

Canyon sheep hunting involves significant elevation change on loose rock and steep slopes. The terrain is Class 2–3 rather than the technical Class 4–5 of the high Absaroka, but steep and exposed canyon walls demand sure-footedness and careful route selection.

Pro Members Only

Unlock bighorn sheep tactics for Unit 10

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Wyoming bighorn sheep success statewide runs 85–95% for tag holders. Unit 10's canyon country concentrates sheep effectively — hunters who locate rams before the hunt and develop a solid approach plan achieve high success rates.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

Search Wyoming Draw Odds

Unit 10 bighorn sheep tags are scarce — typically only 1–3 ram tags per season. Non-residents need 10–18 preference points to be competitive. Wyoming's 75/25 system means max-point holders draw first. Apply annually to build your point total.

Moose Hunting in Unit 10

Hunt Area 10 moose occupy the willow-choked drainages and riparian corridors along the eastern Bighorn Basin foothills and the lower Shoshone National Forest drainages. The Nowood River and its tributaries, along with the creek bottoms draining the Bighorn Mountains' west face, provide Shiras moose habitat from 5,000 to 8,500 feet. This is not the densest moose country in Wyoming, but tags draw faster than in the peak northwest units, making it a viable option for hunters with 3–7 preference points.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 10

Moose in Unit 10 are dispersed across the lower-elevation willow riparian areas on the eastern Bighorn Basin edge and the mountain foothills draining west from the Bighorn Mountains.

Nowood River Corridor

The Nowood River and its willow-lined banks between Tensleep and Manderson hold resident moose. This is lower-elevation moose habitat (5,000–6,500 ft) that provides year-round cover and browse. Glass the willow corridors at dawn and dusk — moose feed in the open early and retreat to dense brush during midday.

Bighorn Mountains West-Face Drainages

The creek drainages cutting west from the Bighorn Mountains toward the Bighorn Basin — including Paint Rock Creek and its tributaries — carry willows and spruce-fir habitat at 6,500–8,500 feet that attract moose, especially during the rut in late September and October.

Rut Concentration

Late September to mid-October rut activity brings bulls into the open along the main willow corridors. Bulls are vocal and responsive to calls during peak rut.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 10

Unit 10 moose hunting blends river-corridor stalking with rut-calling from set positions near fresh sign in the mountain foothill drainages.

Walking the Willow Corridors

Slow-walk along willow-lined creek and river edges, pausing frequently to glass ahead. Move into the wind. The key is patience — moose are often standing motionless in dense willows and are easy to walk past. Listen for the sounds of feeding and moving animals.

Rut Calling

Set up near fresh moose scrapes or stripped willows during the last week of September through mid-October. Cow calls and antler raking draw bulls from surprising distances. Give each setup at least 45 minutes before moving.

Elevation Strategy

The higher foothill drainages (6,500–8,500 ft) hold bulls that are less accessible and less pressured than the lower Nowood corridor. Investing in a few miles of hiking into the mountain drainages often produces more mature animals.

Pro Members Only

Unlock moose hunting tactics for Unit 10

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Moose Success Rates

Wyoming moose success runs 70–85% statewide. Unit 10 is within this range — the dispersed moose population requires more scouting effort than the denser northwest units, but hunters who pre-scout the willow corridors achieve solid results.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	86	1.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 10 moose tags for non-residents are more accessible than the high-demand northwest units. Expect to draw with 3–7 preference points. Wyoming's 75/25 split applies. Check current WGFD draw statistics for the most recent competitive point levels.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🚐

RV Sites

Bighorn Canyon NRA campgrounds accommodate RVs. Greybull and Lovell have RV services.

⛺

Camp Sites

Bighorn Canyon NRA has developed campgrounds (Horseshoe Bend and Barry's Landing). Dispersed camping available on BLM land adjacent to the NRA.

🛻

Trailer Access

Primary access roads are paved. Off-road access to canyon rim areas is on rough BLM two-tracks.

💧

Water

Bighorn River provides water in the canyon. Limited water sources on dry canyon rims — carry all you need.

🛣️

Road Conditions

US-14A and state roads provide primary access. BLM access roads are rough gravel and may require 4WD.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Canyon walls are steep and loose. Not technical rock climbing but requires sure-footedness and canyon navigation experience.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Very low — tag numbers are minimal.

🌦️

Weather

Lower elevation (4,500–7,500 ft) than most WY sheep units — milder temperatures but exposed canyon rims are windy. October temperatures range 25–60°F.

📱

Cell Service

Limited to moderate along main highways. None in canyon depths.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Greybull (approx. 25–40 mi west) — fuel, groceries, lodging. Lovell is an alternative staging town near the canyon.

Note: Bighorn Canyon NRA has specific regulations regarding hunting within the NRA boundary. Confirm all applicable federal and state regulations before your hunt. The canyon environment makes locating sheep visually straightforward — the challenge is planning a legal and safe approach route.

Pro Members Only

Unlock full logistics for Unit 10 bighorn sheep

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt bighorn sheep inside Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

Hunting is permitted in specific zones of Bighorn Canyon NRA under Wyoming state license. Review the NRA's hunting regulations and zone maps carefully — some areas are closed to all hunting. Contact the NRA headquarters in Lovell, WY for current boundary information.

How many preference points do I need for Unit 10 bighorn sheep?

Non-residents typically need 10–18 preference points. Tag numbers are very limited (1–3 ram tags per season), so the competitive point level shifts as applicants build their totals. Check WGFD's current draw odds statistics each year.

Is Unit 10 a good moose unit in Wyoming?

Unit 10 is a mid-tier Wyoming moose unit — not as productive as the trophy northwest units, but tags draw faster (3–7 points for non-residents vs. 10–15 for Units 1–6). It's a solid choice for hunters who want to hunt Wyoming moose within a reasonable timeframe.

What is the best time to hunt moose in Unit 10?

Late September through mid-October during the rut. Bulls are vocal, visible, and responsive to calls during this window. After the rut, moose retreat to dense cover and are significantly harder to locate and approach.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

WGFD Hunt Planner — Bighorn Sheep — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 10 bighorn sheep season structure, Tag quotas, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: License classes, Season proclamations · accessed 2026-04-18
WGFD Hunt Planner — Moose — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 10 moose season structure, Tag quotas, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 10 (Bighorn Canyon / Pryor Mountains Area)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 10

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 10

Bighorn Canyon Rims (4,500–7,500 ft)

Eastern Bighorn Basin Ridges

Seasonal Distribution

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 10

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 10

Where to Find Moose in Unit 10

Nowood River Corridor

Bighorn Mountains West-Face Drainages

Rut Concentration

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 10

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 12 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 10 — Moose

Unit 9 — Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification