Unit 11 (Clark's Fork / Sunlight Basin)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Moose

Wyoming Hunt Area 11 covers the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River and the Sunlight Basin in Park County — wild, dramatic country of volcanic rimrock, aspen drainages, and willow-lined river bottoms between Cody and Cooke City, Montana. Shiras moose thrive in the riparian corridors of the Clark's Fork and its tributaries, with bulls in the 40–50-inch class using the lower canyon and upper basin areas. The Sunlight Basin area and Clarks Fork Canyon are iconic Wyoming landscapes. Tags are competitive but draw faster than the premium northwest units — typically 6–10 preference points for non-residents.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 11

Where to Find Moose in Unit 11

Unit 11 moose are distributed across the Clark's Fork drainage system from the canyon bottom to the upper Sunlight Basin at elevations between 5,500 and 9,000 feet.

Clark's Fork Canyon (5,500–7,500 ft)

The Clark's Fork canyon bottom and the willow-lined side tributaries entering the canyon from both walls hold moose year-round. The canyon narrows significantly in the Wild and Scenic River section — moose are present but access is challenging. The areas above and below the canyon on state and BLM land offer more practical hunting access.

Sunlight Basin (7,500–9,000 ft)

The upper Sunlight Basin above Sunlight Bridge on WY-296 provides quality moose habitat in the spruce-fir and aspen-willow terrain. This is some of the most visually spectacular moose country in Wyoming. Glass the willow-lined creek flats and aspen draw edges at dawn and dusk.

Dead Indian Creek and Tributaries

The Dead Indian Creek drainage and the creek systems south of the Clark's Fork corridor provide additional moose habitat with better public land access than the canyon bottom.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 11

Unit 11 offers the full range of Shiras moose hunting tactics — rut calling in the upper basin, corridor hunting along the Clark's Fork, and spot-and-stalk in the aspen and willow terrain.

Upper Basin Rut Strategy

The Sunlight Basin area is the prime rut-hunting location in Unit 11. Drive WY-296 at dawn and dusk the week before your hunt, glass every willow flat and aspen draw. Once you locate bulls, set up on high ground overlooking the basin and call during the rut window (late September through mid-October).

Canyon Bottom Hunting

The Clark's Fork below Sunlight Basin holds moose in the canyon riparian area. Access the canyon from either the north (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway / WY-296) or south approaches. Walk the willow strips slowly into the wind — moose in the canyon are often resident animals with established home ranges.

Road-System Scouting

WY-296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) is one of Wyoming's most scenic roads and passes directly through the Sunlight Basin moose habitat. Pre-hunt scouting from the road is productive — note bull locations and access routes before your season opens.

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Moose Success Rates

Wyoming moose success statewide runs 70–85%. Unit 11's mix of canyon and basin habitat concentrates moose effectively, particularly during the rut. Hunters who pre-scout and time their hunt to the late-September rut achieve the highest success rates.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	392	0.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 11 moose tags for non-residents typically require 6–10 preference points. This is moderately competitive by Wyoming standards — more accessible than Units 1–6 but more demanding than the eastern prairie units. Apply annually and check current WGFD draw statistics for competitive point levels.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Hunter Peak and Dead Indian Campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs. Cody has full RV facilities.

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Camp Sites

Hunter Peak Campground (USFS, on WY-296 near Sunlight Bridge) is a prime base camp. Dispersed camping on Shoshone NF throughout the basin.

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Trailer Access

WY-296 is paved and handles horse trailers well. Side roads and access trails are rougher.

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Water

Clark's Fork and multiple tributaries throughout. Abundant water. Treat all sources.

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Road Conditions

WY-296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) is paved. Side roads are gravel/dirt. High clearance useful on secondary access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Canyon sections are technically challenging. Basin terrain is more forgiving but involves significant elevation change.

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate. Tag numbers are limited and the drainage is large.

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Weather

Sunlight Basin sits at 7,500–9,000 ft. Early snow is common in October. Daily temperatures 15–55°F during peak season. The basin can receive heavy early-season snow that accelerates bull movement.

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Cell Service

Limited along WY-296. None in canyon depths or backcountry basin areas. Satellite communicator strongly recommended.

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Nearest Town

Cody (approx. 45–60 mi southwest via WY-296 / US-212). Full services. Cooke City, MT is accessible via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway for resupply.

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Permit Notes

Moose tags are draw-only. Apply annually with WGFD.

Note: Unit 11 is one of Wyoming's most scenic moose hunts — the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and Sunlight Basin scenery rival the park-adjacent units. This is active grizzly habitat; bear spray is mandatory and food storage protocols must be followed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sunlight Basin like for moose hunting?

The Sunlight Basin is spectacular moose country — willow flats, aspen draws, and spruce-fir forest at 7,500–9,000 feet along the Clark's Fork drainage. Bull moose are resident here and visible during the late-September rut from WY-296. The scenery is among Wyoming's best.

Are grizzly bears present in Unit 11?

Yes. The Clark's Fork drainage and Sunlight Basin are active grizzly habitat. Bear spray is mandatory for all hunters. Follow WGFD and USFS food storage regulations. Report all grizzly encounters to Wyoming Game and Fish.

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Sources & Verification

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

WGFD Hunt Planner — Moose — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 11 moose 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