Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Unit 12 (Greybull / Bighorn Canyon South)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Hunt Area 12 covers the Greybull River drainage and the rocky breaks of the southern Bighorn Canyon area in Big Horn and Washakie counties. Bighorn sheep occupy the cliff systems along the Greybull River canyon and the transition ridges between the Bighorn Basin floor and the Bighorn Mountains. This is mid-elevation sheep country (5,500–9,000 ft) characterized by limestone outcrops, open grassy ridges, and dramatic canyon terrain. Ram quality is solid for the region — mature rams in the 155–168 class are documented. Tags are scarce and require significant preference point investment.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 12

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 12

Unit 12 bighorn sheep are concentrated in the rocky cliff and rimrock terrain of the Greybull River drainage and the western Bighorn Mountains foothills.

Greybull River Canyon (5,500–7,500 ft)

The canyon walls and rocky breaks along the upper Greybull River hold a resident sheep population. Glass the opposing canyon walls from ridge positions — sheep are visible at long distances on the open cliff faces and grassy ledges. The canyon terrain is accessible from BLM roads that parallel the drainage.

Western Bighorn Foothills

The broken country transitioning from the Bighorn Basin floor to the Bighorn Mountains at 6,000–9,000 feet provides sheep habitat with more open terrain than the canyon depths. Open ridges and limestone outcrops are favored by rams during the non-rut period.

Rut Movements

October–November rut brings rams down from the higher ridges to the lower benches where ewe groups concentrate. This is the most productive window for locating mature rams in the open.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 12

Unit 12 sheep hunting combines canyon-country glassing with open ridgeline hunting at a more accessible elevation than the high-alpine northwest units.

Canyon Rim Glassing

Glass the Greybull Canyon walls systematically from rim positions. The canyon orientation allows observation of large cliff sections from single vantage points. Identify rams, assess age and size, and plan an approach that uses canyon topography to conceal your movement.

Foothill Glassing

The open ridges and limestone outcrops of the Bighorn foothills allow long-distance glassing from vehicle-accessible roads. Cover ground by driving and stopping to glass regularly — sheep are often visible on the open ridgeline terrain at 200–800 yards.

Approach Execution

Approach from above and into the wind. Use ridge spines and rock formations to stay below the skyline. The more open terrain of Unit 12 requires more careful use of available cover than the deep canyon units to the north.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Wyoming bighorn sheep success runs 85–95% statewide for tag holders. Unit 12's accessible terrain makes physical success relatively straightforward for hunters who locate rams — the challenge is finding and drawing the very limited number of tags.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

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

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Unit 12 bighorn sheep tags are extremely limited — typically 1–3 ram tags per season. Non-residents need 10–18 preference points to be competitive. Apply annually to accumulate points under Wyoming's 75/25 draw system.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Greybull has RV facilities. Limited hookup options near the sheep country.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM land throughout the unit. Several USFS campgrounds in the Bighorn Mountains east of the unit boundary provide staging options.

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Trailer Access

BLM roads in the Greybull drainage are accessible for pickups. Not recommended for large trailers on secondary roads.

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Water

Greybull River and tributaries. Limited springs on dry ridges — carry water when hunting rim terrain.

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Road Conditions

US-14 and secondary BLM roads provide access. BLM roads are gravel and dirt — 4WD useful in wet conditions.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Canyon terrain involves steep slopes on loose rock. Foothill terrain is more moderate but exposed and arid.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — tag numbers are minimal.

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Weather

Mid-elevation unit (5,500–9,000 ft). October temperatures range 20–60°F. Wind on open ridges is persistent. Snow possible by late October.

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Cell Service

Limited along US-14. None on canyon rims or in drainage bottoms.

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Nearest Town

Greybull (15–30 mi west on US-14) — fuel, groceries, lodging, hunting licenses. Thermopolis is an alternative staging town from the south.

Note: Greybull is an excellent staging town with hunter-friendly services. The Bighorn Basin town has a long tradition of supporting hunters accessing the sheep and elk country in the surrounding drainages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Unit 12 bighorn sheep habitat in Wyoming?

Unit 12 sheep habitat centers on the Greybull River canyon and the rocky breaks of the western Bighorn Mountains foothills in Big Horn and Washakie counties. The terrain spans 5,500–9,000 feet with limestone cliff systems and open grassy ridges.

How do Unit 12 rams compare to northwest Wyoming sheep?

Unit 12 rams are solid — mature animals in the 155–168 class — but are not the trophy-class rams of the Shoshone NF or Teton units. The lower overall tag competition and more accessible terrain make Unit 12 a realistic target for hunters with 12–16 preference points.

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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 — Bighorn Sheep — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 12 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