Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Moose

Unit 2 (Yellowstone / Absaroka)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Moose

Hunt Area 2 covers the Absaroka Range along the eastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming — one of the most remote and rugged bighorn sheep environments in North America. Rams inhabit the volcanic cliffs and alpine ridges of the Washakie Wilderness and Shoshone National Forest above 9,000 feet. Tag allocations are extremely limited, draw odds are among the toughest in Wyoming, and successful hunters face brutal backcountry conditions. The reward is a world-class ram in scenery that few hunters ever access.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 2

Bighorn sheep in Unit 2 occupy the high volcanic ridges and cirque basins of the Washakie Wilderness along the Yellowstone border. The Thorofare region and the upper Yellowstone River tributaries — Hawks Rest, Hawk's Rest Creek, and the South Fork Shoshone drainages — are core habitats. Expect to encounter sheep above 9,500 feet in summer and on exposed south-facing cliff bands at 8,500–10,000 feet in fall.

Absaroka Ridge Systems

The main Absaroka divide and its lateral spurs hold resident ram bands year-round. Rocky cirques with persistent snow and talus provide reliable summer locations. In September and October, rams move to lower ridgelines closer to ewe wintering areas.

Yellowstone River Headwaters

The upper Yellowstone River above the Thorofare is one of the most remote places in the lower 48 — and one of the best bighorn habitats in Wyoming. Access requires a 30+ mile horseback trip from the nearest trailhead. Rams inhabit the cliff bands above the river throughout the fall season.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 2

Unit 2 bighorn hunting is an expedition requiring full wilderness logistics. There are no shortcuts — plan for a minimum 10-day horseback trip into the Washakie Wilderness with professional outfitter support.

Horseback Access

The core sheep habitat in Unit 2 is 25–40 miles from the nearest trailhead via the Thorofare Trail or North Fork Shoshone drainage. A horseback-supported camp with a licensed outfitter is the standard approach. Do not attempt a DIY foot access into this wilderness for a sheep hunt — the logistics and weight of camping gear plus a potential sheep packout are beyond foot-hunter capacity.

Alpine Glassing

Once in the sheep country, set up high glassing positions on ridgetops overlooking cirques and cliff systems. Bighorns use the same cliff bands repeatedly — focus on areas with south-facing rocky benches, green grass patches on high ledges, and water sources near rock faces.

Rut Timing

The November rut draws rams down from their highest summer ranges. If your season extends into November, rams become more visible as they search for ewe bands on lower terrain.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Unit 2 bighorn success rates hover around 70–80% for tag holders who complete the full wilderness expedition. Weather-related aborts account for most unsuccessful hunts — early winter storms can shut down the Thorofare country by mid-October. Hunters who commit to a full 10-day wilderness hunt with proper outfitter support have excellent prospects.

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 2 bighorn tags are among Wyoming's rarest — typically 2–5 licenses issued per year in total. Non-residents should plan for a 20+ year preference point accumulation timeline. This unit is a career-long application for most hunters. Wyoming's 75/25 draw structure means max-point holders get most of the tags in any given year.

Apply consistently every year starting immediately. Never miss a year — each missed year is a point you cannot recover.

Moose Hunting in Unit 2

Hunt Area 2 moose country borders the eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park across the Shoshone National Forest — a landscape of lodgepole pine forests, alpine meadows, and river bottoms that supports one of Wyoming's healthiest moose populations outside of the Tetons. The Shoshone River drainages and North Fork corridors provide rich willow and aquatic browse. Bulls in this unit carry exceptional antler development, and the remote backcountry setting filters out casual hunters. Plan for a horseback-supported expedition in early fall.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 2

Moose in Hunt Area 2 concentrate in the major river bottoms and lodgepole pine transition zones bordering Yellowstone's eastern edge. The North Fork Shoshone River, Pahaska area, and Blackwater Creek drainages are consistent moose producers accessible from the Cody corridor.

North Fork Shoshone River Corridor

The North Fork below Yellowstone's East Entrance holds year-round moose in the willow-lined river bends and spruce-fir stands above the river. This is the most accessible moose habitat in Unit 2 — day-hunt access is feasible from road camps.

Remote Backcountry Drainages

The Carter Mountain area and upper Greybull River tributaries in the southern portion of Unit 2 hold moose with significantly less pressure than the North Fork. A 2–5 mile pack-in opens up undisturbed habitat on Shoshone National Forest.

Lodgepole Transition Zones

Moose in this unit use the willow-choked creek bottoms as feeding areas and retreat into the lodgepole pine canopy for midday bedding. Focus early morning and late afternoon efforts on the transition between open creek bottoms and the first tier of timber.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 2

Unit 2 moose hunting rewards hunters who combine glassing from the road system with targeted foot or horseback access into productive drainages.

Road-Based Glassing

The North Fork Highway (US-14/16/20) provides elevated vantage points overlooking willow flats and creek bottoms. Glass with binoculars and spotting scope from pullouts at dawn — moose are often visible from the road in early September before pressure pushes them deeper into cover.

Calling During the Rut

September and October rut activity makes bulls vocal and responsive. Set up downwind from active willow areas and use cow calls and birch-bark raking to draw in bulls. The lodgepole pine forest amplifies calls effectively.

Packout Planning

A mature bull moose yields 500–700 pounds of boned meat. If hunting the more remote drainages, coordinate a horse-assisted packout before the hunt begins. The Pahaska Tepee outfitter area near the East Yellowstone Entrance provides packout services.

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Moose Success Rates

Unit 2 moose success runs 80–90% for license holders. The Shoshone NF moose population is robust and hunters who work the river corridors consistently encounter multiple bulls. Packout logistics are the main planning challenge.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	278	0.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 2 moose tags are competitive but somewhat more attainable than Unit 1 — non-residents typically accumulate 8–13 preference points before drawing. Tag allocations are still limited to preserve the quality experience and herd health. Apply every year to keep accumulating points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

None in the wilderness. Cody has full-service RV parks for staging.

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Camp Sites

Wilderness camps only — no developed campgrounds in the core sheep country. Outfitter base camps are the standard. Leave No Trace principles required in the Washakie Wilderness.

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Trailer Access

Trailhead parking areas handle standard horse trailers. North Fork and South Fork roads are paved to trailhead.

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Water

Excellent. Yellowstone River headwaters and numerous alpine streams throughout. Always treat.

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Road Conditions

Trailhead access roads are paved or good gravel. All travel beyond trailhead is horse or foot only.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. 25–40 mile wilderness approach, 10,000–12,000 foot peaks, grizzly country. Requires excellent physical conditioning and full wilderness survival capability.

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Hunting Pressure

Extremely low — one of the most remote hunts in Wyoming.

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Weather

Severe weather possible at any time. October snowstorms can arrive rapidly and strand parties. Plan for -20°F conditions and high wind. Full mountaineering gear required.

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Cell Service

None. Satellite communicator is mandatory safety equipment.

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Nearest Town

Cody (1.5–2 hours from trailhead access via North Fork or South Fork corridors). Full services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide for Unit 2 bighorn sheep?

Not legally required, but the remote Washakie Wilderness terrain makes professional outfitter support essentially mandatory. The 30+ mile horseback approach, extreme weather, and grizzly activity make solo or small-group DIY expeditions extremely risky.

What preference point level draws Unit 2 bighorn?

Expect 18–22+ preference points for non-residents and 12–16 for residents. Unit 2 is one of Wyoming's most exclusive bighorn draws. Apply every year without exception.

Is Unit 2 moose hunting accessible without a horse?

Yes, along the North Fork Shoshone corridor. Bulls use willow flats accessible on foot within 1–3 miles of the road. Deeper backcountry access benefits strongly from horse support for the packout.

Are there grizzly bears in Unit 2?

Yes. Unit 2 is within core grizzly habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Bear spray is mandatory and proper food/carcass storage is required by law. Be bear-aware at all times.

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Sources & Verification

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

Wyoming 2025 Big Game Regulations — Hunt Planner — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 2 bighorn sheep season structure, License quota, Hunt area boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18
WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn sheep seasons and license classes, Preference point system · accessed 2026-04-18
WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 2 bighorn sheep harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 2 (Yellowstone / Absaroka)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 2

Absaroka Ridge Systems

Yellowstone River Headwaters

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 2

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 2

Where to Find Moose in Unit 2

North Fork Shoshone River Corridor

Remote Backcountry Drainages

Lodgepole Transition Zones

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 2

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 1 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 3 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 2 — Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification