Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Moose

Unit 20 (Bighorn Mountains Foothills)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Moose

Wyoming Hunt Area 20 covers the northern Bighorn Mountains and adjacent foothills in Sheridan County, from the Tongue River canyon area north toward the Montana border. Bighorn sheep in this unit use a range of elevations — from the foothill breaks and river canyon cliffs at 4,500 feet up to the sub-alpine ridges at 9,000 feet — creating a hunting environment distinct from the high-alpine units further south. Ram quality is solid, with mature animals in the 150–165 class. The foothills terrain is more physically forgiving than the deep alpine, and scouting opportunities along Bighorn County roads are excellent.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 20

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 20

Unit 20 sheep are distributed across a broader elevation range than most Wyoming bighorn units, from the Tongue River canyon foothills to the sub-alpine Bighorn Mountain ridges.

Tongue River Canyon and Foothills (4,500–7,000 ft)

The Tongue River canyon and the rocky breaks along its tributaries hold sheep year-round in the sandstone and limestone cliff systems. This is lower-elevation sheep habitat accessible from county roads — sheep can sometimes be glassed from vehicle-accessible vantage points. The terrain is more moderate than the high alpine but still provides the security cliffs that sheep require.

Upper Foothill Ridges (7,000–9,000 ft)

The transition zone where the Bighorn foothills rise toward the Bighorn NF boundary holds rams that move between the lower canyon habitat and the higher mountain terrain seasonally. The open ridges and rocky outcrops in this zone are productive glassing terrain.

Seasonal Patterns

Sheep in Unit 20 tend to be more resident and less migratory than high-alpine sheep — the Tongue River canyon provides year-round security habitat. Rams are most visible during the October–November rut when they range more widely across the foothill terrain.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 20

Unit 20 is one of Wyoming's more physically manageable sheep hunts — the lower-elevation foothills terrain reduces the extreme altitude demands while still providing a technical and rewarding sheep hunting experience.

Canyon and Foothill Glassing

Glass the Tongue River canyon walls and the adjacent foothill ridges from road-accessible high points. The terrain in northern Sheridan County allows good sightlines across the canyon systems from the mesa tops. Identify ram groups, assess individuals, and plan an approach using canyon topography.

Approach in Lower Terrain

Sheep in the foothills use cliff faces and rocky breaks the same way as high-alpine populations — approach from above and use terrain features to conceal movement. Canyon walls and ridge spines provide natural screens for closing distance on rams.

Scouting Advantage

The county road and BLM road network in northern Sheridan County allows pre-hunt scouting from a vehicle in many areas. This terrain accessibility is a significant advantage for hunters who want to identify specific rams before the season opens.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Wyoming bighorn sheep success runs 85–95% statewide for tag holders. Unit 20's accessible terrain and vehicle-aided scouting opportunities produce high success rates for hunters who locate rams before the season and develop solid approach plans.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

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Unit 20 bighorn sheep tags are limited — typically 1–3 ram tags per season. Non-residents should expect to need 10–16 preference points. The foothills character and more accessible terrain make this unit attractive to a broad range of applicants, keeping the draw competitive. Apply annually.

Moose Hunting in Unit 20

Wyoming Hunt Area 20 for moose covers the Bighorn Basin's northern drainage systems and the adjacent Bighorn Mountain foothills in Sheridan County. Moose in this unit use the willow-choked riparian corridors along the Tongue River and its tributaries, the aspen and cottonwood lowlands, and the transition terrain between the basin floor and mountain foothills. This unit offers a more accessible moose hunting experience compared to Wyoming's high wilderness units — the Bighorn Basin terrain allows vehicle-supported scouting and shorter approaches to moose habitat. Bulls in Unit 20 reach 40–50-inch class.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 20

Unit 20 moose concentrate in the riparian willow corridors and aspen stands of the Bighorn Basin's northern drainages.

Tongue River Riparian Corridor

The Tongue River and its major tributaries support dense willow growth that moose feed on heavily through early fall. Walk quietly along the river banks and glass the willow thickets from elevated vantage points. Moose can be bedded invisibly in dense willows — glass carefully at all willow edges before moving.

Aspen and Cottonwood Lowlands

The aspen groves and cottonwood bottoms in the foothills transition zone hold bulls through the September–October rut. Moose use these areas for shade and security during warm September days, moving to the willow flats at dusk and dawn.

Foothills Transition Zone

The transition between the Bighorn Basin sagebrush flats and the mountain foothills creates a productive moose environment where different habitat types converge. Scout this ecotone systematically — bulls often use the timber edges and draws in this terrain during the rut.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 20

Unit 20 moose hunting is more accessible than Wyoming's high wilderness units — the Bighorn Basin terrain allows vehicle-based scouting and day hunts from road-accessible bases.

Early-Season Willow Feeding

In September, moose feed heavily in willow flats before the rut begins. Walk or float the Tongue River corridor and glass systematically into the willow thickets. Bulls are in velvet through early September — the large, multi-tined velvet antlers are visible above willow tops even when the animal is bedded.

Rut Calling

October rut activity makes moose highly responsive to calling — cow calls and bull grunts both attract bulls during peak breeding. Set up near willow thickets or aspen draws where moose sign is fresh. Moose are less spooky during the rut, but approach downwind.

Road-Accessible Glassing

The county road network in northern Sheridan County provides vehicle access to glassing points across the basin drainages. Drive slowly and glass the willow flats and timber edges at first and last light. A spotting scope on a vehicle window mount covers significant terrain efficiently in this unit.

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Moose Success Rates

Wyoming moose hunters statewide achieve 85–95% success. Unit 20's accessible terrain and productive riparian habitat allow efficient hunting — tag holders who scout the willow corridors before season consistently locate bulls. Vehicle access significantly improves scouting productivity compared to wilderness units.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	3	196	1.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 20 moose tags are limited — typically 3–8 tags per season across all license types. Non-residents need approximately 8–14 preference points for resident-class moose tags. Wyoming's moose draw is competitive statewide — apply annually and accumulate points consistently.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Sheridan has full RV services. Limited options near the sheep country.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM land throughout the unit. Tongue River area has developed camping. Bighorn NF campgrounds are accessible from the upper foothill areas.

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Trailer Access

Primary county roads and US-14 handle horse trailers. BLM two-track roads are rough and not suitable for trailers.

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Water

Tongue River and tributaries throughout. Carry water when hunting dry foothill ridges.

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Road Conditions

County roads and US-14 are paved or maintained gravel. BLM access roads are rough — 4WD useful.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Lower elevation than the high alpine units. Canyon terrain involves steep slopes but less extreme altitude demands.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — tag numbers are minimal.

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Weather

Lower elevation (4,500–9,000 ft). October temperatures range 25–65°F. Less severe weather than the high alpine units but canyon wind can be significant.

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Cell Service

Limited along US-14 and county roads. None in canyon bottoms.

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Nearest Town

Dayton (approx. 10–20 mi south on US-14) — small community. Sheridan (approx. 30–45 mi south) — full services including outfitters, gear, fuel, lodging.

Note: Unit 20 is an underrated Wyoming sheep unit — the foothills character makes it more physically accessible than the high-alpine Bighorn Mountains units while still providing a genuine bighorn sheep experience. The Tongue River country is beautiful and receives little hunting pressure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 20 different from other Wyoming bighorn sheep units?

Unit 20 is a lower-elevation foothills sheep unit centered on the Tongue River canyon and adjacent breaks in northern Sheridan County. Sheep range from 4,500 to 9,000 feet — much lower than the high-alpine Units 17 and 18 to the south. The terrain is more physically accessible and vehicle scouting is more practical than in the remote alpine units.

How many preference points do non-residents need for Unit 20 bighorn sheep?

Non-residents typically need 10–16 preference points to be competitive for Unit 20 ram tags. Tag numbers are very limited (1–3 per season). Apply annually through the WGFD draw system — Wyoming's 75/25 split means max-point holders draw first with a 25% random component for remaining tags.

What makes Unit 20 moose hunting more accessible than other Wyoming units?

Unit 20 sits in the northern Bighorn Basin where the terrain is lower-elevation foothills and riparian corridors rather than high wilderness mountains. The county road network allows vehicle-based scouting of the Tongue River willow flats and adjacent habitat. Hunters can day-hunt from Sheridan or Dayton rather than committing to multi-day backcountry camps. The unit's accessibility makes it attractive for first-time Wyoming moose hunters.

When is the best time to hunt moose in Unit 20?

Unit 20 moose hunting peaks during the October rut when bulls are actively seeking cows and respond well to calling. Early-season September hunts catch bulls in velvet feeding heavily in willow corridors. The rut window (typically late September through mid-October in Wyoming's northern units) is generally considered the best combination of bull activity and hunting opportunity.

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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 20 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 20 moose season structure, Tag quotas, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 20 (Bighorn Mountains Foothills)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 20

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 20

Tongue River Canyon and Foothills (4,500–7,000 ft)

Upper Foothill Ridges (7,000–9,000 ft)

Seasonal Patterns

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 20

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 20

Where to Find Moose in Unit 20

Tongue River Riparian Corridor

Aspen and Cottonwood Lowlands

Foothills Transition Zone

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 20

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 18 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 20 — Elk

Unit 22 — Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification