Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Moose

Unit 5 (Salt River / Star Valley)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Moose

Hunt Area 5 encompasses the Salt River Range and northern Star Valley in Lincoln County — the southwestern edge of Wyoming's northwest bighorn sheep range. The Salt River Range rises sharply above the Star Valley agricultural floor to peaks above 10,000 feet, creating dramatic cliffs and talus fields that support a resident sheep population. This unit is less frequently discussed than the Teton-area units but produces mature rams in more accessible terrain. Draw odds may be slightly more favorable than the highest-demand northwest Wyoming units, and the Star Valley corridor provides comfortable logistics compared to the remote wilderness hunts to the north.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 5

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 5

Bighorn sheep in Unit 5 use the steep east face of the Salt River Range — the cliff bands and rocky ridges rising above Afton and the Star Valley floor provide year-round sheep habitat. The range's eastern escarpment is the primary concentration area, with sheep visible from the valley in good weather.

Salt River Range Eastern Escarpment

The dramatic cliff systems on the east face of the Salt River Range between Afton and Freedom are the core habitat. Glass from the valley or access forest roads east of Afton to reach elevated glassing positions above the cliff bands. Sheep hold on ledges and rocky points throughout the fall.

High-Alpine Summer Range

In early September, rams may still be on the high alpine terrain above 9,500 feet along the main Salt River crest. Access via the Bridger-Teton NF trails from the Swift Creek or other primary drainages. As September progresses, rams descend toward the cliff bands on the lower ridgelines.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 5

Unit 5 bighorn sheep hunting combines valley-based glassing with cliff-face approaches — a more logistically forgiving hunt than the remote wilderness units to the north, while still demanding physical fitness and technical terrain skills.

Valley-Floor Glassing

The Star Valley floor provides excellent early-morning glassing positions looking west across the Salt River Range escarpment. Set up with a quality 65–80mm spotting scope before first light and scan the cliff bands systematically. Identify where rams are consistently and plan an approach for the following day.

Cliff Approach Routes

Once rams are located, access the cliff country via the drainage corridors cutting through the escarpment. These drainages provide sheltered approach routes that allow hunters to gain elevation without being skylined. Final approaches to cliff-face rams require careful wind management and slow, deliberate movement.

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Unit 5 bighorn sheep success averages 70–80% for tag holders. The more accessible terrain compared to northern wilderness units gives hunters more options when initial approaches fail. Valley-based glassing allows rapid identification of productive areas and efficient hunting days.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

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Unit 5 bighorn tags are competitive but the Salt River Range unit sometimes draws slightly faster than the top-tier Teton units due to lower applicant pressure. Non-residents should still plan for 10–15 preference points. Residents may draw with 7–12 points. Apply annually without exception.

Moose Hunting in Unit 5

Hunt Area 5 moose country encompasses the Star Valley and the Salt River drainage in Lincoln County — a productive agricultural valley bordered by the Wyoming and Salt River Ranges. Star Valley moose use the willow-choked creek systems draining off both mountain ranges, the cottonwood and alder gallery forests along the Salt River, and the hay meadow edges that provide prime early-season browse. The valley's agricultural context gives this unit a different character than the high-country wilderness moose hunts to the north, with easier logistics and road access to most productive areas.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 5

Star Valley moose are concentrated in the riparian corridors of the Salt River and its major tributaries — Swift Creek, Dry Creek, and the drainage systems entering from both ranges. The willow and alder flats flanking these streams are the primary feeding areas, with adjacent timber providing cover.

Salt River Corridor

The Salt River from Freedom south through Afton to Auburn carries moose in the willow and cottonwood gallery forest year-round. Glass from elevated points above the river bottom or walk quietly through the willows during morning and evening feeding hours.

Mountain Foothills Drainages

The creek systems draining the Wyoming Range to the east and Salt River Range to the west hold moose in their lower reaches where willows are dense. Swift Creek, Stump Creek, and Greys River tributaries are reliable producers accessible from the valley road system.

Agricultural Edges

Star Valley hay meadows adjacent to willow draws draw moose at dawn and dusk — bulls feed on hay meadow edges during the rut as does congregate in the open areas. Access requires landowner permission on private agricultural land, though public land creek corridors are nearby.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 5

Unit 5 moose hunting is among Wyoming's most logistically manageable — the Star Valley road system puts productive moose habitat within minutes of town, and packout from most kill sites is straightforward.

Dawn Willow Walk

Start hunting before dawn and work slowly through willow-lined creek corridors during the first hour of daylight. Move quietly and check each bend and open patch — moose feed actively at dawn before bedding in adjacent timber. Wind direction is critical in the dense willow cover.

Rut Calling from Ridges

Climb to the sage benches above the willow corridors during September–October rut and use cow calls. Sound carries well from elevation, and rutting bulls cover substantial ground between ewe areas. The Star Valley's open character makes approaching bulls more visible than in dense wilderness settings.

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Moose Success Rates

Unit 5 moose success averages 80–90%. The accessible terrain and good road system make it one of Wyoming's easier moose logistics hunts. Packout challenges are minimal compared to wilderness units, and multiple drainage systems provide options if one area is unproductive.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	4	361	1.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 5 moose tags may be slightly more accessible than the high-profile Teton and Yellowstone units. Non-residents typically accumulate 7–12 preference points before drawing. The valley-setting and agricultural character of the unit make it less glamorous than wilderness moose units but very effective for hunters seeking Wyoming moose without extreme backcountry logistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Afton has RV-friendly accommodations. Limited in-unit camping for large rigs.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BTNF land east of Afton. Swift Creek Campground near the primary trailhead area.

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Trailer Access

Forest roads east of Afton handle standard horse trailers to primary access points.

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Water

Good. Swift Creek and Salt River tributaries on the range's east face. Treat all sources.

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Road Conditions

US-89 paved through Star Valley. Forest access roads are gravel and generally good in dry conditions. October snow closes higher roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. The cliff-face terrain involves 2,000–3,000 feet of vertical gain over rocky terrain. Less remote than northern units but still physically demanding.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — limited tag numbers.

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Weather

October temperatures 15–50°F in the valley; colder on the range. Star Valley is notorious for cold inversions — valley-floor temperatures can be 20°F colder than the cliffs above.

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Cell Service

Moderate in Afton and Star Valley. Limited in the Salt River Range terrain.

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Nearest Town

Afton (Lincoln County seat, Star Valley). Full services — fuel, groceries, lodging. Excellent logistics base for hunting the Salt River Range.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Afton a good base for hunting Unit 5 bighorn sheep?

Yes — Afton is the ideal base for Unit 5. The town sits directly at the foot of the Salt River Range, has full services, and is within 30 minutes of primary sheep access points.

What makes the Salt River Range sheep different from Teton-area units?

Unit 5 offers a more accessible cliff-face hunt with valley-based logistics, compared to the extreme backcountry character of Units 1–3. Ram quality is somewhat lower on average, but the hunt is more manageable for hunters without extensive wilderness logistics experience.

Is Star Valley moose hunting good for hunters who don't want a wilderness expedition?

Yes — Unit 5 is one of Wyoming's most accessible moose hunts. The Star Valley road system, Afton services, and valley-based habitat make it a logical choice for hunters wanting a quality Wyoming moose without full wilderness logistics.

What size moose can I expect in Unit 5?

Star Valley bulls carry 36–45 inch spreads on average. The abundant willow browse supports good antler development, though maximum size is somewhat below the extreme wilderness units of Units 1–3.

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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 5 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 5 bighorn sheep harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 5 (Salt River / Star Valley)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 5

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 5

Salt River Range Eastern Escarpment

High-Alpine Summer Range

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 5

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 5

Where to Find Moose in Unit 5

Salt River Corridor

Mountain Foothills Drainages

Agricultural Edges

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 5

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 4 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 6 — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 5 — Moose

Unit 3 — Moose

Unit 1 — Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification