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Wyoming Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Unit 6 (Wind River Foothills)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Hunt Area 6 covers the western foothills and lower drainages of the Wind River Range in Sublette and Fremont Counties — a transitional zone where the Wind Rivers descend from their high alpine crest into the sagebrush basins of western Wyoming. Bighorn sheep in this unit use the rugged canyon country of the New Fork River system, the cliff faces along the Green River Breaks, and the rocky ridges above the Pinedale area. This unit bridges the extreme wilderness sheep terrain of northwest Wyoming with more accessible canyon-country hunting, providing an entry point into the Wyoming bighorn sheep draw tier that is somewhat below the hyper-competitive Teton units.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 6

Hunt Area 6 covers the western foothills and lower drainages of the Wind River Range in Sublette and Fremont Counties — a transitional zone where the Wind Rivers descend from their high alpine crest into the sagebrush basins of western Wyoming. Bighorn sheep in this unit use the rugged canyon country of the New Fork River system, the cliff faces along the Green River Breaks, and the rocky ridges above the Pinedale area. This unit bridges the extreme wilderness sheep terrain of northwest Wyoming with more accessible canyon-country hunting, providing an entry point into the Wyoming bighorn sheep draw tier that is somewhat below the hyper-competitive Teton units.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 6

Bighorn sheep in Unit 6 concentrate in the canyon systems and rocky ridgelines where the Wind River Range descends to the Wyoming Basin. The New Fork River canyon, the rocky breaks above Pinedale, and the cliff systems along the Green River tributaries are the primary sheep habitats.

New Fork River Canyon

The New Fork drainage below Boulder Lake cuts through rocky terrain that provides escape cliffs and grassy ledge systems attractive to bighorn. Sheep use this canyon year-round and are accessible with a moderate 3–6 mile hike from forest road access.

Foothills Canyon Systems

The transition zone between the Wind River Range granite and the Wyoming Basin sagebrush creates a series of smaller canyon systems with south-facing cliff exposure. These canyon complexes hold sheep and are less visited than the main mountain range hunts.

Winter Range Concentrations

By November, sheep concentrate on south-facing lower-elevation cliffs and canyon walls accessible within 2–4 miles of roads. Late-season license holders benefit from this concentration effect.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 6

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Unit 6 bighorn sheep success averages 65–80% for tag holders. The canyon-country setting provides reliable sheep concentrations, and the less extreme terrain compared to the Teton wilderness units makes approaching rams more achievable for most hunters.

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 6 bighorn tags are competitive but may draw faster than the Teton units — non-residents typically accumulate 10–14 preference points before drawing. Residents may draw with 7–11 points. The Wind River foothills unit attracts fewer applicants than the glamour northwest Wyoming units, making it a more achievable lifetime sheep tag while still producing quality rams.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 6 bighorn sheep hunting more accessible than the Teton units?
In terms of draw odds, Unit 6 may draw slightly faster. In terms of terrain, the Wind River foothills are less extreme than the Washakie Wilderness but still require significant physical fitness and canyon navigation skills.
What is the nearest airport for Unit 6 bighorn sheep?
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the closest regional airport, roughly 90 miles north. Rock Springs (RKS) is to the south. Many hunters drive to Pinedale, which is centrally located relative to unit access.

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Sources & Verification

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

  1. Wyoming 2025 Big Game Regulations — Hunt Planner — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 6 bighorn sheep season structure, License quota, Hunt area boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18
  2. WGFD Hunting Regulations Hub — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn sheep seasons and license classes, Preference point system · accessed 2026-04-18
  3. WGFD Harvest Reports & Surveys — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 6 bighorn sheep harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-18