Unit 28 Cony Mountain (Area 28)
Wilderness elk and moose on the steep eastern face of the southern Wind Rivers above Lander
Wind River Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
543
sq mi
Public land
83%
approx.
Elevation
5,400–12,500
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
Area 28 is the Cony Mountain country on the eastern slope of the southern Wind River Range, running from the Wind River Reservation boundary and the Highway 287/28 corridor southwest to the Continental Divide, with the Popo Agie Wilderness forming its rugged core. It rises from the sage foothills west of Lander into timbered canyons, alpine basins and granite peaks over 12,000 feet. This is high, physical mountain country: a strong Shiras moose and elk unit with mule deer in the timber and a Wind River bighorn presence up high. Roughly four-fifths of the unit is public, almost all of it Shoshone National Forest and designated wilderness.
Terrain
Steep, glacially carved eastern face of the southern Wind Rivers, climbing from sagebrush foothills through timbered canyons to alpine cirques and granite peaks along the Continental Divide.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass on the low front, dense lodgepole, spruce and fir on the mid-slopes, and willow-lined creeks, meadows and alpine tundra above timberline.
Landmarks: Popo Agie Wilderness · Cony Mountain · Sinks Canyon · Middle and North Popo Agie Rivers · Continental Divide · Worthen Meadows Reservoir
Access
About 83% public, overwhelmingly Shoshone National Forest with the Popo Agie Wilderness at its heart, so this is not checkerboard country. The catch is that the wilderness core is foot-and-horse only and the low private and reservation ground on the east edge can pinch access to trailheads. Enter on foot or with stock from the marked Forest Service trailheads rather than trying to cross private or reservation land.
Managers: USFS Shoshone NF, BLM, WY state trust, private ranch
Access points: Sinks Canyon / Louis Lake Road (FR 300) · Worthen Meadows trailhead · Bruce's Bridge / Sawmill trailheads · Dickinson Park (via reservation permit) on the north · Loop Road corridor west of Lander
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk summer in the high basins and timber and drift down the east slope as snow builds; the biggest bulls hold in the roadless wilderness where pressure is thin, and getting animals out is the real challenge.
- →Backpack or use stock into the wilderness basins away from the trailhead crowds
- →Glass timber edges and alpine parks at first and last light during the pre-rut
- →Hunt the migration off the high country during the first hard snows
Moose
common qualityClassic Shiras moose habitat, with animals holding in the willow-choked creek bottoms and beaver meadows below timberline; a coveted, hard-to-draw tag with good bull quality.
- →Still-hunt willow flats and riparian bottoms along the Popo Agie forks
- →Watch beaver ponds and wet meadows at dawn and dusk
- →Move slowly and glass into thick willow rather than walking through it
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer use the timbered mid-slopes and mountain shrub of the front, with bucks working higher in early fall before dropping to the foothills; quality is solid rather than trophy.
- →Glass the transition between timber and open slope in the mornings
- →Hunt pockets of mountain mahogany and aspen on the lower face
- →Follow deer to the sage foothills as weather pushes them down
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyWind River bighorns range the high alpine and cliff country along the divide; a rare, hard-earned tag but genuine trophy potential in remote terrain.
- →Spend the whole season glassing high basins and cliff faces
- →Be prepared for multi-day backpack efforts above timberline
- →Scout ram groups well before the season if you draw
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the timber, berry patches and avalanche chutes; grizzlies have been expanding south into the northern Wind Rivers, so treat this as occupied grizzly country up high.
- →Glass green avalanche slides and berry benches in spring and early fall
- →Carry bear spray and hang meat and camp food
- →Hunt the edges of the high timber where bears feed
Cougar
limited opportunityMountain lions follow the deer through the canyons and timber and are hunted with hounds after snow.
- →Cut tracks on fresh snow along the canyon corridors
- →Focus on the deer-rich mid-slopes and rimrock
Pro tips
- →This is a fitness-and-logistics hunt as much as a game hunt; a good moose or elk deep in the wilderness means a hard pack-out
- →Horses dramatically expand what you can hunt and haul out of the Popo Agie
- →Certified weed-free feed is required on National Forest land if you bring stock
- →Time elk to the pre-rut and the first snow push for the best combination of vocal bulls and concentrated animals
- →Treat the high country as grizzly country: bear spray, clean camp, and hang your meat
Watch out for
- !Popo Agie Wilderness core is foot-and-horse access only, with no motorized entry
- !Wind River Reservation borders the north and requires a tribal permit to cross or hunt
- !Grizzly bears are expanding into the range; store food and meat properly
- !Fast-moving high-elevation storms and early snow can close passes and complicate pack-outs
Logistics
Lander sits right at the foot of the unit and is the hub for fuel, lodging, groceries, gear and meat processing. Once you leave the pavement the Forest Service roads are rough and the interior is trail-access only, so plan for horses or a serious backpack. Cell service dies quickly in the canyons; carry offline maps and a satellite communicator.
Nearest towns: Lander, Riverton, Hudson
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT Wyoming Area 28 Cony Mountain Unit Profile · WGFD Fremont County Walk-In Area 28 · USFS Shoshone National Forest - Popo Agie Wilderness
FAQ
- How big is Unit 28 in Wyoming?
- Unit 28 (Cony Mountain (Area 28)) covers about 543 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,400 to 12,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 28?
- Approximately 83% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Shoshone NF, BLM, WY state trust, private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 28?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Moose, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 28 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.