Unit 47 Copper Mountain (Area 47)
Copper Mountain and the Bridger badlands where the Bighorn Basin drops to Boysen Reservoir — desert pronghorn and rimrock mule deer.
Bighorn Basin · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
698
sq mi
Public land
55%
approx.
Elevation
4,700–8,312
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 47 covers the Copper Mountain / Bridger Mountains country that marks the southern rim of the Bighorn Basin as it falls toward Boysen Reservoir and the Wind River Basin. This is dry, broken high desert: sage flats, badland draws and rocky limber-pine ridges rising to Copper Mountain (~8,300 ft) on the Fremont/Hot Springs county line. Pronghorn are the marquee animal on the open sage, with mule deer holding the breaks and canyons and a limited scatter of elk on the higher ground. Much of the range is BLM, but public ground interlocks tightly with private ranch and scattered Wyoming state-trust sections.
Terrain
High-desert uplift of the Bridger/Copper Mountain range demarcating the southern Bighorn Basin from the Wind River Basin, dropping to the shore of Boysen Reservoir. Stark ridges, badland draws and rocky slopes.
Cover: Wyoming big sagebrush and grassland on the flats and benches, greasewood and saltbush in the bottoms, scattered limber pine and juniper on the rocky slopes, mountain shrub and aspen pockets on the upper mountain.
Landmarks: Copper Mountain · Bridger Mountains · Copper Mountain WSA · Boysen Reservoir · Bridger Creek · Wind River Canyon (to the west)
Access
Not part of the southern-Wyoming Union Pacific checkerboard — but BLM and scattered state-trust sections interlock with large private ranches, and much public ground is landlocked or reached only across deeded land. Corner-crossing between adjoining public sections is a live issue. Verify boundaries on a land-status app before hunting.
Managers: BLM, private ranch, WY state trust
Access points: BLM roads out of Lysite and Lost Cabin · US 20/WY 789 corridor near Shoshoni and Boysen Reservoir · Bridger Creek drainage roads · Copper Mountain WSA (foot access)
Species notes
Pronghorn
abundant qualityThe signature animal here — pronghorn work the open sage flats and benches of the Copper Mountain and Bridger country in strong numbers, part of Wyoming's world-largest antelope resource.
- →Glass the open sage benches and two-tracks at first light, then plan a stalk using terrain rolls
- →Water sources and windmills concentrate animals in the dry early season
- →Judge horns carefully at distance before committing to a long approach
- →Confirm you are on BLM and not a private inholding before shooting
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer hold the badland draws, juniper breaks and rimrock of the mountain flanks, separating from the antelope by using broken cover.
- →Glass rimrock heads of draws and juniper pockets at dawn and dusk
- →Hunt higher toward the limber-pine ridges where bucks summer
- →Work the transitions between sage flat and canyon rim
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk are a scattered, limited-quota resource on the higher aspen and shrub pockets of Copper Mountain rather than a basin staple.
- →Focus on aspen stringers and mountain-shrub benches on the upper mountain
- →Locate elk early and expect them to shuttle onto private
- →Treat this as a low-density, glass-first hunt
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer through the canyon and rimrock country; a pursuit-and-track resource more than a walk-up hunt.
- →Cut fresh tracks after snow on canyon roads and rims
- →Focus on rugged breaks holding deer
Pro tips
- →Pack water and a land-status map — this is dry, roadless-feeling country with interlocked ownership
- →Hunt water and wind for pronghorn in the warm early season
- →Push higher onto the mountain for mule deer as the flats get pressured
- →Slick gumbo roads after rain or snow can strand a truck — carry recovery gear
- →Glass long before you walk; the open terrain rewards patience over miles
Watch out for
- !Landlocked BLM and corner-crossing between public sections
- !Private ranch inholdings interlocked with public ground
- !Greasy gumbo roads when wet
- !Little shade or water on the flats — carry your own
- !Late-season snow and wind
Logistics
Shoshoni (US 20/26) and Thermopolis are the practical hubs for fuel, groceries and lodging; Riverton to the south is the nearest full-service town with a hospital. Boysen State Park offers camping. Interior roads are dirt two-tracks that turn to greasy gumbo when wet.
Nearest towns: Shoshoni, Thermopolis, Lysite, Lost Cabin, Riverton
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: BLM Copper Mountain WSA · Copper Mountain (Wyoming) - Wikipedia · WGFD Deer Hunt Planner
FAQ
- How big is Unit 47 in Wyoming?
- Unit 47 (Copper Mountain (Area 47)) covers about 698 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,700 to 8,312 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 47?
- Approximately 55% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, private ranch, WY state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 47?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 47 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.