Unit 62 South Greybull River (Area 62)
South Greybull River headwaters — deep Shoshone wilderness country and one of Wyoming's premier trophy-bull elk hunts.
Absaroka Front · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
256
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–12,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Hunt Area 62 covers the high south-and-east drainage of the Greybull River west of the mouth of the Wood River, plus the north-and-west drainage of the Wood River, running from the ranch country above Meeteetse back into the heart of the Absaroka Range. This is the western edge of the Bighorn Basin where it climbs into the Shoshone National Forest and the Washakie Wilderness — steep, timbered, high-elevation country. Part of the Gooseberry elk herd (Areas 62-64), it is regarded as some of the best trophy bull elk hunting in the western United States. It is also grizzly country, and hunters should treat it as such.
Terrain
Rugged volcanic Absaroka high country cut by the Greybull and Wood River drainages, rising from foothill ranch benches into alpine wilderness peaks and knife ridges.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass benches on the low east end, giving way to Douglas-fir and lodgepole timber, aspen pockets, then subalpine spruce-fir, high meadows, and alpine tundra above timberline.
Landmarks: Greybull River · Wood River · Washakie Wilderness · Shoshone National Forest · Absaroka Range · Pitchfork Ranch (private) · Jack Creek
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard reaches this corner of the state. The back half of the unit is national forest and designated wilderness (no motorized or mechanized travel), reached by crossing a band of large private ranches on the lower Greybull and Wood River roads. The Absaroka Front Hunter Management Area (LU and PAR ranches) opens otherwise-private ground for elk in Areas 62-64 with a permission slip and vehicle pass obtained in advance. Wilderness hunters are typically outfitted or well-prepared for deep horseback trips.
Managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Greybull Ranger District), USFS Washakie Wilderness, private ranch, WY state trust, BLM
Access points: Wood River Road / Pitchfork out of Meeteetse · Jack Creek and Greybull River trailheads · Shoshone NF Greybull Ranger District roads · Absaroka Front HMA (permission slip required)
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant trophyThe marquee animal and one of Wyoming's most coveted trophy-bull hunts. Elk summer high in the Absaroka wilderness and drift toward the foothill ranches as snow builds.
- →Get deep into the Shoshone NF and Washakie Wilderness above the ranch band, on foot or horseback
- →Bugle and locate herd bulls in the dark timber and high parks at dawn during the rut
- →Hunt the timing of storms that push elk down toward the Absaroka Front and HMA ground
- →Be prepared for long pack-outs — plan meat handling and grizzly precautions before you shoot
Mule Deer
common qualityPart of the Owl Creek/Meeteetse deer herd, with bucks scattered through the timbered basins and high open ridges of the Greybull and Wood River headwaters.
- →Glass high alpine and timberline basins early in the season before snow
- →Work rimrock and sage-timber edges on the lower benches
- →Hunt migration corridors off the high country as weather turns
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe Absaroka high country holds bighorn sheep on the alpine ridges and cliff faces — a rare, hard-to-draw resource.
- →Glass alpine cliff bands and high basins from a distance
- →Expect a physically demanding backcountry hunt above timberline
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use the willow bottoms and riparian stringers along the Greybull and Wood River drainages.
- →Still-hunt willow flats and spruce bottoms along the rivers morning and evening
- →Check beaver ponds and creek confluences
Black Bear
common qualityBlack bears inhabit the timbered slopes and berry patches; this is also occupied grizzly range, so bear identification and awareness are mandatory.
- →Glass avalanche chutes, aspen, and berry patches in fall
- →Carry bear spray and know how to distinguish black from grizzly before any shot
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer and elk through the rough timber and canyon country.
- →Cut fresh tracks after snow on forest roads and ridges
- →Focus on rugged canyon terrain holding wintering deer
Pro tips
- →This is a genuine trophy-elk unit — hunt it deep and patient rather than road-hunting the fringes
- →Line up Absaroka Front HMA permission slips (available late July) early if you plan to hunt the ranch-front ground
- →Plan for horseback or heavy backcountry logistics to reach the best wilderness elk terrain
- →Treat every carcass and camp as if a grizzly is nearby — this is core grizzly range
- →Time your hunt to storm fronts that push high-country elk toward accessible ground
Watch out for
- !Occupied grizzly bear range — carry spray, hunt with a partner, and handle meat carefully
- !Large private ranches gate the low country between town and the national forest; know boundaries
- !Designated wilderness prohibits motorized and mechanized travel including game carts
- !High-elevation weather can strand hunters and wash out roads with little warning
- !Absaroka Front HMA requires an advance permission slip and vehicle pass
Logistics
Meeteetse is the trailhead town with limited fuel, lodging, and supplies; Cody to the north and Worland/Thermopolis to the east are the nearest full-service hubs. The Wood River and Greybull River roads are the main arteries west and turn rough and greasy when wet. Wilderness access generally means horses or a long backpack.
Nearest towns: Meeteetse, Cody, Thermopolis, Worland
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Elk Hunting Seasons (Ch. 7) — Area 62 boundary · WGFD Absaroka Front Hunter Management Area · Meeteetse Visitor Center — Big Game
FAQ
- How big is Unit 62 in Wyoming?
- Unit 62 (South Greybull River (Area 62)) covers about 256 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 62?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Greybull Ranger District), USFS Washakie Wilderness, private ranch, WY state trust, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 62?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, 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 62 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.