Unit 64 Owl Creek (Area 64)
Owl Creek country — the lower, drier end of the Gooseberry elk herd where the Bighorn Basin meets the Wind River Reservation.
Owl Creek Mountains · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,023
sq mi
Public land
40%
approx.
Elevation
4,300–9,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 64 runs from the Gooseberry Creek-Grass Creek divide at Wyoming Highway 120 southeast along the highway to the Bighorn River, up the river to the Wind River Reservation boundary, then west and north along that boundary back to the Owl Creek-South Fork Wood River divide. It is the southern, lower-elevation member of the Gooseberry elk herd (Areas 62-64) and takes in the Owl Creek Mountains and foothills between Meeteetse and Thermopolis. This is a mix of BLM, state trust, and large private ranch rather than deep wilderness, and it produces quality bull elk alongside good mule deer and fringe pronghorn.
Terrain
Rolling sage basin and badland benches rising south and west into the timbered Owl Creek Mountains, drained by Owl Creek, Grass Creek, and Gooseberry Creek toward the Bighorn River.
Cover: Sagebrush-grassland, greasewood, and badland breaks on the low basin, cottonwood and willow along the creeks and Bighorn River, with juniper, Douglas-fir, and limber pine on the higher Owl Creek Mountain slopes.
Landmarks: Owl Creek Mountains · Owl Creek · Grass Creek · Bighorn River · Wyoming Highway 120 · Wind River Reservation boundary (closed to non-tribal hunting)
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard here, but the unit is a patchwork of BLM and state parcels interlocked with large deeded ranches, so knowing boundaries is essential. The Absaroka Front Hunter Management Area (LU and PAR ranches) covers the northwest end and opens otherwise-private elk ground with an advance permission slip and vehicle pass. The southern boundary is the Wind River Reservation line — reservation land is closed to non-tribal hunters. Much of the productive low country is private ranch requiring permission.
Managers: BLM, WY state trust, private ranch, USFS Shoshone NF (western fringe)
Access points: Grass Creek Road and oilfield roads off WY Highway 120 · Owl Creek Road out of Thermopolis · BLM access south and east of the Owl Creek Mountains · Absaroka Front HMA (permission slip required)
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common trophyThe southern end of the Gooseberry trophy-bull herd. Elk use the timbered Owl Creek Mountains and shuttle between the high forest, ranch ground, and the reservation line.
- →Hunt the timbered Owl Creek Mountains and their edges
- →Use the Absaroka Front HMA on the northwest end to reach elk on ranch ground
- →Watch elk movement toward the closed reservation boundary and set up on accessible corridors
- →Glass Grass Creek and Owl Creek drainages at first and last light
Mule Deer
common qualityCore Owl Creek/Meeteetse deer herd country, with bucks in the badland breaks, juniper foothills, and timbered Owl Creek Mountain slopes.
- →Glass juniper-and-rimrock breaks and sage draws early and late
- →Work the higher timbered ridges of the Owl Creek Mountains for bigger bucks
- →Hunt creek-bottom cover along Owl and Grass Creeks
Pronghorn
limited opportunityPronghorn hold on the open sage basin on the lower, eastern reaches toward the Bighorn River, largely on BLM and private ranch.
- →Glass the open low-elevation sage flats away from the foothills
- →Combine BLM parcels with private-land or HMA permission to reach antelope ground
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe rugged Owl Creek Mountains and river canyon country hold a limited bighorn sheep resource on the rock and rim.
- →Glass cliff bands and rimrock in the roughest canyon country
- →Expect a demanding, low-density spot-and-stalk hunt
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer through the breaks, juniper, and canyon country of the Owl Creek foothills.
- →Cut fresh tracks after snow on foothill and oilfield roads
- →Focus on rough canyon and rimrock terrain holding deer
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bears use the timbered western slopes of the Owl Creek Mountains; grizzlies are uncommon here but can range in from the Absaroka to the northwest, so awareness still applies.
- →Glass timbered draws and berry patches on the higher west end
- →Carry bear spray and confirm species on the northwest fringe
Pro tips
- →Treat this as the accessible, lower-elevation end of a trophy elk herd — quality bulls without the deep wilderness commitment of Area 62
- →Map BLM and state parcels carefully against private ranch and the Wind River Reservation line before you hunt
- →The reservation boundary is closed to non-tribal hunters — do not cross it chasing game
- →Use the Absaroka Front HMA (permission slip late July) to unlock the northwest ranch ground
- →Watch for active Grass Creek oilfield traffic and respect lease-road and gate rules
Watch out for
- !Wind River Reservation forms the south boundary and is closed to non-tribal hunting — know exactly where the line is
- !Patchwork of BLM/state and large private ranch — boundary and corner-crossing awareness is essential (no UP checkerboard here)
- !Absaroka Front HMA requires an advance permission slip and vehicle pass
- !Active Grass Creek oil-and-gas field means traffic, gates, and closed lease roads
- !Clay and oilfield roads turn impassable when wet; occupied grizzly range on the far northwest fringe
Logistics
Thermopolis on the Bighorn River is the main hub with fuel, lodging, groceries, and a hospital; Worland to the north and Meeteetse to the northwest are alternatives. Access runs on Highway 120, Owl Creek Road, and a web of oilfield and ranch roads (Grass Creek is an active oil-and-gas field) that turn slick and rutted when wet.
Nearest towns: Thermopolis, Meeteetse, Worland, Shoshoni
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 64 boundary · WGFD Absaroka Front Hunter Management Area · GoHunt — Wyoming Area 64 Owl Creek elk unit profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 64 in Wyoming?
- Unit 64 (Owl Creek (Area 64)) covers about 1,023 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,300 to 9,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 64?
- Approximately 40% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, WY state trust, private ranch, USFS Shoshone NF (western fringe). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 64?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Cougar, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 64 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.