Unit 67 Wigins Fork (Area 67)
The Wiggins Fork wilderness north of Dubois — a deep Shoshone-forest, Washakie Wilderness trophy-elk and bighorn stronghold in grizzly country.
Absaroka Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
701
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
7,000–12,500
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
Hunt Area 67 lies just north of Dubois in the rugged Absaroka Mountains on the east side of the Wind River country, bounded by U.S. Highway 26/287 on the south and west, the divide between the Shoshone and Greybull drainages and the Continental Divide to the north, and the Wind River / Wind River Indian Reservation and Spence-Moriarity WHMA to the east. It is a high, wild, public-land unit — much of it inside the Washakie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest, drained by the Wiggins Fork, East Fork, Bear Creek, and Horse Creek. Elk are the marquee resource and can be found throughout the steep timber and alpine basins, alongside bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion. This is genuine backcountry: horseback or backpack hunting is the norm, and it is core grizzly range.
Terrain
Steep, rugged volcanic Absaroka high country rising from sage-and-grass valley meadows through timbered slopes to spruce-fir forest, alpine basins, and rocky peaks near and above timberline.
Cover: Grassy and sage-covered meadows with Douglas-fir and aspen at low and middle elevations, giving way to thick spruce-fir forest and whitebark pine higher up, with extensive grassy slopes, alpine meadows, and open basins near timberline.
Landmarks: Wiggins Fork · East Fork Wind River · Bear Creek · Horse Creek · Washakie Wilderness · Shoshone National Forest · Absaroka Range · Spence-Moriarity WHMA (east)
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard reaches this mountain country — access here is about terrain and wilderness rules, not a land-grant grid. The large majority of the unit is national forest, much of it designated Washakie Wilderness where motorized and mechanized travel (including game carts) is prohibited. A band of private ranch ground lines the valley floor near Dubois and the East Fork, so cross to the forest at established trailheads. Note that nonresidents hunting in a designated wilderness must by Wyoming law be accompanied by a licensed guide or a resident companion. The Spence-Moriarity WHMA on the east side provides additional public access and important winter range.
Managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Wind River Ranger District), USFS Washakie Wilderness, BLM, WY state trust, private ranch (valley bottoms)
Access points: East Fork trailhead · Wiggins Fork trailhead · Bear Creek trailhead · Horse Creek trailhead · US 26/287 out of Dubois · Spence-Moriarity WHMA (east)
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant trophyThe marquee animal — elk range throughout the steep timber and alpine basins of the Absaroka high country, and the unit is a well-known wilderness trophy-bull destination reached on foot or horseback.
- →Pack in deep to the wilderness basins and dark timber away from the trailhead pressure
- →Bugle and locate herd bulls in the high parks and spruce-fir at dawn during the rut
- →Hunt the timing of storms that push elk down out of the high country toward winter range
- →Plan for long, difficult pack-outs and grizzly-aware meat handling before you shoot
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe Absaroka alpine ridges and cliff bands hold bighorn sheep — a rare, hard-to-draw resource in demanding high country.
- →Glass high alpine ridges, cliff faces, and basin headwalls from a distance
- →Expect a physically punishing backcountry hunt above timberline
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use the willow bottoms and riparian stringers along the Wiggins Fork, East Fork, and other drainages.
- →Still-hunt willow flats and creek bottoms morning and evening
- →Check beaver ponds and stream confluences in the valleys
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer inhabit the timbered slopes, aspen pockets, and high open basins, with bucks moving to lower winter range as snow builds.
- →Glass alpine and timberline basins early before snow
- →Work sage-timber edges and aspen stringers on the middle slopes
- →Hunt migration routes off the high country as weather turns
Black Bear
common qualityBlack bears work the timbered slopes, avalanche chutes, 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 positively distinguish black from grizzly before any shot
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow deer and elk through the steep timber and canyon country.
- →Cut fresh tracks after snow on forest roads and ridgelines
- →Focus on rugged canyon terrain holding wintering deer
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a genuine wilderness trophy-elk hunt — get deep and hunt patiently rather than working the trailheads
- →Nonresidents in designated wilderness must have a licensed guide or resident companion — arrange this well ahead
- →Plan for horseback or heavy backpack logistics to reach the productive high basins
- →Handle every carcass and camp as if a grizzly is nearby — this is core grizzly range
- →Time your hunt to storm fronts that shift high-country elk toward more reachable ground
- →Study the Washakie Wilderness boundary — no motorized or wheeled game carts inside it
Watch out for
- !Occupied grizzly bear range — carry spray, hunt with a partner, handle meat carefully
- !Designated wilderness prohibits motorized and mechanized travel, including game carts
- !Nonresident wilderness rule: guide or resident companion required by law
- !Private ranch ground lines the valley floor near Dubois — cross at established trailheads
- !High-elevation weather can strand hunters and close trails with little warning
Logistics
Dubois is the trailhead town with lodging, fuel, groceries, and a strong outfitter presence — the practical base for this unit. Forest roads and trailheads off US 26/287 provide the jumping-off points, and reaching the best elk terrain generally means horses or a serious backpack. Roads and trails deteriorate quickly with high-country weather.
Nearest towns: Dubois, Crowheart, Lander, Riverton
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Chapter 7 Elk Hunting Seasons — Area 67 boundary · Shoshone National Forest (Washakie Wilderness) · GOHUNT Wyoming Elk Unit 67 — Wiggins Fork profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 67 in Wyoming?
- Unit 67 (Wigins Fork (Area 67)) covers about 701 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,000 to 12,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 67?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Wind River Ranger District), USFS Washakie Wilderness, BLM, WY state trust, private ranch (valley bottoms). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 67?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mule Deer, 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 67 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.