Unit 84 Lower Hoback (Area 84)
Rugged elk country in the lower Hoback drainage between the Gros Ventre and Wyoming ranges.
Hoback / Bridger-Teton NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
396
sq mi
Public land
88%
approx.
Elevation
5,900–10,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Area 84 (Lower Hoback) is rough, mountainous Bridger-Teton National Forest in the lower Hoback River country southeast of Jackson, straddling the foothills where the Gros Ventre and Wyoming ranges meet. It is largely public forest with a healthy, widely distributed elk herd, plus good mule deer and Shiras moose along the willow bottoms. WGFD has increased Type 6/Type 7 opportunity here in part to address elk damage on the private ranch lands lower in the valley, so hunters can find both backcountry and valley-edge action.
Terrain
Steep, timbered mountain drainages and rocky ridges falling to sage benches and the willow-lined Hoback River bottom near Bondurant.
Cover: Lodgepole, spruce-fir and aspen on the slopes; sagebrush and grass benches; willow and riparian bottoms along the Hoback and its tributaries.
Landmarks: Hoback River · Hoback Rim · Bondurant · Granite Creek · Wyoming Range foothills · Gros Ventre Range foothills · US Highway 189/191 Hoback canyon
Access
Mostly public national forest with no southern-Wyoming checkerboard; the access issue is private ranch land along the Hoback River bottom and around Bondurant where elk cause damage, so respect boundaries and secure permission for private inholdings. Good forest-road and trail access into the surrounding public high country.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch, WY state trust
Access points: US 189/191 through the Hoback canyon · Granite Creek Road · forest roads and trailheads off the Hoback and Bondurant · Wyoming/Gros Ventre range trail systems
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk are found throughout the rough, timbered drainages; the unit produces branch-antlered bulls and offers both backcountry hunts and valley-edge opportunity tied to increased damage-management tags.
- →Hunt high timber and hidden parks early season, then intercept elk moving to lower winter range as snow builds
- →Glass timber edges and avalanche parks at first and last light
- →Get away from the highway corridor into the roadless drainages
- →Watch migration pinch points off the Hoback Rim
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer use the sage benches, mountain shrub and aspen; rougher high draws hold mature bucks.
- →Glass shrubby draws and aspen benches morning and evening
- →Still-hunt aspen and fir stringers
- →Push into steep, rough country for older bucks
Moose
limited qualityThe Hoback and tributary willow bottoms hold Shiras moose; a prized limited-draw tag.
- →Glass willow flats and beaver ponds at dawn and dusk
- →Work riparian corridors slowly
- →Check creek and pond edges midday
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work berry slopes and green timber; this is occupied grizzly range, so identify carefully.
- →Glass berry slopes and avalanche chutes late day
- →Watch aspen and green stringers in early fall
- →Confirm species before any shot in grizzly country
Pro tips
- →Play the elk migration: hunt high early, then focus on routes off the Hoback Rim to lower ground as snow arrives.
- →Respect private ranch boundaries along the Hoback bottom and near Bondurant; secure permission before crossing.
- →Get off the US 189/191 corridor into the roadless drainages to escape pressure.
- →Carry bear spray and quarter quickly; this is grizzly country.
- →Scout the range foothills where Wyoming and Gros Ventre country meet for pockets of undisturbed elk.
Watch out for
- !Private ranch inholdings along the Hoback River and around Bondurant.
- !Occupied grizzly range: bear spray, clean camp, fast recovery.
- !Early snow and muddy forest roads; steep, rugged terrain.
- !Spotty cell coverage away from the highway.
Logistics
US 189/191 through the Hoback canyon gives paved access with forest roads branching off; Bondurant offers only minimal services, so base out of Jackson or Pinedale for lodging, groceries and fuel. Bring a high-clearance/4WD rig for the forest roads; horses or backpacking open the roadless high country. Cell coverage is spotty to none away from the highway.
Nearest towns: Bondurant, Jackson, Hoback Junction, Pinedale
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT Wyoming Elk Unit 84 (Lower Hoback) Profile · WGFD 2023 Elk Hunt Areas map · Bridger-Teton National Forest Hunting & Shooting
FAQ
- How big is Unit 84 in Wyoming?
- Unit 84 (Lower Hoback (Area 84)) covers about 396 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,900 to 10,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 84?
- Approximately 88% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch, WY state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 84?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
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