Unit 86 Monument Ridge (Area 86)
Nearly all-public Bridger-Teton elk country above the Hoback — Monument Ridge feedground herds and deep canyon mule deer.
Wyoming Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
116
sq mi
Public land
97%
approx.
Elevation
6,700–10,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 86, Monument Ridge, is a mountain elk unit in the northern Wyoming Range of western Wyoming, roughly north of La Barge Creek, west of the Hoback River, east of the Greys River divide and south of Cliff Creek. It is overwhelmingly Bridger-Teton National Forest — about 97% public — with only a thin band of ranch land along the Hoback on the east. This is classic feedground elk country: the WGFD Monument Ridge feedground helps winter the herd, and the unit is known for strong elk numbers and good access via county and Forest Service roads. Rugged, roaded, and wilderness-free, so nonresidents can hunt the whole unit without a guide.
Terrain
Steep Wyoming Range front rising off the Hoback River through long, deep timbered canyons to high ridgelines and peaks along the Greys River divide.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass on lower south slopes and river benches, dense lodgepole and spruce-fir on the high country, aspen stringers and willow-lined creek bottoms, with alpine meadows on the upper ridges.
Landmarks: Monument Ridge · Hoback River · Cliff Creek · La Barge Creek · Greys River divide · Bridger-Teton National Forest
Access
Almost entirely Bridger-Teton NF (~97%) with a narrow strip of private ranch along the Hoback on the east edge. This is NOT the southern-Wyoming Union Pacific checkerboard — public land is contiguous. Good county and Forest Service road access reaches most drainages; a wilderness-free unit, so nonresidents may hunt anywhere without a guide.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch
Access points: US 191 up the Hoback River corridor · Cliff Creek Road and campground off US 191 · Forest Service roads up La Barge Creek from the south · Monument Ridge / feedground access road · trailheads into the Greys River divide country
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe marquee draw — a strong feedground-supported herd wintered at Monument Ridge that summers high in the Wyoming Range. Good numbers and success rates on public land make this a sought-after limited-quota elk unit.
- →Hunt high timbered basins and ridge saddles early, glassing meadow edges at dawn and dusk
- →Work the aspen-conifer transition and creek headwaters where elk bed
- →Push into the Greys River divide country away from roads for undisturbed bulls
- →Follow elk toward lower feedground-adjacent slopes as snow pushes them down late season
Mule Deer
common qualityPart of the storied Wyoming Range mule deer herd — quality bucks in the high basins, though the herd has been hit hard by severe winters and is managed conservatively. Genuine backcountry buck opportunity on big public ground.
- →Glass high sage and rockslide basins near timberline at first and last light
- →Hunt the aspen and mountain-mahogany benches on south-facing slopes
- →Be prepared to hike well above the roads for mature bucks
- →Watch feed transitions as early storms move deer to lower brush
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use the willow bottoms and beaver complexes along the Hoback tributaries and high creek headwaters — a low-density but genuine trophy moose presence typical of the Wyoming Range.
- →Glass willow flats and beaver ponds along creek bottoms morning and evening
- →Check spring seeps and riparian pockets in the high drainages
- →Move slowly and glass — moose hold in dense cover
Cougar
common opportunityHealthy mountain lion numbers follow the deer and elk through the timbered canyons of the Wyoming Range front.
- →Hunt fresh snow with hounds along canyon rims and drainages
- →Cut tracks on Forest Service roads and ridgeline benches after storms
Pro tips
- →This is a nearly all-public, wilderness-free unit — nonresidents can hunt the whole thing without a guide, a real advantage over neighboring wilderness units
- →Elk relate to the Monument Ridge feedground in winter; hunt high early and let storms concentrate animals lower late
- →The Wyoming Range mule deer here are quality but the herd is winter-sensitive — pass young bucks and manage expectations
- →Get well off the county and Forest roads for the least-pressured elk in the upper basins
- →Watch the high roads for early snow; carry chains, recovery gear and warm layers
Watch out for
- !Fast, heavy early snowstorms can close high Forest Service roads with little warning
- !Thin band of private ranch along the Hoback on the east edge — mind boundaries down low
- !Wyoming Range mule deer herd is depressed after hard winters; hunt conservatively
- !Grizzly and black bear occur in the region — practice bear-aware camping and meat care
- !Remote high canyons with limited cell service; tell someone your plan
Logistics
Bondurant, just east on US 191, is the closest settlement with motel lodging and limited services; Pinedale to the south and Jackson to the north are the full-service bases for fuel, groceries and hospitals. Cliff Creek and other Forest Service campgrounds off the Hoback serve as staging points. Carry recovery gear — high roads get rough and snow-blocked.
Nearest towns: Bondurant, Pinedale, Jackson, Hoback Junction
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD 2023 Elk Hunt Area maps · GoHunt — Wyoming Elk Unit 86 (Monument Ridge) · HuntScore — Wyoming Hunt Area 86 (Monument Ridge)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 86 in Wyoming?
- Unit 86 (Monument Ridge (Area 86)) covers about 116 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,700 to 10,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 86?
- Approximately 97% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 86?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 86 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.