Unit 89 Lower Greys River (Area 89)
Lower Greys River — the storied Region G mule deer country where the Wyoming and Salt River ranges pinch down toward Alpine.
Wyoming Range / Greys River · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
263
sq mi
Public land
95%
approx.
Elevation
5,600–10,800
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 89 covers the lower Greys River drainage in the Bridger-Teton National Forest of far western Wyoming, the timbered mountain country between the Salt River Range on the west and the Wyoming Range on the east, draining north toward Alpine and the Snake River. This is part of the fabled Wyoming Range mule deer herd (deer Region G), a herd that has produced more Boone & Crockett bucks than almost any in the world. That reputation comes with a hard recent reality: severe winters (notably 2016-17 and 2022-23) and drought have knocked the herd well below objective, and Area 89 in particular carries very limited quotas. It remains a big, wild, almost entirely public-land unit with strong elk and moose in addition to deer.
Terrain
Steep, heavily-timbered mountains flanking the Greys River as it runs north to Alpine, with high open basins and rocky peaks along the Salt River Range crest to the west and the Wyoming Range to the east.
Cover: Dense lodgepole, spruce-fir and Douglas-fir on the slopes, aspen pockets and mountain meadows at mid-elevation, sagebrush and grassy parks in the river bottom, and alpine tundra and rock above timberline.
Landmarks: Greys River · Salt River Range · Wyoming Range · Greys River Road (FR 10138) · Alpine · Palisades / Snake River confluence
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard here — the southern-Wyoming checkerboard does not reach the Bridger-Teton. Access is overwhelmingly national forest, gained off the Greys River Road up the main drainage from Alpine. Private ground is confined to the Star Valley and Alpine bottoms; respect ranch boundaries where the road first leaves the highway.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF (Greys River Ranger District), WY state trust, private ranch (valley bottoms)
Access points: Greys River Road (FR 10138) from Alpine · Numerous side-canyon trailheads and forest roads · Alpine / US 89 / US 26 corridor
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyThe marquee animal and a legendary trophy herd, but currently well below population objective after repeated hard winters, so tags are tightly limited. Bucks that survive can be exceptional. Deer summer high in the basins and migrate long distances to winter range near LaBarge and the Green River.
- →Glass high alpine basins and timberline benches at first and last light in the early season
- →Hunt the aspen and dark-timber transitions as deer drop with the first storms
- →Be prepared to hike far from the road — the best bucks live in the roadless high country
- →Time an early-season high hunt before deer leave for distant winter range
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityStrong elk numbers use the Greys River timber and high parks; the drainage holds good numbers year-round with well-established bulls in the backcountry.
- →Bugle the dark timber and meadow edges at dawn during the September rut
- →Push into roadless side canyons away from road pressure
- →Watch north-facing black timber for daytime bedding
Moose
common qualityShiras moose browse the willow bottoms and riparian stringers along the Greys River and its tributaries — a coveted, hard-to-draw once-in-a-lifetime tag in Wyoming.
- →Glass willow flats and beaver-pond complexes morning and evening
- →Work creek bottoms and aspen-willow edges slowly
- →Look for bulls in the timber-willow transition
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the aspen, berry patches and avalanche chutes of the drainage. Note this is grizzly-occupied country on the northern Bridger-Teton — proper bear ID and bear-aware practices are essential.
- →Glass green avalanche slides and berry-rich basins in late summer and fall
- →Watch aspen and meadow edges at dusk
- →Carry bear spray and be certain of species before any shot
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer and elk through the steep timber and rimrock; primarily a winter pursuit-season resource.
- →Cut tracks on snowy forest roads and ridgelines
- →Focus on rugged canyon country holding wintering deer
Pro tips
- →This is limited-quota deer country now — check current Region G quotas and expect a hard draw, not a general hunt.
- →Hike well beyond the Greys River Road; the trophy bucks and pressured elk live in the roadless side drainages.
- →Plan around the migration — an early high hunt beats waiting for deer that leave for LaBarge winter range.
- →Treat this as grizzly country: carry spray, hang camp food, and confirm bear species before shooting.
- →Have a plan for the Greys River Road going impassable in a storm — fuel up and watch the forecast.
Watch out for
- !Wyoming Range deer herd is below objective — very limited tags and lower deer densities than the herd's reputation suggests.
- !Grizzly bears occupy this part of the Bridger-Teton; bear-aware camping and ID are mandatory.
- !Greys River Road can wash out or drift shut with early snow, stranding hunters far up-drainage.
- !Long backcountry distances and big vertical — this is a fitness-and-logistics hunt.
- !Fire closures and dry-year restrictions can affect the drainage in late summer.
Logistics
Alpine, at the mouth of the Greys River, is the closest base with fuel, lodging and groceries; Afton and the Star Valley towns to the south add services, and Jackson is the nearest airport and full-service hub. The Greys River Road is the lifeline into the unit — long, graded gravel that becomes greasy and can wash out when wet or snowbound.
Nearest towns: Alpine, Afton, Thayne, Jackson, Star Valley Ranch
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Deer Hunt Planner · WGFD 2024 Deer Hunt Areas map · WGFD Wyoming Range Deer Surveyed · Bridger-Teton National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit 89 in Wyoming?
- Unit 89 (Lower Greys River (Area 89)) covers about 263 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,600 to 10,800 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 89?
- Approximately 95% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF (Greys River Ranger District), WY state trust, private ranch (valley bottoms). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 89?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, 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 89 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.