Unit 91 Salt River (Area 91)
Star Valley's high backbone — the Salt River Range, storied B&C mule deer country almost entirely on national forest.
Salt River Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
466
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
5,900–11,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 91, Salt River, covers the Salt River Range east of Afton and Star Valley, running up the west side of the Greys River in western Lincoln County. This is steep, timbered Bridger-Teton National Forest high country — the western half of the celebrated Wyoming/Salt River Range mule deer herd, which has historically produced more Boone & Crockett typical mule deer than any other herd in the state. It also holds a big share of Wyoming's moose, a special-permit elk population tied to the Greys River feedground, and a Salt River Range bighorn sheep herd. Note the migratory deer herd was hammered by the severe winters of 2016-17 and 2022-23 and remains well below historic numbers, so tags and expectations are managed conservatively.
Terrain
A rugged north-south mountain range rising steeply from the Star Valley / Salt River floor on the west to a high crest of peaks and basins, dropping east into the Greys River drainage. Deeply timbered slopes cut by creek canyons, alpine benches and rock at the top.
Cover: Aspen and mountain-brush foothills, dense lodgepole, spruce-fir and Douglas-fir timber, sagebrush and willow bottoms along the Salt and Greys rivers, opening to whitebark, alpine meadow and talus on the crest.
Landmarks: Mount Fitzpatrick · Salt River Range crest · Greys River · Salt River / Star Valley · Swift Creek · Periodic Spring · Greys River feedground
Access
Overwhelmingly Bridger-Teton National Forest — no Union Pacific checkerboard here (that is southern Wyoming along I-80). Private ground is concentrated on the Star Valley / Salt River floor around Afton, Thayne and Grover; gain the forest through canyon trailheads and the Greys River road rather than crossing valley ranches. The Greys River WHMA/feedground area near Alpine also offers access on the north end.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch, WY state trust
Access points: Greys River Road (FR 10138) up the east side · Swift Creek / Periodic Spring trailhead east of Afton · Cottonwood, Strawberry and Willow creek canyon trails · US 89 / Star Valley community access points · Alpine and the lower Greys River from the north
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyThe marquee. The Salt River Range is half of a herd famous for old, heavy typical bucks and the northern anchor of Wyoming's long mule deer migration. Numbers are down sharply after recent hard winters, so this is a low-density, high-effort hunt for a genuinely big deer rather than a numbers game.
- →Glass high basins, aspen edges and timber breaks at first and last light
- →Hunt the transition zones where mature bucks hold above the crowds
- →Be ready to climb and to camp back in — the best deer live away from roads
- →Watch weather: an early storm pushes migrating bucks down off the crest
Moose
common qualityThe Salt River / Greys River country carries a meaningful piece of Wyoming's moose. Willow bottoms and spruce draws hold bulls; a very limited-draw, once-in-a-lifetime species.
- →Work willow flats and beaver complexes along the Salt and Greys rivers and side creeks
- →Glass dark timber edges morning and evening
- →Cover creek drainages methodically — bulls hold in surprisingly small pockets
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk use the timbered range and winter toward the Greys River feedground. Access is largely by special permit — a limited-quota, backcountry timber hunt.
- →Push into dark north-slope timber where elk hold off pressure
- →Hunt the timber-meadow edges and wallows early season
- →Follow snow lines and feedground migration late season
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe Salt River Range holds one of the region's bighorn herds on the high rock and alpine benches — a rare, coveted, once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Glass alpine crest, cliff bands and high talus benches from long range
- →Plan multi-day backcountry access to the tops
- →Judge rams carefully before committing to a hard high climb
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears are common through the aspen and berry slopes of the range; a spring or fall opportunity while hunting other game.
- →Glass avalanche chutes and green aspen slopes in spring
- →Hunt berry patches and oak/serviceberry brush in fall
- →Check creek-bottom feed and carrion sign
Cougar
limited opportunityMountain lions follow the deer herds through the timbered range; a limited winter pursuit, typically with hounds and tracking snow.
- →Cut tracks on forest roads and ridgelines after fresh snow
- →Focus on deer-wintering canyons and rimrock
- →Hunt with experienced hound handlers
Pro tips
- →This is a quality-over-quantity mule deer unit now — hunt for one mature buck and expect to work for it
- →Get above the road-hunting pressure; the old bucks live in the timber and high basins
- →Use the Greys River Road as a spine and hunt the side canyons on foot
- →An early snowstorm is your friend — it pushes deer off the crest onto huntable slopes
- →Scout the migration timing; the range empties toward winter range once weather sets in
Watch out for
- !Deer herd is well below historic levels after severe winters — manage expectations
- !Private ranch land on the Star Valley / Salt River floor — enter the forest at trailheads, don't cross ranches
- !Steep, rugged terrain with fast-changing mountain weather and early snow
- !Grizzly bears are expanding westward in the region — carry bear spray and practice clean camp/carcass habits
- !Backcountry access can strand vehicles when upper roads snow in
Logistics
Base out of Afton or the Star Valley towns for services, or Alpine on the north end near the Greys River mouth. The Greys River Road is the main artery into the backcountry and can be long and rough; carry recovery gear, fuel and be self-sufficient. High country requires backpack or stock support to hunt well.
Nearest towns: Afton, Thayne, Alpine, Star Valley Ranch, Smoot
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 Greys River WHMA · Wyoming Wildlife Federation — Wyoming Range
FAQ
- How big is Unit 91 in Wyoming?
- Unit 91 (Salt River (Area 91)) covers about 466 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,900 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 91?
- Approximately 90% 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 91?
- Mule Deer, Moose, Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, 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 91 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.