Unit 93 Waterdog Lakes (Area 93)
The Hoback Rim above Bondurant — north end of the world's longest mule deer migration, high wild forest country.
Wyoming Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
261
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
6,600–11,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Hunt Area 93, Waterdog Lakes, covers the northern Wyoming Range and the Hoback Rim country above Bondurant, at the head of the Hoback River in Sublette and Teton counties. This is the northern anchor of the celebrated Wyoming Range mule deer herd — the top of the longest known mule deer migration in the United States, where deer summering on the Hoback Rim travel more than 130 miles to winter range near the Red Desert. It is high, wild Bridger-Teton National Forest: timbered ridges, alpine lake basins (the Waterdog Lakes among them), and abundant elk and moose alongside the marquee mule deer. Like the rest of the herd, deer numbers are down sharply after recent severe winters and are managed conservatively.
Terrain
High, rolling-to-rugged mountain country at the north end of the Wyoming Range, cut by the upper Hoback River and its tributaries, with timbered ridges, glacial lake basins and alpine benches climbing to the crest along the Hoback Rim.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass parks in the valleys, aspen stringers, dense lodgepole and spruce-fir timber, willow creek bottoms, and whitebark pine, alpine meadow and rock at the top.
Landmarks: Waterdog Lakes · Hoback Rim · Upper Hoback River · Bondurant · Cliff Creek · Granite Creek · Wyoming Range crest
Access
Overwhelmingly Bridger-Teton National Forest — no Union Pacific checkerboard here (that is far south along I-80). Private ground is concentrated in the Hoback / Bondurant valley bottom along US 191 and the ranches at the mouths of the side creeks; drop onto the forest through the creek trailheads rather than crossing valley ranches. Much of the high country is roadless backcountry reached on foot or stock.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF, private ranch, WY state trust
Access points: US 191 through Hoback / Bondurant · Cliff Creek Road and trailhead · Granite Creek Road (toward Granite Hot Springs) · Willow Creek and upper Hoback trailheads · Forest roads and trails off the Hoback Rim
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyThe marquee. The Hoback Rim is the summering end of the famous long-distance Wyoming Range migration and can hold old, heavy bucks. Density is low after recent winter losses — a demanding high-country trophy hunt, not a numbers unit.
- →Glass high basins, rim edges and aspen/timber breaks at first and last light
- →Hunt back off the roads on the rim and in the lake basins where mature bucks live
- →Watch weather — an early storm triggers the long migration down off the rim
- →Be prepared for backcountry access and a hard pack-out
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe Hoback and upper Green country holds strong elk numbers. Timbered ridges, parks and creek heads make for a classic, if crowded, backcountry elk hunt.
- →Work dark north-slope timber and park edges morning and evening
- →Hunt wallows and high benches early, snow lines and drainages late
- →Get deep off the trailheads to find undisturbed bulls
Moose
common qualityThe Hoback and its willow bottoms hold a real piece of Wyoming's moose — a limited, once-in-a-lifetime draw with quality bulls.
- →Hunt willow flats and beaver complexes along the upper Hoback and side creeks
- →Glass dark-timber edges at first and last light
- →Cover creek drainages methodically for holding bulls
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears are common in the berry and aspen country; this northern ground also lies within occupied grizzly range near Bondurant and the Gros Ventre, so know the difference and hunt accordingly.
- →Glass avalanche chutes and green slopes in spring
- →Hunt berry and mast concentrations in fall
- →Positively identify bears — grizzlies are present in this country
Cougar
limited opportunityMountain lions follow the deer and elk through the timber and rims — a limited winter tracking pursuit.
- →Cut tracks on forest roads and ridgelines after fresh snow
- →Focus on wintering deer canyons and rimrock
- →Hunt with experienced hound handlers
Pro tips
- →This is the top of the world's longest mule deer migration — hunt for one mature buck and expect to earn it
- →Get deep off the trailheads; the rim and lake basins hold the least-pressured game
- →Elk numbers are a genuine second draw — plan for pressure near the road corridors
- →An early storm starts the migration — be positioned to intercept deer coming down
- →Treat this as occupied grizzly country: bear spray, clean camp, and prompt meat care
Watch out for
- !Deer herd well below historic levels after severe winters — conservative expectations
- !Occupied grizzly range — carry spray, keep clean camps and get meat out fast
- !Private ranch land in the Hoback / Bondurant bottom — access the forest at trailheads
- !Remote, roadless backcountry with steep terrain and early, heavy snow
- !Upper roads snow in early and can strand vehicles
Logistics
Bondurant offers minimal services; Pinedale to the southeast and Jackson to the northwest are the nearest full-service towns. Access is along US 191 and the Cliff, Granite and Willow creek roads, with the best hunting reached on foot or stock deep in the backcountry. Carry recovery gear, fuel and full backcountry supplies.
Nearest towns: Bondurant, Pinedale, Jackson, Hoback Junction, Big Piney
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Deer Hunt Planner · Wyoming Wildlife Federation — Wyoming Range & migration corridors · WyoFile — Wyoming migration paths (Hoback Rim)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 93 in Wyoming?
- Unit 93 (Waterdog Lakes (Area 93)) covers about 261 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,600 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 93?
- 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 93?
- 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 93 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.