#7 on this list
Teton Wilderness (Units 99/100)
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, USA
The Teton Wilderness lies immediately south of Yellowstone National Park and east of Grand Teton National Park, a vast expanse of rolling timbered hills, high meadows, and broad river valleys. While not as dramatically alpine as some other wilderness areas, its sheer size and strategic location make it a prime mule deer haven, particularly for migratory bucks. Access is typically from trailheads originating near Turpin Meadow or from the Buffalo Fork drainage, requiring significant pack-in distances, often 8-15 miles, or longer for the interior. The ideal season is late archery or early rifle, usually late September into early October, when bucks are beginning to move or have settled into their fall ranges. This hunt is for physically fit individuals comfortable with navigating large, forested areas and dealing with significant grizzly bear activity. Standard Wyoming deer tags are required; wilderness permits are generally self-issued at trailheads. Trade-offs include the dense timber which can make glassing challenging, widespread grizzly presence, and the potential for heavy snows, particularly in October, which can make egress difficult. **Highlights** * Vast, relatively untrammeled wilderness, offering extensive habitat * Critical migratory corridor for mule deer and other ungulates * Good potential for finding older, more reclusive bucks * Excellent opportunities for multi-day, deep backcountry hunting * Less steep than other wilderness areas, allowing for more cover-based hunting **Watch-outs** * High density of grizzly bears; constant vigilance and bear spray essential * Dense timber can limit visibility and make travel challenging * Potential for deep snow in later seasons, impacting travel and deer location * Navigation in large, uniform timbered areas can be tricky * Long pack-in distances mean significant logistical planning
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#8 on this list
Fitzpatrick Wilderness (Unit 90)
Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming, USA
The Fitzpatrick Wilderness is located in the northern Wind River Range, directly east of Grand Teton National Park, and encompasses some of Wyoming's most glaciated peaks. This is a truly high-altitude environment, featuring rugged granite, vast snowfields, and numerous alpine lakes. What makes it special for mule deer is the extremely challenging terrain that funnels deer into specific basins and keeps human pressure low. Access points are limited, primarily from the Torrey Creek and Trail Lakes trailheads near Dubois, requiring a significant pack-in, often 7-15 miles, over steep passes. The ideal season is early archery or the first week of rifle season (September into early October) before heavy snows make higher elevations inaccessible. This is a hunt for expert mountaineering-style backpack hunters with top-tier fitness and navigation skills. Standard Wyoming deer tags are required, and wilderness permits are generally self-issued. Trade-offs include extreme physical demands at high elevations, significant exposure to weather, and the presence of grizzly bears. Expect to be above 10,000 feet for much of the hunt. **Highlights** * Extreme high-alpine hunting in a stunning glacial landscape * Opportunity for truly isolated hunting above timberline * Potential for spotting and stalking bucks in open, rocky terrain * Exceptional solitude due to challenging access and terrain * Iconic views of the Wind River Range's highest peaks **Watch-outs** * Extreme high altitude and demanding physical exertion * Significant exposure to severe, unpredictable mountain weather * Grizzly bear presence, especially in lower river bottoms * Steep, rocky, and potentially dangerous terrain; route-finding critical * Very limited access points and difficult bail-out options
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Teton Wilderness (Units 99/100) | Fitzpatrick Wilderness (Unit 90) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | SW Wyoming, Bridger-Teton NF | Shoshone National Forest, Wind River Range, Wyoming |
| Units | 99 & 100 | — |
| Primary Game | Mule Deer | — |
| Best Season | Late Sept - Early Oct | — |
| Access | Long pack-in from trailheads | — |
| Hazards | Grizzly bears, dense timber, snow | — |
| Unit Designation | — | Unit 90 |
| Elevation Range | — | Predominantly above 10,000 feet |
| Primary Access | — | Torrey Creek, Trail Lakes trailheads (Dubois) |
| Permits | — | Wyoming Deer Tags, self-issued wilderness permits |
| Optimal Season | — | Sept - early Oct (archery/first rifle) |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Teton Wilderness (Units 99/100)
- Vast, unpressured wilderness environment
- Critical migratory corridor for mature mule deer
- Excellent potential for deep backcountry multi-day hunts
- Less steep terrain than some alpine units, allows diverse hunting methods
- Opportunity for a truly wild and challenging experience
- High density of grizzly bears requires constant vigilance
- Dense timber limits visibility and makes navigation tough
- Long pack-in distances demand significant physical fitness
- Potential for rapid, heavy snowfall in hunting season
- Navigation can be challenging in uniform forested areas
Fitzpatrick Wilderness (Unit 90)
- Opportunity for truly isolated high-alpine experience
- Exceptional solitude due to challenging access
- Stunning glacial landscapes and iconic peak views
- Potential for spotting and stalking in open terrain
- Unpressured game due to terrain and limited access
- Extreme physical demands at high elevation
- Significant exposure to severe, unpredictable weather
- Grizzly bear presence requires constant vigilance
- Very limited access points and difficult bail-out options
- Steep, rocky, and potentially dangerous terrain
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.