Unit 73

Teton Pass serves as the primary orientation point at the southern boundary. The Teton Range itself dominates the landscape, with peaks like Mount Meek and The Wedge providing visual references for navigation. Major drainages—South Fork Teton Creek, Darby Canyon, and Bear Canyon—cut logical travel corridors through otherwise trackless country.

Granite Basin, Alaska Basin, and Taylor Basin hold water and serve as traditional elk concentration areas. Winegar Hole in the northern section marks another significant thermal feature worth understanding for access planning.

The unit spans from roughly 6,000 feet in the foothills to above 11,000 feet on the higher ridges—a substantial vertical range creating distinct habitat zones. Lower elevations feature dense conifer forest interspersed with willow-lined creeks and occasional meadows. Mid-elevation slopes are heavily timbered with scattered openings where elk feed seasonally.

High basins and ridgelines above 9,500 feet offer alpine meadows and sparse timber where elk summer before dropping back into the forest during winter months.

Fair road access terminates at lower trailheads, with roughly 410 miles of roads serving the broader area but most ending well before the unit boundary. Beyond the roads, hunting is foot and pack stock only, which naturally limits pressure while demanding physical fitness. Most access funnels through Teton Pass or established trailheads on the western side.

The challenging terrain and dense forest restrict casual day-hiking pressure, meaning hunters willing to penetrate deep can find solitude, but navigation without local knowledge is legitimately risky.

This unit encompasses the western slope of the Teton Range from Teton Pass north to Yellowstone National Park's boundary. The Wyoming-Idaho border forms the western edge, with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest marking the northeastern boundary. Wyoming Highway 22 provides the southern access corridor.

The unit's moderate size captures transition country between the Snake River basin and high alpine ridges, offering distinct seasonal elk movement patterns across significant elevation bands.

Water is limited at lower elevations but becomes more reliable in higher drainages. South Fork Teton Creek, Hominy Creek, and the Boone Creek system provide perennial flows through mid-elevation hunting country. High-country springs including Crystal Spring, Badger Spring, and Nelson Spring are critical for late-season hunting.

Several alpine lakes—Granite Basin Lakes, Hidden Lake, and Ernest Lake—offer reliable water in upper basins. Early and late season hunters should expect to rely heavily on these identified sources; mid-summer offers more flexibility at higher elevations.

Elk are the primary quarry, with the Teton Range offering reliable summer and transition-season habitat. Early season hunters should focus mid-elevation transition zones where elk feed before retreating higher. Rut timing works the timbered slopes and basins—bulls move between meadows and dense cover, making drainage heads and basin approaches productive.

Late season requires packing higher into sparse timber and approaching windward sides of thermal features. Glassing from passes and ridgelines works, but the dense forest often demands still-hunting and listening for sign. Water source knowledge directly translates to elk location, making spring and creek reconnaissance essential prep work.