Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Scouting the Bighorns

Planning a trip in June to do some fishing and scouting for places to camp and hunt elk archery in the future. We have been going to Colorado for a long time but I think it’s time for new country. The Bighorn mountains interest me , so right or wrong , I’ll go have a look and get some fishing in too.
I plan on camping and going into Sheridan , Buffalo etc. for a steak and check some of the history. Anyone familiar with a place or places you can stop in and pay for a shower in the general area. I have some points in Wyoming for elk and deer and so do my sons, who knows what point creep will do . I’ll be 60 (damn) in a week.

I seem to remember there are showers in the welcome center/rest area in Sheridan. Exit 20 something..

There's a neat campground at the entrance of Cloud Peak Wilderness area. There's a lake there - "Paint Rock Lake??" that's beautiful/

There isn't any good hunting in the Bighorns.....look elsewhere.

Thanks , I'll look up some outfitters and see if any have showers. Frogman , I guess I can still try to catch a few fish .

Years ago there was a shower available in Ten Sleep. Hot water and a towel for a couple bucks.

The last I was through there that place was closed. That's been 3 or 4 years ago now. Hopefully someone re-opened. Ten sleep is a neat little place

big pine: WY law: "Guides required; exceptions; issuance of resident guide license. (a) No nonresident shall hunt big or trophy game animals on any designated wilderness area, as defined by federal or state law, in this state unless accompanied by a licensed professional guide or a resident guide."

You must have a degree in (reverse) Psychology

That law applies only to big game/ trophy game hunting in Federally designated wilderness areas.
He can go camp, hike hunt small game or do anything but big game/ trophy hunt without a resident guide- which can be a friend and the license is free for them at WG&F for big game hunting.

I did see this about the Cloud Peak Wilderness area- registration required for entry: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/bighorn/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5162310

Pretty area and lots of moose, watch out for cows with a calf.

Lots of good fishing on your way up to that area also.

Thanks guys . Looking forward to the fishing and seeing some new country. I ‘m aware of the non res wilderness hunt rules . It will be a year or two before we can get drawn, it will give me some time to check out which side or unit to choose , if that is where we decide to hunt. Planning and prep is the fun part.

No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night! LOL

Actually I was just having a little fun and I sent a PM to BigPine yesterday with some information, but it doesn't appear that he's read it yet.


Frog----OUT!

All good Frog , I've been a member here too long not to fully expect that, I was surprised it was only one ! There are some damn good people on here , and some not so much.. but I've dealt with more good than otherwise.

And you can sniff flowers or fish in the wilderness areas without a guide. But you can’t hunt without a guide. Makes no sense to me, unless it could be the outfitters association leaning on blame and wish?

Fishing is abundant but marginal for size in the bighorns.

Scouting in is fairly useless for rifle hunts.. except to get lay of land and u can do that from google maps

He could hunt small game too and yes the outfitters association got that law passed.

Hit up the better fishing more South of the Bighorns, lots of easy access and good fishing along your route I bet.

Good showers at the Cenex stations in Buffalo and Worland

i used to hunt the Bighorns with a bow ,i just camped on forest land ,cleaned up in the stream with a soap bar . Bald mountain area was a good place to check around for elk. good luck,Pete53

Bear Lodge at Burgesss junction had showers and probably still does.



Bear Lodge

Thanks for the input. I would only be archery for elk there. I would imagine rifle season would have lots of company there.