Hunt Area 156, Spread Creek, Wyoming

High-elevation mountain terrain ranging from approximately 6,500 to 10,000+ feet in elevation. The unit lies entirely within the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Teton County and is bounded by Grand Teton National Park to the west and the Continental Divide (Togwotee Pass) to the northeast. Landforms include the Gros Ventre River corridor, Spread Creek drainage, Fish Creek, and the North Fork of Fish Creek. Vegetation transitions from riparian willows and cottonwoods along the river bottoms to mountain shrub, sagebrush meadows, and dense conifer forest on the slopes and ridgelines, with high-altitude grassland parks near the Continental Divide.

Primary vehicle access is via US Highway 26-287 along the north edge of the unit (Togwotee Pass road from Jackson). USFS Road 30750 (Moccasin Basin Road) provides access into the southern and eastern portions of the unit and forms part of the elk area 81 boundary. The Gros Ventre River Road and Upper Gros Ventre Road provide access from the west near Kelly. Nearest town is Jackson, WY (~20-30 miles west). Numerous USFS two-track roads and trails allow vehicle and foot access throughout the unit. Nonresident hunters must be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter/guide or a resident holding a free non-commercial guide license when hunting big or trophy game in designated wilderness areas within the unit (resident may guide no more than 2 nonresidents per year).

low

CWD: CWD has been detected in the Jackson herd area in recent years at low prevalence. CWD has been detected in the vicinity of the adjacent National Elk Refuge; hunters should check wgfd.wyo.gov for the current status before the 2026 season opens. Statewide carcass transport restrictions require that deer and elk heads and all spinal column portions remain at the kill site or be disposed of at approved facilities within Wyoming; whole carcasses cannot be transported out of state. WGFD may designate mandatory CWD sample submission zones annually before seasons open — hunters should check wgfd.wyo.gov by August 1 each year for any mandatory sampling requirements in this unit. Elk Special Management Permit: Required for hunting elk in Area 81 (WGFD Chapter 7, Section 7, covering areas 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 80-98); available at WGFD Regional Offices and license agents. Nonresident wilderness guide requirement: Nonresident big and trophy game hunters in federally designated wilderness areas within this unit (including any Gros Ventre Wilderness portions) must be accompanied by a licensed Wyoming outfitter/guide or a resident holding a free non-commercial guide license (resident may guide no more than 2 nonresidents per year and may not accept compensation). Nonresident Region L: For 2026, area 156 is in Nonresident Deer Region L (quota 200), not Region H or F.