Teton Wilderness during Hunting Season

[Jerod]

Hi. I’ve taken two week long trips though the Teton Wilderness but never as late as mid-September which is what I am considering this fall. My specific question is whether there is a reason to not go due to hunting season. There are obviously other places to go and I do like to avoid dangerous situations if I can. Appreciate it, Jerod

 

[TheMountainRabbit]

Hi. I’ve taken two week long trips though the Teton Wilderness but never as late as mid-September which is what I am considering this fall. My specific question is whether there is a reason to not go due to hunting season. There are obviously other places to go and I do like to avoid dangerous situations if I can. Appreciate it, Jerod

I've done a number of trips in that area (and others with active hunting seasons) during season and have never had an issue.

A few tips though:
1) If you're familiar w/ the area (and hunting practices) you can avoid areas that you are most likely to cross-over with hunters.
2) Wear some blaze orange - can find very lightweight vests easily.
3) Be aware of not only hunters, but also the presence of associated gut piles. Grizzlies in the area will be very attracted to these.
4) If still concerned, consider the national park(s) - permits are very easy to get at that time of year and the backcountry is nearly empty.

 

[scatman]

I've been doing an annual trip to the Teton Wilderness in October (weather permitting) during the elk hunt. I've never had an issue with the hunters.

 

[Jackson]

Hi. I’ve taken two week long trips though the Teton Wilderness but never as late as mid-September which is what I am considering this fall. My specific question is whether there is a reason to not go due to hunting season. There are obviously other places to go and I do like to avoid dangerous situations if I can. Appreciate it, Jerod

No reason not to go. Rather, you'll find that those areas in the later season can be even better, honestly.

You'll see some hunters/outfitters and they're mostly all really friendly. Wear bright/not natural colors if you're concerned of course. But I'd say there's very little if any additional danger over going in August or something. People hunting elk in those parts of Wyoming generally aren't engaged in a type of hunting where you just shoot at whatever moves.

 

[Jerod]

Thanks so far everyone. I’ll keep to my plan and head in with my buddy. The only other thing I was considering was to head into Yellowstone instead (which I’ve been to many times) but boy do I love the Teton Wilderness area.

 

[Bob]

Scat. . You were wearing your blaze orange kilt ???

 

[scatman]

Scat. . You were wearing your blaze orange kilt ???

No orange kilt in the Teton Wilderness. Actually, I don't think I've ever worn one of my kilts on my October trips. It's just too cold that time of year.

I did wear a kilt on a late August, early September trip to the wilderness, but it wasn't the orange one. They were hunting bighorn sheep in the wilderness on that trip.