Area 8 covers the Carter Mountain and Absaroka front country between Meeteetse and the Greybull River—the transitional zone where the Absaroka Range drops into the Bighorn Basin. Elevations range from about 4,800 feet on the basin floor to 10,000 feet on Carter Mountain and the range-front ridges. The low country is classic Bighorn Basin: sagebrush flats, badlands, and irrigated hay meadows along the Greybull River and Wood River. Carter Mountain itself is a prominent flat-topped butte with grassy meadows on top and timbered flanks. The range front above carries Douglas fir, limber pine, and scattered aspen transitioning into the spruce-fir zone. Elk winter on the lower slopes and in the basin-edge sage country. Mule deer thrive in the mountain mahogany and sage draws. Shoshone National Forest covers the upper elevations, with BLM and private ranch land in the basin and on the lower slopes. Forest roads from Meeteetse and the Greybull Valley provide access. The Carter Mountain Road reaches the top of the butte when conditions allow. Meeteetse is the nearest town with basic services; Cody has full services. Cell service works near Meeteetse and drops in the mountains. This is more accessible than the wilderness units to the west—you can hunt elk on the range front without a pack string. The basin-edge country produces quality mule deer, and the sage flats hold pronghorn. Late-season hunts benefit from elk moving down from the high Absarokas to the winter range, concentrating animals on the lower slopes and basin-edge ranch land where access arrangements with private landowners become critical. Wind in the basin is relentless; use it for stalking and accept it as a constant companion. Area 8 is a more accessible alternative to the deep wilderness Absaroka units, with nonresident elk tags typically requiring 2-4 preference points. Residents can hunt on a general license in most seasons. The area sits outside designated wilderness, so some motorized access via forest roads is available, though many are gated seasonally. Grizzly bears are present on the upper slopes — this is within the Greater Yellowstone grizzly recovery zone, and WGFD bear protocols apply. Land is split between Shoshone National Forest on the upper elevations and BLM/private ranch land below. The area is known for late-season elk hunting on the winter range, where animals migrating off the high Absarokas concentrate on the Carter Mountain benches and Meeteetse-area foothills. Private land access arrangements are critical for the best late-season hunting — some ranchers allow access through WGFD's Hunter Management Areas.