Bud Love

Additional Information: The 7,900 acre Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area was established in 1970 to provide crucial winter habitat for big game species. This area is six miles northwest of Buffalo and supports approximately 500 wintering elk and 200 mule deer. A small number of pronghorn also spend time in the area. Hunting is allowed at Bud Love for big game species as well as for blue and ruffed grouse, wild turkey, pheasant, chukar, Hungarian partridge, rabbits, black bear and mountain lion. If you like to fish, the North Fork of Sayles Creek, along with three of the area's five man-made ponds, contain brook or rainbow trout. These waters are stocked each year by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Elevations range from 5,500 to 7,000 feet with steep canyon walls above Rock and Sayles creeks. A mixture of surrounding plant communitys support and diversify the wildlife and scenic landscape. Stands of pine and fir make up the higher elevation plant community with mountain mahogany covering the long, limestone ridge occupying lower elevation. Curlleaf mountain mahogany is highly preferred forage for mule deer. More than 300 acres of grassy meadows lie next to North Sayles Creek with willows and cottonwoods along the creek bottoms. Bird watchers can enjoy a variety of birds at the Bud Love area. The scenic beauty of Bud Love also attracts photographers, backpackers, and picnickers.