Game and Fish wildlife habitat management areas begin to open May 1
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has 44 wildlife habitat management areas (WHMAs) that provide crucial habitat for big game winter ranges. These areas are opening for the season, after being closed to minimize disturbance to wintering big game animals and other wildlife, while protecting habitat from resource damage. Several WHMAs open May 1.
“Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. The closures also reduce the human and recreational impacts to the forage, which supports wintering wildlife,”said Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat and access branch chief. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation to help animals make it through the winter and we are excited to open up these lands for the public to enjoy.”
Bredehoft also asked the public to be cautious around wildlife during the spring when elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and other wildlife begin to have their young and bears emerge from winter dens.
“For a lot of wildlife, May 1 will be the first time in months they see humans, so practicing safety is very important. Pack bear spray and stay alert,” Bredehoft said.
Users are reminded to stay on designated travel routes, obey all signs and camp in designated areas where required. If roads become too wet due to spring moisture, users are asked to try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.
Antler hunters should be aware that the closure to collect shed antlers on public lands ends 6 a.m. May 1 within the antler hunting area boundaries. Collect means to search for, locate, stockpile or possess shed antlers and horns of big game animals on public land during the closed season. A violation of this regulation carries the same penalties as many other Game and Fish violations.
More details on antler collection regulations and maps are available on the Game and Fish website.
WHMA SEASONAL DATE TABLE
WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND
PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS WITH SEASONAL CLOSURES
“Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. The closures also reduce the human and recreational impacts to the forage, which supports wintering wildlife,”said Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat and access branch chief. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation to help animals make it through the winter and we are excited to open up these lands for the public to enjoy.”
Bredehoft also asked the public to be cautious around wildlife during the spring when elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and other wildlife begin to have their young and bears emerge from winter dens.
“For a lot of wildlife, May 1 will be the first time in months they see humans, so practicing safety is very important. Pack bear spray and stay alert,” Bredehoft said.
Users are reminded to stay on designated travel routes, obey all signs and camp in designated areas where required. If roads become too wet due to spring moisture, users are asked to try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.
Antler hunters should be aware that the closure to collect shed antlers on public lands ends 6 a.m. May 1 within the antler hunting area boundaries. Collect means to search for, locate, stockpile or possess shed antlers and horns of big game animals on public land during the closed season. A violation of this regulation carries the same penalties as many other Game and Fish violations.
More details on antler collection regulations and maps are available on the Game and Fish website.
WHMA SEASONAL DATE TABLE
| HABITAT AREAS | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | RESTRICTIONS | GATE OPENING TIME |
| Forbes/Sheep Mountain | Albany | May 1 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Grey’s River | Alpine | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m.on May 1 |
Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Wick/Beumee | Arlington | May 16 through Nov. 15 | Only lands South of I-80 are closed. South gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Bud Love | Buffalo | May 15 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 15 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Sunlight | Cody | May 1 through Dec. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Inberg/Roy (East Fork) | Dubois | May 16 through Dec 15. | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 16 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Spence & Moriarity | Dubois | May 16 through Dec. 15 | East Fork County Road and that portion east of the road is open all year. Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16 . | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Whiskey Basin | Dubois | May 16 through Nov. 30 | Closed to vehicles, only open to foot/horse traffic. Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Medicine Lodge | Hyattville | June 1 through Dec. 31 | Medicine Lodge Creek open to foot access for fishing. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Renner | Hyattville | June 1 through Dec. 31 | Lower portion remains open year round. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Camp Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Horse Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| South Park | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Ed O. Taylor | Kaycee | May 15 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 15 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Red Canyon | Lander | May 1 through Nov. 30 | ||
| Sunshine | Meeteetse | June 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to motor vehicles year round — open to foot/horse traffic. Will remain open while big game seasons are open. | |
| Half Moon | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Soda Lake | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Fall Creek | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Luke Lynch | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 |
Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Morgan Creek | Rawlins | May 1 through Oct. 31 | Closed to motor vehicles, except BLM Road 3159; open to foot traffic during closure dates. | |
| Pennock Mountain | Saratoga | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to vehicles only — open to foot/horse traffic. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Amsden Creek | Sheridan | May 15 through Nov 15 |
Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. May 15 Closed to motor vehicles Nov. 1-15 . | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Kerns | Sheridan | June 1 through Nov. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. June 1. Closed to motor vehicles Nov. 1-15. |
Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Laramie Peak | Wheatland | May 1 through Jan 31 | Laramie Peak is open all year except for Hay Canyon, Tony Ridge and Duck Creek Canyon areas which are closed from Feb. 1 through April 30 each year. | |
| Pilot Hill | Laramie | May 1 through Jan 31 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND
| HABITAT AREA | NEAREST TOWN | RESTRICTIONS |
| Ocean Lake | Riverton | |
| Sand Mesa | Shoshoni | |
| Chain Lakes | Wamsutter | |
| Grayrocks | Wheatland | |
| Jelm | Laramie | |
| Rawhide | Lingle | Vehicular access restricted to parking areas. ORV access not allowed. |
| Springer/Bump Sullivan | Yoder | Closed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed. |
| Table Mountain | Torrington | Closed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed. |
| Tom Thorne/Beth Williams | Wheatland | Closed to motor vehicles past reservoir from February through May 31; open to foot/horse traffic. Gate will open at 8 a.m. June 1. |
| Yellowtail | Lovell | |
| Red Rim/Daley | Rawlins | Drifting snow closes most trails in early winter. |
| Red Rim/Grizzly | Rawlins | Drifting snow closes most trails in early winter. |
PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS WITH SEASONAL CLOSURES
| HABITAT AREA | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | RESTRICTIONS |
| Mexican Creek | Lander | Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 | County access road closes on Nov. 22. |
| VonGontard Landing | Jackson | Mar. 15 through Nov 30 | Weather may affect opening dates. |
| Pitcher/ Brokaw | Arlington | Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 | |
| Billy Miles/Carter | Ten Sleep | Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 |
