WHMA beginning to open for spring
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMA) that provide big game winter range are beginning to open for the season. Several areas open beginning May 1.
Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish Habitat and Access Branch Chief says, “Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. 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 this spring, summer and fall. We do ask that in the early spring that the public is cautious around wildlife. Elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and others are about to start fawning and calving.”
The closures also reduce the human and recreational impacts to the forage, which supports wintering wildlife. Some areas have shifted to a later opening date than previous years; the public should confirm opening dates before entering any WHMA.
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 please try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.
WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND
Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish Habitat and Access Branch Chief says, “Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. 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 this spring, summer and fall. We do ask that in the early spring that the public is cautious around wildlife. Elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and others are about to start fawning and calving.”
The closures also reduce the human and recreational impacts to the forage, which supports wintering wildlife. Some areas have shifted to a later opening date than previous years; the public should confirm opening dates before entering any WHMA.
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 please try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.
WHMA SEASONAL DATE TABLE
| HABITAT AREAS | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | RESTRICTIONS |
| Forbes/Sheep Mountain | Albany | May 1 through Dec. 31 | Seasonal closure extended with NO human presence through May 15 due to wintering wildlife and extremely wet road conditions. |
| Grey’s River | Alpine | May 1 through Nov. 30 | |
| Wick | Arlington | May 16 through Nov. 15 | The gates will open for vehicle passage at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 16. Foot traffic is allowed beginning at 12:00 midnight on May 16. |
| Bud Love | Buffalo | May 15 through Dec. 15 | |
| Sunlight | Cody | May 1 through Dec. 15 | |
| Inberg/Roy (East Fork) | Dubois | May 16 through Dec. 17 | |
| Spence & Moriarity WMA | Dubois | May 16 through Dec. 17 | |
| Whiskey Basin | Dubois | May 16 through Nov. 30 | |
| Medicine Lodge | Hyattville | July 1 through Dec. 25 | |
| Renner | Hyattville | June 1 through Nov. 30 | |
| Camp Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | |
| Horse Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | |
| South Park | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to vehicle traffic Dec. 1- April 30. Signed area open to foot traffic Dec. 1- Dec. 31 |
| Ed O. Taylor | Kaycee | May 1 through Dec. 31 | |
| Red Canyon | Lander | May 1 through Nov. 30 | |
| Sunshine | Meeteetse | June 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to Vehicular Traffic all year, Closed to Human presence Dec. 1- May 31 |
| Half Moon | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | |
| Soda Lake | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | |
| Fall Creek | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | |
| Morgan Creek | Rawlins | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Non-Motorized access only |
| Pennock Mountain | Saratoga | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Seasonal closure extended through May 15 due to wintering wildlife and extremely wet road conditions. |
| Amsden Creek | Sheridan | May 1 through Nov. 15 | May 1 thru May 31 and Nov. 1 thru Nov. 15 Non -Motorized access only |
| Kerns | Sheridan | June 1 through Nov. 15 | Nov. 1 to Nov. 15 – Non-Motorized access only |
| Laramie Peak | Wheatland | May 1 through Jan 30 | Laramie Peak is open all year except for Hay Canyon, Tony Ridge, and Duck Creek Canyon areas which are closed from February 1 through April 30 each year. |
WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND
| HABITAT AREA | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | 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 | ||
| Yellowtail | Lovell | ||
| Red Rim/Daley | Rawlins | ||
| Red Rim/Grizzly | Rawlins |
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 Thanksgiving |
| 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 |
Wyoming Game and Fish (307) 777-4600
