PUBLIC ACCESS

WHMA / WHMA / Spence & Moriarity

Spence & Moriarity - WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Area

              
Public Access Area Open: THIS AREA OPENS TO ALL HUMAN PRESENCE AT 8:00 AM MAY 16th.
Exceptions: Areas west of the East Fork Rd are closed to human presence Dec 16 - May 15.
Recreation Opportunities: Fishing, Hunting, Trapping, Camping, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing
Amenities: Comfort Stations, Campgrounds
Restrictions: Dec. 16 - May 15
Additional Restrictions: There shall be no commercial or business use or outfitting of hunters or anglers on the Spence and Moriarity Wildlife Management Area.
Total Acres: 35871.9

Apply for Permission Slips

Early Opening (May 15th) Rules


General W(H)MA Information:

Spence & Moriarity Wildlife Management Area and Inberg/Roy Wildlife Habitat Management Area are contiguous and located north east of Dubois.  Access to the Human Presence Closure Area will be through the Bear Creek gate located milepost 9.6 on the East Fork Road. 

Each of the forty (40) persons randomly drawn for early access must possess an appropriate permission slip prior to entering the Human Presence Closure Area.

It is the permission slip holder's responsibility to know, understand, and comply with the early access rules in order to access the Human Presence Closure Area. Failure to comply is a violation of Game and Fish Commission Regulations and may result in fines, the termination of access privileges, and/or other legal penalties. Permission slip holders should abide by the early access rules and respect the land for continued access opportunities.

Other Information:

Spence & Moriarity Wildlife Management Area was purchased in 1991 to expand crucial winter range for elk.  The 41,156 acres are northeast of Dubois and managed primarily for elk.  A unique feature of this wildlife management area is that every species of big game animal in Wyoming resides here, except mountain goat.

The area is comprised mainly of sagebrush grasslands, with some areas of mixed conifers and riparian (river bottom) areas.  In addition to elk, there are moose, mule deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, rabbits, coyotes, foxes and songbirds.  The Wiggins Fork River, Bear Creek and the East Fork River provide fishing opportunities for cutthroat, brook, brown and rainbow trout, as well as mountain whitefish.

Access to this area is provided all year from the East Fork road.  However, portions of this area are closed to the public each year to prevent disturbance to wintering wildlife.

This WMA lies within bear country, please visit our bear wise page for information on recreating in bear country - https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Large-Carnivore/Grizzly-Bear-Management/Bear-Wise-Wyoming.

Camping is permitted in designated camping area with a 14-day camping limit.

Spence & Moriarity is closed each year from December 1 through May 15 except the East Fork County road, which is open all year as is the access to East Fork of Wind River.

Questions

For questions about this Public Access Area, please contact:
Lander Regional Office

260 Buena Vista Dr.
Lander, WY 82520
ph: (307) 332-2688
Visit our Region Page


Last Updated: 6/28/2019
*Some boundary areas are missing and will be updated as soon as possible.
Email Newsletter

Email Newsletter Sign Up

Stay up to date on all Wyoming Game and Fish news either by email or text message. Click the link below to get started.

Sign Up Today

SHOP WYOMING GAME & FISH STORE   SHOP NOW!

Conserving Wildlife - Serving People