PUBLIC ACCESS

WHMA / WHMA / Springer/Bump Sullivan

Springer/Bump Sullivan - WILDLIFE HABITAT MANAGEMENT Area

                
Public Access Area Open: Foot and horse access open year-round. THIS AREA OPENS TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON MAY 16.
Exceptions: Closure is limited to vehicles only. Foot and horse access open year-round. No Shooting within 300 yards of school as marked with department signs.
Recreation Opportunities: Fishing, Hunting, Trapping, Camping, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, boating.
Amenities: Parking, Comfort Stations, Boat Ramp
Restrictions: Vehicular closure Oct. 1 - May 15
Additional Restrictions: Waterfowl Hunting Closure around Springer Reservoir and restrictions of shotgun and archery equipment are marked with Department Signs. ORV use is prohibited. 14 day camping limit.
Total Acres: 3415.7

Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area is 15 miles south of Torrington and is considered by many to be one of the best pheasant and goose hunting areas in the state. Consisting of 3,420 acres along U.S. Highway 85, this particular wildlife habitat management area was originally purchased to provide pheasant habitat and increased hunting opportunities.  More recently, waterfowl have also benefited.
 
Surrounding the reservoirs in this area you will find rolling plains at an elevation averaging 4,200 feet. Most of the vegetation is sagebrush grassland with a variety of native grasses, rubber rabbitbrush, sagebrush and gray horsebrush. Various types of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees have been planted here to increase nesting, hiding, and feeding areas for wildlife.
 
Current management priorities on the Springer area are focused on geese, ducks, and pheasants. Geese are probably the major success story, with thousands of eggs being laid each year in artificial nesting structures. During the spring and fall, large numbers of waterfowl use this area as a stopover point on their migration routes. Many species of ducks, Canada and snow geese, sandhill cranes and many shorebirds can also be seen. In addition, pheasants, cottontail rabbits, wild turkeys, mule deer and white-tailed deer, skunks, fox squirrels, and muskrats live here. Songbirds, doves, and bald eagles also use these lands.
 

Although most of Springer area is closed to goose hunting, public land on Bump Sullivan Reservoir and surrounding private lands provide goose-hunting opportunities during winter months. Non-toxic shot is required when attempting to take any game species when hunting with a shotgun. Fishing opportunities are limited. Water levels fluctuate constantly on the reservoirs because the water is for irrigation. Bullheads, carp, and perch are found in these waters.
 
In addition to hunting and fishing, there are a variety of recreational opportunities here, including picnicking, swimming, boating and wildlife observation. Facilities are available such as parking and primitive camping areas. There are 13 parking and camping sites. 
 
Camping limit is 14 days, off road travel is restricted to 25 feet.
 
Springer/Bump Sullivan is open all year, but most of the Springer area is closed to goose hunting. The area is closed to motorized vehicular travel from Labor Day October first through Memorial Day weekend. Off-road vehicular travel is not allowed.
 

Questions

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

1212 S. Adams St.
Laramie, WY
ph: (307) 745-4046
Visit our Region Page


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