LARAMIE—The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently announced the purchase of two permanent easements, which secure critical public access to the Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Area and Pinto Creek Hunter Management Area in the Laramie Region. These easements ensure continued recreational opportunities for hunters, anglers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts while supporting long-term wildlife conservation and management efforts.
The Laramie Peak WHMA easement provides permanent access from Albany County Road 721— Palmer Canyon Road — to the Office of State Lands and Investments parcel. This route has been used as a seasonally renewed access point to the parcel for more than 50 years and is the only entry point north of Duck Creek, playing a vital role in public land access and elk management within Hunt Area 7. The rugged terrain supports crucial habitat for elk, mountain lions, bears and bighorn sheep. WHMAs in Wyoming provide access to nearly 225 miles of streams, more than 21,000 acres of lake surface, and more than 148 miles of road right-of-way.
The Pinto Creek HMA easement ensures permanent access from Albany County Road 713 — Garrett Road — to the northern parking area. Formerly the 9,282-acre Moriah Ranch, public access has significantly improved elk hunting opportunities in the region. Establishing this permanent access point eliminates the need for an additional 2-mile walk from the southern end of the HMA. Improving hunter access in this area can help reduce damage caused by the overpopulated Hunt Area 7 elk herd. HMAs are designated lands Game and Fish manages for hunter access. Hunters who wish to hunt in these areas must obtain a permission slip.
“These easements have played an important role in providing access to the sportspersons who use and enjoy these tracts of land,” says Regional Habitat and Access Supervisor Jerry Cowles, who coordinated the project. “We are excited to solidify them for continued access long into the future.”
The purchase of these easements was made possible through the generosity of the Hall Ranch, which has long supported public land access, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, whose commitment to conservation played a key role in funding them. Securing public access is crucial for effectively managing and conserving Wyoming’s unique wildlife and habitat.
