Hunting on Table Mountain May Be Difficult This Year
Those hunting waterfowl should expect a challenge due to the lack of water at Table Mountian Habitat Management Area (WHMA), as there isn't any water available to fill the ponds, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists.
Table Mountain WHMA is 15 miles southeast of Torrington. In 1962, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage 1,716 acres of Canada goose habitat. Game and Fish have made many wetland improvements, resulting in one of the most important wetland areas in southeast Wyoming.
However, while the diversion pond is full, the remaining eight ponds at Table Mountain WHMA currently contain little to no water this year. Water for the Table Mountain ponds comes off Dry Creek which is a tributary of Horse Creek that flows onto the southwestern edge of the property. In a year with normal precipitation, 32-33 acre-feet flow through the Horse Creek drainage consistently. Yet, with the lack of rain, this year not as much water is flowing, with only 22 acre-feet coming in.
As a result, waterfowl hunters will have limited opportunities at Table Mountain WHMA this season.
Rawhide WHMA is still open to hunting for waterfowl, and there are a few walk-in areas that provide field hunting as an option. Waterfowl hunters can also hunt at Bump Sullivan Reservoir, which is currently about half full.
Hunters are reminded that Pond #1 at Table Mountain WHMA and part of Springer Reservoir are closed to hunting, and Hawk Springs Reservoir closes Nov. 12 for waterfowl.