LARAMIE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has 39 wildlife habitat management areas that provide big game winter range and other benefits. These areas are opening for the season, after being closed to protect key winter habitat. Several areas open May 1.

“Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk, and other wildlife,” Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat and access branch chief said.

“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 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.

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 try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.

WHMA SEASONAL DATE TABLE

HABITAT AREASNEAREST TOWNDATES AREA OPENRESTRICTIONS
Forbes/Sheep MountainAlbanyMay 1 through Dec. 31Gate will open at 8 a.m. May 1.
Grey’s RiverAlpineMay 1 through Nov. 30
Wick/BeumeeArlingtonMay 16 through Nov. 15Only lands South of I-80 are closed. South gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16.
Bud LoveBuffaloMay 15 through Dec. 31Gate will open at 8 a.m. May 15.
SunlightCodyMay 1 through Dec. 15Gate will open at 8 a.m. May 1.
Inberg/Roy (East Fork)DuboisMay 16 through Dec. 17Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16 .
Spence & MoriarityDuboisMay 16 through Dec. 17East Fork County Road and that portion east of the road is open all year. Gates will open at 8 a.m.  May 16.
Whiskey BasinDuboisMay 16 through Nov. 30Closed to vehicles, only open to foot/horse traffic. Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 16.
Medicine LodgeHyattvilleJune 1 through Dec. 31Medicine Lodge Creek open to foot access for fishing.
RennerHyattvilleJune 1 through Dec. 31Lower portion remains open year round.
Camp CreekJacksonMay 1 through Nov. 30
Horse CreekJacksonMay 1 through Nov. 30
South ParkJacksonMay 1 through Nov. 30Signed area open to foot traffic Dec. 1-31.
Ed O. TaylorKayceeMay 15 through Dec. 31Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 15.
Red CanyonLanderMay 1 through Nov. 30
SunshineMeeteetseJune 1 through Nov. 30Closed to motor vehicles year-round — open to foot/horse traffic. Will remain open while big game seasons are open.
Half MoonPinedaleMay 1 through Nov. 20
Soda LakePinedaleMay 1 through Nov. 30
Fall CreekPinedaleMay 1 through Nov. 20
Luke LynchPinedaleMay 1 through Nov 30
Morgan CreekRawlinsMay 1 through Oct. 31Closed to motor vehicles, except BLM Road 3159; open to foot traffic during closure dates.
Pennock MountainSaratogaMay 1 through Nov. 30Closed to vehicles only — open to foot/horse traffic. Gate will open at 8 a.m. May 1.
Amsden CreekSheridanMay 15 through Oct. 31Open to motor vehicles. Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 15.
Amsden CreekSheridanMay 15 through Nov. 15Open to human presence. Gates will open at 8 a.m. May 15.
KernsSheridanJune 1 through Oct. 31Open to motor vehicles. Gates will open at 8 a.m. June 1.
KernsSheridanJune 1 through Nov. 15Open to human presence. Gates will open at 8 a.m. June 1.
Laramie PeakWheatlandMay 1 through Jan 31Laramie Peak is open all year except for Hay Canyon, Tony Ridge, and Duck Creek Canyon areas which are closed from Feb. 1 through April 30 each year.

WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND

HABITAT AREANEAREST TOWNRESTRICTIONS
Ocean LakeRiverton
Sand MesaShoshoni
Chain LakesWamsutter
GrayrocksWheatland
JelmLaramie
RawhideLingleVehicular access restricted to parking areas. ORV access not allowed.
Springer/Bump SullivanYoderClosed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed.
Table MountainTorringtonClosed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed.
Tom Thorne/Beth WilliamsWheatlandClosed to motor vehicles past reservoir from February through May 31. Gate will open at 8 a.m. June 1.
YellowtailLovell
Red Rim/DaleyRawlinsDrifting snow closes most trails in early winter.
Red Rim/GrizzlyRawlins

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS WITH SEASONAL CLOSURES

HABITAT AREANEAREST TOWNDATES AREA OPENRESTRICTIONS
Mexican CreekLanderSept. 1 through Dec. 31County access road closes on Nov. 22.
VonGontard LandingJacksonMar. 15 through Nov 30Weather may affect opening dates.
Pitcher/ BrokawArlingtonAug. 1 through Dec 31
Billy Miles/CarterTen SleepSept. 1 through Dec. 31

More From Laramie Live