CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is preparing to reopen to public access some Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs) that have been closed throughout the winter in order to minimize disturbance to wintering animals and to protect the habitat itself from damage.
A number of WHMAs around the state will reopen on Sunday, May 1, with all areas set to reopen by June 1, according to Game and Fish. People recreating outdoors are urged to be cautious around wildlife and to be bear aware.
“Those who recreate in bear country need to be aware of the potential for encounters with bears,” Game and Fish said. “When recreating in bear habitat, be cautious and alert. Hike in a group and make noise as you travel so you don’t surprise a bear or other wildlife. Learn to recognize areas of heavy bear use by knowing how to identify tracks, scats and diggings, and if you smell a carcass, avoid it. Flocks of magpies or ravens often indicate a nearby potential food source for bears. To learn more, please visit the Bear Wise Wyoming website.”
While many areas will reopen on May 1, there are some restrictions to the type of access available, with some areas openly only to foot and/or horse access. Game and Fish’s schedule for WHMAs that face seasonal closures is as follows:
WHMA SEASONAL DATE TABLE
| HABITAT AREAS | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | RESTRICTIONS | GATE OPENING TIME |
| Forbes/Sheep Mountain | Albany | May 1 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 1. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Grey’s River | Alpine | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1. | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Wick/Beumee | Arlington | May 16 through Nov. 15 | Only lands South of I-80 are closed. South gates will open at 8 a.m. on May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Bud Love | Buffalo | May 15 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 15. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Sunlight | Cody | May 1 through Dec. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 1. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Inberg/Roy (East Fork) | Dubois | May 16 through Dec. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Spence & Moriarity | Dubois | May 16 through Dec. 15 | East Fork County Road and that portion east of the road is open all year. Gates will open at 8 a.m. on May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Whiskey Basin | Dubois | May 16 through Nov. 30 | Closed to vehicles; only open to foot/horse traffic. Gates will open at 8 a.m. on May 16. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Medicine Lodge | Hyattville | June 1 through Dec. 31 | Medicine Lodge Creek open to foot access for fishing. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Renner | Hyattville | June 1 through Dec. 31 | Lower portion remains open year round. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Camp Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Horse Creek | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| South Park | Jackson | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Ed O. Taylor | Kaycee | May 15 through Dec. 31 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 15 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Red Canyon | Lander | May 1 through Nov. 30 | ||
| Sunshine | Meeteetse | June 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to motor vehicles year-round — open to foot/horse traffic. Will remain open while big game seasons are open. | |
| Half Moon | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Soda Lake | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Fall Creek | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 20 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Luke Lynch | Pinedale | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Area opens to human presence at 6 a.m. on May 1 | Gate will open at 6 a.m. |
| Morgan Creek | Rawlins | May 1 through Oct. 31 | Closed to motor vehicles, except BLM Road 3159; open to foot traffic during closure dates. | |
| Pennock Mountain | Saratoga | May 1 through Nov. 30 | Closed to vehicles only — open to foot/horse traffic. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Amsden Creek | Sheridan | May 15 through Nov. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on May 15 Closed to motor vehicles Nov. 1–15 . | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Kerns | Sheridan | June 1 through Nov. 15 | Area opens to human presence at 8 a.m. on June 1. Closed to motor vehicles Nov. 1–15. | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
| Laramie Peak | Wheatland | May 1 through Jan. 31 | Laramie 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. | |
| Pilot Hill | Laramie | May 1 through Jan. 31 | Gate will open at 8 a.m. |
The following WHMAs are open to the public year round:
WHMAs OPEN YEAR-ROUND
| HABITAT AREA | NEAREST TOWN | RESTRICTIONS |
| Ocean Lake | Riverton | |
| Sand Mesa | Shoshoni | |
| Chain Lakes | Wamsutter | |
| Grayrocks | Wheatland | |
| Jelm | Laramie | |
| Rawhide | Lingle | Vehicular access restricted to parking areas. ORV access not allowed. |
| Springer/Bump Sullivan | Yoder | Closed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed. |
| Table Mountain | Torrington | Closed to motorized vehicles from Oct. 1 through Memorial Day weekend. ORV travel is not allowed. |
| Tom Thorne/Beth Williams | Wheatland | Closed to motor vehicles past the reservoir from February through May 31; open to foot/horse traffic. Gate will open at 8 a.m. June 1. |
| Yellowtail | Lovell | |
| Red Rim/Daley | Rawlins | Drifting snow closes most trails in early winter. |
| Red Rim/Grizzly | Rawlins | Drifting snow closes most trails in early winter. |
Game and Fish also provides information on public access areas that face seasonal closures:
PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS WITH SEASONAL CLOSURES
| HABITAT AREA | NEAREST TOWN | DATES AREA OPEN | RESTRICTIONS |
| Mexican Creek | Lander | Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 | County access road closes on Nov. 22. |
| VonGontard Landing | Jackson | Mar. 15 through Nov. 30 | Weather may affect opening dates. |
| Pitcher/Brokaw | Arlington | Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 | |
| Billy Miles/Carter | Ten Sleep | Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 |
