Hunters in Wyoming have a new option to hunt this fall—in an area that’s become increasingly tough to gain access to, and recently the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has been converting fences to wildlife-friendly standards on this newly-owned Game and Fish Commission-managed land. Since 2023, the department has collaborated with the 88 Ranch, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Mule Deer Foundation to convert fences on Mule Creek Ranch Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA), an area known for high wildlife movement. Together, they have successfully converted six and a half miles of the existing 24 miles of six-strand barbed wire fence to a new four-strand design that allows wildlife to move freely over and under.
Through the acquisition of 2,660 acres along with a public access agreement adding in another 4000 acres, the Mule Creek WHMA will offer big game hunters over 6,400 acres for elk hunting in a region where elk numbers have exceeded management objectives. 2023 harvest statistics estimate around 633 permission slips were issued for the WHMA that year, but harvest numbers are somewhat inconclusive; some hunters neglected to submit their landowner coupons, or elk would simply react to pressure put on them by hunters and move off to adjacent areas before circling back. With expanded access, hunters can help redistribute elk; aiding in population management efforts.
These new fences also include wildlife crossings that are lowered when livestock are not present, providing safe passage for wildlife and ungulates. Reflectors will be added to the tops of the fence lines to help reduce sage grouse mortality. In addition to benefiting wildlife, the new fence design reduces long-term maintenance, and time and materials costs from repeatedly mending fences.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department maintains approximately 450,000 acres of land under deed, lease or by agreement and continually strives to acquire new access areas. WHMA permission slips are available to hunters on a first come, first served basis in July of each year; learn more about this WHMA and other access options on the Game and Fish website.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department