Hunting forecast

The anticipation for hunters has been building for months, and now the time has come or is rapidly approaching as seasons for big and small game are about to open across Wyoming. Some trends — good and bad — figure to hold true once again in 2024. Mother Nature always plays a role in hunter success and animal survival, as does the time and effort put forth by hunters.

Whether you are after pronghorn along the sagebrush plains, deer or elk in the foothills, bighorn sheep high in the mountains or birds along the flatlands and wetlands, check out this year’s Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunting forecast based on data and field observations from the field by biologists and game wardens from the department’s eight regions.

Elk

It should be another good year for elk hunters.

Managers expect excellent hunting opportunities in the Pinedale Region with liberal seasons that provide hunters with ample opportunities, especially for antlerless elk. All general seasons provide an opportunity to harvest a cow or calf elk until Nov. 20. Bull numbers in the region remain strong.

Four herds and around 16,000 elk in the Jackson Region provide a wide range of hunting opportunities from early-season rifle hunts for branch-antlered bulls in the Teton Wilderness to late antlerless seasons to address elk damage on private land. Hunters should expect to see typical elk numbers in most hunt areas. Hunt Area 75 for Grand Teton National Park is unchanged from the 2023 season, and reflects an effort to shift management toward population maintenance as opposed to population reduction based on survey data and herd unit objectives.

The harvest outlook in the Green River Region looks favorable this year depending on weather and hunter effort. Most herds in the region are at or above population objectives and mature animals were observed during regional surveys. Hunters should have opportunities to harvest nice bulls, or have a reasonable chance at filling their tag for antlerless elk. Cow hunting opportunities continue to remain liberal where increased harvest is warranted, particularly in Hunt Areas 102-107.

Most herds in the Cody Region are doing well and the hunting forecast is favorable. One significant change is the combination of Hunt Areas 53 and 54, the splitting off of a portion of Hunt Area 54 east of Wyoming Highway 120 and adding the area into Hunt Area 65. These changes were made to provide better options to address elk management challenges within the Clarks Fork herd.

“There has never been a better time to hunt elk in the Sheridan Region than right now,” said Tim Thomas, Game and Fish wildlife management coordinator in Sheridan Region. In Hunt Areas 123 and 129, a new Type 8 license allows hunters the opportunity to purchase an unlimited number of cow/calf elk licenses that are valid only on private land. Hunters who drew a limited quota elk license in one of the many hunt areas in the Bighorn Mountains should have plenty of opportunities to harvest an elk.

The Casper region continues to provide excellent hunting opportunities for bulls with many limited quota areas boasting high harvest success and good antler quality. Hunters also should find decent success pursuing younger bulls on Type 2 and 3 licenses in Hunt Areas 7, 117 and 122, but should check the regulations for these areas and license types as season dates and the type of bulls that may be taken vary. Antlerless elk hunting should be good again this year, although high hunter numbers on public lands often result in reduced success compared to private lands. Unlimited Type 8 cow/calf licenses are also issued in the Casper region this year. This license will be valid mainly on private lands during the early season and valid area-wide on U.S. Forest Service land starting Oct. 15. The season structure is unchanged for Hunt Area 23 from last year, and a Type 1 license is now valid in the northeast corner of Hunt Area 128 from Nov. 15-Dec. 15.

All hunters are encouraged to have their elk tested for chronic wasting disease by bringing the head to a Game and Fish regional office or hunter check station. Mandatory sampling is required for all elk harvested in Hunt Area 75 in Grand Teton National Park and Hunt Area 77 on the National Elk Refuge.

Mule deer

Numbers remain down in most regions around the state for a variety of resaons, including weather, habitat, disease and predation.

Despite lower than desired numbers, buck ratios remain high in most herds in the Casper Region, and hunter success should be good for those hunting on private land and in limited quota areas. Hunters on public land in general license areas should expect low to moderate success due to lower numbers of deer and conservative hunting seasons. Most mule deer herd populations leveled off or improved slightly since the harsh winter of 2022-23. However, it will take several more years of good fawn production and survival to improve hunting.

Mild winter conditions most likely had a positive effect on mule deer herds in the Laramie Region. However, below-average spring and summer precipitation was not favorable for lactating does and newborn fawns. Herds throughout the region are below objectives which translates to less opportunity and harder hunting conditions. Chronic wasting disease continues to slowly increase across herd units. The Goshen Rim Herd has the highest prevalence at 39 percent, and herds that were at 9 percent five years ago are now around 15 percent. Hunters taking to the field in Hunt Area 70 need to be aware the area is under mandatory CWD sampling. Wildlife biologists, wildlife technicians and game wardens will be in full force throughout the seven-day season collecting CWD samples at check stations in the field to assist hunters with collection efforts.

Winter survival appears to be at or above-average throughout much of the Cody Region where wildlife managers observed improved fawn production in most of herds during the 2023 deer classifications. A majority of mule deer herds within the region are currently below population management objectives. Hunters should expect conditions and success to be similar to 2023. Prolonged drought and increasing chronic wasting disease prevalence have had a negative impact on Big Horn Basin deer herds over the past several years. Managers are hopeful the recent positive trends in precipitation will provide a needed boost to mule deer populations in the region.

Hunting in the Sheridan Region is expected to be similar to 2023 with reductions in doe/fawn licenses.

The Wyoming Range, Uinta and Baggs herds in the Green River Region are still recovering from extreme losses from the 2022-23 winter, and a good portion of the age classes hunters seek will be down. The South Rock Springs Deer Herd — Hunt Areas 101 and 102 — did not see the extreme winter conditions and some older age classes will likely be available for hunters. Fawn production is expected to be up in other parts of the region, as the majority of females coming into the summer of 2024 were greeted with exceptional range conditions resulting in improved body conditions. Improved body condition in conjunction with a mild winter should result in great fawn productivity.

Portions of the Sublette and Wyoming Range herds in the Jackson Region also are recovering from the winter of 2022-23. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved several changes to the 2023 season, which will continue this season with shorter season lengths and no doe/fawn opportunities. New this year is a four-point antler restriction and further reductions in nonresident quotas.

“Game and Fish is confident that this year’s harvest will not restrict the growth potential of these herds in this or future years,” said Cheyenne Stewart, Game and Fish wildlife management coordinator in the Jackson Region.

The Pinedale Region also is home to portions of the Sublette and Wyoming Range herds. Last winter was not as harsh on deer compared to 2022-23, but hunters in the Wyoming Range Herd should again expect to see far fewer deer than normal, and those hunting the Sublette Herd will likely see fewer bucks than in recent years.

Hunters are encouraged to have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease by bringing the head to a Game and Fish regional office or hunter check station.

White-tailed deer

Populations in the Casper and Sheridan regions are rebounding from die-offs from epizootic hemorrhagic disease in the early 2020s. Deer numbers in the Black Hills are still historically low but have started to increase. In both regions, the majority of white-tailed deer are found on private lands.

Continued any white-tailed deer seasons are in place in the Lander Region in the Dubois, Lander, Riverton and Jeffrey City areas.

There are small populations of white-tailed deer in the Jackson and Pinedale regions, and there are opportunities for hunter harvest during the general season. Any hunter holding a Type 3 or Type 8 white-tailed license for the combined hunt areas of 148, 150, 151, 152, 155 and 156 may obtain permission slips to hunt on the National Elk Refuge.

Hunters are encouraged to have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease by bringing the head to a Game and Fish regional office or hunter check station. Mandatory sampling is required for white-tailed deer harvested on the National Elk Refuge.

Pronghorn

Overall numbers throughout the state remain down compared to recent years due to disease, drought and weather, but there are signs of improvement in some areas.

There was better fawn production and survival in the Casper Region last year, and most herds have started to recover. Hunters should experience average to high harvest success as buck ratios remain strong.

Grassland herds within the Laramie Plains and east of the Laramie Mountains, which include Hunt Areas 11, 34, 38 and 103, have declined the past seven years, along with notable decreases in fawn production, but decent buck numbers remain in these herds. However, older animals will be harder to find. Mild winter conditions reduced stress on pregnant does, however, lack of spring and summer precipitation did not bode well for fawn survival, especially east of the Laramie Range. Pronghorn hunting in the Laramie Region will be similar to previous years with a slight uptick in Bates Hole country.

Hunters in the Lander Region should expect good harvest success for bucks, although there are fewer mature animals. In the Cody Region, field observations suggest good fawn production, and those with licenses should see slightly better success than last year. Most pronghorn populations in the Sheridan Region are below objectives but improving.

The Green River Region encompasses six pronghorn herds. Numbers are still down across much of the region due to continuing productivity issues and harsh winter conditions from 2022-23. However, there is variability in where these suppressed numbers are seen. The southern hunt areas of the Sublette Herd should offer quality hunting experiences. A similar outlook is expected for the Uinta-Cedar Mountain and Carter Lease herds. Most of these herds experienced great range conditions from the previous winter’s moisture and it is likely productivity will be increased. The Baggs and Bitter Creek herds experienced declines from the previous winter and are still overcoming those deficits. The South Rock Springs Herd has higher numbers of pronghorn in the northern hunt area when compared to the southern portion of the herd.

License allocation was again restrictive for the 2024 seasons in the Pinedale Region to promote herd recovery from weather and disease. Hunters lucky enough to draw a buck pronghorn license in these hunt areas should expect to see far fewer pronghorn this fall.

The Jackson Region harbors a small migratory segment of the Sublette Antelope Herd in Hunt Area 85, but for the second consecutive season that area will be closed to hunting due to low numbers of animals migrating into the area.

Moose

The outlook is positive for areas of the state with moose.

Hunters in the Laramie Region are expected to have excellent hunting opportunities in the Snowy Range Herd. Harvest success across Type 1 and Type 4 licenses continues to be exceptional, and the herd maintains high bull ratios and good calf production.

For those who drew a moose license in the Sheridan Region, hunting should be good. Moose in the Bighorn Mountains are doing well with a good number of mature bulls on the landscape. Herds within the Cody Region have been performing better over the past several years. Data collected for Hunt Area 9 in the Absaroka Herd suggests good calf production in 2023. Managers are observing a slight increase in moose numbers in Hunt Area 11, particularly within the Sunlight Basin area.

All or parts of the Jackson, Sublette and Targhee herds are found in the Jackson Region, and all are managed under a special management strategy to provide recreational opportunities while maintaining a harvest of older age-class bulls. While moose numbers continue to remain below desired levels, hunters lucky enough to draw a license should experience high success and have a good chance of harvesting a mature bull. The Sublette herd in the Pinedale Region also is managed under a special management strategy to provide recreational opportunities while maintaining an average harvest age of 4 years for bulls to maintain trophy quality. This herd has a winter trend count objective of 1,500, and the population has been stable to slightly increasing over the last decade. Hunter success for the moose hunt areas in the region averaged 92 percent over the past five years and should again be high this season.

Moose are at or below desired levels in the Lander Region, and the hunting season framework includes continued conservative quotas. However, more moose were counted in Hunt Areas 2 and 30 the past three years, and it appears this population is stable. Winter counts in the Dubois area continue to yield fewer moose and remain at historically low levels.

Hunters are encouraged to provide teeth from their harvested animals — the lower-center two incisors — to assist Game and Fish in its moose management program. Additionally, hunters are encouraged to bring in their harvested moose head to allow the department to collect chronic wasting disease samples and carotid artery worm samples to better monitor disease in moose populations.

Mountain goats

The Beartooth Herd in the Cody Region, which is Hunt Areas 1, 3 and 5A, is within its population management objective. The 2024 season structure has been designed to stabilize or slightly increase goats in Hunt Area 3, while maintaining harvest levels within Hunt Area 1. Hunt Area 3 Type 2 license holders will be allowed to hunt within Hunt Area 5 to prevent goats from moving south into Hunt Areas 3,4 and 5. Those fortunate to have drawn a goat license should have a good goat hunt.

Bighorn sheep

Hunting is expected to be excellent throughout the Laramie Region. Hunt Areas 18 and 21 were stand-alone areas for the first time in 2023 and hunters had excellent success. There was a 90 percent success rate last year in Hunt Area 19, and the average age of harvest was 8 years old.

Hunters who drew bighorn licenses within the Cody, Jackson, Lander and Pinedale regions should enjoy good hunting if they put in the work. The Whiskey Mountain Herd in the Lander Region saw improved lamb production during the past year, but is still low and continues to be a concern. However, the Ferris-Seminoe Herd, which is Hunt Areas 17 and 26, continues to grow and has reached its management objective. The Absaroka Herd in the Cody Region, Hunt Areas 1-5, are within management objectives. The success rate of harvest in the Jackson Herd in the Jackson region has been 60 percent in recent years.

Upland/small game

The Cody, Sheridan, Lander and Pinedale regions report good habit conditions for many upland bird and small game species. Upland bird hunters should expect similar or slightly improved hunting in the Cody Region, while chukar and Hungarian partridge populations continue to rebound.

Wild turkey numbers in the Sheridan Region are good, and hunters are allowed to have up to three fall turkey licenses until the Type 3 quota is exhausted.

There should be ample dusky grouse opportunities in the Sierra Madre and Wyoming Range mountains in the Green River Region. Ruffed grouse opportunities exist on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains in the Wasatch National Forest and Wyoming Range.

In the Lander Region, hunters should see more dusky and ruffed grouse, pheasants, chukars and gray partridges. There also are some good dusky and ruffed grouse habitats in the Jackson and Pinedale regions.

Below-average precipitation across the Laramie Region should result in average to below-average brood survival for sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse and pheasants. Dusky grouse should be in better shape. Game and Fish will continue to stock pheasants for the Springer Special Pheasant Hunt, as well as for the general season throughout November and a portion of December on the Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area and in areas enrolled in the Access Yes program.

Migratory game birds

Lower elevation precipitation was variable in the spring and summer throughout the state, but generally was less favorable for wetlands and waterfowl production. Conditions in the Prairie Potholes of the United States and Canada are variable but below average in Alberta, where many of Wyoming’s harvested ducks are produced. Migration chronology and weather, as well as hunter efforts of scouting for birds and obtaining permission to hunt private land when necessary, will influence the success throughout the state.

Dark geese

Numbers in recent years have been consistently high. Canada goose numbers during hunting season are usually driven by winter conditions and there should be plenty of geese present should the weather cooperate.

Sandhill crane

Cranes that migrate through eastern Wyoming — Hunt Area 7 — are primarily from the Midcontinent Population, which has been relatively stable since the early 1980s and exceeds the established objective range of 349,000–472,000. Cranes that breed and stage in central and western Wyoming — Hunt Areas 1-6 and 8 — are from the Rocky Mountain Population. The fall premigration survey in 2022 remained high. Cranes in Hunt Areas 4 and 6 tend to roost and feed in the same locations every year. Roost locations in Hunt Area 4 are Hidden Valley, Riverview Valley and the south side of Ocean Lake. Roost locations in Hunt Area 6 are north of Worland, the Otto area, from Powell to Ralston and Ralston Reservoir. For best success, scout for cranes prior to the season and obtain permission to access the fields they use.