October 2024 - 33

Mule deer numbers are still down in many areas of the state. (Photo by Wes Uncapher)
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 reasons, 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
Wyoming Wildlife | 33
October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2024
