October 2024 - 37

BIGHORN SHEEP
Hunting is expected to be excellent throughout the
Laramie Region. Hunt Areas 18 and 21 were standalone
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
Sandhill crane hunters should plan to scout for cranes prior to the hunt. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)
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.
KEY HUNTING LINKS
Scan the QR code for more
information on the following
topics:
* 2024 Hunting Regulations
* Wyoming Hunt Planner
* Chronic wasting disease
monitoring and surveillance
* Invasive species awareness
* Frequently asked questions
* Hunter education
* Fire updates in northeast
Wyoming
Wyoming Wildlife | 37

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October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2024