Hunters reminded of walk-in area changes in the Big Horn Basin

CODY– Hunters planning to use walk-in areas or hunter management areas (HMAs) in the Big Horn Basin this fall are encouraged to note recent changes made for the 2025 hunting season.  Hunters should review the ranch rules for each HMA and identify limitations on specific walk-in areas they plan to hunt. 

In the Big Horn Basin, there are approximately 70 walk-in areas and 13 HMAs providing hunters free public hunting access to private land and inaccessible public land.

HMAs and walk-in areas are part of the Access Yes program, a program that facilitates partnerships between private landowners and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to provide this access. 

Year to year, changes to rules and limitations can occur, and it’s important for hunters to be aware as they are planning their fall hunts. Changes may occur due to a change in land ownership or management, or unfortunately, due to problems with hunters violating ranch rules and behaving irresponsibly. Hunters are reminded that ethical and responsible behavior helps maintain continued access to private land.

HMAs are typically private ranches (which may include landlocked public land) where the Game and Fish manages hunting access. Hunters need to obtain a permission slip online to access these properties. 

Hunters do not need to obtain permission slips to hunt walk-in areas, but it’s critical for hunters to know each property’s individual rules, boundaries and what species are available to hunt. Walk-in areas are named after the county the property is in, then a number.  Hunters can look up a specific area online to learn access dates, species availability and property boundaries. 

Recent notable changes to HMAs and walk-in areas in the Big Horn Basin are as follows: 

Absaroka Front HMA 

Little Grass Creek and Enos Creek Roads remain closed at the landowner’s discretion. Hunters no longer have vehicle access to these private roads on the HMA. These drainages however are still accessible by foot or horseback travel only.  

A 14-day limit has been placed on camping. 

Limited access has been granted for doe/fawn white-tailed deer on Gooseberry Creek meadows, see website and ranch rules for more information.

Heart Mountain HMA

There have been significant changes to elk hunt areas, license types and permission slip issuance. Visit the Heart Mountain HMA web page for more information. 

Kirby Creek HMA

Upland bird hunter access has been limited to 10 hunters per week, with upland bird hunting access ending on December 15. See website and HMA tables for updated information on obtaining access.

Pitchfork HMA

Approximately 1,000 acres has been removed on Rose Creek, so boundaries and maps have been updated to exclude this property.

Owl Creek HMA

This HMA has been withdrawn from the Access Yes program.

The following Walk-In Hunting Area has been added to the Access Yes program:

Big Horn Walk-In 

Hunting Area 7

Hunters are encouraged to know all rules and limitations for a specific HMA or walk-in hunting areas before going afield. Ethical behavior from hunters is the key to maintaining public access to private lands through the Access Yes program. As sportspersons, we are guests on the property. 

There are several wildfires active within the Big Horn Basin that may impact HMAs and walk-in hunting areas. Hunters should consult the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s public access webpage for current information.