Wildlife HMAs Opening Tomorrow

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has 39 wildlife habitat management areas that provide big game winter range and other benefits – and several of these areas are opening for the season May 1st.

Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat and access branch chief, says seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. Even though several management areas are opening to the public this week, Bredehoft says that those recreating should remain cautious around wildlife, as elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and others are about to start fawning and calving.

Locally, the Sunlight HMA opens its gate on May 1st. The Medicine Lodge and Renner HMAs near Hyattville won’t open until June 1st, but the lower portion of the Renner HMA remains open year-round.

Users are reminded to stay on designated travel routes, obey all signs and camp in designated areas where required. If roads become too wet due to spring moisture, users are asked to try and avoid traveling those roads to reduce resource damage.