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 2022 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 79 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. New areas can be enrolled in the program, withdrawn entirely or modified annually.

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 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. 

Each walk-in area or HMA could be different from the next and can change year-to-year. Recent changes to HMAs and walk-in areas in the Big Horn Basin are as follows: 

The following walk-in hunting areas are no longer enrolled, and therefore no access is allowed through Access Yes.

• Washakie walk-in Hunting Area 3, 4, 8, 20, 22, 23

• Big Horn walk-in Hunting Area 63

• Little VH Hunter Management Area in Hot Springs County

Access areas in the Big Horn Basin added this year include: 

• Walk-in Hunting Area (Washakie 8) in Washakie County

• Walk-in Hunting Area (Big Horn 8) in Big Horn County

• Heart Mountain Hunter Management Area in Park County 

As with existing access areas, each newly enrolled access area has specific dates, species allowed to hunt and rules and regulations for each property.  Hunters are encouraged to know all rules and limitations for a specific HMA or walk-in hunting area. 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.