Within the Big Horn Basin, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has five wildlife habitat management areas (WHMAs) that provide big game winter range and other benefits to wildlife. These areas are opening in May and June, after being closed to protect key winter habitat.

“Seasonal closures minimize stress-causing disturbance to wintering deer, elk and other wildlife. The closures also reduce the human and recreational impacts to the forage, which supports wintering wildlife,” Ray Bredehoft, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat and access branch chief said. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation to help animals make it through the winter and we are excited to open up these lands for the public to enjoy.”

Game and Fish asks the public to be cautious around wildlife during the spring when elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and other wildlife begin to have their young.

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.

WHMAs will open at 8 a.m. on the designated opening date.  Yellowtail WHMA near Lovell is open year-round.

Visitors are expected to know and comply with all state and local health orders and directives.

The Sunlight WHMA opens to people on May 1 and it will remain open through Dec. 15.

In the Hyattville area, the Medicine Lodge and Renner areas open June 1 and stay open through Dec. 31. Medicine Lodge Creek is open to foot access for fishing while the lower portion of the Renner area remains open year-round.

As for the Sunshine WHMA southwest of Meeteetse, it’s open from June 1 to Nov. 30. It’s closed to motor vehicles year-round, but open to foot/horse traffic. The area remains open while big game seasons are open.

Boat docks in the water

For those wanting to recreate at the Upper and Lower Sunshine reservoirs — located north of the Sunshine WHMA — the boat docks are now in the water and ready for use.

The docks are removed from the water in late fall or early winter before ice-over occurs as part of routine seasonal maintenance. Docks are placed back in the water when ice-off occurs for the enjoyment of boaters and anglers.

Because water levels in the reservoirs fluctuate, the docks often need to be adjusted by habitat and access crews with a winch and pickup.

If you notice that a dock needs adjustment, call the Cody Game and Fish Regional office at 307-527-7125. Anglers and boaters are asked not to attempt to move them on their own.