2020 hunting seasons...wyoming range mule deer – hunt areas 134, 135, 143- 145 hunt archery dates...

2020 Hunting Seasons

Pinedale Region

This presentation summarizes Pinedale Region’s proposed big game hunting seasons for 2020 and replaces traditional in-person meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We encourage viewing other region’s big game hunting season proposal presentations and State-wide presentations on Chapter 2 (general hunting regulations), Chapter 11 (small and upland game), Chapter 14 (migratory game birds) and Chapter 20 (fall and spring wild turkey).

Please provide your comments on 2020 proposed seasons!

2020 Hunting Season Proposals

For 2020 big game seasons in Pinedale Region, the following changes are being proposed to the WGF Commission:

Antelope- Hunt Area 90, types 1 and 6 are being reduced by 25 licenses each (to 150 and 50 licenses, respectively) due to reduced hunter success.

Deer- Eliminating the 3 point or better antler point restriction on all Hunt Areas in Pinedale Region

Elk- Reducing Hunt Area 92-6 licenses from 400 to 200 tags due to lower elk counts on feedgrounds in the area, and proposing a new season, Hunt Area 96-2 (20 tags) valid Dec. 1 – Jan. 31 to address private land damage in the area.

Moose- Combining Hunt Areas 3 and 4 into one Hunt Area, 3. No change in quotas.

Bighorn Sheep- No changes.

2020 Hunting Season Changes

Antelope Seasons

Sublette Antelope HerdHunt Areas 85-91

Antelope numbers remain below postseason population objective (-27%) for this herd.

Buck ratios are within normal range but lower than the 5-year average.

Fawn ratios have remained below normal ranges during the past several years resulting in limited growth in this herd.

Seasons and quotas remain similar to 2019. Reduction of 50 licenses in Area 90 in response to lower hunter success and increased hunter effort.

Sublette Antelope 2020 SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season DatesArea Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations

85 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 20 Any antelope86 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 50 Any antelope86 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 25 Doe or fawn87 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 175 Any antelope87 2 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 25 Oct. 31 125 Any antelope87 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 100 Doe or fawn87 7 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 25 Oct. 31 100 Doe or fawn88 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 275 Any antelope88 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 300 Doe or fawn89 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 175 Any antelope89 2 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 31 125 Any antelope89 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 325 Doe or fawn89 6 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Doe or fawn valid south of Middle Piney Creek

and south of Wyoming Highway 351

89 7 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 1 Nov. 15 75 Doe or fawn valid south of Middle Piney Creek and south of Wyoming Highway 351

90 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 175150 Any antelope 90 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 7550 Doe or fawn 90 8 NA NA Aug. 15 Sep. 9 50 Doe or fawn valid on private land

91 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 275 Any antelope91 6 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 100 Doe or fawn91 7 Aug. 15 Oct. 31 50 Doe or fawn valid on private land and Bureau

of Reclamation land within Sweetwater County

101 1 Aug. 15 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Oct. 31 100 Any antelope

Mule Deer Seasons

Sublette Mule Deer HerdHunt Areas 130, 138-142, 146, 150-156

Deer numbers remain low and below the population objective of 32,000.

2019 postseason buck ratios within management objectives at 38 bucks : 100 does.

Fawn ratios within normal range at 67 fawns : 100 does in 2019.

Recent herd setback due to severe winter conditions in 2016-17 (estimated 85% fawn loss & 35% adult loss) and 2018-19 (estimated 50% fawn loss).

Seasons remain similar to past three years allowing only buck harvest opportunities, except for youth hunters, although the 3-point antler restrictions (APR) is proposed to be removed in 2020.

Sublette Mule Deer 2020 SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season DatesArea Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations

130 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

130 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 31 15 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

130 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 2575 Doe or fawn valid on private land within Sweetwater County

131 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

131 3 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 30 25 Any white-tailed deer

131 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 50 Doe or fawn valid within the Farson-Eden Irrigation Project

131 7 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 50 Doe or fawn valid west of the Blue Rim (Sweetwater County Road 5) and Old Stauffer Roads (Sweetwater County Road 7) and south of the OCI Entrance Road (Sweetwater County Road 6)

138 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

138,139, 140, 142

3 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 30 50 Any white-tailed deer



Sublette Mule Deer 2020 Seasons (Cont.)Hunt Archery Dates Season DatesArea Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations

141 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 21 80 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

141 1 Oct. 22 Oct. 31 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer on national forest

142 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer



148,149, 150,151, 152

3 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sep. 15 Nov. 30 1525 Any white-tailed deer


151 Gen Oct. 7 Oct. 31 Antlerless white-tailed deer152 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on

either antler or any white-tailed deer152 Gen Oct. 7 Oct. 31 Antlerless white-tailed deer153 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on

either antler or any white-tailed deer154 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on



either antler or any white-tailed deer

Wyoming Range Mule Deer – Hunt Areas 134, 135, 143-145

Hunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations134 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 14

11Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

135 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 1411

Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

143 Gen Sep. 1 Sep 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

144 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

145 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 14 Sep. 15 Oct. 6 Antlered mule deer three (3) points or more on either antler or any white-tailed deer

145 3 Sep. 1 Sep. 14 Sep. 15 Nov. 15 50 Any white-tailed deer

145 3 Sep. 1 Sep. 14 Nov. 16

Jan. 1 Antlerless white-tailed deer

Elk Seasons

Hoback Elk

Hunt Areas 86 & 87

Elk numbers increasing during past year. Herd meeting management goals (3-year average winter trend counts and bull ratios).

No changes proposed.

Hoback Elk 2020 Seasons

Hunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations86 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 25 Sep. 26 Oct. 31 Any elk

86 Gen Nov. 1 Nov. 5 Antlerless elk

87 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 31 Any elk

87 Gen Nov. 1 Nov. 5 Antlerless elk

87 6 Dec. 1 Jan. 31 75 Cow or calf valid south and east of Dell Creek, north and east of U.S. Highway 191, and west of the North Fork of Fisherman Creek

Upper Green River Elk Herd

Hunt Areas 93, 95, 96

Mid-winter counts and bull ratios within management objectives.

No changes except new Hunt Area 96-2 (20 licenses) to address private land damage issues.

Upper Green River Elk 2020 SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations93 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 175 Any elk93 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 20 Antlerless elk93 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 20 275 Cow or calf95 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Nov. 5 200 Any elk95 2 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 5 30 Any elk valid within the Green River

drainage upstream from the outlet of Lower Green River Lake, including that portion east and south of Mill Creek

95 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Nov. 5 125 Antlerless elk95 5 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 5 25 Antlerless elk valid within the Green River

drainage upstream from the outlet of Lower Green River Lake, including that portion east and south of Mill Creek

95 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Nov. 5 25 Cow or calf96 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 31 Any elk96 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 200 Any elk96 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 30 Antlerless elk96 2 Dec. 1 Jan. 31 20 Any elk valid west of the elk fence and

south of New Fork Lakes Road. 96 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 30 275 Cow or calf96 7 Dec. 1 Jan. 31 50 Cow or calf valid west of the elk fence and

south of New Fork Lakes Road

Pinedale Elk HerdHunt Areas 97 & 98

Elk numbers and bull ratios remain within management goals.

No changes proposed for 2020.

Pinedale Elk Herd 2020 SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations97 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Any elk

97 Gen Oct. 16 Nov. 12 Antlerless elk

97 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Oct. 31 225 Any elk

97 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 20 Antlerless elk

97 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Nov. 20 150 Cow or calf elk

98 Gen Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Any elk

98 Gen Oct. 16 Nov. 12 Antlerless elk

98 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Oct. 31 350 Any elk


98 1 Nov. 21 Jan. 31 Antlerless elk valid between Scab Creek and the East Fork River

98 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Nov. 20 75 Antlerless elk


98 6 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Nov. 20 300 Cow or calf elk


Elk Hunt Area 99Hunt Area 99

This Area is part of the South Wind River Herd Unit (Hunt Areas 25, 27, 28, & 99).

Herd unit counts and bull ratios remain within 3-year average management goals, although 2019 counts above this goal.

No changes proposed for 2020.

Elk Area 99 – 2020 SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations99 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 150 Any elk


99 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 20 175 Antlerless elk

Piney Elk Herd – Hunt Areas 92, 94 Hunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations92 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 31 Any elk

92 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 12 Antlerless elk

92 6 Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 23 400 200

Cow or calf

92 6 Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Nov. 24 Jan. 31 Cow or calf valid north of Hwy 354 and Sublette County Road 112, east of Sublette County Road 115, and south of South Beaver Creek

94 Gen Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 31 Any elk

94 Genl Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 12 Antlerless elk

94 6 Sep. 1 Sept 30 Oct. 1 Nov. 23 400 Cow or calf

94 7 Sep. 1 Sep. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 30 100 Cow or calf valid north of Middle Piney Creek

Moose Seasons

Sublette Moose 2020 SeasonsHunt Areas 3-5, 10, 20-25

Moose population stable in past years.

2019-20 winter trend count of 1,251 moose. 3-year average trend count right at low end of management objective (1,200-1,800).

2019 bull and calf ratios within normal ranges compared to past long term averages.

Bull harvest average age remains near 4 years with an average antler width at 37 inches.

*Hunt Areas 3 & 4 combined into one hunt area (all Hunt Area 3 in 2020) to provide better hunter opportunity and accessibility.

Moose Areas 3 & 4 combined into one Hunt Area (Area 3) for 2020 –green area on map. Area 4 eliminated.

License quotas were combined and remain the same as in 2019.

The 2020 license quotas for Area 3 • 15 Type 1 licenses

(Antlered moose)• 5 Type 4 licenses

(Antlerless moose) valid off national forest

Moose Area 3 Changes

Sublette Moose SeasonsHunt Archery Dates Season Dates

Area Type Opens Closes Opens Closes Quota Limitations3 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Oct. 31 515 Antlered moose, also valid in Area 4

4 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Oct. 31 10 Antlered moose, also valid in Area 3

43 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Oct. 31 5 Antlerless moose, except cow moose with calf at side, valid off national forest

5 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 25 Antlered moose 10 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 31 8 Antlered moose (7 6 resident and 1 2 non-

resident licenses)

20 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 31 15 Antlered moose 21 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 31 2 Antlered moose (1 2 resident and 1 0 non-

resident licenses)

22 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 5 Antlered moose 23 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 31 15 Antlered moose 24 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Oct. 31 20 Antlered moose 25 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 4547 Antlered moose (37 resident and 10 non-

resident licenses)

25 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 31 5 Antlerless moose, except cow moose with calf at side

Bighorn Sheep Seasons

Whiskey Sheep Herd Unit (Areas 8-10)

Overall population remains well below the objective and has experienced steady declines since early 1990’s.

Poor lamb survival and recruitment is one of the primary problems within this herd.

A wide array of projects have be completed since late 1990’s, with a current body condition, health, and lamb survival study initiated in 2018.

A public collaborative effort was completed in 2019 to discuss, inform and gather input with a goal to improve the herd situation resulting in a Whisky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Plan (July 17, 2019) that can be accessed on the WGFD website.

2020 Hunt Area 8 SeasonSame hunting season and quota of 8 licenses as 2019 (a reduction of 4 license since 2017).

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Whiskey Sheep Herd Count Trend

Sept. 1- Oct. 31. 1 License, Any ram(Resident).

No changes proposed.

Darby Mountain Sheep

Questions???If you have questions please call:

Wyoming Range (Bondurant/Big Piney/LaBarge)• Gary Fralick (Thayne/Big Piney Biologist) @ 883-2998• Adam Hymas (Big Piney Warden) @ 276-3359

Wind River Range (Bondurant/Pinedale/Boulder)• Dean Clause (Pinedale Biologist) @ 367-4352• Bubba Haley (N. Pinedale Game Warden) @ 367-4704• Jordan Kraft (S. Pinedale Game Warden) @ 367-2470

Comments/Suggestions

Comments can be submitted:Online- https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-

MeetingsWritten- Mail to:

Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentWildlife DivisionAttn: Regulations3030 Energy LaneCasper, WY 82604

Comment Deadline- 5 p.m., April 3, 2020.

WGFC Meeting- April 20th and 21st in Riverton.

Thank You!

2020 hunting seasons...wyoming range mule deer – hunt areas 134, 135, 143- 145 hunt archery dates...

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