November 21, 2015
RMEF, Partners Open Hunting Access
to Wyoming Elk Habitat
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation teamed up with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and private landowners to provide public elk hunting access to nearly 11,000 acres of rich wildlife habitat in southeastern Wyoming.
The 15-year access agreement applies to the 6,700-acre Mule Creek Ranch plus an additional 4,000 acres of State and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands within the ranch boundary in the southern Laramie Range Mountains.
“Creating and improving public access is a key part of RMEF’s mission,” said Leah Burgess, RMEF lands program manager. “This is a win-win because it provides access for hunters and will help wildlife managers deal with a bloated elk population.”
An historic lack of public access in Elk Hunt Area 7 left elk populations above objective for 14 consecutive years.
“Over the past several years a number of Area 7 landowners have stepped up to enhance elk hunting access through the Hunter Management and Walk-In Area programs. The commitment by the landowners on the Mule Creek Ranch Public Access Area will further enhance our ability to manage this herd toward objective well into the future,” said Jason Sherwood, WGFD access coordinator.
Hunting access to Mule Creek Ranch will keep elk on the move and likely improve harvest success on other surrounding public and private lands as well.
For the ongoing 2015 hunting season, access will commence November 30. Beginning in 2016, access will be open November 1, allowing for bull harvest opportunity as well. For more information, go to www.wgfd.wyo.gov or call (307) 745-4046.
“We are especially grateful to the landowners who both recognize and value the importance of conserving important habitat and implementing quality wildlife management,” said Burgess.
The landowners previously worked with the BLM, WGFD, RMEF, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and other groups to implement prescribed fire and mechanical treatments in aspen communities, as well as sagebrush thinning projects. Future habitat treatments are part of the new agreement to address habitat conditions.