Moose fires impact wildlife habitats and access to certain hunting areas

SHERIDAN, Wyo. – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is advising hunters that the elk fire continues to grow in Sheridan County, impacting wildlife habitat and access to certain hunting areas.

The hunting areas affected by the fire or associated public access closures are currently in Elk Hunting Areas 37 and 38 and Deer Hunting Areas 24 and 25. This is an active fire situation and these areas are subject to change. Game and Fish maintains a fire information page for hunters and updates it regularly.

As of October 5th, the following Access Yes areas are closed until further notice:

• PK Lane Hunter management area.
• Sheridan County Walk-in Areas #8 and #12.

Game and Fish personnel assist public safety and firefighting officials upon request.

Staff will assess impacts to contract-owned properties and wildlife habitat when safe to do so.

The public should be particularly vigilant when observing wildlife on roads to avoid collisions, as animals may relocate to new areas where they are not normally expected.

Wildlife is generally adept at moving away from wildfires, and the department currently has no reports of injured animals. Citizens who see an injured animal can report the location to the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). The hotline is open 24 hours a day and reports are sent to the nearest wildlife manager who can then respond.

Hunters should consult the Bighorn National Forest website and Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on fire conditions and public access closures.

Additional sources of information about the fire, current road closures and other impacts include the Sheridan County Emergency Management Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

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