Hunt Area 119, Anchor, Wyoming

Rugged BLM, Shoshone National Forest, and state land southwest of Meeteetse in Hot Springs County. Elevation ranges from approximately 4,900 to 12,500 feet. Lower elevations feature expansive sagebrush flats broken by rugged canyon systems. Mid elevations transition to steep canyon walls with long ridgelines and drainages leading into the high country. Upper elevations are rocky and alpine with large open basins. The unit straddles the Absaroka front and the Owl Creek Mountains. Grass Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Gooseberry Creek, and Owl Creek are the major drainages. Timber is primarily limited to higher elevations on the National Forest.

low

CWD STATUS: As of end of 2024, WGFD reports CWD has been detected in 108 of 127 (85%) Wyoming mule deer hunt areas statewide (2024 WGFD CWD Surveillance Report, March 2025). The adjacent Shoshone River and Greybull River mule deer herds in the Bighorn Basin show five-year CWD prevalence of approximately 47.6% and 47.0% respectively — among the highest confirmed in the state. HA 119 is not individually named as confirmed endemic in the 2024 surveillance report, but hunters should treat it as a CWD-risk area and follow WGFD carcass transport rules: whole carcasses may not be transported out of a CWD zone; boned-out meat, antlers without skull cap, and cleaned hides (without brain/spinal tissue) are permitted. Confirm current CWD zone boundaries and transport requirements in the annual WGFD CWD zone map before each season. GRIZZLY BEAR: Shoshone National Forest portions require compliance with grizzly bear food storage orders. WIND RIVER RESERVATION: The southern boundary of HA 119 abuts the Wind River Reservation; non-tribal members may not hunt on reservation lands. ELK HUNT AREA: Deer HA 119 does not correspond 1:1 with an elk hunt area; elk HA 64 (Owl Creek) covers the combined geography of deer HAs 119 and 120. Hunters seeking elk in the HA 119 area should apply for Elk HA 64. PRONGHORN: Deer HA 119 corresponds geographically to Antelope Hunt Area 83 (Owl Creek) for pronghorn applications. DRAW SYSTEM: All license types in HA 119 are limited quota requiring application through the WGFD draw. ACCESS PROGRAM: Hot Springs County has 12 Walk-In Areas (WIAs 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19) providing additional private-land hunting access; consult the current WGFD WIA Atlas online for enrolled parcels. ABSAROKA FRONT HMA: The Absaroka Front Hunter Management Area (HMA) — approximately 112,000 acres of private/leased LU Ranch and PAR Ranch land south of Meeteetse — requires a free WGFD permission slip obtained online before hunting. Road closures apply on Little Grass Creek and Enos Creek (foot/horseback only). No hunting within 400 yards of ranch headquarters.