Hunt Area 134, Bear River Divide, Wyoming

Rolling high-desert plateau dominated by big sagebrush, greasewood flats, and scattered juniper breaks. The Bear River Divide forms the backbone of the unit. Significant private irrigated agricultural ground along creek bottoms. No wilderness or National Forest within the deer unit boundary; unit sits well below the Wyoming Range alpine country to the north. Elevation details and slope grades are not provided in official WGFD sources.

moderate

CWD is widespread in Wyoming: 35 of 37 mule deer herds statewide have confirmed detections as of Dec 31, 2025 (WGFD confirmed). Area 134 is within the known CWD-positive zone for the Wyoming Range herd. Statewide carcass transport rules apply: whole carcasses may not be transported out of Wyoming; boned-out meat, clean skull plates, caped hides, and antlers are permitted. No mandatory CWD sampling specific to Area 134 was confirmed in publicly available 2026 regulations; voluntary sampling stations are available statewide. The Wyoming Range herd suffered severe losses in the 2022-23 winter (population dropped from approximately 30,000 to 11,000 by 2024) and remains in recovery. The 2025 post-season estimate of 15,500 represents significant recovery; the buck ratio of 38 per 100 does is now at the management objective of 30-45. The 2026 general deer season (2026 draft Chapter 6, March 16 2026 version) drops the 3-point antler restriction that applied in 2025 for Area 134; Area 135 to the north retains a 4-point APR in 2026. Elk hunting in this unit is conducted under Elk Hunt Areas 104 (Lincoln) and 105 (Carter Lease), which have different boundaries than the deer unit; hunters must verify which elk area applies to their intended hunting location. The Bear River Divide Hunter Management Area (229,200 acres) requires a permission slip before entry; slips are unlimited and applications open July 21 at 8 AM MST. The Whitney Canyon Road and Amoco Sulfur Haul Road (named in the official unit boundary description) run through the gas production corridor; seasonal access restrictions may apply. Industrial energy development is active in portions of the unit.