Hunt Area 145, Salt River, Wyoming

Steep, heavily timbered Salt River Range in southwestern Wyoming (Lincoln County). Elevations range from approximately 6,200 ft at lower valley areas to over 10,800 ft on the ridgeline divide between the Greys River and Salt River drainages. Dominant vegetation is mixed conifer and aspen with mountain shrub understories on west-facing slopes. Landforms include the Snake River canyon, the Greys River valley, and the high divide of the Salt River Range forming the unit's eastern boundary. The area is largely roadless backcountry within the Bridger-Teton National Forest, making it a pack-in/horse-access unit in its interior portions.

moderate

CWD STATUS: CWD was confirmed in hunt area 145 in 2016 when a mule deer doe near Thayne tested positive - the first confirmed detection west of the continental divide in that region since 2012. As of end of 2024, 95% of Wyoming mule deer hunt areas statewide are considered CWD-endemic. Area 145 should be treated as CWD-positive; hunters are strongly encouraged to submit samples and follow Wyoming's carcass transport regulations. Dell Creek feedground (elk area 87, Hoback Basin / Pinedale region) had six CWD-positive elk confirmed in early 2025 - the first detections in that feedground. The Greys River Forest Park feedground was one of only two state-run feedgrounds that operated in the 2025-26 winter season; no CWD detections at Greys River/Forest Park feedground were reported in sources reviewed. FEEDGROUND RESTRICTION: The Greys River WHMA is a winter elk feedground operated by WGFD; it is closed Dec 1 - May 1 at 6am to all public access (no human presence permitted during closure). Elk hunting within the WHMA is by special permit only. The Forest Park feedground 34 miles up the Greys River is on National Forest land and is subject to a separate USFS wildlife closure (Area 2: Nov 16 - Apr 30). ANTLER RESTRICTION: General and most limited-quota mule deer licenses require antlered mule deer to have 4 points or more on either antler. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission voted to retain this restriction for area 145 at the April 2026 season-setting meeting despite a WGFD proposal to consider removing it. WHMA CAMPING: 14-day limit; motor vehicles restricted to marked white-arrow roads; no firewood cutting; certified weed-free hay required; gates must be closed. TYPE 3 LICENSE CLARIFICATION: Wyoming Type 3 deer licenses are valid for any white-tailed deer only and expressly do NOT permit harvest of mule deer regardless of antler configuration. REGION G NONRESIDENT ACCESS: Nonresident tags drawn for area 144 are also valid in areas 135, 143, and 145. Consult final 2026 license information booklet for exact quota allocations. MOOSE/SHEEP/GOAT: The Salt River Range supports Shiras moose and potentially mountain goat habitat; applicable licenses are highly limited draw-only through separate chapters. No confirmed designated bighorn sheep or mountain goat hunt areas within area 145 boundaries were identified in sources reviewed for 2026.