Hunt Area 160, Beaver Creek, Wyoming

403.86 square miles (Fremont County) at elevations approximately 5,268–7,061 ft. The unit occupies a wedge of land south of the Wind River Reservation bounded by US Highway 287 on the south and northwest, Wyoming Highway 135 on the east, and the reservation boundary on the north. Terrain is predominantly rolling BLM sagebrush prairie with scattered buttes and rocky outcrops. Deep canyon systems cut through the eastern plateau, holding mule deer. The western margin along the Popo Agie and Little Popo Agie rivers near Lander is irrigated agricultural bottomland supporting riparian cottonwood and willow habitat favored by white-tailed deer. Cell service is unreliable; dirt roads become impassable when wet.

low

CWD STATUS: Area 160 is a confirmed CWD-positive area (WGFD sources confirm it is itself CWD-positive, not merely bordered by positive areas). For the 2025 hunting season WGFD designated it a preferred CWD sampling zone — hunters are strongly encouraged to submit harvested deer for testing. Mandatory CWD sample submission in the Lander Region applies to areas 157 and 171, not 160. MULE DEER ANTLER RESTRICTION: General license requires antlered mule deer to have 4 or more points on either antler. The 6-day October rifle window severely limits opportunity. WHITE-TAILED DEER: The unit primary draw for hunters; Type 3/8 licenses require a draw. The South Wind River white-tailed deer population has been growing, with WGFD expanding license issuance in recent years. PRIVATE LAND: The western riparian corridor near Lander holds the highest whitetail density but is largely private; access requires landowner permission. No WIAs currently enrolled within the unit boundaries per the WGFD Fremont County WIA page (unverified from documents in this session). WIND RIVER RESERVATION: The northern boundary adjoins the reservation; hunting on reservation land requires tribal permits independent of WGFD licenses. ELK/PRONGHORN: Deer Hunt Area 160 boundaries correspond to Elk Hunt Areas 25 (South Pass) and 28 (Cony Mountain) and Antelope Hunt Area 66 (Lander). Hunters must reference Chapter 7 (elk) and Chapter 5 (antelope) for those species. MULE DEER POPULATION: The South Wind River mule deer herd has declined over consecutive years per WGFD data; mule deer continue below management objectives due to poor fawn recruitment (Lander Region 2025 Hunt Forecast).