Hunt Area 34, North Natrona, Wyoming

Rolling to moderately steep terrain ranging from approximately 5,600 to 8,100 feet elevation. The southern and central portions are broad, open sagebrush plains with gentle ridges and dry creek drainages; the northern and northwestern edges rise toward the southern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains with steeper, more dissected hills. Badwater Creek and its tributaries cut through the middle of the unit. Sandstone outcrops and rimrock characterize many canyon sections. The southeastern corner includes irrigated agricultural fields near Midwest and along I-25.

Primary paved routes are U.S. Highway 20-26 (Casper to Waltman) along the southern boundary and Wyoming Highway 259 through the town of Midwest along the eastern boundary, connecting to Interstate 25. Internal access uses a network of county roads: Natrona County Roads 101–115 traverse the unit's interior, including the 33-Mile Road (Natrona County Road 110) through Kidd Flat and Washakie County Road 6215 along the northern edge. The BLM Casper Field Office manages approximately 1.4 million surface acres across Natrona and surrounding counties and maintains motorized-vehicle-use maps (MVUMs) for the area. The unit has no designated USFS land or wilderness areas. About 61 percent of the unit is public land (BLM and Wyoming State lands), accessible on foot or via open BLM roads. The southeastern corner, dominated by irrigated private ranches near Midwest and east of Bucknum Road (Natrona County Road 125) and south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad right-of-way, is largely private. Hunters should verify current land status with onX or the BLM Casper Field Office before accessing the northern reaches; private inholdings are scattered throughout. The 33-Mile Road and Natrona County Road 101 (Oakie Road) are the main interior arteries for the northern public ground. Four-wheel drive is recommended for many interior two-tracks; some roads become impassable in wet conditions.

Dominant cover is Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) across the southern, central, and eastern plains, interspersed with mixed native grassland. Crucial winter range in the south-central area is characterized by rolling sand dunes supporting silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) and Wyoming big sagebrush. Higher-elevation rolling hills on the northern fringe of the unit transition to mixed-grass range on the southern Bighorn Mountain slopes. Riparian corridors along Badwater Creek and its tributaries support shrubs and limited cottonwood. The southeastern corner contains irrigated cropland — the only heavily private portion of the unit.

Mule deer are the primary big game species managed under the North Natrona Mule Deer Herd (MD759); the 2024 postseason population estimate is approximately 1,160 animals (CI=961-1,381) against an objective of 4,700 — 75.3% below objective for more than 10 consecutive years. The herd is managed under a Special strategy. Improved fawn recruitment in 2022-2024 (84 fawns per 100 does in 2024, highest since 2015) indicates a slow recovery. Buck ratios are high relative to herd density at 49 bucks per 100 does as of 2024. Average harvested buck age is 4.5 years with an average antler spread of 18.3 inches (2024 sample, n=28). The five-year average Type 1 active license success is 70%. White-tailed deer occur primarily in the irrigated agricultural zone in the southeastern portion of the unit near Midwest, east of Bucknum Road. Pronghorn are abundant unit-wide under the separate North Natrona Pronghorn Herd (PR746), hunt area 73; 2024 postseason population approximately 10,959 animals managed for a 11,000 objective (proposed increase to 15,000). Elk may be encountered on the northern fringes near the Bighorn Mountain foothills but do not have a dedicated hunt area within the unit. Sage grouse are present in the extensive sagebrush flats and are subject to separate seasons. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) prevalence in harvested adult males has averaged 10.8% from 2020-2024 (n=111); CWD surveillance was last a priority in 2019-2020 and mandatory surveillance was reimplemented for the 2025 hunting season. Mountain lion occur statewide on a quota permit system. Wild turkey may occur in riparian areas.