Lower-elevation Big Horn Basin habitats received lower-than-average spring/summer precipitation and above-average temperatures, generating relatively poor habitat conditions in these locations. Higher elevation mountain habitats experienced average to above average precipitation and higher-than-average temperatures, which have yielded good habitat conditions overall within these more montane habitats.

The 2025-26 winter was one of the mildest winters in recent history, with below average snowfall and above-average temperatures. The varied climate and associated habitat conditions across the Cody region will provide a mix of benefits and challenges to the wildlife species within the Cody region.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn populations were stable to increasing within the Big Horn Basin going into the fall of 2025. Fawn ratios varied across the region, with the Carter Mountain (78, 79, 81, 82) and Fifteen Mile (77, 83, 110) herds having lower fawn ratios than the five-year average, and Badger Basin (80) and Copper Mountain (76, 79, 114, 115) herds having higher fawn recruitment than the five-year average. Additionally, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) was documented in several locations in the southern portion of the Big Horn Basin. As mentioned in the introduction, lower elevation habitats within the Big Horn Basin received less-than-average precipitation and above-average temperatures, resulting in poor quality habitats, whereas montane habitats received good precipitation and had higher quality habitat available. Therefore, pronghorn that utilize high elevation migrations should experience good habitat and body condition going into winter. However, pronghorn that remain in the lower elevations and poorer quality habitats of the Big Horn Basin will not be in as good of body condition going into the coming winter. Early classification efforts and field observations suggest pronghorn may have shifted distribution more to agricultural fields and moved to higher elevation areas in search of better habitat conditions. Hunters who drew pronghorn licenses this year should expect similar hunting conditions to last year overall.

Deer

Winter survival appears to be close to average throughout much of the region. Focal herd data suggests overwinter fawn survival was higher in the North Bighorn mule deer herd than in the Upper Shoshone herd. Classification efforts in late 2025 and early 2026 demonstrated increased fawn ratios in the western portions of the Cody region, predominantly in the Absaroka Mountain mule deer herds. Big Horn Basin and Bighorn Mountain mule deer experienced stable to declining fawn recruitment. To date, most mule deer herds within the region are currently below population management objectives. As mentioned previously, mule deer herds utilizing migratory strategies will be in better body condition to survive winter than those that employ residential strategies. Prolonged drought and increasing chronic wasting disease prevalence have had a negative impact on Big Horn Basin deer herds over the past several years. Hunters should expect conditions and success to be similar to the 2025 season. 

The primary change in deer seasons for the 2026 season was a significant reduction in white-tailed deer licenses to address lower white-tailed deer populations resulting from recent outbreaks of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Other notable changes for mule deer seasons are related to wildlife disease monitoring and can be found in the “Wildlife Disease Management” section.

Elk

Most herds continue to perform well within the region, with a majority of the herds at or above objective. Based on improved high-elevation precipitation and early field observations, calf production seems to be similar to last year. Because of this, elk hunters should expect good elk hunting within the Cody region again this year.

Notable changes to elk seasons include a reduction in bull elk licenses in Hunt Areas 51 and 54 resulting from decreasing population trend counts over the past three years, and an increase in Hunt Area 66 Type 6 elk licenses to move this portion of the Cody elk herd toward its management objective. Additionally, to better assess the age structure in bull elk within Hunt Area 61, managers are asking that all bull hunters submit teeth (lower center two incisors) from their harvested animals, fill out a data card, and submit it back to the Department. There are some minor changes regarding elk disease monitoring that can be found in the “Wildlife Disease Management” section.

Moose

Moose herds within the region have been performing better over the past several years. The Bighorn Mountain moose population in Hunt Area 42 are performing well. During the fall of 2025 moose trend counts, managers observed numbers that exceed the current trend objective. Data collected for Hunt Area 9 in the Absaroka herd suggests good calf production in 2025, cameras are still out in the field capturing 2026 data. Managers are observing a slight increase in moose numbers in Hunt Area 11, particularly within the Sunlight Basin area. Moose hunters fortunate enough to have drawn a license should expect good moose hunting conditions and success in 2026. Moose hunters are encouraged to provide teeth from their harvested animals (lower center two incisors) to assist the Department in their moose management program. Additionally, hunters are encouraged to bring in their harvested moose head to allow the Department to collect CWD samples and carotid artery worm samples to better monitor disease in moose populations.

Bighorn sheep

The Absaroka (Hunt Areas 1-5) and Devil’s Canyon (Hunt Area 12) herds are located within the region. Sheep numbers are within management objectives for the Absaroka herd and have remained stable over the past five years. In the summer of 2025, managers conducted a bighorn sheep survey that resulted in an estimated population of 4,790, which was very similar to the 2020 estimate of 4,750. Absaroka herd licenses were similar except for an increase of five ram licenses in Hunt Area 5. This increase in licenses was due to a significant increase in adult rams counted during the 2025 summer population flights. For the second consecutive year, the number of bighorn sheep counted within the Devil’s Canyon herd has increased. It is estimated that the 2022 die-off reduced the Devil’s Canyon herd by 40%. Over the past two years, managers have observed increased total counts and promising lamb recruitment and are hopeful the herd will recover. Ram licenses within the Devil’s Canyon herd were slightly increased from four to five Type 1 licenses, and the newer Type 2 license was reduced from four licenses to three for any ram less than three-quarter curl. The Type 2 licenses are designed to focus harvest on younger rams to prevent them from foraying out of the Devil’s Canyon herd and potentially returning with new diseases. Those fortunate to have drawn bighorn sheep licenses within the region should enjoy good hunting this fall.

Mountain Goat

The Beartooth herd (Hunt Areas 1, 3, and 5) is within its population management objective and is considered stable to increasing. Managers completed a recent mountain goat trend survey for this herd unit in August 2026 and counted a total of 188 mountain goats, a slight increase from the last good survey, which counted 151 in 2022. The 2026 season structure is designed to stabilize or slightly increase goats in Hunt Area 3 while maintaining harvest levels within Hunt Area 1. There was no change in mountain goat licenses for Hunt Areas 1 and 3 for the 2026 season. Those fortunate enough to have drawn a goat license should have a good goat hunt.

Upland/small game

Upland game bird habitats experienced below average precipitation and above average temperatures during the spring and summer of 2026. Additionally, several wildfires in late summer/fall of 2025 significantly reduced partridge habitat in portions of the region. As a result, upland bird hunters should expect reduced numbers of chukar and gray partridge this year. Spring lek surveys and early observations from field managers suggest sage grouse production may have decreased compared to last year. Sage grouse hunting may prove more difficult this year than in 2025. The Department is placing sage grouse wing barrels out in the southern portion of the Big Horn Basin to primarily collect sage grouse wings. Hunters are encouraged to place any upland game bird wings in barrels when they encounter them to improve the Department’s knowledge of game bird populations within the Cody region. Wild turkey populations appear to be increasing across the Cody region. Fall turkey hunting should provide hunters with good opportunities to harvest a bird.

Wildlife disease management

Hunters are encouraged to assist wildlife managers in the collection of wildlife disease samples. If you receive a brucellosis sample kit in the mail, please carry the sample kit in the field and collect a blood sample. Targeted brucellosis sampling areas for the 2026 hunting season are: 39, 40, 41, 45, 47, 48, 49, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65, and 66. Additionally, there are several priority chronic wasting disease sample collection hunt areas within the region. Hunters who harvest a deer or elk are encouraged to provide Game and Fish with a CWD sample or bring the head and a few inches of the neck to a check station or the regional office in Cody. Priority deer and elk areas include the Southwest Bighorn Deer Herd (HAs 35–37, 39, 40, 164), the Shoshone River Deer Herd (HAs 121, 122, 123), the Clarks Fork Deer Herd (105, 106, 109), the North Bighorn Deer Herd (24, 25, 27, 28, 50, 51, 52, 53), and the North Bighorn Elk Herd (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40). Additionally, the Cody region has mandatory CWD sampling in effect in Hunt Area 164 for License Types: General, 1, 3, 6, and 7, and mandatory CWD sampling in effect in Hunt Areas 105, 106, and 109 for License Types: 1, 3, and 8. Please submit samples at a Game and Fish check station, brucellosis cooler, or the Cody regional office, or call the regional office at (307) 527-7125 to make arrangements.

Public Access

There are some public access changes that Cody region hunters should be aware of this year. The Pitchfork Hunter Management Area (HMA) has been reduced by 1,200 acres due to a change in land ownership. Newell Springs HMA has increased in size by 1,000 acres due to a new landowner joining the Access Yes program. Finally, the Kirby Creek HMA is closed again this year due to drought conditions and to allow recovery from last year’s Red Canyon wildfire. Hunters, please make sure to check the WGFD website to see all current HMA boundaries and rules. OnX layers will also be updated to reflect recent access changes.