CODY — Hunters planning to use walk-in areas or hunter management areas (HMAs) in the Big Horn Basin this fall are encouraged to note recent changes made for the 2026 hunting season.  In the Big Horn Basin, there are approximately 70 walk-in areas and 13 HMAs providing hunters free public hunting access to private land and inaccessible public land.

HMAs and walk-in areas are part of the Access Yes program, a program that facilitates partnerships between private landowners and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to provide this access. 

Year to year, changes to rules and limitations can occur and it’s important for hunters to be aware as they are planning their fall hunts. New areas can be enrolled in the program, withdrawn entirely or modified annually.

Changes may occur due to a change in land ownership or management, or unfortunately, due to problems with hunters violating ranch rules and behaving irresponsibly. Hunters are reminded that ethical and responsible behavior helps maintain continued access to private land.

HMAs are typically private ranches (which may include landlocked public land) where the Game and Fish manages hunting access. Hunters need to obtain a permission slip online to access these properties, and display a portion of the permission slip in the windshield of the vehicle used while on the HMA. 

Hunters do not need to obtain permission slips to hunt walk-in areas, but it’s critical for hunters to know each property's individual rules, boundaries and what species are available to hunt. Walk-in areas are named after the county the property is in, then a number. Hunters can look up a specific area online to learn access dates, species availability and property boundaries. 

Each walk-in area or HMA could be different from the next and can change year-to-year. Recent notable changes to HMAs and walk-in areas in the Big Horn Basin are as follows:

Heart Mountain HMA

• There have been significant changes to elk hunt areas, license types and permission slip issuance. Visit the Heart Mountain HMA web page for more information. 

Kirby Creek HMA

• Upland bird hunter access has been removed for the 2026/2027 season due to the 2025 Red Canyon Wildfire and 2026 drought conditions at the landowner’s request.

Pitchfork HMA

• Approximately 1,200 acres have been removed on Rose Creek and along the Greybull River so boundaries and maps have been updated to exclude these properties.

Newell Springs HMA

• A new ranch property has been added to the Newell Springs HMA. Hunters are encouraged to review updated maps and rules for updated information and permission slip allocation.

The following walk-in hunting area has been added to the Access Yes program:

• Hot Springs 15

The following walk-in hunting areas have been removed from the Access Yes program:

• Park County Walk-In Hunting Area 4

• Hot Springs County Walk-In Hunting Areas 1, 2, 3, 10 and 19 

• Washakie County Walk-In Hunting Area 10

Hunters are reminded that areas may be added or removed at any time and are encouraged to check the website for the most updated information prior to accessing Access Yes properties. Hunters are encouraged to know all rules and limitations for a specific HMA or walk-in hunting area before going afield. Ethical behavior from hunters is the key to maintaining public access to private lands through the Access Yes program.