What’s at stake for hunters and anglers?

The inclusion of mandatory public land sales in the proposed Senate budget reconciliation bill has Wyomingites on edge, and with good reason. At least 2 million acres, and up to 3 million acres, an area larger than Yellowstone National Park, would be mandated to be sold across the West within five years under this proposal—with the first nominations being made within 60 days of the bill’s passage. If you’re a fan of hunting mule deer in the Wyoming Range or enjoy wetting a line for native cutthroat trout along the North Fork Shoshone, take note, these special places, and many others, are at risk of being sold.

Below is a breakdown of select places we hunt and fish in Wyoming that are included in the land sale proposal.

Yellowstone Mule Deer and Elk Migrations in the North Fork Shoshone River

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park entering from Cody follow the winding North Fork of the Shoshone River as it cuts through the rugged Absaroka Mountains. This river valley is a critical migration route for thousands of elk and deer out of the Yellowstone high country as they move to winter range lower in the drainage. Grizzlies and bighorn sheep are frequently seen in the corridor, and its waters are popular for angling and whitewater rafting.

The North Fork’s stunning vistas and proximity to Yellowstone and Cody make it a desirable candidate for private developers. I’ve been fortunate to personally experience this incredible drainage, floating its waters in search of cutthroat trout, and hiking its steep ridges to glass for migrating mule deer bucks. We cannot lose this special place.

Elk Country in the Mount Leidy Highlands and Togwotee Pass near Jackson

Another iconic landscape that would be vulnerable for sale through this ill-advised proposal is the prime elk country just east of Grand Teton National Park. The Mount Leidy Highlands are an assortment of forested hillsides, wildflower-filled meadows, and mountain peaks where I found my first success hunting bull elk. This unbroken landscape also facilitates the seasonal movements of the Upper Wind River mule deer migration corridor which was recently identified by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission under the Migration Corridor Executive Order.

The Mount Leidy Highlands extend north towards Togwotee Pass, a popular area for snowmobiling and Nordic skiing in winter. These attributes, along with the area’s location close to Jackson and Dubois, make it highly likely to be nominated for sale and privatization, especially from out-of-state buyers who want their little slice of Jackson Hole.

Wyoming Range—The Mule Deer Factory

The Wyoming Range is well known to hunters for its fantastic mule deer hunting. The region’s snowy peaks and high alpine meadows support rich tall forb plant communities that grow big mule deer, along with robust elk herds that provide abundant antlered and late season cow elk hunting opportunities. Privatization of these landscapes could fragment the migrations and seasonal habitats of the Wyoming Range mule deer herd–hampering its ability to recover from harsh winters like the one we had in 2022-2023.

Crucial Mule Deer and Elk Range and Greater Sage-Grouse Core in the Bighorn Basin

Wyoming’s Bighorn basin is a rugged and beautiful landscape beloved by sportsmen and sportswomen. Much of the area provides core habitat for greater sage grouse, while the slopes at the base of the Bighorn Mountains are crucial winter range for mule deer and elk. These landscapes are particularly special to me as they’re where my dog Ollie learned to be a great bird hunting partner on chukar and Huns.

Wyoming’s public land is NOT FOR SALE—Take Action NOW!

Wyomingites are united in our support for keeping public lands, waters, and wildlife in public hands. This is not a political issue; it’s about ensuring that these wild and working lands remain intact for future generations. Please take action now and urge decision makers to oppose this misguided effort to sell our shared legacy through a budget reconciliation bill.

How you can help:

Contact Senators Lummis and Barrasso and urge them to oppose the sale of our public lands. You can use our easy tool, but we also encourage you to call them directly or make a visit to one of their regional offices!

Contact Representative Hageman. Should the sale of public lands remain in the Senate version of the Reconciliation bill, it will need to be considered again by the House of Representatives. Representative Hageman needs to know that Wyomingites overwhelmingly support public lands, and we oppose the mandated sale of our legacy through a budget reconciliation bill.

Contact local elected representatives, including the Governor, your county commissioners, and state legislators. Urge them to oppose the sale of public lands and contact our congressional delegation. Find your legislator here.

Spread the Word – We need to keep the pressure up. Please ask your friends and family to take action and contact their elected officials. Public lands belong to all Americans so it’s important that we all take action regardless of which state we live in. Share this blog post and elevate the action alerts of organizations you support who are working on this issue!