At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Bring fishing gear to fish in the nearby North Platte River and Miracle Mile, the blue ribbon trout fishery
- GOHUNT Maps are recommended to help navigate this area
- Rattlesnakes can be encountered
Area 16 in the Shirley Mountains, Wyoming, offers a diverse hunting experience but comes with its set of challenges. Hunters emphasize the rough terrain and accessibility issues, advising the use of 4x4 vehicles or ATVs along with GPS systems due to numerous landowner road closures. While the unit is noted for its potential in producing sizable bulls, especially during the rut in late September, the heavy hunting pressure and the difficulty of navigating the checkerboard of public and private lands can be frustrating. Those considering this hunt should plan thoroughly, utilize map apps for navigation, and be prepared for both the physical demands and the competition from other hunters. Overall, Area 16 is a promising but demanding unit that rewards persistent and well-prepared hunters.
Made up of high plain desert, Shirley Mountain and the Seminoe Mountain Range and located in the south central part of the state, this unit has large amounts of BLM and State lands. The area is bordered by the North Platte River on the west, County Road 483 and Wyoming Highway 487 on the north. Good numbers of elk can be found her for applicants lucky enough to draw a tag, and overall trophy potential is great.
This is an area of moderate/rugged terrain with elk located throughout and lots of country to hunt. This can be an excellent place for hunters to take mature bulls.
This unit stretches from the North Platte River east across high desert plains. The Seminoe Mountains, Shirley Mountains and Little Medicine Bow River can all be found within this unit. Elevations range from 5,500 feet at Alcova Reservoir to 8,900 feet.The area is gently contoured at lower elevations and changes to steep and rugged terrain in the Seminoe and Shirley Mountains. Physical preparation will be important for success.
Public access in this unit is good and has several well-maintained roads, a network of BLM roads and smaller 2-tracks. The Seminoe and Shirley Mountains can be hard to access and four-wheel-drive vehicles or ATVs are recommended. The unit is bordered by the Little Medicine Bow River on the east and U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 80 on the south.
The Seminoe and Shirley Mountains have intermittent timbered slopes with many upland areas covered by sagebrush, grass and mountain shrubs. Timber stands are made up of limber pine, Lodgepole pine, Engleman spruce, various slopes that have Rocky Mountain juniper and scattered pockets of aspen
Casper is the closest town to the unit and offers many options for lodging, groceries, gas, and other amenities. Camping is allowed on all public ground for up to 16 days in one location. Hunter can camp in remote locations. Alcova Reservoir, Pathfinder Reservoir and Seminoe Reservoir have public campgrounds.
Roughly 1765 square miles
55% public land
Elevations from 5,500-8,900 feet