Hunters in Area 157 - Boysen, Wyoming, should be aware of a few key insights shared by their peers. The land designated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area is generally open for hunting, but double-check with local game and fish authorities to ensure there are no recent changes. Some discrepancies have been noticed with map boundaries, particularly concerning the inclusion of Unit 170, which, as of current updates, is not part of the Type 1 tag and should be Unit 171. However, Unit 171 consists largely of private land and the Wind River Indian Reservation, with very limited public access. Mule deer populations are reportedly on the decline due to CWD, especially affecting bucks, and hunters have faced challenges with access, as a large ranch previously offering access was sold, reducing hunting land availability. For better odds, the Type 6 tag, covering Doe or fawn from October 1 to November 10, tends to have higher success rates. It’s crucial to verify specific unit boundaries on updated maps and understand local land access restrictions to improve hunting success in this unit.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 130"+ |
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This is also known as the Boysen hunt area, and has a lot of BLM land with some sections of private property scattered throughout the area.
Good numbers of mule deer and whitetail can be found throughout the unit. Big bucks of both species have been taken here over the past few years with herd numbers continuing to grow.
The bigger mountains can be found in the north end of the unit, with hills gradually getting higher in elevation that can help hunters cover a lot of ground on foot or on horse. Areas near Boysen Reservoir and Ocean Lake have slight rolling hills with some buttes.
Maintained BLM and two-track roads go through a majority of the unit making scouting and general traveling easier. Access is restricted around the private land in the west.
Most of the unit is covered with sagebrush and prairie grass with scattered juniper trees in the northern part of the unit. The areas around the lakes and reservoir have private irrigated ranch land and willow bushes near the irrigation ditches.
Most hunters camp on BLM land with no permit needed. Designated camping sites are found around Ocean Lake and Boysen Reservoir. Lodging can be found in the west of the unit in Riverton.
Roughly 420 square miles
44.3% public land
Elevations from 4,757-8,035 feet