WG&F 2026 Hunt Forecast for the Sheridan Region

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department have released the 2026 Statewide Hunt Forecast. These forecasts provide predictions for species numbers, as well as other important information for hunters preparing to head out this year. Below is the Sheridan Region report, to find information on other regions in the Cowboy State, click here. 

Sheridan

This spring started off with fair moisture but quickly turned hot and dry by mid-June. Sheridan remains in moderate to extreme drought conditions across the region. These conditions may result in animals moving to any areas with succulent forage such as private irrigated meadows. These dry conditions have also elevated wildfire risk. Hunters are urged to use caution when parking vehicles to avoid tall vegetation or be aware of muzzle flash and surrounding vegetation. 

Pronghorn

Pronghorn herds across the Sheridan Region decreased in the late 2010s through the early 2020s due to prolonged drought, disease (Mycoplasma bovis, epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus) and harder than usual winters. While most populations are below objective they have been trending upwards the last couple of years. The mild winter of 2024-25 and favorable range conditions helped with fawn production. This year the winter was almost nonexistent with fair moisture during the spring. This year’s seasons are similar to the last couple of years with some areas having slight increases in quotas. These adjustments should help populations reach desired levels while still maintaining ample harvest opportunities for hunters. Land ownership in much of the region is predominantly private land and access to public lands is difficult, so hunters are encouraged to make arrangements for private land access early (often a year or more in advance). Hunter densities on many accessible tracts of public land can be high, especially on opening day and weekends. Hunters who plan hunts later in the season or mid-week often see less crowding.

Mule deer

Mule deer numbers in the Sheridan Region trended downward since 2019 and all herd units are below objective. Poor range health, drought, severe winters and disease have contributed to this decline. Observed fawn ratios around the region have improved since 2023, allowing these populations to stabilize and slowly increase where habitat conditions allow. While there is significant desire to increase deer numbers, in some areas range conditions are poor enough that they could not support additional deer on the landscape at this time. Multiple habitat projects are ongoing to improve habitat conditions. Hunting seasons for 2026 are similar to the previous year. Antler point restrictions are in place for 2026 in hunt areas 19, 25, 29 and 31. Hunters should expect difficult access to private lands and some overcrowding on accessible public lands. Some access opportunities for deer and pronghorn are available on walk-in hunting and hunter management areas. These areas can be found under the public access tab on the Game and Fish website. 

White-tailed deer

Numbers are starting to rebound from back-to-back EHD and bluetongue virus outbreaks in 2021 and 2022. Managers are still managing this population with liberal hunting seasons to address damage to private property and high browse pressure on mountain shrub communities. Private land refugia and subdivision development along riparian corridors has made white-tailed deer management a challenge for managers in multiple locations. Hunting seasons and quotas in 2026  look similar to previous years. Most white-tailed deer are found on private land with limited public land hunting opportunities. Landowners are encouraged to reduce deer densities through hunter harvest to address damage complaints, browsing pressure on shrub communities and help limit CWD prevalence and spread. Hunters should be aware CWD prevalence often exceeds 30% in white-tailed deer in the Sheridan Region.  

Elk  

There has never been a better time to hunt elk in the Sheridan Region. Hunt areas are at or slightly above population objectives and managers have set liberal hunting seasons to encourage antlerless elk harvest. In two hunt areas, 123 and 129, there continues to be a type 8 license offered that allows hunters the opportunity to purchase an unlimited number of cow/calf elk licenses which are valid only on private land. Hunters who were successful in drawing a limited quota elk license in one of the many hunt areas that make up the Bighorn Mountains should have plenty of opportunities to harvest an elk. Off the Bighorn National Forest, most of the hunting opportunities are found on private land and hunters are reminded to secure access prior to their hunt. Access to these private lands can be difficult.

Moose

For those lucky few who drew a limited quota moose license, hunting should be excellent this fall. Moose in the Bighorn Mountains are doing well with a good number of mature bulls on the landscape. Moose quotas were increased in 2026, especially in Hunt Area1, to take advantage of the current moose population numbers and quality.

Upland game

A very mild winter, combined with some limited, well-timed spring precipitation, has been favorable for upland game brood rearing in 2026. Residual nesting cover was good and many biologists and game wardens have reported seeing broods this summer. While sage-grouse hunting in the majority of the region is closed , hunting for other game bird species should be fair to good. Wild turkey numbers are doing well and liberal seasons allow hunters to have up to three fall turkey licenses until the Type 3 quota is exhausted. The Sheridan Bird Farm had another excellent year and pheasants will be released throughout the season on publicly accessible land. For those who hunt in those areas where pheasants are released, don’t forget to purchase your Pheasant Management Stamp.