Unit 122 Pine Ridge (Area 122)
Sagebrush plains, oil-and-gas country and the Powder River bottoms of the central basin
Powder River Basin (central) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,277
sq mi
Public land
25%
approx.
Elevation
4,300–5,600
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Area 122 covers the heart of the central Powder River Basin around the Sussex and Linch country, where the Powder River winds through wide sagebrush flats, low sandstone hills and deep grassy washes. This is quintessential Wyoming pronghorn ground and a coalbed-methane / oil-and-gas landscape laced with lease roads. Public land is scattered BLM and state sections between big private ranches, so access planning matters as much as scouting.
Terrain
Open, gently rolling sagebrush basin broken by sandstone rims, badland washes and the cottonwood-lined Powder River corridor.
Cover: Wyoming big sagebrush, greasewood, saltbush and short-grass prairie; cottonwood, willow and greasewood in the river and creek bottoms; scattered juniper on the rocky breaks.
Landmarks: Powder River · Sussex · Linch · Salt Creek / oil-field country to the south · sandstone hills and washes of the central basin
Access
Majority private ranch with scattered BLM and state-trust sections mixed in. This is not the southern-Wyoming checkerboard, but the interspersed public/private pattern and isolated public sections make corner-crossing and land-status awareness critical. Look for BLM tracts, state-trust access and any Hunter Management Area / walk-in agreements; much of the best pronghorn ground sits on deeded ranch land requiring permission. The dense oil-and-gas lease-road network aids travel but most leases cross private surface.
Managers: private ranch, BLM, WY state trust
Access points: WY-192 / WY-387 and county roads through Sussex and Linch · BLM two-tracks and scattered state sections off the county grid · lease roads (public-access status varies — verify surface ownership)
Species notes
Pronghorn
abundant qualityThe signature species and the reason to draw this area. The central Powder River Basin holds excellent pronghorn density across the sage flats and benches, with good buck potential in mild years. Regional herds have sat below objective but are trending up.
- →Glass long from high sandstone rims across the open sage at dawn and dusk
- →Spot-and-stalk using the washes and rolling terrain to close the distance
- →Hunt reservoirs and stock tanks during hot early seasons
- →Target public BLM/state sections early before pressure pushes bucks to private
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer inhabit the breaks, washes and river-bottom edges throughout the unit. Not a trophy destination, but the deeper draws and rougher sandstone country can hold respectable bucks. Regional herds are near objective.
- →Work the sandstone breaks and juniper pockets at first light
- →Glass the heads of the deep washes for bedded bucks
- →Hunt the transition where sage flats drop into the river breaks
- →Focus on rougher, less-accessible public parcels
Whitetail Deer
common opportunityWhitetails use the Powder River cottonwood bottoms, irrigated ranch fields and thick draws, often on private ground. CWD is present in the region and has reduced whitetail numbers in parts of the Sheridan area.
- →Hunt the cottonwood river corridor and alfalfa/hayfield edges
- →Set up on trails between bedding brush and feed at dawn and dusk
- →Secure ranch permission along the Powder River bottoms
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient opportunityPlains elk are slowly expanding across the Powder River Basin and small groups turn up in the breaks and rougher country, but the unit is not a reliable elk destination and cover is limited.
- →Glass the roughest, most remote breaks for scattered groups
- →Follow up on local reports of elk using river-bottom cover
- →Be first-light ready on the few brushy pockets
Pro tips
- →Map every BLM and state-trust section before the hunt — public parcels are small and scattered
- →Get permission early; the densest pronghorn ground is often deeded ranch land
- →Don't assume a lease road grants legal access — verify the surface ownership
- →Glass from the sandstone rims; the country is open enough to find animals from a long way off
- →Carry recovery gear and avoid the two-tracks after rain
Watch out for
- !Predominantly private ranch land with only scattered public access
- !Corner-crossing and trespass risk on isolated BLM/state sections
- !Oil-and-gas lease roads that cross private surface
- !Gumbo roads impassable when wet
- !CWD present in regional deer
- !Early-fall fire danger on the basin grasslands
Logistics
Kaycee to the west and Midwest/Edgerton to the south (Salt Creek oil field) offer basic fuel and services; Buffalo and Casper are the nearest full-service towns. Roads are dirt/gravel and turn to sticky gumbo when wet — high-clearance 4x4 recommended. Expect little to no cell service off the main highways; active oil-and-gas traffic is common.
Nearest towns: Kaycee, Midwest/Edgerton, Buffalo, Casper
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Hunt Planner · WGFD 2025 Hunt Forecast (Sheridan region) · BLM Wyoming Public Room: Hunt Maps
FAQ
- How big is Unit 122 in Wyoming?
- Unit 122 (Pine Ridge (Area 122)) covers about 1,277 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,300 to 5,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 122?
- Approximately 25% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch, BLM, WY state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 122?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 122 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.