Ellis Wildlife Habitat Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Ellis Wildlife Habitat Management Area is 3,836 acres in WGFD's Sheridan Region, Johnson County. Wildlife Habitat Management Areas are lands WGFD manages for wildlife habitat and public hunting and fishing access. WGFD lists elk (hunt area 33), deer (hunt area 163) and antelope (hunt area 21) for big game hunting here.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WGFD's WHMA data, updated 10/12/2026. Boundary: WGFD GIS. Harvest: WGFD reports to 2025.
BLMState trust landEllis WHMAElk hunt area lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,836 acres (WGFD) |
|---|---|
| WGFD region | Sheridan Region |
| County | Johnson |
| Access dates | Open 06/01-12/31. This area open to all human presence at 8:00 am June 1. |
| Seasonal closure | Closed Jan. 1 - May 31 |
| Big game listed | Elk, Deer and Antelope |
| Facilities | Parking |
| Nearest towns | Kaycee (23 mi) |
What are the rules on Ellis WHMA?
Access: Open 06/01-12/31. This area open to all human presence at 8:00 am June 1.
Exceptions: Foot and horse traffic Sept 1 to Dec 31. Closed to human presence Jan 1 to May 30. Vehicle closure Sept 1 through Dec 31.
Seasonal closure: Closed Jan. 1 - May 31.
Area regulations: 14 day camping limit. No camping outside designated camping areas. Weed free certified hay only.
WGFD lists these uses: Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Trapping.
In WGFD's words, from its WHMA data. WGFD's posted signs and its Chapter 23 rules for Commission lands are the final word.
What can you hunt on Ellis WHMA?
WGFD lists the hunt area each big game species is hunted under here: elk in area 33; deer in area 163; antelope in area 21. Also listed: waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, sandhill crane, doves, partridge, rabbit, mountain lion, black bear and mountain grouse.
What did hunters take in the hunt areas around Ellis WHMA?
WGFD reports harvest by hunt area, not by access area. The hunt areas that overlap Ellis WHMA, with the acres of the WHMA in each and WGFD's latest harvest for the whole hunt area:
| Hunt area | WHMA acres in it | Harvest, whole area | Hunter success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Area 33 | 3,954 | 120 (2025) | 29.9% |
| Deer Area 163 | 3,954 | 72 (2025) | |
| Antelope Area 21 | 3,954 | 213 (2025) | 58.7% |
Harvest: WGFD harvest reports, latest year each area was reported (WGFD harvest reports). Acres measured by FilledTag from WGFD's boundaries.
What land is around Ellis WHMA?
Inside the WHMA boundary, by manager (WGFD's own holdings and leases are not in the federal and state layers, so they show as unlisted land):
| Manager | Acres inside |
|---|---|
| BLM | 1,189 |
| Other land (WGFD-held, leased or private) | 2,765 |
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 (federal land) and the Office of State Lands and Investments (state trust land) inside WGFD's boundary (3,954 acres as drawn).
How do you get to Ellis WHMA?
Nearest towns: Kaycee (23 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is Ellis WHMA open?
Open 06/01-12/31. This area open to all human presence at 8:00 am June 1. Seasonal closure, in WGFD's words: Closed Jan. 1 - May 31.
What can you hunt on Ellis WHMA?
WGFD lists elk, deer and antelope for big game, and waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, sandhill crane, doves, partridge, rabbit, mountain lion, black bear and mountain grouse. Each species follows the season of the hunt area the ground is in.
What are the rules on Ellis WHMA?
14 day camping limit. No camping outside designated camping areas. Weed free certified hay only.
Where is Ellis WHMA?
About 23 miles from Kaycee, measured from the area's boundary.
Which hunt areas is Ellis WHMA in?
By WGFD's boundaries it lies in elk Area 33, deer Area 163 and antelope Area 21. Each hunt area's season applies to the ground inside it.
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Where these numbers come from
- Area facts, access dates, rules and species: WGFD Wildlife Habitat Management Area details.
- Boundary: WGFD Wildlife Habitat Management Area boundaries. Surrounding land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (federal land) and the Office of State Lands and Investments (state trust land).
- Hunt area harvest: WGFD harvest reports, 2021 to 2025.
FilledTag is not part of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Numbers are copied from WGFD and the other agencies named, or measured by FilledTag from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WGFD's regulations are the final word on every rule.
Wyoming hunting Sheridan Region Elk Area 33 Deer Area 163 Antelope Area 21