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CODY, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management Cody Field Office reminds the public of annual winter closures in the Bald Ridge, Carter Mountain, Little Mountain and Twin Creek Trail areas.

The closures are intended to limit disturbance to wildlife and big game in crucial winter ranges. The Carter Mountain and Little Mountain areas continue to be open to non-motorized and non-mechanized recreation opportunities such as hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and skiing. The BLM is committed to facilitating access to public lands and keeping the lands healthy and productive.

“These closure areas occur where big game forage becomes less available with increasing snow depth,” said BLM Wildlife Biologist Destin Harrell. “This causes animals to work harder for food and lose vital fat reserves quickly. By reducing disruption during the winter, we increase their chance of survival and maintain a healthy population.”

The following BLM-administered public lands are included in the seasonal closures:

• Bald Ridge: closes January 1–April 30 to all use including hunting and trapping. The Hogan/Luce Campground remains open to camping and the Hogan and Luce Reservoirs remain open to fishing.
• Carter Mountain: closed November 15–June 15 to all motorized travel. The area remains open to foot and horseback travel.
• Little Mountain: closed December 1–April 30 to all motorized travel in the high country. The area remains open to foot and horseback travel.
• Twin Creek Trail: closes January 1–April 30 to all use where the trail easement passes through private land and on BLM-managed public land. The trail closure begins on the west side of the South Fork of the Shoshone River.

Signs and maps are posted at key locations to assist the public. For more information, please contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Rick Tryder at 307-578-5900, or stop by the Cody Field Office at 1002 Blackburn Street.