The Greater Little Mountain Area, located south of Rock Springs, contains crucial habitat ranges for elk, mule deer, antelope, and important riparian and watershed areas for Colorado River cutthroat trout. It has become the latest important hunting and fishing area to be included in the rush to lease and develop southwest Wyoming’s public lands. These lands are prized for elk and deer hunting, playing a vital role in maintaining the state’s outdoor heritage and economic diversity. A thriving elk herd is found in the Little Mountain area, providing a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for trophy quality bull elk. In fact, a person has only about a 6% chance of drawing an elk license for this area. Energy development in this area would bring new roads, which would reduce cover security for the elk, increase elk vulnerability, and decrease trophy size elk.

The BLM’s own resource management plan identifies this area as a highly significant resource area worthy of protection. “This is the crown jewel of Sweetwater County. Are we so desperate that we have to turn it into a Jonah in the junipers? How will we explain this to our grandchildren?” says Walt Gasson, Green River native and Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. Local sportsman and co-chair of the local Mule Deer Foundation chapter, Josh Coursey further points out, “Areas like this provide the legacy that makes living in the West like no other place in these great United States of America. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the land and conserve appropriately for future generations. We are charged with this duty and held accountable accordingly.”