Unit 23

Rattlesnake Hills and the Haystacks ridge system provide the most prominent terrain features for navigation and glassing. French Rocks (French Buttes area) and Hells Half Acre offer distinctive reference points across the sagebrush. Springs like Goose Egg Spring, Willow Spring, and Sulfur Springs anchor water-finding strategy.

Multiple small lakes and reservoirs—including Rasmus Lee Lake, Christine Lake, and several named reservoirs—dot the landscape, though not all are reliable year-round. Emigrant Gap, McRae Gap, and other named passes offer cross-country travel corridors and glassing vantage points.

The unit spans moderate elevations from around 5,100 feet in the lower basins to roughly 8,200 feet on higher buttes and ridges, though most huntable terrain sits in the mid-elevation band. Sagebrush dominates the vast majority of the landscape, with scattered ponderosa and juniper appearing on higher slopes and ridges. Grassy meadows and aspen pockets exist but are sparse.

The habitat is characteristic of the Absaroka foothills transition zone—open country broken by low-elevation draws and creeks that concentrate elk use seasonally. Timber coverage is minimal, creating excellent glassing opportunities from ridges but limited thermal cover.

Over 560 miles of county roads provide scattered access throughout the unit, but the limited density means most areas require 4-6 miles of driving to reach good hunting country. U.S. Highway 20-26 and Wyoming Highway 220 form paved boundaries but don't traverse the unit interior. Casper provides the nearest major supply point, while smaller towns like Waltman and Alcova serve as staging areas.

The dispersed road network and moderate accessibility keep pressure lower than near major highways, but popular water sources and ridge systems near town attract early-season hunters. Backcountry travel is straightforward but relies on water knowledge.

Unit 23 wraps around the northern and eastern edges of the Casper area, bounded by U.S. Highway 20-26 to the north, the North Platte River to the east, and Wyoming Highway 220 along the southern and western margins. The unit encompasses roughly 1,000 square miles of semi-arid foothill and basin country, with small towns like Waltman, Alcova, and Mills anchoring access points. The North Platte River forms a significant geographic anchor, while county roads like the Dry Creek Road and Gas Hills Road serve as primary access corridors.

Adjacent units and the private lands scattered throughout the area shape hunting patterns and pressure distribution.

Water is the limiting factor in Unit 23. The North Platte River provides perennial flow along the eastern boundary, but access is limited by canyon terrain. Named creeks including Meadow Creek, Little Cottonwood Creek, Poison Spider Creek, and Willow Creek hold seasonal flow depending on snowmelt timing. Springs are scattered but identifiable—Goose Egg Spring, Black Rock Springs, and others offer tactical water sources for midday camps.

Multiple small reservoirs (Cooper, Gaylord, McCleary, Johnson, and others) supplement natural water, though their reliability varies seasonally. Early season brings more surface water; late season concentrates elk near reliable springs and reservoirs.

Elk are the primary quarry in this unit, utilizing the open sagebrush basins and scattered timber of higher ridges. Early season finds elk using high country before descent; glassing from ridge systems like Rattlesnake Hills and Haystacks offers productive views across vast sagebrush. Rut hunting focuses on draws and creek bottoms where elk water and concentrate.

Late season pushes elk toward reliable water sources—reservoirs, springs, and the North Platte River corridor become critical. Hunting strategy hinges on water management and reading elk sign in sparse timber. The open terrain rewards glassing over pushing; finding reliable water sources wins late season.

Terrain complexity is moderate—navigation is straightforward, but water scarcity demands advance scouting.