Unit 70

Bessemer Mountain and Winter Crossing provide natural reference points for orientation. The North Platte River acts as the primary drainage and navigation corridor, readily visible from most vantage points. Schrader Flats offer open glassing ground, while Emigrant Gap and Blue Gulch are useful draws for understanding terrain flow.

Rasmus Lee Lake and Johnson Reservoir provide water landmarks and potential pronghorn gathering areas. Poison Spider Creek and Willow Creek mark secondary drainages running off the ridges—useful for navigation and finding water-dependent animals during dry periods.

Elevations remain consistently low, mostly between 5,200 and 6,300 feet, creating a single-zone habitat profile. The country is predominantly open sagebrush and native grassland with scattered juniper and serviceberry on ridges and draws. Vegetation is sparse enough to offer excellent visibility for glassing but enough to provide pronghorn cover in basin areas.

The Platte River corridor and irrigated lands support willows and cottonwoods, creating linear oases of green. Overall, this is classic high-plains country—wide-open vistas, minimal timber, and rolling terrain that rewards good optics and patience.

Road density is high with 241 miles of roads providing straightforward access throughout the unit. Highway 220 and U.S. 20-26 form major corridors; numerous county roads and ranch roads branch into pronghorn country. Proximity to Casper means the unit sees consistent hunting pressure, especially during early season and on weekends.

Private lands are intermingled with public, requiring clear route planning. Early morning and evening hunting, combined with strategic positioning on ridges for glassing, helps locate animals before other hunters disturb them. The simple terrain makes it easier for pressure to affect pronghorn distribution.

Unit 70 wraps around Casper, bounded by the North Platte River on the north and east, Wyoming Highway 220 to the south, and U.S. Highway 20-26 to the west. The unit includes surrounding sagebrush country from the city limits outward through private ranches and public lands. Alcova and the Kortes Road define the southwestern edge, while Mountain View and the Kendrick Canal mark the northern fringe.

This is semi-developed terrain—rural subdivisions, ranch operations, and irrigation infrastructure are present throughout, requiring attention to access boundaries and private land.

The North Platte River is reliable perennial water running through the unit's center, creating a strong north-south axis. Poison Spider Creek, Willow Creek, and several seasonal draws branch off the ridges into the main river. Johnson Reservoir and Rasmus Lee Lake provide secondary water sources and often attract pronghorn herds.

Goose Egg Spring is available in the northern section. The Kendrick Canal and irrigation infrastructure add reliable water in the western areas. Seasonally, water availability can be moderate to abundant near the Platte; upland areas may be drier, concentrating animals near drainages and lakes during late summer.

This is pronghorn country first and foremost. The open, rolling sagebrush habitat is ideal for spotting and stalking. Begin by glassing from elevated ridges and draws early and late in the day when animals are active—the sparse cover means distance glassing is essential.

The North Platte River and major drainages concentrate water-dependent herds during dry periods; focus there if initial glassing is slow. Elevation changes are minimal, so approach strategy revolves around wind, visibility, and moving slowly. Due to access connectivity and proximity to Casper, expect moderate pressure; hunting midweek and during midday heat when most hunters rest often pays dividends.

The straightforward terrain allows for quick scouting and repositioning.