Wyoming Whitetail Deer

Unit 145 (North Platte River Converse)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Whitetail Deer

Area 145 covers the North Platte River drainage in Converse County, one of the primary whitetail corridors in southern Wyoming. The cottonwood-lined North Platte River provides the backbone of habitat, with agricultural irrigation development in the valley adding significant forage. This unit produces larger-bodied deer on the irrigated agriculture of the river valley.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 145

Where to Find Whitetail Deer in Area 145

Whitetail deer in Area 145 concentrate along the North Platte River and the irrigated agricultural areas in the river valley.

North Platte Riparian Corridor

The cottonwood and willow stands along the North Platte River provide the primary bedding cover. Deer bed in the dense riparian vegetation and move to irrigated hay fields and crop ground at dawn and dusk. The river corridor is narrow but holds consistent deer populations.

Irrigation Agriculture

The irrigated fields of the North Platte valley produce heavy alfalfa and hay crops that fuel excellent deer body weights and antler development. Deer in this agricultural environment are often larger-bodied than those in the drier eastern Wyoming units. Focus hunting near the transition between irrigated fields and the riparian timber corridor.

How to Hunt Whitetail Deer in Area 145

The irrigated North Platte valley in Area 145 offers some of the best agricultural whitetail habitat in Wyoming.

Alfalfa Field Stands

Set up downwind of alfalfa fields adjacent to the river-bottom timber. Deer pour into these fields in the evening — position stands to intercept deer entering from the cottonwood corridor. The alfalfa crop is a consistent evening draw for does and bucks alike throughout the season.

River-Bottom Still-Hunting

During midday, still-hunt through the dense cottonwood and willow corridor along the North Platte. The thick riparian vegetation requires slow, careful movement. Work into the wind and use frequent pauses to glass through the cover ahead.

Rut Cruising Setups

During the November rut, bucks cruise the valley floor between doe groups in the agricultural fields. Post up on elevated positions with views of the valley bottom and glass for moving bucks during mid-morning when rut activity peaks in the open areas.

Pro Members Only

Unlock tactics for Area 145

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Whitetail Deer Success Rates

Success rate data not yet available for this species in this unit.

Area 145 offers above-average whitetail success due to the quality agricultural forage base along the North Platte. Hunters who access the irrigated valley corridors find deer in predictable patterns driven by the alfalfa and hay production cycle.

Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	20	86	23.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Whitetail tags in Area 145 are competitive but accessible for non-residents. The North Platte agricultural corridor is one of the more sought-after whitetail areas in southern Wyoming, so expect slightly higher application pressure than the drier Niobrara County units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Area 145 have good public land access along the North Platte?

Some BLM river corridor parcels exist along the North Platte in Converse County, but the majority of the irrigated valley floor is private. Public-land hunters should use the BLM Surface Management map to identify specific river-access parcels.

How does the agricultural land in Area 145 affect deer quality?

The irrigated alfalfa and hay production in the North Platte valley significantly boosts deer body weights and antler development. Whitetail bucks from this agricultural corridor tend to be larger-bodied than deer from the drier range units.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

WGFD Hunt Planner — Wyoming Deer Hunting — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit boundaries, Season dates, License quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
WGFD Hunting Regulations — Wyoming Game and Fish Department · supports: License structure, Season proclamations · accessed 2026-04-18