Wyoming Whitetail Deer

Unit 149 (North Platte South Converse)

Wyoming Hunting Guide — Whitetail Deer

Area 149 covers the southern Converse County reach of the North Platte River, where the river valley widens and agricultural development increases. This unit blends the riparian corridor whitetail habitat of the upper North Platte with irrigated agriculture that supports higher deer densities. The mix of private ranch land and some BLM corridor access defines the hunting landscape.

View Draw Odds Wyoming Hunting Guide

Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 149

Where to Find Whitetail Deer in Area 149

Whitetail deer in Area 149 concentrate in the North Platte River valley bottom, particularly where irrigated agricultural ground provides superior forage adjacent to cottonwood cover.

Irrigated Valley Floor

The irrigated hay meadows and alfalfa fields in the North Platte valley are the primary evening feeding destinations for whitetail in this unit. Deer emerge from the cottonwood and willow riparian corridor to feed on these fields at dusk. Field edges adjacent to the river timber are the most productive stand locations.

River Timber

The cottonwood corridor along the North Platte provides dense bedding cover. The wider valley in Area 149 means more extensive timber stands than the canyon-confined reaches upstream, offering broader deer habitat and more stand location options.

How to Hunt Whitetail Deer in Area 149

Area 149's broader North Platte valley gives hunters more options than the narrower upstream reaches — more timber, more fields, more opportunities.

Alfalfa Field Ambush

Set up downwind of irrigated alfalfa fields adjacent to the cottonwood corridor. Evening hunts during the pre-rut (mid-October) are prime — bucks are visiting does and feeding aggressively on the high-quality forage. Elevated stands or tripod blinds overlooking field edges are most effective.

Cottonwood Timber Hunt

During the rut, bucks are mobile in the cottonwood timber. Still-hunt the timber corridor at mid-morning when bucks are moving between bedded doe groups. Move slowly and glass through the trees — the cottonwood groves are open enough for this approach when leaves are down in late October and November.

River Crossing Setups

Identify regular deer crossing points on the North Platte and set up stands overlooking these crossings. Bucks cross between the north and south banks regularly, especially during the rut. Shallow crossings with visible deer trails entering the water on both sides are prime setup locations.

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Whitetail Deer Success Rates

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

Area 149 provides solid whitetail hunting in the North Platte valley. The irrigated agricultural base supports healthy deer body weights, and consistent hunting pressure keeps deer somewhat alert but still huntable with proper stand setup and scent control.

Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	20	19	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Whitetail tags in Area 149 draw with moderate competition. The unit's agricultural productivity makes it desirable, but application pressure remains manageable compared to the top-tier western Wyoming units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the North Platte River crossable on foot in Area 149?

The North Platte in this reach can be crossed on foot at low water in late summer and fall, but flows vary with upstream reservoir releases. Always check current flows before attempting a river crossing — wading conditions change significantly with reservoir operations.

What is the primary deer season structure in Area 149?

Wyoming's eastern units typically have an archery season opening in September, a general rifle season in October-November, and sometimes a limited late-season license in December. Check the current WGFD regulations for Area 149 specific season dates and tag types.

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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