Wild Horse Creek Ranch

A Premium Hunting and Livestock Ranch

Established in 1901, the Wild Horse Creek Ranch (WHC Ranch), also known locally as the Floyd Ranch, represents a classic Powder River Basin holding, combining large-scale productivity with 125 years and counting of ranching heritage in one of the most historic cattle regions in the west, and some of the best big-game areas for deer and elk hunting in all of Wyoming. Wild Horse Creek Ranch is being offered for sale for the first time ever.

Location & Setting

Situated in Campbell County in northeastern Wyoming, about 30 miles northwest of Gillette, WY, it offers a combination of accessibility and seclusion. The ranch lies within the heart of the scenic Powder River Basin, an area long recognized for its diverse terrain, deep, juniper-filled draws, dramatic views, and expansive native grasslands, filled with nutrient-dense grasses perfectly suited to sustaining healthy resident herds of big-game wildlife and livestock. Ranches in this area have deep roots in ranching and seldom sell.

Drive times and distances:

Gillette, WY - 28 miles (40 minutes)

Gillette NE Wyoming Regional Airport – 30 miles (40 minutes)

Sheridan, WY - 80 Miles (1.5 hours)

Buffalo, WY – 80 miles (1.5 hours)

Ranch Acreage

±16,754 total acres

±9,421 deeded

±1,700 State

±5,633 BLM

Special note: Unlike areas that have been carved up and sold for development, all the neighboring and nearby ranches are similarly large, spanning from thousands to tens of thousands of acres. Privacy, independence, and all the freedoms one would expect from a Wyoming Ranch.

Premium Hunting & Recreation

Far more than just a cattle and sheep ranch, WHC Ranch offers exceptional recreational and hunting appeal, including some of the finest big-game hunting in Wyoming. The ranch is in the famed Fortification area for big game with monster bucks, predators (lion and bear), and upland game. From their deeded land and BLM-leased land, they have access to tens of thousands of acres of adjacent, contiguous BLM land. It goes without saying that the hunting and recreational opportunities are incredible. The major species include:

Elk (very healthy herd with lots of cows, and plenty of bulls, too, for all types of sportsmen ranging in size from 280”–385”, potential for 400”)

Mule deer and white-tailed deer (Deer populations have suffered the past few years due to a severe winter in 2022-2023 and disease. The harvest management has adjusted accordingly, the herd is recovering, there are plenty of does, and great trophy caliber bucks in the 180” - 200” range)

Pronghorn antelope (Limited quota area, but really excellent fair-chase, adventure-based hunting for these prized animals. Bucks average around 131/2”)

Black bear

Mountain Lion

Upland birds and varmint hunting

SPECIAL NOTE – Landowner Tag Eligibility (Elk, Deer, & Antelope)

While we cannot guarantee it will qualify for landowner tags, we believe it should based on the following Wyoming Game & Fish requirements.

Key Requirements & Details:

Property Ownership: Must own at least 160 contiguous deeded acres within the specific hunt area. If held by a trust, LLC, or partnership, the entity must own the land, and the applicant must meet specific usage/management requirements.

"Animal Use Days": Landowner must verify that the species hunted used the property for at least 2,000 days over the previous year.

License Limitations: Up to two licenses per species can be issued per parcel per calendar year.

Application Process: Landowner applications must be submitted online to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department by the specified deadlines.

Non-Transferable: These tags are not transferable, but immediate family members may use them.

Elk - (Areas 2 (Fortification) & 129, Region E)

Game surveys for elk, as recently as the spring of 2026, show a mostly resident herd of around 700 elk. Years-long herd hunting management practices have focused on herd stability and trophy bull availability.

This is currently a general area allowing residents to purchase a license over the counter. Non-residents are subject to a draw and are limited by a quota, and they must obtain a Region General License specific to Region E. Region General Licenses allow a nonresident to hunt elk in any hunt area within that region that is open to general license hunting and are subject to the season dates and limitations for that hunt area as set forth in the Chapter 7 Elk Hunting Season Regulation. See the Wyoming Game and Fish Hunt Planner for more information and details about this and other regulations.

Deer (Area 17, Region C)

Like elk, this is currently a general area for residents to obtain tags. Non-residents are subject to a draw and are limited by a quota. The mule and white-tailed deer populations are carefully managed to promote the long-term sustainability and health of the deer and to support trophy-caliber bucks.

Antelope (Fortification - Area 17)

Unlike elk and deer, this is currently a limited quota draw area for tags. However, land-owner tags should be available, but would need to be applied for by residents and non-resident owners. are subject to a draw and are limited by a quota. And, like the deer and elk, the pronghorn hunting is excellent at the Floyd Ranch and not to be overlooked.

Mountain Lion (Area 24)

Mountain lion hunting is available from September 1 to May 31.

There is currently no limit for tags for this area, whether you are a resident or a non-resident.

The mix of open country, draws, and prey base supports their presence, adding year-round recreational appeal.

Black Bear (Area 35)

Black Bear hunting is available and has seasonal dates.

Coyotes & Varmints

There is no season on coyotes in Wyoming. They are predators and can be hunted without a permit. Wolves, though not known to be on the ranch, are also considered to be predators in this area.

Varmints like prairie dogs do not require a permit either.

This is a valuable component for both recreation and ranch management.

Upland Birds & Small Game

The ranch and surrounding area support a variety of upland species, enhanced by the grassland habitat, and rougher, juniper-filled draws and sagebrush areas:

Sharp-tailed grouse

Hungarian partridge

Doves and waterfowl (seasonal)

Merriman Turkey

Carrying Capacity

The Wild Horse Creek Ranch comprises approximately 16,754 acres of deeded land, state leases, and federal grazing allotments, enabling efficient, large-scale cattle production supported by extensive native grasslands, water, and diverse terrain. The estimated carrying capacity for the ranch is about 350-400 animal units. The ranch is characterized by productive native grasses typical of northeastern Wyoming, including a mix of very hardy, nutritious prairie grasses well suited to seasonal and winter grazing. The natural and developed water resources on the WHC Ranch, including its numerous reservoirs, wells, and stock water, further support its agricultural operations and help sustain wildlife populations. The combination of climate, water, and strong grasses on the WHC Ranch supports livestock through both summer pasture and winter range when properly managed; the feeding of hay in the wintertime is expected, but with proper management, cows should be able to rely on winter grass for grazing, with limited hay supplementation. It’s no coincidence that cattle buyers recognize the quality of cattle produced in this region by the premiums they pay.

(Please note that carrying capacity can vary from year to year based on weather and other climatological factors. Long-term carrying capacity is typically the function of general land and livestock management.)

Improvements & Infrastructure

The Wild Horse Creek Ranch is supported by minimal, yet functional improvements geared toward livestock production and wildlife management, and generally includes:

Working corrals and handling facilities

Fencing systems for perimeter and interior pastures

Water developments (wells, tanks, pipelines, reservoirs)

Access roads suitable for year-round ranch operations

A detailed summary of the improvements can be provided separately.

Property Taxes

$4,345 (2026)

History & Legacy

Established in 1901, not long after large cattle herds were first trailed into the region and permanent operations began, the Wild Horse Creek Ranch, a part of the Floyd Ranch, stands as a true multi-generational Wyoming operation. Its longevity and continued agricultural use led to its recognition as a Wyoming Centennial Farm & Ranch, a designation reserved for properties that have remained in the same family and in continuous operation for over 100 years.

This recognition highlights not only the ranch’s age but also its role in preserving Wyoming’s agricultural heritage, reflecting the resilience required to operate through changing markets, weather cycles, and regional development pressures.

A 2011 feature in the Gillette News Record further underscores the ranch’s legacy. The article emphasizes the Floyd family’s deep roots in Campbell County, noting generations of stewardship and the evolution of the ranch alongside the region’s cattle industry. It highlights how the operation has remained a working livestock ranch for more than a century, adapting over time while maintaining its core identity as a family-run enterprise tied to the land.

Summary

The Wild Horse Creek Ranch offers a compelling combination of:

Scale and operational capability

Productive native rangeland

Reliable water resources

Excellent hunting and recreational value

Deep historical roots in Wyoming ranching

Convenient access and commute to Gillette, Buffalo, or Sheridan, WY.

Altogether, it stands as a representative Powder River Basin ranch, well-suited for both livestock production, hunting, and recreational enjoyment, with the added appeal of a legacy property in one of Wyoming’s most established cattle and hunting regions.

Brokers Comments

This hard-to-find, limited-edition cowboy ranch, Wild Horse Creek Ranch, offers everything investment-minded landowners look for. Great location, low overhead, great ag production, phenomenal hunting, and located in one of the most tax-friendly, freedom-loving states in the country.

Price

$15,000,000 (fifteen million US dollars)

Price includes all fixtures and improvements and any mineral rights owned by the Seller, though the Seller is not believed to own any of the mineral rights. The ranch is also not encumbered by a conservation easement.