Area 123 covers the country east of Sheridan and Buffalo in the Powder River prairie running toward Gillette—rolling sage and grass prairie, scattered ponderosa pine ridges and ridges, and creek bottoms cutting through with cottonwood ribbons. Elevations run from about 3,800 feet on the lower prairie to 5,500 feet on the higher ridges and breaks. The country is open Powder River Basin: big sagebrush and bunchgrass on the flats, scattered ponderosa pine on the breaks where coal-bearing formations have eroded, with creek bottoms running cottonwood, ash, and chokecherry along Crazy Woman Creek, Clear Creek, and the Powder River itself. Coal-bed methane development is widespread in this country—the Powder River Basin is one of the largest coal-producing regions in the world, and the surface impact shows. The country is also genuine Wyoming ranch country—the big spreads have been here for generations. BLM, state trust, and significant private ranch share the country with extensive HMA and Walk-In access. I-90 and US-14 frame the access; county and lease roads thread the rest. Sheridan, Buffalo, and Gillette are the supply towns. Cell service is fair on I-90 and reasonable in the developed energy country. Antelope rifle in October is the headline; the open prairie holds strong pronghorn density. Mule deer in the pine breaks; whitetail in the creek bottoms; merriam's turkey in the ponderosa. Energy traffic is constant. Wind blows steady.