anybody planning there first trip out west

[pseshooter300]

Well I'm in the process and a very slow process of planning a Wyoming antelope hunt. Been doing a ton of research so much to look at writing a lot down on different zones and areas.Been doing it all by myself which its been fun I still have a lot of stuff to get. I haven't been able to find anyone as committed as I am on it or that wants to research like I am I got a guy that says once I figure out where to go let him know and he will get his money for the draw lol. Anyone got any advice for a first time western trip. I know I'm gonna camp I just half to make sure in advance that it is permitted on the blm land that I draw a zone for. Thanks

 

[taximan]

Im like you...have been investigating but dont wanna go by myself and nobody will commit.

 

[raywa]

Me and a buddy hunted unit 88 two years ago. We saw alot of antelope and there is alot of blm land. Make sure you give yourself at least 4 or 5 days to hunt. We only had 2 days to hunt and the rest was spent on travel. But we did get 2 nice antelope.

 

[pseshooter300]

Oh ya I'm gonna make sure there is 4 to 5 days hunting. Ya it is hard to find people or just someone to commit to go.

 

[GRAMPS]

I went to Wyoming in 1996 to hunt Anteloplope and could not find anyone thst would go with me. My wife went with me even though she does not hunt. We scheduled a few extra days vacation before the hunt and did a lot of sightseeing which we really enjoyed.

I ended up hunting on a private ranch and hired the owner to guide me since I knew nothing about how to hunt Antelope but really wanted to shoot one. Antelope were everywhere and I could have shot one right after I got out of the truck but he talked me into waiting for a big buck which I did shoot about an hour later. At that time, doe tags could be purchased over the counter for $50 and I wish I had bought one but I did not realize just how good Antelope taste until I got home.

One thing I did notice as I drove by a lot of BLM land in the Thunder Basin area is that a lot of the land is leased by ranchers to run cattle on. Even though the land belongs to BLM, the guys that lease it for cattle had locks on the gates and you had to pay them a tresspass fee to acess your government land.
Don't know if this is still true but it was happening in 1996.


One very important tip: towns are few and far between out in that area. If you see a gas station with a sign saying "last gas for 100 miles"..........................believe it!

 

[pseshooter300]

Thanks for the info I know you can get a list of ranchers that will let you hunt there land for a trespass fee.

 

[GRAMPS]

Couple of other tips that helped me. Practice long range shooting such as 200-300 yards. Also buy or borrow a bipod for your rifle. I live in NE Tn and most of my shots at deer are under 50 yards.

I shot my Antelope at 250 yards but had done a lot of practice at long ranges the summer before my hunt. I borrowed a bipod from a friend and had no problem hitting the Antelope with the aid of the bipod.

 

[trealtree]

Sent you a PM private message. You need a good GPS and paper topo maps for backup.

Leather Gloves.
Briar pants.
Sand Stakes for your tent. (it gets windy)
Binoculars are required
Spotting scope is helpful and will save your legs.
Some type of quality backpack. I have a badlands 2800, 2200 would be better.
Bipods/tripods as mentioned above.
walking shoes/boots, Light ones
Protein bars/food. I walked 12 miles one day, with minimal food, it did not end up good. Make yourself drink water.
Rangefinder
MIldot scope
Merino Wool socks

Do not wear any cotton.

 

[pseshooter300]

Ya I plan on starting some long range shooting I can shoot out to 300 yards at the range. Yes I have a list of stuff I am trying to get. As far as packs I'm really considering mystery ranch pack there very high but they will come in very handy if I do more western state hunts.

 

[plasticfantastic]

I actually did this trip this fall.

a couple of buddies and I went to Casper in Sept. it was a completely new experience, nothing like TN stand hunting. the best tactic we ended up using was the rental car, we drove around and spotted a good one and then tried to stalk it. really tough... they would let you get within a couple of hundred yards in a car, but as soon as the door opened they were gone. like 800 to 1000 yards in less time than you could acquire them in the scope. it might have just been the area, but they were spooky as all get out.

I honestly went out there with the intent of not shooting over 250 yards, but we never got that close to a trophy buck. the closest buck we shot was at 428 yards, I shot mine at 562, my other friend shot his at 619 yards! so practice shooting long range.

try and learn all you can about the wind. most of the time it was a 15-20mph. I held for about 15mph on mine and ended up hitting him about 3" from where I thought it would. I was completely un-prepared for that type of shooting.

I would also recommend some sort of recticle or turret. I just have the standard Leupold reticle on my rifle and there was no way I could have taken mine with it, just would have been a guess. I ended up using my buds 243 with a rapid Z, that's the only way I was going to be able to make an ethical shot.

 

[pseshooter300]

Ya I have heard guys say that you blow a lot of stalks. Just keep after them

 

[pseshooter300]

Still doing a ton of research writing notes down anyone else been or going?