Wyoming, Colorado or ???

[BIGROCKREB]

We ae going to try for mule deer this year. May combine it with antelope. So I am trying to figure out the best place to go.
I am reading where the drought and winter kill was rough in Wyo.
Did anybody hunt there last year that can give me some info?

What we're looking for is: 1. Good chance of getting a tag; 2. Decent numbers of animals; 3. My buddy prefers to hunt private land,
and is willing to pay up to $1,000 for trespass fee IF there are good animals there.
And it needs to be the last two weeks of October (15th-31st) due to our schedules. Looking hard at Region Y in Wyo (Kaycee area)because of that. And I have found one ranch there that allows hunting.
Anybody ever hunt around Kaycee?

Any suggestions? Colorado, Wyoming or???
I have done research online until my eyes were crossed..lol. :crazy:

I have found some good looking trespass hunts in NW Colorado, that may be an option. And I have sent numerous emails to ranches,
with some fair sounding options, but I just thought I'd throw it out here to see if anybody here has any more suggestions.


Thanks guys!

 

[B&C]

My $.02 would be to head to Colo for the hunt. I base this off the fact that I have hunted in Co many times on DIY hunts for Elk & Mulies. I can give you some contact info for unit 59 elk/mulies if you are interested. Lots of Lope just east of Colo Springs on the flats, not sure on the tag situation for them though. I know Wy has got some great Antelope opps. though and priced pretty reasonable too.

 

[Dean Parisian]

Join HUNTIN FOOL.

Keep an eye on MonsterMuleys.com

Make lots of calls.

Sounds like you have made your decision on WY. Prices are going up this year. Antelope are one thing in Wyoming, muley access is another. You'll get it done if you want to.

 

[pseshooter300]

I seen where wyoming is predicting a big winter kill to go along with the bad drought they had in 2012. I would definatly call the biologist in that region. I was told from a guy who elk hunted that area saw only a hand full of deer in that area. But that is on public. Good luck and call the rancher talk to them that you want to pay a tresspass fee to

 

[pseshooter300]

Hey chippewa i thought prices wasn't going up till 2014? If it passes

 

[BIGROCKREB]

My $.02 would be to head to Colo for the hunt. I base this off the fact that I have hunted in Co many times on DIY hunts for Elk & Mulies. I can give you some contact info for unit 59 elk/mulies if you are interested. Lots of Lope just east of Colo Springs on the flats, not sure on the tag situation for them though. I know Wy has got some great Antelope opps. though and priced pretty reasonable too.

I tried to PM you, but it wouldn't work.

I would like all the info you have on GMU 59 if you don't mind sharing it. From what I can tell, the 2nd combined season in Colorado would work on the dates for us. What about getting deer tags there in that area? Is it good draw % ? Or can we get landowner tags from somebody in that area?
You can email me at [email protected]

Thanks,
Greg

 

[B&C]

Not sure why the PM didnt work but send me an email at njdt25@hotmail and I will help you out anyway I can. I have hunted the first season and second. Lots of talking during the first and a bit in the second but it is never the same every year but I have harvested bulls during both. During the 04 season one was the largest taken in that unit per DNR rep. Talk with ya later.

Nathan

 

[BIGROCKREB]

Sent you an email Nathan..
Thanks!

 

[AT Hiker]

If you pay for a tress pass fee just be careful and make sure what your getting into, and if you do so make the plans early or someone else may slip in and get your spot. I seen multiple tress pass fees for $1000 but also want a trophy fee after you kill, so know the specifics. Basically you could spend 2k (on a young deer) on a DIY private land hunt, when you could have spent 4k with a respectable outfitter and most likely tag out on a 160" or better muley and had lodging, food, and field transportation included.

If you choose WY and your set on tress pass fee's, then unit C would be a decent unit to look at. Its almost all private (for sure tag), high deer densities, and plenty of antelope as well. If you want a B@C class animal, then start building your WY points and hunt the western side of the state. Big muleys can be had all across the state, but most come from the West.

The WY winter kills usually do not affect the private ranches as bad as public ground deer, in the Eastern side of the state that is. Y is Big Horn Country and those deer likely migrate, so a winter kill could affect a lot of the private ranches. If the rancher makes money off hunters I would hope he is logical enough to limit hunters during a down year...but who knows for sure right?

 

[Kevin B]

Wyoming is looking at a huge price increase for non-res tags, you may want to take that into consideration too.

Kevin

 

[tellico4x4]

I'm sitting on 5 ea. points for deer, antelope & elk and am going to sit a little longer before I use them in WY.

Latest from Eastmans:

http://blog.eastmans.com/more-trouble-a ... dium=email

 

[AT Hiker]

I wouldnt wait too long on the Elk, you kight check out the Black Hills hunt thats offered every other year. Lots of 350" and better bulls still around.

One day I might build my deer points that high, but right now my goal is a region like G. Not much advertisement on trophy animals but plenty of off the beaten path backcountry style hunting that holds great animals.

Do you have a party that is accumulating points with you?

 

[tellico4x4]

Right now, the elk herd in WY is the shining star for the state, as deer & antelope have taken a beating the past couple of years. A buddy & I have been hunting out west since the early 80's and we build points in CO, UT & WY. We have been on a elk hunt waiting list (since 2008) on a 250,000 acre private ranch in WY that I have mule deer hunted before. The rancher only allows 4 elk hunters a year on property. Last time I was there, the elk hunters had just finished and the racks in his barn awaiting pickup by taxidermist scored 382, 391, 409 & 416. Our names should be up for 2015. That said, there is a lot of good elk hunting right now in WY that can be done on a general tag. Just apply for a unit that you know you can't draw, gain a point & have the general tag as a second choice.

Saving my antelope points for a Red Desert hunt whenever they have another mild winter or two. Have no clue when I'll use deer points though, as the herd is in worst shape in 20 yrs....

I buy pp's in WY for my two grandsons as well. From 12 - 18 yrs of age, points are only $10 per animal (elk, deer & antelope).

Probably do an across the counter archery elk in CO this fall, and build another pp there as well. We have 10 for CO, but need 12 to draw a ML tag in a specific unit we want.

Not sure I'll live long enough to draw tags in UT, but points are cheap there, so I continue to apply...

Not hard to play the points game and still go hunting each year out west though.

 

[AT Hiker]

Sounds like you got it figured out!

I will let you in on a hint on WY lopers, I seen 3 80" plus animals 2 weeks into season on BLM land around Cody. Im hoping my granddad draws 83, of course its a little further South of Cody, but in my opinion if I can hunt antelope that push the B&C envelope every other year I will do so. With that being said...my wife id building points and one day I will take her on a Red Desert hunt.

As for Elk, Im planning to draw the Big Horns in 2 years. Probably going to get a cow tag this year, in case we tag out early on muleys then we will head north.