Trip out west???

[Guy Miner]

"Those under-employed cowboys know the area like no one else and they see a lot of game there's a lot to be said for a guy who spends a lot of time horseback they can get closer to game than anyone on foot and see a lot more terrain than most. They also know the animals patterns very well because they are in the field a lot. In Nevada most of the guides are cowboys who do that in the slow times of fall and winter to supplement income and because they love it."

Roger that. I just think it's funny that Wyoming REQUIRES the use of a guide for non-resident hunters, in the FEDERAL wilderness areas... When it's perfectly legal to be in that same area for any purpose other than hunting. I can backpack it, horse-pack it, day hike, fly fish, and camp to my heart's content up in those wilderness areas... But as soon as I want to hunt 'em, I've got to hire an outfitter/guide.

No other western state has that regulation as far as I know. Could be wrong, haven't checked all of them.

Just strikes my funny bone that I need a guide to hunt a mule deer in the same place where I don't need a guide to cast to a trout or backpack for a few days, still in grizzly country...

Cowboys, guides & outfitters can be a huge help to a hunter, and it is a good way for them to supplement their income. You bet!

Just an odd law. Kind of a make-work program, but not for the inner city folks.

Regards, Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Canada is the same in many western Provinces you have to hire a guide to hunt but you can camp, fish and hike without one.

 

[Guy Miner]

Indeed it is! I've fished in British Columbia a fair bit, but never hunted there. GREAT country. Wow...

 

[DrMike]

Actually, more and more even fishing requires a guide. First Class waters now require a guide if you are a non-resident. Your point is well-taken, Guy. It is a "make work" project. On the other hand, we do have people go missing in the mountains every year. Usually, they are tourists who are unfamiliar with the dangers of the back country. Some of them go missing quite close to major cities. The mountains can be deceptive, and straying off the trails is extremely easy. Hence, the rationale advance for requiring guides. Again, if it is truly that dangerous, then why is camping, hiking, canoeing, etc. permitted without a guide? The only logical conclusion is that it is a way to provide for the local economy (the guide-outfitters have a powerful voice in BC politics) and perhaps to ensure compliance with game laws. :?

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Thank you all for the help. Dad and I went ice-fishing today and talked about a trip out west. It was a good conversation and he would like to go on a trip together. I mentioned WY and antelope and he said he would like to go. We are thinking about a family trip to Alaska and he will have a WI bear tag so this year is not going to happen but 2015 is open. I think we are both going to put in for a preference point this year. He would like to stay in a hotel or borrow a camper so we don't have to camp. Now I need to get working on finding info on a place to hunt and stay. I hope I can make this work. I will be asking a ton of questions so please bear with me. We have deer, turkey, bear hunted together for years in WI and have a different style but I need to make this about him and build memories. I hope we can go out and get a crack at one in a weeks time. I get 2 vacation days and can take a few unpaid so we shall see what happens.

 

[Silentstalker]

Wyoming antelope sounds like the perfect hunt with your time off and Dads desires. The whole eastern side of Wyoming is easier to draw than the west side, so getting a point this year should lock up a tag for 2015. There are plenty of small hotels etc that you could stay in. don't forget to ask if there is a "hunters rate" as they often don't advertise them but a lot do offer a lower rate to hunters.

Antelope are very easy to rifle hunt for average sized bucks. Especially about a week or so after the opener when most of the hunters have tagged out and gone home. You can extend the hunt by glassing lots of bucks picking through them but on a short time frame you could potentially get two in a day very easily.

Don't be afraid to ask any question you might have. Someone will be able to answer and we are all here to help you be successful. Planning hunts is at least half the fun for me!

 

[cloverleaf]

WT- One important thing that you have already started to cover with your Dad. A guy (me anyway) has to have something to look forward too. Relish the planning. If your wife and Dad are coming along you are a wealthy man. Dad and I sat and talked about several trips we both knew I'd never make. Places and good people with a rifle across your knees. Dont get no better than that. CL

 

[wisconsinteacher]

My wife will be sitting this one out. She does not like rifles and would rather chase deer at home. He told my mom tonight that we are going hunting. Like I said, I now need to find a place to hunt and stay. He needs to have a place to stay other than a tent. I showed him the WY Fish and Game page tonight and he just smiled.

 

[Oldtrader3]

One of the best places in Wyoming to hunt antelope is the Thunder Basin National Grasslands in northeastern Wyoming anyhow.

 

[Elkman]

If you are diligent and can migrate through the game and fish web site, you can find statistics for each unit. For instance the number of tags sold, animals taken by species and hunt type, number applying (critical), and other information to help you decide on a unit.
Another critical issue is how much "private" land there is in each unit. Wyoming is wide open with millions of acres of undeveloped land, bit many private land owners are protective of their land. Google earth, can help as well as Forest Service, and BLM maps but this all takes time. Apply for more than one area, always have a second or even third choice. Look at the regs closely, sometimes there are doe, fawn hunts in some areas. In addition Wyoming has a second chance draw for tags that did not sell. Be careful with these however, because usually there is a reason, they didn't sell out. I don,t know specifics about lopes as others her do, but this is general info.

 

[wildgene]

...Bill pretty much covered it. Since you're fairly committed, investing in a Benchmark or DeLorme Gazetteer is probably your first step. The farther west you go the more public access there is. The WYG&F site is pretty easy to navigate, & you can find the info Bill mentioned there. Was me, driving clear to WY, I'd want to see a little more than bumps & jack rabbits, so I'd think about getting closer to the mountains. I've seen a lot of nice bucks up in the foothills, right @ the base of the timber. Saratoga would be a good place to base out of. The units around Rawlins, Casper, Riverton, Lander, Pinedale, & Worland offer some good opportunities. You'll notice a lot of the units have a 100+% success rates, theres' decent lodging available w/i reasonable driving dist. to decent hunting, & there's some pretty good scenery...

 

[Elkman]

Gene
I think that country around Cody and Jackson is second to none for beauty. On a clear day you can see for miles.

 

[salmonchaser]

I recently joined this forum and continue to be impressed by the willingness of people to help. Sounds like you have a target so you can focus on the planning. Have a great trip.
I would offer a suggestion or two;
If you don't already own a Garmin GPS radio get one for you and your dad. Then buy the landowners mapping chip. Incredibly useful tool.
Add Eastman hunting journal to your research list.
I have been blessed growing up in Oregon and Alaska, never hunted further east than central S.D. If you've never been out before you may as well plan on coming back.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Can a person buy just the antelope edition of the Eastman magazine?

 

[Guy Miner]

Just get the subscription, then you can drool at 400+ inch bulls, 200 inch bucks and giant rams every edition... They make the "trophy" racks on my wall look like pre-school trophies! :grin:

Great magazine, excellent tips for hunting "the west."

I don't know if you can buy just the antelope mag or not.

Guy

 

[Elkman]

I believe they have a rifle and archery edition. I would bet the MRS section is the same in both. This is a terrific resource more than worth the money. The antelope comes out in one of the next two or three. I have been a subscriber for several years.

 

[Vince]

Just get the subscription, then you can drool at 400+ inch bulls, 200 inch bucks and giant rams every edition... They make the "trophy" racks on my wall look like pre-school trophies! :grin:

Great magazine, excellent tips for hunting "the west."

I don't know if you can buy just the antelope mag or not.

Guy

I agree!

 

[IdahoCTD]

Antelope hunting for a reasonable trophy isn't usually a long trip provided your in a good area. I would think 3-4 days is plenty for 2 people unless your going to be picky. I would buy a couple doe tags as well because they are cheap and it's gives you more to do and gives you some shooting practice. Staying in a motel in several areas is pretty easy but in other areas it could mean quite a drive to get to a hunting area. That is where help with hunting areas from the Wyoming folks will help.

 

[Rol_P]

Last November was my first Trip out west to hunt.. I am 67 and went with an olde college friend for elk in Montana..with Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder Mt. It was expensive until you consider that I had nearly a year of anticipation, part of the actual hunt, to enjoy the experience, and will have the memories for the rest of my life. All that I can say is it was a Great Hunt and I am booked to return this year, same outfitter, same guide, same week. Using an outfitter allows me to focus on my fitness, personal equipment and being ready for the shot rather than worrying about lodging, meals, daily transportation, where to hunt etc. I tagged out on the third day with a nice Mule Deer Buck after taking a nice 5X5 Elk on day two.. There was plenty of hiking, but the guide paced the hike to my ability.. At my age I do not feel that I have time to put together a DIY hunt and enjoy the story telling by the other hunters and guides at the lodge before and after supper each night.

If you should choose Upper Canyon Outfitters as your outfitter I think that you will be very pleased. This is not a paid endorsement. Good Luck, Rol