What WY deer unit w/max points?

DonVathome · Feb 8, 2011

I have max points for deer in WY, if I go special I can draw nearly any hunt in the state. I am looking at several hunts but wanted to hear what you guys think.

I will be rifle hunting and I prefer to backpack in solo. I really like rough country since it is what I enjoy and it keeps many hunters out.

I would like a chance at a nice deer 170ish with the possibility, if I work hard, at a 180 plus deer. I also want to see decent deer numbers.

What units do you like given my above criteria?

I do not want private land issues - I prefer not to pay tresspass fees. I CAN research well and work my around private land (I feel very confident navigating and finding public land).

Remote, rugid and rough backpacking country preferred and sicne I am DIY no wilderness.

I am currently considering 105, 106, 109 (nov 1-15 hunt), 119 (nov 1-15 hunt), 78-81 type 1 (I would hunt late Oct.), 130 (late Oct.) and I am open for ideas.

One of my conerns is most of these hunts hope for weather to push deer down - but I am concerned down means private land - thus I am hoping for weather to push deer down but then they are on private land where I cannot hunt.

Any input on any of the above units, or your own ideas is greatly appreciated, even if it is about access, private land etc.

This is my first real mule deer hunt and I want to use my points wisely since I may never get to hunt some of these units again anytime soon. (I did have one other deer hunt that was rudely interupted my first night by a moose - but that is another story!). I have hunted elk a lot as well as several other critters out west. I have good gear and will work hard.

THANKS,

DonV Ohio

Muleys24Seven · Feb 8, 2011

DonV...sent you a pm

Deerlove · Feb 8, 2011

Don go to the wy forum they had a lot of good ideas. I agree with Buzz there are not a lot of areas worth max pts.

oilcan · Feb 8, 2011

Don you have a P.M.

nontypical · Feb 8, 2011

Backpacking and November do not go well together in Wyoming.Most winter range in western Wyoming is public.

DonVathome · Feb 8, 2011

nontypical I sent you a PM.

I was wondering about Novemver backpacking, weather could prevent it I would think - I can handle cold, but deep snow and/or very cold temps can be a problem.

quest · Feb 8, 2011

DonVathome if you have a lot of points I think theres a unit by the town of Thermopolist you might want to do some research on other wise G.

TOPGUN · Feb 9, 2011

Actually, 37 and 120 that are east and west of Thermompolis only took 3 and 2 PPs to draw a tag last year, so he would be wasting several PPs. Also, I don't believe the one to the east is the type of "get away" country Don is looking for, but I don't know about the other one.

nontypical · Feb 9, 2011

Don-pm sent back to you.I forgot to tell you,I don't really know anything about those other units.

littlebighorn · Feb 9, 2011

Don,
If you subscribe to Eastman's Hunting Journal, Guy has a pretty extensive breakdown of his Wyoming application advice in the Feb/March MLS section. He indicates that if you are not set on a 180+ buck you can find a decent buck almost anywhere if you research and work hard. He also suggests you may not even have to burn your points to do it.
That being said, if you don't subscribe,or don't have a friend that does, I am willing to photo copy mine and send it to you if you are interested. PM me if you want.

Good Luck

DonVathome · Feb 9, 2011

littlebighorn, I get the mag and thanks for the offer. I did read that and it is influencing my decision making. I am always debating a future G or H tag and combining it with a general elk tag.