Region H Wyoming Standards?

2rocky · Aug 2, 2005

Since I didn't draw an elk tag, I put in, and received a region H Deer Tag. I'll be hunting outside of Jackson on the Northern side of the Gros Ventre river for 5 days.(not in the wilderness), with an outfitter. We start hunting September 24th a couple of days before the elk Season opens in that area. It's good Elk Country. The rest of my party will be hunting Elk. I had some questions for anyone with first hand knowledge of the area:

How big of a buck should I reasonably expect? I don't want to shoot a 24" buck on the 1st or second day if there are bigger bucks around. by the same token, I don't want to set an unrealistic goal.

Should I pack my spotting scope? (yeah, I know I will anyway.)

I've heard these deer are usually weak in the front forks. Is that true?

Being a blacktail hunter, anything out past the ears gets me all jittery. Any field judging tips?

YukonDall · Aug 2, 2005

I REALLY HAVE ONLY HUNTED ELK IN THE GROS VENTRE ON SEVERAL TRIPS. NOT DEER. BUT BE VERY AWARE OF THE BEAR (GRIZZLY) SITUATION. I HAVE SEEN 3, BUT THEY ARE ALIVE & WELL IN GOOD NUMBERS. BE REAL CAREFUL WITH ANY DOWN ANIMAL. YD.

AspenAdventures · Aug 2, 2005

I have seen some pics on web sites of outfitters in that area and there are some good bucks but it looks like they are taken on top of the peaks.

Bears, speaking of bears, 5 seconds ago I opened a new can of UDAP Pepper Power Spray. I hope this will help if a bear comes into camp.

I am hunting just South of the Snake and just East of Alpine in H this year. Should I be worried about Grizz in that country? Seems like being a hunter makes you more apt to see a bear or at least encounter one as you sneak around in the predawan and evening hours. So, are there really Griz in H in the area I will be in?

ansonlynn · Aug 2, 2005

AspenAdventures: "I am hunting just South of the Snake and just East of Alpine in H this year. Should I be worried about Grizz in that country? Seems like being a hunter makes you more apt to see a bear or at least encounter one as you sneak around in the predawan and evening hours. So, are there really Griz in H in the area I will be in?"

Yes, there are. No question.

Sheepshooter · Aug 2, 2005

Posted by AspenAdventures on Aug-02-05 at 07:12 PM
So, are there really Griz in H in the area I will be in?

We hunt H South of where you are going . The last few times in there we heard stories of Griz bears in the area we hunt . This year I asked the biologist and he said while the area is not loaded with bears it wouldn't be unheard of to find a grizzly in there .You might be more concerned about wolves . He said there were THREE PACKS in the general vicinity . Hopefully it will be legal to start popping them soon .

AspenAdventures · Aug 2, 2005

Wolves?

Wow, this will be an interesting hunt. I hope I can sleep. We will be at timberline and I know this is where the wolves and bears like to play as well.

Am I prepared if I take along a 275 gram canister of bear spray and a .40 cal semi with only 10 rounds in the magazine?

I don't like the idea of confronting a bear or some wolves on the trail, but if I do will the spray and the gun be enough to scare them off?

These may seem like amatuer questions but I just don't have many bears or any wolves where I usually hunt. Thanks for your help on this.

bkhunter · Aug 3, 2005

AspenAdventures,

Don't worry about the wolves. They are real skiddish of people. We have removed 6 griz out of the Upper Green River Basin, which is due south of wear you will be. The bears tend to travel to where the cattle are in their summer range. The bear repellent is a good deterent, if your man enough to stand there until the charging griz is at about +- 30'. Also, make sure the repellent is an approved type. Some are cheap knock-offs that basically just putting a little "heat to the meat", if you know what I mean. We have had two griz attacks last year up in that area. One was a hiker and the other was a "hunter". Neither were killed, just a little chewed on. The nice thing about bear repellent is that you can spray it in your face to take the sting away from being eaten by a bear. In other words, it's a back up plan to the "flying lead"!! Good luck.

YukonDall · Aug 3, 2005

DITTO, DONT SWEAT THE WOLFS. BUT BE ALERT TO THE GRIZZLY. YD.

mmwb · Aug 3, 2005

Definately grizzlies in all of those areas, as well as further south up in the Grays River area. I wouldn't worry about wolves at all. I wouldn't "worry" about bears too much either, but would be vigilant and smart about hunting in grizz country. You say you have the services of an outfitter. Will you have a guide as well, or is this an unguided, outfitted hunt? If you are hunting with someone, risk is decreased. The outfitter should be able to give you an idea of the size of the deer in that area. Every deer you pass up decreases the odds of taking one home, but everyone you pass up increases the odds of getting something bigger (within reason! lol). There are probably some huge bucks in that area.

AspenAdventures · Aug 3, 2005

Thanks for answering the questions about the bears. I thought the wolves would stay away but wasn't sure. I bought the UDAP spray and it looks like it works pretty good. My buddy will get some sleep while I stay awake all night, pistol in one hand and spray in the other, listening for some odd noise in the trees. :^)

2Rocky, I was thinking out loud when I asked the question about the bears on your post. Sorry, did't mean to divert the conversation. I will start a new post next time.

Go to shoalcreekoutfitteres.com

or

c4outfitters.com

Both of these sites have pics of bucks. They look really nice but it looks as if they are hunting at the head of the drainages. Also, as some of the guys have mentioned above, hopefully your guide will give you an idea of what to hold out for and what to take.

Good luck, let us know how big he is when you get him!

2rocky · Aug 3, 2005

Thanks for the Heads up on bears, and the links AspenAdventures!

I ordered some Counter Assault Bear Spray last week preparing to hunt in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness here in CA during Archery Season. I might as well pack it along with the 300 Win Mag.

In all fairness though I'll be happy getting a decent sized buck. The last Wyoming Hunt I was on (2002), I missed a narrow horned 3 point when he came boiling out of a washout on the Thunder Basin Grassland in Eastern WY. The only other bucks we saw were on Coal Mine tailings behind a posted fence.

This is the kind of hunt I've been dreaming about. On horseback, in the mountains, out of a tent camp. The only thing better would be to have an elk tag in my pocket.

AspenAdventures · Aug 3, 2005

2Rocky, I am thinking you will get your chance at a 4 point in that area and he will be 24 or better. I will be close to there next Wednesday night on a scouting trip. I'll post some pics for you guys when I get back.

If I am not mistaken I think the buck on the front of Eastmans this month taken by D. Long also came out of G or H but I am not sure.

If that is what we have to look forward to then our H tags should get us what we want. Good luck.

kilowatt · Aug 3, 2005

David Longs buck came from Region G in the Grey's River area.

Brian

prarierocket · Aug 5, 2005

Just a quick bounceback to the bear question guys. I live out here in Thayne,WY. and "h" is my backyard(literaly). The bears are there, although not behind every tree, but the population is going up. I also use the UDAP spray(carry, haven't used yet)so here is a health and wealth tip while you have that in your posession. DO NOT leave a can of that stuff on your dashboard! I had a can of that explode on my dash from the heat of the sun one day and it grenaded my truck cab. $3800 in damage, it would have killed me if I was in it. Good luck out there this season, maybe I'll see you on the mountain!

PleaseDear · Aug 6, 2005

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but South of the Snake and east of Alpine----- would be unit 144 and that is a 'G' unit..... and Thayne is smack dab in 145-144 also 'G' units. Hate to see a guy draw a good tag and be in the wrong area.

I hunted once up in the Gros Ventre area. Stayed at Lower Slide Lake campground. How would it be to own that Taylor Ranch on the south side of the lake! Anyways, we had alot of fun and did see quite a few deer. My bud took a 25 4x4 and I hunted with the Casull .454 pistol and didn't get within my 150 yard limit so I didn't harvest but had some nice bucks with in rifle range for sure.
Everyone seemed to hunt high and in a ways and we had most of the area to ourselves.

AspenAdventures · Aug 7, 2005

Prarie, that is an awesome story! I would have paid good money to see the expression on your face when you opened the truck door. I am laughing as I type.

Thanks for the heads up on the spray and the bears. See ya up there....

kilowatt · Aug 7, 2005

Thayne is 18-19 miles south of Alpine Jct. and is Region G. And Units 151-152 are the closest to this area NORTH and EAST of the Jct. which is Region H.

Brian

prarierocket · Aug 7, 2005

Sorry guys, I forgot that everyone on this site is an extreme literalist. Thayne is in "G" literaly. But, for the areas in proximity to where I actual hunt area compared to where my actual backyard is, we are spliting hairs. That whole region is a general tag for me, so non-resident hunters be sure to know the zone boundaries for "G" and "H".

Aspen adventures- it would have been a good face for you to see when I opened that door, cuz I had pepper in my eyes and trust me that stuff burns instantly! Never mind when I walked to my truck I had a hole in my windshield the size of a basketball and everything was orange...I thought I had been vandalized untill I put 2 and 2 together. Then I opened the door. Even though it ran fine, I had to have it towed and cleaned professionally. There was no way to drive that thing and not be in pain.

PronghornHunter · Aug 7, 2005

Hey Priarierocket I have hunted with the Aullman's up the big and little Greys. Great bunch of guys to hunt with.

prarierocket · Aug 7, 2005

Pronghornhunter,
I would imagine you had a good hunt in that area. I've played a bit in there in the past with good success, nothing of real size in the scope, just in the binos. How did you do?

kilowatt · Aug 8, 2005

2rocky,

Check your PM box here at MM

Brian

Muleyfinder · Aug 10, 2005

This my area I hunt I have hunted in there my hole life and so has my dad and we have only seen one grizzley and three wolves and that was before they put them in YellowStone don't sweat them. I would be more afraid of the country if you have never hunted at the elevation you will wish you were dead. As for the front forks being small don't listen to Mike Eastman he dosn't now a thing there is all kinds of genetics in that country. As for standards a 24 inch buck will realitivly easy to get, in my opionin a 170 inch deer in that area is a real trophy don't expect to kill anything in the high 190's to 200 they are almost non extant any more.