Wyoming unit 128 late

[wapiti11]

My father drew the 128 late tag. We are just starting to gather info. on the unit and was wondering if anyone on MM.com has any information on the unit. Not asking for any honey holes just basic info. and what to expect for trophy quality. Thanks...

 

[ElmerFudd]

I had it last year, hunted for 11 days. It is a good hunt, but perhaps my expectations were too high. I was very happy with the buck I got, but I did not see many that I considered to be trophy caliber. I just expected to see a few more. Others I talked to there felt the same. The warden feels that they issue too many late rut tags for the herd size to let enough bucks get old enough, and I have to agree.

Anyway, it is a physically easy hunt with good public access. You should be able to get a good buck close to the roads without too much trouble. Even the outfitters were hunting public land everyone can hunt.

 

[blacktailBC]

Elmer you have a private message.

Blacktail

 

[buckspotter7]

My Dad and I were lucky to get 128 tags this year also. We usually put Region G or H first but decided to put 128 first this year to get a preference point. The plan backfired, but we couldn't be happier. Sounds like 128 may not produce as many huge bucks as in the past, but we can expect something in the 170 class and hope for better.

 

[wapiti11]

buckspotter7, congrats on the tags..
Do you know much about the area? Is there alot of blm land?
Sounds like the area can produce some great bucks we are excited to experience the father/son hunt together..

 

[buckspotter7]

Hey wapiti11,
We're not real familiar with that area either. I have passed through the Wind River Canyon, on the east side of the WRIR and east of 128, many times in November and seen some bombers chasing does from Nov. 1 on through the month. Even when bucks up around Cody did not start chasing does until around the 10th of Nov. We are still looking at hunting the last half of the season. My wife is pregnant and due Nov. 6. I've got to do a lot more research but from what I've learned so far, Good public access and fairly easy terrain.

 

[wapiti11]

buckspotter7,
Congrats on the new one, we just had another baby boy in May.
We are looking at the end of the season also, if we don't draw a special tag here in MT.
It sounds like there is some good blocks of public ground in 128. I am getting maps this week and the studying begins...
I always said around the 10th of Nov. is the start of the rut but I have seen good bucks chasing on hallowen also.
Good luck and keep in touch.

 

[buckspotter7]

Wapiti11,
Thanks,congrats to you too, we just found out it is a boy. I'm hoping he comes earlier than his Nov. 6 due date. When you get your maps
you'll see some big chunks of BLM north and east of Dubois. From what I've gathered, some of the bucks we've seen on MM came from these areas. Even the hunters who hunted with one of the reputable guides hunted this BLM ground and killed "nice" bucks in only 3 days. I'll keep in touch. Maybe I'll PM you in a few weeks.
buckspotter7

 

[ElmerFudd]

There really is no secret spot. Most of the deer will be low in the fields, along the reservation boundary is the main public field, lots of deer, but tough to find a spot by yourself. I do not doubt big ones will wander in, but being the first on one will take some luck. Some will still be up pretty high. There was no snow until the day before I killed mine last year, about Nov 15, and it did seem as if the rut had kicked in hard. Yes, they were chasing, but not heavily rutting. I took mine higher up than most. I think your best bet for a big buck would be to look for isolated herds away from where most hunt. I know my buck was the best I saw in 11 days. Seeing 20+ good bucks a day was easy, but 170+ bucks were pretty scarce. Have fun.

 

[Naildriver]

Great buck ,elmerfudd, what did it score?

 

[TRAPPERJR]

Wapiti
What part of Montana are you from?

 

[ElmerFudd]

Naildriver,
I came up with 188" gross mainframe and 8" of extra points, for 196 gross. It is not quite 24" wide. Not official, I was drinking in camp and measured it by lantern. I left it at a taxidermist up there, I'll pick it up after I am done with my Wyoming moose hunt this year. I only saw one other buck I thought might go 180, and a couple more that might have broke 170, out of probabally more than 150 different bucks in 11 days (not sure how many times you see the same ones over). It was a fun hunt.

 

[buckspotter7]

ElmerFudd
Thanks for posting the pic, that is a great buck. Awesome height, tine length and mass. Love those tall bucks. Hope we run into a buck like that!
buckspotter7

 

[wapiti11]

Elmerfudd, thanks for the info....What unit did you draw your Wyo. moose tag? I have 7 p.pts. and am starting to think about putting in the next year or two.
Sounds like getting away from the crowds is the best bet for unit 128. Great buck you shot last year..

Trapperjr, I am in Billings but hunt/fish the whole state..How about you?

Buckspotter7, thanks for the info. also..we'll keep in touch.

 

[ElmerFudd]

17. 7 points should get it. It is an easier one to draw. But it is in an area where the moose have been hit hard by wolves and there are grizzlies. At least I'll have lots of time because i have not drawn anything else.

Back to 128, It seemed that the herds of does pretty much stayed in the same areas. But different bucks might show up with them at any time. Making your rounds to check up on the various herds of does you find every so often to see what joins them seems the best way to hunt it to me.

 

[TRAPPERJR]

Wapiti
My brother and I also have the 128 Late tag. I am from Missoula.

 

[wapiti11]

Elmerfudd, I have looked at 17,23, and 26 for wyo. moose. Still not sure which unit. Good luck with 17, I would love to hear about your scouting/hunting trips...........................!!!!
Thanks for the info. on 128.

Trapperjr, congrats on the 128 tags have you ever been down there before?
Any big bucks shot in the bitteroot last year? We go through Missoula alot mainly during the spring and fall mackdays on Flathead lake..