Wyoming 128 Deer

[Blueticker]

I drew my moose tag (after 15 years) and was looking for a good late season deer hunt after moose season closed so I put in for the 128 type 1 tag and drew it. I don't know too much about this area as I've never hunted the unit before and with the 5% draw odds I probably won't draw it again so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Are the best deer on private or public land in November? Would I be smart to bring a horse or are the deer close to the roads?

 

[UThunting]

I had the tag 2 years ago. it was good but not as good as it was made out to be. Lots of deer in the 160s 170s the best deer I seen taken was in the upper 180s. But that being said there are big deer there. The Weather can be very windy and cold with blowing snow. Most people just drive around looking for deer but if you get out and walk the little canyons that the deer are geting out of the wind in you will kick out a lot of deer. There is some areas that a non resident needs a Guide and there is lots of private property and indian property that is closed to hunters. But there is a lot of open public land. You will see lots of Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Elk and maybe a Wolf or 2 infact check and see if the area around Dubois is open for Wolfs I seen 5 Wolfs all together one day and seen lots and lots of track down on the river bottoms but at that time Wolfs where not de-listed. Email me if you need more help

UThunting
Clynt L Citte
Willard UT
[email protected]

 

[ElmerFudd]

Had it two years ago too. It is a crapshoot as to where the best bucks will be. It is more of an easy hunt than super quality trophy hunt. You should get a good buck if you can be easy on the trigger. But do not expect a 190+. Public vs private is a wash. Horses would be more trouble thn they are worth. The outfitters road hunt it......

 

[huntindude]

Maybe it's gone down hill since I hunted it about 8 years ago, I'd say then a 170 class buck was what most guys were getting. I took a 204 non typical a few miles off the road with horses but I can't say I saw more or bigger deer other than this one by getting away from the roads really. in the rut the bucks are moving and anything can happen anywhere, you may not get a booner but you should have a great hunt. I'm stil trying to draw it again.

 

[wymoosehunter]

I drew it 4 years ago and I expected alot more than what I saw. I hunted hard for 10 days and saw only one at the 180 + mark, and I put in lots of miles and lots of glassing. Stay away from where the late season cow elk hunters are-no etiquette and they drive everywhere with the quads (closed areas meant absolutely nothing to the slob hunters-I did meet some guys on quads who were true sportsmen, but the majority were exactly as described above).
I have seen a number of big bucks in the area and I would recommend that you hunt as far west and north in the unit (south of the highway is good too and no late season cow elk season-big plus). The biggest bucks seem to appear on the Dunoir bottom immediately after the season. The area above there is too rough for the lazy guys on their quads. I ended up with a real nice buck, but not what I was hoping for when I drew because I know a 200" buck is a real possibility there. Don't let this discourage you, there are plenty of deer and there are big ones in there. If you get off the beaten path you will see dozens of 150+ bucks and perhaps find a real big one (find some does and you will find a buck or two).
You will have a great hunt if you avoid the cow elk roadhunters. In my opinion, WY G&F is giving too many late season deer tags to really make this a quality unit for trophy bucks.

 

[Blueticker]

From what I'm hearing from you guys, it sounds like a real good public land hunt. I really don't have a problem laying off the trigger and waiting for a good one and from what it sounds like, a good one would be in the 180"s. But really, I'd be tickled pink if I could find a heavy horned buck, regardless of it's score. I guess I'll leave the horses at home, it's not much fun sleeping in a horse trailer anyway.

 

[UThunting]

Blueticker

You will be getting a letter from one of the motels in dubois about there place and how to enter there Big Buck contest. I stayed there for the last 5 days of the hunt and it was clean and worked out very well. Also it was fun seeing the photos of the bucks that they would post outside of there office..

It should be easy to stay off the trigger as you know you will see more deer infact on some days you will see 50 or more bucks. The hunt is one of the funnest ones out there. Also take a set of tire chains some of the roads get snow-packed and blown over so you might go down a good road in the morning and come out and there will be a 60 yrd drift across it thats 3 feet deep....

UThunting
Clynt L Citte
Willard UT
[email protected]

 

[Blank]

I drew back-to-back tags a couple years ago. All the advice you have gotten is good. People are generally friendly, and willing to help. Don't overlook some of the walk in areas, as there will be a ton of deer in small draws and out of the way places. Take a camera, as there are great opportunities to snap pictures of sheep on Whiskey Mt. or over in the 22 badlands. Union Pass or Horse Creek can also be sleepers, instead of the East Fork, depending on the weather and snow.

Set my sights pretty high, for both tags until the end, then whatever made me happy. I shot a nice heavy 7 year old buck the first year, and a real good 20 inch whitetail the next.

Enjoy your hard-to-draw tag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wymoosehunter]

What UT Hunter stated is fact...bring chains for all four wheels and if you have a winch, bring a good sized danforth style boat anchor. You can dig the anchor in the dirt and then winch yourself out if you get stuck. Kinda of hard to get the anchor out after you are done, but beats walking back to the highway for help.
I love the area and think the hunting is fantastic. A realistic goal is exactly what you said, a big heavy horned buck that tickles your fancy.
If you have deep snow, wander all around the south side (not too far up Union Pass as the deer will be down from the high country. The further west you go you will see less people, thus better odds of a big buck.
If you have little or no snow, think about spending a night out way up high and hunting above timberline. If it is still warm, be aware that there are lots of grizzlies, especially towards the northwest.
Also, if the judge in MT doesn't close the wolf season, carry a wolf tag and shoot straight, the deer's life you save might be your trophy.
Also, if you have time, spend the early part of the season in there as well. The year I hunted it, I was told the big buck winner took his on opening day, and the year before the winner took his early. But if you don't have the whole season to hunt, hunt the last part of the season.
Enjoy a very hard to draw tag.

 

[Blueticker]

You guys are starting to get me worked up. I've been waiting to draw my moose tag for 15 years and finally got it this year but now I don't know which hunt I'm looking more forward to. It's shaping up to be a pretty good hunting season. I talked to a Lander biologist today and he said the winter kill was fairly light over that way this year. That was a big surprise as the winter here in Jackson and down Rawlins way was a little tuff this year. And if there's a wolf season this fall I won't pass at the opportunity. I followed one for 3 miles walking down my road one night last winter. He walked thru one subdivision, I guess looking for dogs to kill. Anyhow, Thanks for all the good info.