First year hunting mule deer?

DuaneBoyce · Jul 23, 2004

Great web site you guys have here.I have obtained lots of helpfull info already but still have several questions.
I live in West Virginia and this will be my first visit to wyoming .I drew a tag for reg D, can any one offer any advise as to where in this area I should concentrate on. I have allready ordered maps of both NF and BLM lands. Also what kind of weather can I expect in october.
I enjoy hunting hard and would love to harvest a mature mulie, walking in several miles does not bother me. Even if I do not harvest a deer, just seeing the country will be reward enoughfor me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TCR1 · Jul 23, 2004

Many options!

Duane,
I spent a lot of time around that section of Wyoming when I went to school there. I never did go out with a rifle, but the Snowy Range has good numbers and pretty quality deer. However, I always chose to go further west to the Sierra Madre range. I did a lot of research on the streams and rivers in that region. If you get a good topo of the Encampment, WY area and also the map west of there that will be a good start. when you look at the map, look for a creek called Haggarty Creek. It receives mine effluent from the Ferris-Haggerty Copper mine, but remediation efforts have allowed a good population of purportedly pure strain of colorado river cutthroat trout to flourish. Anyway, that area gets hit pretty hard from what I have heard, but there is plenty of mountain. Also, Haggarty Creek is tributary to Battle Ck. The Battle Creek drainage is a sight to behold. There are many good places to hunt. One night after finishing our sampling, we went and scouted for elk/deer. well we saw about 8 bulls, 12 cows, and a few mulies. As the sun set, we were serenaded by a pack(?) of coyotes. It was amazing. This area was immediatly west of the road that goes down to the confluence of Battle Creek and N. Fk. Battle Ck. Another place that may be of interest in this area is a little further east on Hwy 70. I don't remember the name of the lake, but it is on the south side of the road. Its a good hike down to the lake (which is full of brook trout), but the mountains all around it just scream "hunt me!" Of note, there is an area set aside for elk propogation (breeding grounds). I hope this is somewhat helpful. If you get tired and need a beer, check out the Bear Den in encampment.

By the way, the biggest Mulie I have ever seen was while duck hunting at one of Laramie's Plains Lakes (Meeboer?)...it was a monstrously tall Non-typical with points sticking off everywhere. without exaggerating, I would guess he had 20 points total...it was a bramble of horns!

Hope this helps (if you just want to see some deer, these lakes have tons of them in the evenings).

TCR1 · Jul 23, 2004

oh yeah, weather.

When I moved to Wyoming (from PA), I started doing research the first of June in the Haggerty Creek drainage. during the day, I was walking around with my shirt off. That evening we got 6 inches of snow. weather in the mountains and especially wyoming goes from one extreme to the other. During the heat of the day, you may be wearing a long sleeve shirt, but during the morning and evening a coat would be neccesary. I am not sure what your interests are exactly, but I seem to remember the University of wyoming Rugby team hosts the Jackalope tournament the first or second week of October. That is a pretty interesting night to be in Laramie! good restaurant in Laramie would be the Cavalryman (steak) or the Library (brewpub/restaurant/bar/liquor store).

DuaneBoyce · Jul 23, 2004

RE: oh yeah, weather.

Thanks for the help . Any locals that will share those secret spots off the beaten path.

bonecollector34 · Jul 23, 2004

RE: oh yeah, weather.

TCR1,
I also saw that buck at meebor, he is a toad-easily over 210. You know I think he lives over off of Mcgill ranch somewhere. You only see him a cetain times of the year. This year he had a typical with him and he was big as well. I took some video of him 2 years ago. For the gentleman who drew the snowies tag. i have hunted this area for years and it can be hard hunting. I don't know how far your tag goes, but Red Mountain, near woods landing holds good bucks, Big Creek near encampment also has a nice one taken out of it everyyear, it is right off of the Platte river, not to bad of walking, plus no 4 wheelers allowed at the fence. I always at least see a good buck in there on the sage flats. I have also hunted up above Ryan's park and seen good bucks. You have to go up high to get to the openings. My experience, i have been lucky but killed 3 bucks ranging from 170-190 in last 5 years, they like the steep open country so don't spend all your time in the trees. I killed all 3 in the wide open and came in above them.There are also good bucks on the other side of Pickaron park, where the Douglas creek and Platte river connect.The view is worth the drive alone. You will usually see Bighorn sheep in there as well. A guy I know killed a 10x11 in there scoring over 200 inches. Oh the weather-who knows! We have gotten alot more rain then usual and if it keeps up there will be snow early. Today in laramie it was in the 50's and raining. Hopefully it is cold and wet. If it is hot, like it can be, the hunting could be much more difficult. Food for thought, hope it helps and bring good binos. for glassing. Find your buck, watch him bed, plan your stalk-kill him!
Marty

DuaneBoyce · Jul 24, 2004

RE: oh yeah, weather.

Hey guys thanks for the tips sure makes planning a lot easier.

MartinHunter · Jul 25, 2004

RE: oh yeah, weather.

I have hunted South or Encampent and River Side for elk a few times with my family, and shot my first cow elk there. We usally hunt a creek called Cascade Creek that runs into the (I think) South Fork of the Encampment River. I never see many deer, not lots of large bucks, but when I see a big buck he is usally big. Stop in at the River Side Garage, those people in there are real nice to chat to and you can see some big elk and deer mounts from the area.
Michael

shedcrazy · Jul 26, 2004

Cannot give you any advise, but i can say that you are going to have the time of your life. How fun this is going to be. I think sometimes us westerners take for granted, our backyards. I am forever Grateful to live where I do and really enjoy sharing it with those who have not been here.

Good luck on your hunt.

Shedcrazy

DuaneBoyce · Jul 27, 2004

Thanks I am super excited to see this beautiful country side. We have some nice mountains in west virginia but it is totally different from your terrain .Went a bought a GPS unit to help me not get lost.:7