Wyoming Region W Deer

Western Outdoorsman · May 22, 2023

Hey guys, a couple family members and I have a hunt booked with an outfitter in this region for this upcoming October for Mule Deer. After this hard winter I am concerned about actually being able to find mature bucks like we were hopeful for after looking at the kills from years past. To answer the obvious question, yes, we have spoken with the outfitter and were told that the younger and older deer were impacted severely and that those middle-aged bucks *should* have pulled through. Basically, I was told that this year is expected to be fairly normal as far as mature buck sightings goes.

I understand this Outfitter has a business to run, but I'm looking for some other input from not so much a "salesman" perspective. Should I be as concerned as I am? Is this the year to burn points?

We could push this hunt out to next year ('24) if need be, but if another hard winter happens, I would be kicking myself in the butt.

P.S. we've got more than double the number of points required to draw the region. Even with the tag cuts, I'm not too concerned about not drawing.

JB1975 · May 22, 2023

I would ask the biologist for that region. He won't be selling you anything.

Soccerdude · May 22, 2023

For what's its worth I heard that Savery Creek Outfitters are not guiding deer hunts this fall. The advice above is good. Call the biologist.

sneakem · May 22, 2023

I'm not the biologist, but if you take a drive you'll quickly realize the hunting is definitely not going to be the same. I know that everyone is hoping for the best, but realistically it's pretty gruesome out there... Hate to be the "debbie downer" but it is what it is...

WHT_MTNMAN · May 22, 2023

I dont' know anything about the region but I can't see how next year would be any better and could possibly be worse, so your best bet is to either hunt it this year and hope for the best or wait a few years. IMO

Homer · May 22, 2023

Soccerdude said:
For what's its worth I heard that Savery Creek Outfitters are not guiding deer hunts this fall. The advice above is good. Call the biologist.

If this is true…..save your points

DaveD · May 22, 2023

In my opinion the missing age classes are going to have the largest impact on trophy deer hunting 3-5 years from now in the regions that had bad winterkill. I think this fall, 2024 and 2025 will be ok hunting because a good percentage of the 2, 3, and 4 year old bucks will have survived this past winter. With that in mind, 2025, or maybe 2026, would likely be the best year to choose from before it starts be slim picking in 2027-2029.

All of that said, If I had the points, I would spend them on a different unit that wasn't as severely impacted.

pauns08 · May 22, 2023

Hunt this year and hope for the best or wait about 5 years

littlebighorn · May 22, 2023

Exactly right. Harsh winters can take years for deer to recover, but who knows what the future will bring.

beech18 · May 22, 2023

Hunt while you’re able is always my theory. Never know what the future can bring. Enjoy what the hunt offers!!

Joe2Kool · May 23, 2023

I'm of the opinion that you should hunt when you can because you never know what next year brings. With that said, call the game biologist in the area and adjust your expectations accordingly. With an outfitter, you are paying them to know the area and give you the best chance.

Here's a link. I called one a couple weeks ago.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Field Personnel

wgfd.wyo.gov

Pucci · May 24, 2023

Soccerdude said:
For what's its worth I heard that Savery Creek Outfitters are not guiding deer hunts this fall. The advice above is good. Call the biologist.

That’s a fact. Know the owner. Me personally should just shut it down. I have plenty to draw as well but not going to put in. Same for Colorado. Give the animals a break

Pinlard · May 25, 2023

I live in the region. Anyone who says “this year should be normal” is being way to optimistic. 50%+ buck mortality in some of the areas. Save your points for another year or two.

elks96 · May 25, 2023

You have double the points needed to draw. No way would I use double points on a hunt this year anywhere.

Yes there will still be a group of 140-150 deer but the mature bucks are gone, the young are gone. They screwed up in W and did not cut nearly enough NR tags and I will get a shiny nickel there are a ton of disappointed NR this year…

this will put you in a bad spot for several years, but I would rather save points and back for the future! Rather than cash in now and be behind the points for possibly a decade…

elks96 · May 25, 2023

Not to mention they just went and cut even more lope tags in the area because the numbers were worse than they thought. The deer numbers are likely just as bad.

Pucci · May 25, 2023

elks96 said:
Not to mention they just went and cut even more lope tags in the area because the numbers were worse than they thought. The deer numbers are likely just as bad.

Well said. I remember 07-08. It came back but took a while. I’m ok with that.

HiMtnHntr · May 25, 2023

If you save points you’d want to save them a long time… in five years you’ll be missing nearly all 5 yr old bucks, and most older than that. Best see what’s on the ground this year or wait a looong time, and there’s always a chance of another big one….

pymulies · May 26, 2023

Pucci said:
Well said. I remember 07-08. It came back but took a while. I’m ok with that.

It never came back. I grew up down there and have hunted there since I was 14. There is nothing like what was around prior to 2008.
The Game and Fish can pat themselves on the back for the two 180" buck that were killed last year all the want to, but its nothing like it was.
The amount of dead deer is as bad if not worse than 2008. I could walk from dead deer to dead deer for 100 yards and never touch the ground in some of the draws.

py

DeerMadness · May 27, 2023

pymulies said:
It never came back. I grew up down there and have hunted there since I was 14. There is nothing like what was around prior to 2008.
The Game and Fish can pat themselves on the back for the two 180" buck that were killed last year all the want to, but its nothing like it was.
The amount of dead deer is as bad if not worse than 2008. I could walk from dead deer to dead deer for 100 yards and never touch the ground in some of the draws.

Same as here in Idaho. 07-08 did major damage and another a few years later and now this. That and the wolves are making their big high country patrols killing off even more. The Idaho F & G needs to shut down the whole SE Idaho for 2 years.

jvgunner · May 27, 2023

Pymulies is correct. I have hunted there for 25years. In my opinion it was just starting to get better last year from 07/08 winter. This winter hopefully will not repeat itself for another 70 years. I would have shut the zone down for the next two years. Cut tags in years 3-5 & see how things look then. It will be at-least 3 years before I head back.

Homer · May 27, 2023

jvgunner said:
Pymulies is correct. I have hunted there for 25years. In my opinion it was just starting to get better last year from 07/08 winter. This winter hopefully will not repeat itself for another 70 years. I would have shut the zone down for the next two years. Cut tags in years 3-5 & see how things look then. It will be at-least 3 years before I head back.

'07 was epic.....never been the same....this year devastated....