crookedteeth
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I am hunting out West for the first time. Been hunting deer out East for just a year or so. I got 4 tags for this fall. 2 in Wyoming (mule deer, antelope), one in Montana (doe mule deer) and one in Arizona (Coues deer). So I'm excited for my three week trip out West for all these hunts. Happy for any advice. Below is a description of my plan as of today.
The Wyoming mule deer is for Region F and the antelope for Unit 81. Both were second choices and coincidentally they overlap spatially and in time so I can hunt both species at the same time. The overlap units are where 111, 112 and 113 (all in F) converge around Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Hunt will take place Oct 20 to Nov 3 or so.
So these mountains just to the east of the reservoir are called Sheep Mountains (East and West, alt. range 5500 to 7500 ft. or so) and they straddle the North and South Forks of the Shoshone Rivers. These extend south west to the higher altitude (12,000 ft.) Wapiti Ridge. Across the valley to the south is Carter Mountain. Most of this is public land once you get away from valley flats and in both hunt zones. So I figured this would be a great area to hunt for a few weeks.
I also learned that this hunt is considered migratory hunt for mule deer. I located some scientific data on migration routes and the Upper Shone herd marches through these areas to the winter ground. In fact, I believe they are basically the terminal point of winter grounds. Summer grounds are around Yellowstone Lake I believe.
So if I have all this right I should be able to intercept these migrating mule deer as long as the timing is right. That's the part I am most uncertain about. And I realize it is weather dependent. Does anyone have any idea about timing these migrations for this area. If I'm not mistaken, I think they usually migrate in late October which is during my hunt. Migration paths show them traveling in foothill at roughly 7000 ft.
That's basically the extent of my plan for mule deer at the moment. Will be learning as much as I can over the next few month before the hunt. Would be happy for any advice.
I figure I'll try for antelope first since apparently they are easier. I figure they probably stay at lower altitude closer to the valley floor. There is also a big area on the valley floor Southwest of Cody which is "walk in hunting" and a few smaller spots of public land at low altitude.
So with all these options, I figure I probably have a decent chance of a good hunt. If anyone knowledgeable notices anything suspect about the plan, or has advice, please let me know. If I get lucky early and tag out, I have this doe mule deer tag in Montana. I figure I'll probably make the drive up there for a couple of days, regardless (652, Fort Peck). Then fly to Phoenix on Nov 3 for my Arizona hunt with my son. Will also bring my fly rod out and do some fishing if I have some extra time. Can't imagine this not being a great trip as long as I don't get eaten by a griz.
Thanks in advance for any help.
The Wyoming mule deer is for Region F and the antelope for Unit 81. Both were second choices and coincidentally they overlap spatially and in time so I can hunt both species at the same time. The overlap units are where 111, 112 and 113 (all in F) converge around Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Hunt will take place Oct 20 to Nov 3 or so.
So these mountains just to the east of the reservoir are called Sheep Mountains (East and West, alt. range 5500 to 7500 ft. or so) and they straddle the North and South Forks of the Shoshone Rivers. These extend south west to the higher altitude (12,000 ft.) Wapiti Ridge. Across the valley to the south is Carter Mountain. Most of this is public land once you get away from valley flats and in both hunt zones. So I figured this would be a great area to hunt for a few weeks.
I also learned that this hunt is considered migratory hunt for mule deer. I located some scientific data on migration routes and the Upper Shone herd marches through these areas to the winter ground. In fact, I believe they are basically the terminal point of winter grounds. Summer grounds are around Yellowstone Lake I believe.
So if I have all this right I should be able to intercept these migrating mule deer as long as the timing is right. That's the part I am most uncertain about. And I realize it is weather dependent. Does anyone have any idea about timing these migrations for this area. If I'm not mistaken, I think they usually migrate in late October which is during my hunt. Migration paths show them traveling in foothill at roughly 7000 ft.
That's basically the extent of my plan for mule deer at the moment. Will be learning as much as I can over the next few month before the hunt. Would be happy for any advice.
I figure I'll try for antelope first since apparently they are easier. I figure they probably stay at lower altitude closer to the valley floor. There is also a big area on the valley floor Southwest of Cody which is "walk in hunting" and a few smaller spots of public land at low altitude.
So with all these options, I figure I probably have a decent chance of a good hunt. If anyone knowledgeable notices anything suspect about the plan, or has advice, please let me know. If I get lucky early and tag out, I have this doe mule deer tag in Montana. I figure I'll probably make the drive up there for a couple of days, regardless (652, Fort Peck). Then fly to Phoenix on Nov 3 for my Arizona hunt with my son. Will also bring my fly rod out and do some fishing if I have some extra time. Can't imagine this not being a great trip as long as I don't get eaten by a griz.
Thanks in advance for any help.
