elkrchr
Well-known member
For the sixth year in a row, myself and three buddies have made the 17.5 drive to WY to fill our freezers. The extreme dry conditions caused the ranch resource manager to close access until Oct. 5th. We packed up the trucks, drove through the night and arrived at our hotel at 1 P.M. on the 6th. After receiving our permission slips, we quickly unpacked, geared up and were out hunting by 4 P.M.
Even though the area had received rain throughout the previous few days, the parched landscape had adsorbed it and the roads were in good driving condition. Over the next two days we shot four, 4 pt. or better bucks and then we shifted our focus to herd management and filled 11 doe tags (both mule deer and antelope).
The prairie dog population seemed like it had blossomed from the previous year, so we did our best to thin this years crop. Needless to say, I'm sure the golden eagles, badgers and coyotes are still unable to fly/waddle after consuming all the carcasses left behind.
We didn't forget about the local trout either. Seven years ago some friends of ours came across a small reservoir out in the sage brush that was just loaded with trout. It has become a ritual to fish the reservoir at least one day during our excursion. We definitely picked the right day this year and we pounded the lunkers. I've included one photo of my largest rainbow to date caught right at dark.
The freezer level is looking pretty decent at this moment, but I still have a rifle blacktail tag in my pocket (hope to fill it next week) and I'll be headed to Idaho for whitetails in three weeks. I can't thank Wyoming enough for the cheap doe tags and the willingness of the landowners to let people hunt. Good luck to everyone still pursuing their quarry.
Even though the area had received rain throughout the previous few days, the parched landscape had adsorbed it and the roads were in good driving condition. Over the next two days we shot four, 4 pt. or better bucks and then we shifted our focus to herd management and filled 11 doe tags (both mule deer and antelope).
The prairie dog population seemed like it had blossomed from the previous year, so we did our best to thin this years crop. Needless to say, I'm sure the golden eagles, badgers and coyotes are still unable to fly/waddle after consuming all the carcasses left behind.
We didn't forget about the local trout either. Seven years ago some friends of ours came across a small reservoir out in the sage brush that was just loaded with trout. It has become a ritual to fish the reservoir at least one day during our excursion. We definitely picked the right day this year and we pounded the lunkers. I've included one photo of my largest rainbow to date caught right at dark.
The freezer level is looking pretty decent at this moment, but I still have a rifle blacktail tag in my pocket (hope to fill it next week) and I'll be headed to Idaho for whitetails in three weeks. I can't thank Wyoming enough for the cheap doe tags and the willingness of the landowners to let people hunt. Good luck to everyone still pursuing their quarry.
