Scouting Region B Wyoming on July 18th

[Outdoor Junkie]

Hello all,

I'm heading to Denver for work on July 17th and then taking an extra day to head up to Wyoming to do some scouting on July 18th. I'll be driving up late afternoon on July 17th and will likely stay in Bill,WY (driving through Cheyenne and Douglas). My flight out of Denver leaves early on the morning of the 19th, so I really have 1 full day to scout. I wish that I had more than 1 day; but with the job, wife and kids (a 15 month and 3 year old) and responsibilities around home that is not the case. I've been prescouting via huntinggpsmaps and google earth and I have quite a few areas of interest marked on my gps. All in all, I feel well prepared for a long day of driving, glassing and quick hikes to help get a strategy set for the season.

My question is does anyone want to grab a beer/ burger and talk hunting on the evening of the 17th or 18th on my way through Cheyenne, Douglas,Lusk, etc.? I've never hunted mule deer in Wyoming, but have hunted white tail for over 20 years in Wisc./ Minn. With that said, Eastern Wyoming mule deer are a different animal and I'd like to grab a beer or a burger on the way through to talk strategy and draw any wisdom I can from people who have walked a few miles in those shoes.

Just to confirm, I'm not looking for any spots, just want to talk strategy, what's worked, what hasn't worked, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I hate to sound so negative, but IMHO Region B up in that whole northern area is not worth a trip out there by a NR for deer. Antelope, however, is a completely different story and what that general area of the state is noted for. I hunted the heck out of that whole area in 2010 for over a week and saw 6 deer! One was a doe by itself and the others were two does with fawns together. Even all the ranchers in that whole area are trying to work with the G&F by possibly shortening the season and there is talk of even putting antler restrictions on, which is about as drastic a measure as the G&F ever takes. One rancher I know that has a big spread near the Cheyenne River said the deer numbers in the area have really tanked and even the antelope got hit hard up in unit 7 the winter before last. Another rancher that stopped to help me fix a flat tire said I could hunt his ranch for free, but that it would be a waste of time because he hadn't seen a half dozen deer on his place in a couple years. The only reason I went over there from where I normally hunt on the west side of the BigHorns was because a friend drew an antelope tag for unit 27, so I accompanied him and bought a deer tag. Big mistake! During his hunt near Antelope Creek in the Red Hills area was where I saw that one doe. After he filled his goat tag and went home, I hunted the rest of the week and saw that one other bunch and that was covering a lot of ground in antelope units 7 and 27, as I don't even remember what the deer unit numbers were. I would suggest you go way to the east side and southern half of the Region, as that is where I've heard there are still huntable numbers of deer, although a lot are on private ranches. Good luck wherever you go!

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

Top Gun,

Thank you for the honest feeback! I walked a lot of ground last year when I antelope hunted inside what is Region B Deer zone. You are right, the antelope hunting is quite good, but there was very few mule deer. Most of the mule deer we saw were when we were driving back to camp right at dusk or after dark. With that said, I am taking a few friends back this year for antelope and I figured this would be one of the only opportunities to harvest a mule deer for a few years. I know the population is down, but I'm going to give it a try.... and I've already bought the license, so there's no looking back.

If the tag goes unfilled, then I can live with that. I do sincerely appreciate the honest feedback. I know the odds of filling a tag aren't great, but I'm excited for the opportunity.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I'm glad to hear that you know I'm not just pulling your leg and trying to keep you out of some good area! I try to help people as much as I can without giving away my honeyholes and pretty much try to tell it like it is.If you have that trip planned with others, you'll have a good time even if you don't fill because if you're like I am it's about the time outdoors and squeezing the trigger is just icing on the cake if it happens. I know there are small pockets of deer here and there and I saw a picture of a real nice mulie a guy took up in that area a year ago and he said he saw a couple other nice ones. Just have fun and if it happens it happens!

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

That's exactly right! The trip is going to be a blast no matter what! If I get a mule deer, it will just be the icing on the cake. Spending 5 days hunting with guys I've known since I was 5 years old (including my twin brother) will be the best part of the trip! I can't wait to show those guys the antelope out there! I'm looking forward to seeing them fill their tags, probably more than I am for filling my own. I went last year and now I'm addicted. It's awesome country, cool animals and a ton of fun!

I told my buddies that if they don't enjoy antelope hunting then they need to quit hunting!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Yep, hunting goats is about as good a way to get somebody started out there as there is. Have fun and be safe out there!

 

[Trigger50]

Forget @ staying in Bill unless you are camping!!! It's just an abandoned gas station. I can point out some places on a map that I've seen deer on the public land around Bill. I've antelope hunted there 2 times about 6 yrs ago. I didnt see many mule deer, only a few. It gets alot of pressure, especially on weekends. I wouldnt be too picky on your buck. Only stopped hunting there because I gained access to a great ranch. Drop me an email. Tim - [email protected]

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

Trigger 50,
Just as an FYI there is a very nice looking Oak Inn in Bill, WY. I didn't stay there, but I went through there and it was as nice as most hotels I stay at while traveling. It looks very new and very large.

If I was not camping for the week, I would reccomend the hotel based on my 5 second analysis from the outside.

On a separate note, the gas station is Bill is no longer operational.... Garmin apparently does not know this. I pulled into Bill on fumes thanking my lucky stars I made it to the gas station only to find it wasn't open.... doesn't look like it has been in a very long time! By some absolute miracle I made it to Douglas (~35 miles) with the needle riding EMPTY. I figured I had no other choice than to drive as far as I could and then walk or hitch hike the rest of the way.

P.S. To my new friend that I watched on Wednesday morning: I know where you live and I've seen where you sleep. Come October 1st, I will provide a formal introduction fitting of a gentleman like you