Some advice for last minute hunting...

Dougfirtree

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Messages
3,198
Location
Adirondacks
Hey all, I was not expecting the chance to get west this Fall, to hunt, so I bought some points, but didn't apply for any tags. Yesterday, my wife says that she would really love to put together a little vacation, just the two of us, out west, in late September, or early October. She'd really love to do a canoe trip somewhere, but specifically said that she thinks it would be fun if I could get in a little hunting along the way, as well. I was a bit surprised!

So, I think it would be a mistake to combine a vacation with my wife, with elk hunting. However, I think she could totally have fun if we just spent a day or two hunting pronghorns in Wyoming, or even some other state.

The canoe trips, I'm researching are mostly in western Colorado, or southern Utah. We'd probably fly to Denver, or SLC. Looking at leftover antelope tags, it doesn't look good for the southern half of Wyoming... I'm not quite sure we want to drive all the way up to NE Wyoming.

So, I'm looking for some advice. At this stage in the year, and with these constraints, do you see any interesting options I should be considering? Or, should I just accept that it's too late and try to get in a little fishing while we have fun together? All ideas welcome. Thanks!
 
One thought that had occurred to me was unit 29 in Wyoming. It's within a reasonable drive and there are private land tags there... I don't want to pay big trespass fees, but what do you suppose would be the difficulty level of finding private access for doe hunting in that area?
 
One thing that comes to my mind is you pick up a leftover or OTC bear tag in Colorado, and do your canoe trip in an area where it's valid.
 
One thought that had occurred to me was unit 29 in Wyoming. It's within a reasonable drive and there are private land tags there... I don't want to pay big trespass fees, but what do you suppose would be the difficulty level of finding private access for doe hunting in that area?

Hard to believe that they still have 14 type 6 left for area 29.
 
I've heard private access, even for a fee, is tough in that area. Any truth to that?

That would speak to why it takes so long to sell out. I've had my spot for quite a few years, but the 2 different places I've hunted there the access wasn't that hard. Some ranchers take only a few hunters and those that have a place don't usually want to give it up. Lost my spot a few years back, but was fortunate to get it back. Once the meat hunters leave, I pretty much have the whole place to myself.
 
Last edited:
Could play it safe and do a cast and blast for trout and grouse (sage and forest). Great trout fishing to be had all over the state.
 
You could always head up to Bozeman. There are a number of units in Region 3 where you could buy over the counter B tags for whitetail does, canoe camp, and hunt various sections of public land along the river.
 
You could always head up to Bozeman. There are a number of units in Region 3 where you could buy over the counter B tags for whitetail does, canoe camp, and hunt various sections of public land along the river.

That's an interesting idea. I assume you mean the Yellowstone?
 
Back
Top