Wyoming Deer Point Burn

[Bwillig]

After trying to draw the unit 128 November deer hunt in Wyoming for 20 years, I have noticed the odds are not improving much, as tags got reduced to the point of me looking for a different area to use my 20 points. As a nonresident, I am limited to non-wilderness areas. Saw a previous post from a few years ago talking about unit 102, which has no wllderness in it, which is good, but lots of road access might limit the age class of the mule deer bucks. WHat are your guys thoughts? One Wyoming resident suggested unit 141, but that one is weather dependent, which might be ok. TIA

 

[SaskHunter]

Dear Tia, best thing you can do to make sure you won't be drawing a unit in 2025, is to discuss it on an open forum.

My advice, find a unit you can draw and go hunting. Hope this helps.

 

[ashersdad]

Depends what you're looking for. Early season in the high country or late season rut hunt? What type of buck are you realistically hoping for? That's alot of points. I'd do my best to get the best experience that you're hoping for after that many years.

 

[Bwillig]

Depends what you're looking for. Early season in the high country or late season rut hunt? What type of buck are you realistically hoping for? That's alot of points. I'd do my best to get the best experience that you're hoping for after that many years.

I am not sure how realistic it is, but something in the 180 class would be the goal, and I know those aren't hiding behind every piece of sagebrush or in every dark timber patch. I think the only rut hunt for mule deer is the 128 November tag, which has odds of around 5% of drawing. I'm going to be 64 in December, hence my giving up on ever drawing that one. I'd be open to either type of hunt, but a lot of the high country areas are wilderness in Wyoming. Kind of like you stated, its a lot of points, and it's my last chance at a really good limited quota tag for mule deer. I am not opposed to going with an outfitter, if that would open up some private ranches that hold a few bigguns.

 

[ashersdad]

I am not sure how realistic it is, but something in the 180 class would be the goal, and I know those aren't hiding behind every piece of sagebrush or in every dark timber patch. I think the only rut hunt for mule deer is the 128 November tag, which has odds of around 5% of drawing. I'm going to be 64 in December, hence my giving up on ever drawing that one. I'd be open to either type of hunt, but a lot of the high country areas are wilderness in Wyoming. Kind of like you stated, its a lot of points, and it's my last chance at a really good limited quota tag for mule deer. I am not opposed to going with an outfitter, if that would open up some private ranches that hold a few bigguns.

That makes sense. You say you're a non resident. How far from Wyoming do you live? Would you be able to scout a few times before the hunt?

 

[Bwillig]

That makes sense. You say you're a non resident. How far from Wyoming do you live? Would you be able to scout a few times before the hunt?

St Louis suburbs, so 14 hours to get to the eastern border of Wyoming, so being able to pattern a good buck will be tough.

 

[Letthemgrow]

I am not opposed to going with an outfitter, if that would open up some private ranches

For a deer of the quality you mentioned, this is the route I would persue.
(Just for the sake of asking the question, have you harvested a 180+ buck in the past?)

 

[Oak]

a lot of the high country areas are wilderness in Wyoming.

I am not opposed to going with an outfitter

I'd consider putting these two ideas together.

 

[ashersdad]

For a deer of the quality you mentioned, this is the route I would persue.
(Just for the sake of asking the question, have you harvested a 180+ buck in the past?)

I would agree. With that amount of points I would want the best chance possible at a great buck. Not being able to scout puts you at a disadvantage from the get go, assuming you're going to be in an area that is new to you. Outfitter would help mitigate that.

 

[Bwillig]

For a deer of the quality you mentioned, this is the route I would persue.
(Just for the sake of asking the question, have you harvested a 180+ buck in the past?)

Nope, best was probably 150ish

 

[TRam1]

Regarding outfitters in your situation, I would certainly go that route. However, most good ones are booked several years in advance.

Concerning points, if you only use 5 points on a hunt, do you lose the other 15? This year, talking with an Wyoming outfitter, I was told in a situation like I just described, you would lose the 15 unused points. That seem like a crock. Your buying them, so why cannot you use them as you can hunt? I was also told that if you have points, don't use or buy anymore in 2 yrs, you lose your points! Anyone know about this?

 

[jpc01101]

Regarding outfitters in your situation, I would certainly go that route. However, most good ones are booked several years in advance.

Concerning points, if you only use 5 points on a hunt, do you lose the other 15? This year, talking with a Wyoming outfitter, I was told in a situation like I just described, you would lose the 15 unused points. That seem like a crock. Your buying them, so why cannot you use them as you can hunt? I was also told that if you have points, don't use or buy anymore in 2 yrs, you lose your points! Anyone know about this?

Any first choice drawn takes all points. Also you lose them if you don’t apply or buy a point for a couple years. So yea to both.

 

[Baerman]

Regarding outfitters in your situation, I would certainly go that route. However, most good ones are booked several years in advance.

Concerning points, if you only use 5 points on a hunt, do you lose the other 15? This year, talking with an Wyoming outfitter, I was told in a situation like I just described, you would lose the 15 unused points. That seem like a crock. Your buying them, so why cannot you use them as you can hunt? I was also told that if you have points, don't use or buy anymore in 2 yrs, you lose your points! Anyone know about this?

Once you draw, all your points for that species is gone. If you drew a 1 point unit, you would have zero points next year.