Drought effects on 2012 WY antelope hunt?

[Cotton]

I haven't hunted antelope in many years, but will do so mid October just outside Wright, Area 23. My contacts in WY and Southeast MT tell me a large area of the West is under a severe drought. Any news on current conditon of the range and game populations in the Gillette general area? If drought hangs on many months, what will we expect to see for antelope (and deer) numbers and horn development by fall? Hope the rains come for all the ranchers and ag folks and to end the fires.
Thanks from NW Minnesota.

[jenbickel]

Even with our drought I have seen good deer and antelope numbers. We started out this spring with lots of moisture and all the crops seemed to be ready a month early. I don't think many of the deer and antelope are affected too bad yet. I have seen a lot of awesome growth and I think it's from the early on wet months. If the drought keeps up your best bet will definitely be to sit on a water hole come hunting time!

[freddogs]

I talked to a rancher north of Gillette tonight. He said numbers were down but about the same as last year. He said hay was starting to get short but they did have some rain not long ago. Game numbers were down more by Moorcroft where he had some land. If some rains come maybe it could still help. Even though he said he was filled up, it's useful to talk to people. I'm still looking for a place to hunt where I can buy a leftover license.

[ADavid]

finalyy starting to get a little rain this summer, i have been to a few different areas around Casper and the horn growth looks really good so far this year.

[Umpqua Hunter]

Antelope start to grow their horns in November, so the extremely mild winter and spring may outweigh the dry summer so far as far as the growth on the antelope horns goes.

[brooks]

I just spent the week in Wyoming and saw as many antelope as I've ever seen and a ton of does with 2 fawns and alot of NICE bucks. From what I saw it should be a great year for antelope hunting, and it was raining alot in the southern part of WY.

[brooks]

Some pics from 7/6

[justinthedoc]

Drought smought yeah its crispy, just find water and you will find the animals, honestly droughts make bowhuntn better in my opinion, only thing that i wishn for is cooler weather in late aug through hunts season. i hate huntn when its in the 90's...

[NoMoreOldNo7]

Those pics are making me very anxious. Can't wait to get up there, this will be my first trip to Wyoming and I am ready to go already. I plan on missing the first two weeks and hunt Mulies here in Cali, figure that will let some of the hunting pressure ease up a bit. Thanks again for the pics, the're great.

[Muleys 24/7]

Brooks, nice pics!