Brothers thinking about WY antelope this year

[TGDjr]

My brother and I have started building points in WY. He lives in CO, and I live on the east coast(temporarily.)

I have 2 antelope points and he has 1. I have been doing research and read some DIY antelope guides online and in the hunting rags, but it seems the second a unit is mentioned, the next years draw odds change drastically. I was reviewing an article that listed about 40 antelope units from the best of the best, to low public land, but lots of tags units, to in between. The data they were using was from 2012 draw odds.

Checking the 2014 draw odds, all the units that might look good for a <2 app from this advice is now outdated and requires 3 or 2 points to draw. We are not opposed to special license or a, on the lighter side of the range, tresspass fee but preferably not both.

And through all of that, we just want to hunt together and wouldn't mind building points and getting 2nd choice tags in representative buck areas, but then would prefer decent access, cheap tag etc.

We have been to WY many times growing up (we are in our mid 20's to low 30's) but never hunting. We sure do see many antelope driving through though.

So any advice on 2nd choice areas or 1st choice <2 would be appreciated. We probably are looking for late september or early october, not opening day(hoping for less pressure), don't mind getting off the road, planning to get the GPS and or BLM maps for the eventual unit drawn.

thanks in advance for your help pointing us in the right direction.

 

[Hilltop]

TGD,

Wyoming game and fish publishes their draw odds from year to year on their website. There are quite a few areas that can be drawn with 1.5 points, especially if you are entering the special draw. While none of them are blue chip, there is some good hunting available. Actual draw odds are very difficult to predict so your guess is as good as anyone else's on here what will actually happen in 2015.

As far as 2nd choice areas go- you will only be able to get tags in areas with the * meaning difficult public access. There is still some hunting to be had in these areas but it is challenging. Trespass hunts can be found but you will have to do a lot of leg work as they aren't usually advertised. Start by calling regional Game and Fish offices- sometimes they will have a name or two for you to contact.

 

[TGDjr]

I have looked over the previous draw odds quite a bit. I guess i was hoping for someone who has hunted with 2 or <2 to chime in with their experience or unit or even region to help narrow the search.

3 zones I found we *could* draw are 50, 70, and 103 without upgrading to the special license. My brother could probably scout 50 or 103 some.

 

[Tim McCoy]

This site has a nice compare units function. I've not used their maps so can't comment on them.

http://diyhuntingmaps.com/p/wy-antelope-compare-units.html

 

[PlainsHunter]

This site has a nice compare units function. I've not used their maps so can't comment on them.

http://diyhuntingmaps.com/p/wy-antelope-compare-units.html

I just looked at the site- pretty good info. Thanks

 

[wyheadhunter]

Hello TGD,
I have allot of experience with 103. Allot of private land with a sprinkling of public and walk in areas scattered around the southern end of unit. I am a resident so dont get to play the points game. We have harvested a few mid to upper 70's antelope in 103 and one 81 but i would say A low 70's antelope is doable but you may have to work some to get one. Private land will improve your odds greatly so as said in earlier post Game and fish is a good call to make to get names of ranchers from there list. Gps with wyoming land ownership should help you find a decent antelope and keep you out of trouble. Hope this helped a little.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I have looked over the previous draw odds quite a bit. I guess i was hoping for someone who has hunted with 2 or <2 to chime in with their experience or unit or even region to help narrow the search.

3 zones I found we *could* draw are 50, 70, and 103 without upgrading to the special license. My brother could probably scout 50 or 103 some.

Area #70 is just outside Casper and is usually over-run with road hunters (in my experience) and a lot of private land that the goats bolt to after the opening. It can be done, but it's tough IMO. There are other areas that are better, check the Harvest reports on the Wyoming G&F website along with the drawing odds. It's eye opening.

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

I would advise against unit 70. The public land you see available is devoid of water and as a result devoid of goats most the time. If you can find a place to pay a trespass fee, then take the plunge but if you plan on hunting public, don't do it....learn from my mistake.