New western hunter

[Chase0621]

Hello everyone my name is chase just re introducing myself, I’m getting out of the Marine Corps January 11, 2017 and heading back to Shelby North Carolina.



I’m a complete boot when it comes to drawing tags and hunting out west( I have only been hunting whitetail east coast) and I’m looking for ANY information anyone could give me it would be greatly appreciated.



My goal is to harvest an antelope, mule deer, and elk this season I’m pretty determined to do it also by the DIY process un-guided.

(I’m thinking of hunting antelope and mule deer in Wyoming for 2 weeks and then go to Colorado to hunt elk.) But I’m hoping on some insight if that is reasonable or how would you all plan to hunt those 3 animals.




Please know I have done lots of research and am still continuing to research, I’m not trying to get a free ride and take information from others without doing my own work. But that being said I do have quite a few questions. I have subscribed to Eastman hunting and bow hunting journal to gather information as well as using this site to help me.



1.) How does the WYOMING draw system work?

I thought I understood how the draw system worked until I printed off the draw results from last year and you have multiple choices for units and it gave the quotas for each unit and it didn’t seem to match up with the percentages. I read to save money for private land owner tags instead of buying special tags. If anyone could give me the run down on how the whole process worked I would appreciate it.




2.) Any states or tags you would suggest putting in for if you were young to build up points?




3.) 0 preference points in WYOMING units?

I’m trying to hunt Antelope and Mule deer at the same time. My plans are going out for 2 weeks to hunt antelope first and then spend the remaining time on mule deer. Units 16, 25, 43,73 seemed like I could get a tag for antelope. Just looking for guidance for units that are reasonable to hunt and can be drawn for.





4.) Anyone needing a partner or would take me out to learn?


I know this is a longshot I’m sure but I’m Just looking to learn the ropes and have someone teach me the ways since I have never hunted out west. I will be living in North Carolina once I get out of the Military in January. I’m really clean and respectable guy I would like to think. Don’t drink much. I have social media and could talk and meet up before going.




5.) Any additional information or what to look out for would be awesome!





Sorry for the long thread just trying to learn as fast as possible to be as successful as I can. Post on here or private messages are completely fine. And hopefully this thread can help others out who might need some questions answered.




I don’t have a lot of hunting knowledge especially out west so I feel bad not being able to share or help out as much in this community but I’m pretty good with *fitness/diets/ workouts,* so if anyone wants to message me feel free.

 

[Horsenhike]

Nice post. Randy Newberg has a YouTube video that breaks down Wyoming pretty well, but it is complicated. Watch that to see if it clears it up for you.

I'm pretty inexperienced but would not hesitate to do it again. Last fall was our first trip and everything we could hope for. Well, other than killing big deer, but we found some. Wyoming is so big, and has so many different areas. We hunted Eastern WY because we enjoy that high desert environment. Most people want to see mountains.

Biggest tip I could give you is to read all you can on here, come up with a plan, then prioritize and buy your equipment. Huge country does not lend itself to travel. At least not for us. Take everything you need for longer than you think you will be there, and prepare for all weather.

 

[lucky guy]

Congrats and thanks for your service.

No magic to it, just a lot to plan for in the way of contingencies.

The Wy fish and game website has the info on the draws, just have to take the time to go through it. Plenty of threads on here and other forums to go through too. Looks like you've started doing some of that.

Our experience has been that antelope are easy to find and kill. Plenty of them around, plenty of terrain to use to stalk. You'll hear about really long shots but most of mine have been under 300 yds. Big bucks are elusive like any big game. You have an advantage that they can be spotted a long way off. Bad news is they can see you the same - a long way off. Does are easier and I don't glass for them, just get in an area and walk the terrain. A few days is usually plenty to allow for a couple does and a buck unless you're looking for a big buck.

I don't hunt muleys much, never in WY.

A solo elk hunt might be a lot to bite off for the first time. Big country, they hunt a little different from deer, and you don't appreciate how big they are until you get one down and have to get it out. Might consider a cow tag or an "any elk" tag for your first trip. It would greatly increase your odds of being successful.

Another major issue - what to do with the meat. Butchers get pretty busy that time of year, and you're gonna be gone for 4 weeks or so it sounds like when you figure in travel. It can be shipped but that gets expensive. We've flown with coolers as checked baggage and shipped clothes ups. Easiest might be have it butchered and leave it there until you're on the way back, then pick it up and you're home in 2-3 days.

Weather. It could be high 60's to minus digits. No wind up to 50 mph or more. We had almost endless wind at 20-50 this year in Wy. Altitude is something else to consider and allow for if you're not acclimated.

 

[ScottR]

I would start with our MRS book and a subscription. You will get info on both states, their draw systems, deadlines, etc.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Welcome to the forum. The MRS will have most of what you need.

 

[rammont]

Ooorah jarhead, if you ever decide to try hunting in the Helena Montana area I'd be more than happy to help. I retired from the Corps quite a while ago but I'm always ready to help another Marine.

Semper Fi

 

[minn elk chaser]

Thanks for your service!! Welcome to this forum, it has allot of great people willing to help and that have tons of experience. Set your priorities on what you expect from a hunt and then plan the hunt accordingly. Lodging, transportation in the field, weather, and the number of people in the area you want to hunt. I would consider Montana as you can get a deer and elk tag at the same time and their seasons are longer than most states.

 

[Tim McCoy]

If you are looking to hunt all 3 species on the same trip, say over 3 weeks, you sure can do that. Not sure I would want to try that as a new hunter myself. If you are looking for any legal buck, antelope and mule deer, in many places, are not difficult usually. Elk, can be very different because they herd up and timber up often. It can seem like there are no elk then all of the sudden you are surrounded by elk, can be frustrating, unless you know their habits or get lucky. Where there are decent numbers of antelope, they are usually easy to see on the flats, but do live in cover too. MD usually scatter about in small groups/singles where good habitat and populations exist, making finding them a good bet when new.

If you want mature animals, antelope is the most doable IMO when new at the game. I might select one primary species, and then maybe a secondary or get an antler less tag. But if you want to go after all 3, go for it. Getting some help with elk is a good idea, both to hunt them and to recover one. Public land MD and Elk hunts, for a mature buck/bull are a challenge.

Relative to the meat. I did a 3 week 3 state MD hunt a few years back. I found a cheap locker to rent in Belle Fourche, SD. Was about $20 for about a 200-250qt. drawer for a month. It was convenient to 2 of the hunts and on my drive home from the 3rd hunt. Just an idea to consider, as in peak season some processors are not willing to hold the meat for long or it is a long drive back to pick it up or a few day wait to get it. Some will turn it around in 24 hr, often the larger processors for a fee. Dry ice on top of a cooler of packaged and frozen meat usually lasts about 24 hr., then the meat stays frozen for about another 24hr. So I guess if a guy had access to dry ice about every other day, he could keep it frozen, be $ intensive and a pain, but doable.

Have fun with your adventure!

 

[Chase0621]

Ok thanks everyone for the advice so far ! This community is sure quick to help others which is awesome! Like I said I feel bad for not being able to contribute as much but if I can help anything or anyone let me know



I'm in no means trying for a trophy of any animal just trying to harvest ,get some organic meat, and learn the ropes



The whole keeping the meat cold for a while is a big issue I was thinking of about already and thanks for the tips



I was planning on doing the mule deer hunt and antelope at the same time .

Then I haven't decided on what to do for elk yet. Like you all said it would be smart to have someone show me the ropes with hunting elk and three animals is a lot to do all at once.



My goal would to do all three in one travel instead of doing multiple trips to save money and work days lol but realistically not sure if it can happen unless I find someone and somewhere to put the meat .



So all that being said my priority would be doing a mule deer/antelope hunt same time. Finding the units and states to hunt .



Which would you all prefer Wyoming or Montana for mule deer / antelope for drawing odds 0 points ?

 

[Chase0621]

Ooooraaahh Devil Dog !!! I'm sending you a pm . great to see another one of us In here and other military branches !

Thanks for your service

 

[Tim McCoy]

If I were suggesting a locale for any MD to a first timer it would be E. MT. Moderate terrain, long season, lots of deer the past few years, and private land access via the BMA's. Tags are costly however at over $600. Many of the ranches/areas have MD and Antelope. The rifle Antelope tags have been a tougher draw, deer near 100%. The seasons have some overlap. Few years back, antelope was a hi % draw, so hopefully they will keep increasing the tags as the population recovers. What I would do ASAP, is order the 2016 BMA guide, if one still can. It will give a good idea for 2017 as many BMA's in the 2016 guide will be there again in 2017. Look under Hunter Access. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/

The lower draw chance for antelope in MT may make WY a better choice for you right now. WY has good oppoutunities for all 3 target species. I'm not familiar with WY MD/Elk outside unit 125 and region H, neither of which are good candidates for you for a variety of reasons. So don't take my suggestion as advising against WY, I am very familiar with MT, not so WY, ergo my MT deer suggestion. MT for deer and WY for antelope could work well. There is plenty of WY antelope info here to review, as well as other sites online.

If you decide to tackle all 3, and do deer in MT, for about $400 more, one can get a MT combo for a deer and elk. Most of the DIY general tag elk hunting in MT is in the western half of the state, often there will be MD around too, but usually not in numbers like E MT. Going in cold for general season elk DIY in W MT as a new hunter, or most anywhere, would be a daunting task for most, but possible. Hopefully you will get some better suggestions and hear from some of the WY experts on here.

 

[hoshour]

If you're going back to Shelby, that's only a little over an hour from me and I drive through there at least a dozen times a year. I'll send you a PM with my phone number and I can meet with you to help you out.

 

[lucky guy]

Which would you all prefer Wyoming or Montana for mule deer / antelope for drawing odds 0 points ?

Wyoming, better numbers the last few years.