WY Outfitter ?
- Thread starter Flyforfun
- Start date
I agree. My second year hunting and first time hunting antelope I got a nice 14" buck scoring low 70s without too much effort.
I do not. I have a fully executable DIY plan in place. I'm also doing archery so that increases the level of difficulty but helps because I'm hoping the crowds will be much smaller. I've narrowed it down to units 18, 23, 24, and 27.
Hilltop
Veteran member
For archery I would actually recommend guided unless you have the time to come set blinds well in advance of the season. Blinds at water holes is your highest percentage archery method. You can kill them stalking but it becomes a much more challenging hunt with no guarantees. At a decent water hole, you would likely have multiple opportunities a day if the weather cooperates.
This is exactly why I even considered a guided hunt. I have considered put a blind up at a waterhole but it would only be a few days in advance. I've been watching a lot of spot and stalk hunts and I think it's doable but compared to a waterhole hunt it will be MUCH harder.
brianboh
Active Member
Spot and stalk is extremely difficult if it is not done during the rut. I mean EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. During the rut it is not as bad.
Vikingload
Member
Spot and stalk can be tough like Brain mentioned. A good way to get a hand up is know the terrain, I hunted a area this year that had some good draws and cover and made stalking easier, not easy but easier. Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Finsandtines
Very Active Member
I used an outfitter back in 2011 for an archery antelope hunt. Be more than happy to give you some more info as another option if you want to PM.
lostriverproductions
Active Member
Antelope hunts have sure gotten pricey. I remember looking at some thinking 1500 was crazy, now there up around and over 2K. Not sure if demand has driven the price up or competition between outfitters which has led to increase in land lease cost. Archery antelope hunts are one of the easiest hunts for an outfitter. Pick you up from a local motel, take you to a blind over a water hole, come back after dark or after you shot one.
IMO opinion since your thinking DIY and have no points. Pick a unit you can draw on a second choice. Get you a decoy and go out and have some fun with spot and stalk, then in a couple years you will be able to draw a better tag. Even on a outfitted hunt on private land, if they get a bunch of rain it can ruin your hunt because they don't have to come to the water hole. Some still will. just my .02
IMO opinion since your thinking DIY and have no points. Pick a unit you can draw on a second choice. Get you a decoy and go out and have some fun with spot and stalk, then in a couple years you will be able to draw a better tag. Even on a outfitted hunt on private land, if they get a bunch of rain it can ruin your hunt because they don't have to come to the water hole. Some still will. just my .02
stevevan
Active Member
Go do it yourself. There's absolutely no need to pay anybody 2 grand for a enjoyable and high % successful antelope hunt in Wyoming. There are times when the services of a good outfitter are necessary, however an antelope hunt in Wyoming is not one. DIY, you'll have a great time and feel more ownership in the hunt.
Thanks guys. I've settled on a DIY in unit 23. I have someone that I can hunt with there. He has access to some private land that I may be able to hunt with him. If not, there is enough accessible BLM land that should keep me busy for a few days.
Before I look it up, anyone know the law about putting a popup blind on BLM land for a few days?
Before I look it up, anyone know the law about putting a popup blind on BLM land for a few days?
Hilltop
Veteran member
Here is the language directly from the WGF- "A. There are no restrictions to using a blind to hunt antelope, or for that matter anything else. It is permissible to build a temporary blind on public land and the structure must be removed after the season. Any blind construction on private land is an agreement between the hunter and landowner. There really aren't any regulations specifying a starting date for blind construction."
Only issue I can see with the popup is that it may be damaged or stolen. Cattle can be hard on anything around a waterhole. The wind can be a real issue with popups- stake it down very well if you choose that route. I usually use plywood blinds- paint the inside black. I leave the outside plain wood but again I like to place mine a couple weeks in advance. In your situation I think your best option would be to build a sage brush/tumble weed blind if the area allows.
PlainsHunter
Active Member
If you hunt on public you'll need the 23-1 tag. You'd need to go "special" if you wanted a guaranteed tag. 23-1 had 31% drawing odds with no points in the standard draw last year. Or maybe get lucky and grab one if the residents didn't take them in the drawing and hope to get as a leftover
Last edited:
Thanks, I feel bad for being lazy and not looking it up. I have an idea how to keep a temp popup blind secure from the wind. If it gets trampled by cows so be it. I've seen some blinds behind barb wire fencing to prevent that. It would just be a risk I'd take.
Yeah, I forgot to mention my second choice unit plans because it's 1 point to draw 23 type 1 unless I get lucky in the random. It's a toss up between 16, 19, 22 or 24. All were 100% draw for second choice so worst case scenario is I end up in one of those units and still get a point for next year. Wish there were more type 9 tags. I don't plan on bringing my rifle.
trkytrack2
Active Member
Did you give them a deposit already? Sounds a bit fishy to me. I'd have them checked out with the Wyoming Outfitters Association to see if their on the up and up.