I have two boys with an average of 2 points for Antelope in WY. Due to school sports, this is the year to get out West or it will not happen for a while. I'm willing to do the Special, will have 2-3 days max to hunt. Prefer to fly into Denver and drive so Eastern half of the state preferred. It appears that 56 and 108 around Rawlins are possible options with 56 being more likely not to have point creep past 2 points. My goal is to have opportunity, see game, spend time outdoors with the boys but definitely get in the game this year with them. I've seen plenty of antelope but never hunted them. Not worried about B&C score. If you have input on whether either of these units will meet my hopes for this hunt or if you have a better idea, I would appreciate it. I'm also interested in figuring out which units have doe tags available nearby. If all goes well early, I'd love to have the opportunity to extend the hunt. Thank you for your input.
WY Antelope ?
- Thread starter bbright
- Start date
lostriverproductions
Active Member
I would look at other units, I would look at 27 in the special draw and not worry about doe tags. But you could try for some in 27, odds are around 50% of drawing.
Side note, Salt Lake UT might be better flight option.
Side note, Salt Lake UT might be better flight option.
Work2hunt
Veteran member
I would wait for the latest MRS to come out and use that inconjunction with Wyoming's posted draw odds and success rates and looking at mytopo.com's maps for what each antelope hunt unit looks like to help narrow your units that could be drawn last year with the points that you have going into the draw this year.
A couple years ago I did just what you are describing and 108 was one of my buck unit options. I ended up not choosing 108 because it was too checker-boarded for what I wanted. You can then apply for doe tags in the unit you draw your buck tag if you desire. Just make sure you check the box that allows you to only draw the doe tags if you draw your 1st choice buck tag. If you don't draw a doe tag then now worries. We didn't either and we then picked up doe tags when the left-over tags came up for sale and just bought tags for the unit closest to our buck unit.
A couple years ago I did just what you are describing and 108 was one of my buck unit options. I ended up not choosing 108 because it was too checker-boarded for what I wanted. You can then apply for doe tags in the unit you draw your buck tag if you desire. Just make sure you check the box that allows you to only draw the doe tags if you draw your 1st choice buck tag. If you don't draw a doe tag then now worries. We didn't either and we then picked up doe tags when the left-over tags came up for sale and just bought tags for the unit closest to our buck unit.
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MOhunter28
Member
Based on what you are saying I would save your points and look at unit 6 (8 has been included in the past). Lots and Lots of antelope to look at, a fair amount of public ground as well. I have done this hunt twice with 7 guys the first year and 6 the second year and each time we all have shot goats on opening day. There isn't very many big ones but its not difficult to find one 14"-14 1/2". Last year my buddy and I really spent sometime looking over antelope a couple days before season opened. He shot one that was 16 1/4" and mine was 15 3/4" his barely missed book but was really wide and heavy. We always stayed in New Castle. Not sure about doe tags in those units.
27 and 108 are both checkerboard units. Access will be very tough with no more than 600 acres in a continuous unit. With 2 points I would look at 29. There are a lot of outfitters that operate out of there and there is plenty of public land in the N/NE part of the unit. There are also other units with decent land access that Eastmans seems to like that you could draw on your second option. They are north of Gillette. I've done a ton of research but I have 0 points so I've had to look at second choice units so I can hunt and not draw my first choice and still get a point.
wy-tex
Veteran member
Winterkill is not an issue yet. Antelope are faring ok right now. But I agree wait to see how early spring, late winter snows are. You will not want to fly into Salt Lake if you are hunting SE Wyoming. Almost every unit will have some doe tags. No PP needed for doe tags so everyone is in the same boat there for the drawing. By antelope application time they should have quotas set for tag numbers.
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
The antelope herds I drive by everyday seem ok still, but this last bit we got yesterday put me over the edge. I am a little over the snow right now. It sure is pretty, but I kindof want a break, I am sure the animals do too.
NDHunter
Veteran member
27 is NOT checkerboarded at all and actually has great access. No shortage at all of public land. It can't be drawn in the regular though with 2 points and you'd need to go into the special. 29 however could be drawn with 2 points in the regular.
Yeah, that was my mistake. I meant to type 56 but had 27 on my mind I think. 27 is definitely very accessible. 56 looks like my kids checker board.
Been applying in NM for 15 years for an antelope tag (0), deer tags (2), elk tags (1). But it will be my luck to get drawn on a primo hunt this year when I really want to focus on the boys. Always apply them there as well. Swinging for the fences but within a days drive so I'm a NM fan.
I love to snow ski. Too much to ask for a pile of snow in the mountains and intermittent dustings in Antelope country?