Antelope Leads to Mule Deer

[BobJohansen]

I've put a lot of research into mule deer and antelope trying to identify a plan of action. Through MRS, WYGF, Google Maps, talking to WY officials and reading articles online I have come up with a plan I think would be successful. This year for Fall of 2015 I have one PP for goats and am planning on applying in 110. 110 has decent public land, pretty good success rates, and is also part of the mule deer unit 117 that I want to scout for Fall of 2016 mule deer hunt. Going this route lets me hunt this year and also get a pretty good scout of the mule deer unit to know what to expect. And also gives me another year of PP to almost guarantee draw if this is ultimately the route I go. What I'm wondering now is if anyone has put boot to trail in the Franc's Peak area and could share any experience good or bad. It's an early season so expecting majority of hunting to be around timberline. PM's welcome.

 

[2rocky]

I think your plan is sound. While I'm not familiar with the units in Question, anytime you can get familiar with the lay of the land in a unit while waiting for a premium tag, is a good strategy.

 

[Guy]

You are right on track with that info Bob. The Franc's peak area is a very cool piece of country and believe it or not, there are antelope up on that thing at nearly 11,000 feet. It would be a very cool hunt for lopes. Above timberline. Nothing huge up there, but you could probably find a high 70s goat if you look hard. They never get hunted so it might be pretty fun and much easier to pack off the hill than an elk would be. Area 110 is a great place to hill a nice 75-80 inch buck. I believe you can still hunt the Pitchfork Ranch for antelope as Hunter Management Area and if so, that place is a slam dunk for a 14-inch buck. The deer in there are doing a little bit better each year, but the big bucks are very spread out and hard to find, but they are there. There are quite a few bucks in that area in the 170-200 inch mark but you have to look really hard for them. They can be high, low and everywhere in between in there. I have seen bucks in that area that will pass the B&C mark. I hope this helps. Good luck. -G

 

[Elkoholic307]

Long Range Pursuit had a really neat episode where Jeremy Winters shot one in 110 up at 10,000 feet. Very cool.