Early Wyoming Mule Deer

[islandlaker]

Hello everyone, I have been tasked with the bulk of the planning for a Mule deer hunt for me and a couple buddies. We would like to do the early season option that opens October first. We all work in a hospital and getting time off together is hard it looks like we could all get vacation 10/1 to 10/10. Doing some research it looks like there are only two real options in Wyoming that would let us hunt this time period; i.e. tag and public land availability. General M and hunt zone 164 is an option as well as General F and hunt zone 105 or 106 is an option. I have read many bad things about zone 164 so I am concerned about that option; comparatively I have read many great things about zone 105 and 106 but they are all about late season options. If you guys could do either of these hunts which would you pick? Or are we wasting our time going out that part of the year and should just try to make the second half of October work for us? Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[Musket Man]

Welcome to EF! Where are you from?

 

[islandlaker]

I am from northern Minnesota. Hunting is in my blood and I am ready to expand on my experiences.

 

[Musket Man]

Have you considered antelope? Prob alot more seasons that fit your time frame.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Island laker. You should stop by the New Members area and introduce your self.

Welcome to the forum. Antelope might just be the ticket as MM said.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

You will do yourself a favor to hunt as late in October as possible. When you get into the last 3 days of the month you will get some pre-rut activity and those are your money days.

 

[islandlaker]

Wow thanks for all the advice so far guys. We are interested in antelope but I have always wanted a mule deer. I think we are moving towards making the end of the month work. What kind of weather extremes can we expect out there? Also is it looking like a heavy winter kill year?

 

[JMBC]

I would completely snuff 164 personally. Go with antelope. Much better idea

Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Tapatalk

 

[AT Hiker]

The weather extremes are just that, extreme! Depending on what unit and what your elevation is will determine a lot for your weather. The higher you go the colder, etc.

Last year in Sept the Yellowstone area go some snow, we got a big snow in the Big Horns around 13th or so of Oct. 2 years ago I it snowed on me just East of Buffalo on Oct 4th and made for some crappy roads for 2 days.

 

[d.kerri]

If you decide mule deer over antelope [although, I do echo others thoughts on starting out with the speedsters] pick up Mike Eastman's "Mule Deer Hunting Tactics." It's got a lot of valuable information for setting yourself up for success both this upcoming season and the next following few. It covers mule deer behavior, how to research, how to hunt different terrain and general hunting strategies and tactics. You'll learn a lot.

Also, check your PMs- I'm a northern MN guy also.

 

[OregonJim]

Pack shorts and wool !!!!!!
You might find yourself in both in the same day !!!!!

 

[Musket Man]

Ill put it this way. Many years ago I went on a september ML hunt my friends had done several times expecting good weather. just over 1/2 way through the hunt we got a foot of snow and were flat out miserable the rest of the hunt. We even packed up early and hunted lower and were still miserable. I have never gone on any hunt since without being prepared for deep snow and below 0 temps. You never know what the weather could do.

 

[RICMIC]

Local boy done good

You are exactly where I was seven years ago. Since then I've tagged three 4X4 mulies and three 6X6 elk. Better yet, it sounds like I live within 50 miles of you. (That is if it's the Island Lake north of Duluth). Send me a PM and I can give you a call. RicMic

 

[islandlaker]

Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Doing some research I am leaning towards going in mid to end October in zone Y. Several sources have recommended that for a first timer. I am definitely interested in Mule deer over antelope. However, if there are any antelope doe tags available OTC I would be interested in that for some freezer meat. I will also be ordering that book on mule deer hunting tactics.

 

[Musket Man]

There are some antelope units you can draw 2nd choice in Y and you can draw Y 2nd choice as well but would depend where you decide to hunt in Y as some areas in it do not have antelope.

 

[kiddwinner]

unit 164 all the way

 

[Topgun 30-06]

unit 164 all the way

***You have got to be kidding me, LOL! For a first timer in 164 he'd be lucky to see a half dozen deer in a week unless he hunts private property. That unit IMHO is a for a seasoned veteran who doesn;t need to see 10 deer the entire season, but ne of those ten might just be a 180" buck. I hunted that unit a few years ago for a week before going for the rest of the season in the unit I usually hunt and it was about the hardest hunt I've done for deer with hardly any seen and only one buck that you'd even put the glasses up to look at. The problem he'll have if he picks Region Y is the ton of people he'll encounter down in the southern Kaycee area or the elk hunters he'll be rubbing shoulders with up in the northern units west of Sheridan and Ranchester. Personally, if I was starting out like they are I'd get a Y tag and hunt as far north in Y up toward Montana as I could go and as late in the season as possible since toward the end of October the better bucks start coming out of their hidey holes checking for early estrus does.

 

[kiddwinner]

yes I was joking, I hunt 105/106!!!

 

[islandlaker]

Thanks for the advice TopGun some of your comments on this site and others have helped with the General Y decision. It is nice to know that the more northern regions of Y will have less pressure. Would you advise going up the mountains part way? All the way? Or stick to the prairies?

Kidwinner 105/106 was another area I had been looking at. Am I selfish in wanting a spot to hunt with a chance at a decent 4x4 and not run into other hunters? I'm sure this is to much for a newbie to ask. It is to bad our ancestors allowed so much development in this nation.

 

[Musket Man]

Do you guys have any points or are you looking for an area you can draw 2nd choice so you can build points? There might be better areas you could draw if you are applying 1st choice. As far as a nice 4x4 and no other hunters Im not saying there are no areas where that can be done but most general regions get a fair amount of hunting pressure.