Early Wyoming Mule Deer

kiddwinner

Active Member
Jun 24, 2013
377
6
Cody, Wyoming
Not at all man, go for it. Ive been up there and seen 3 or 4 very nice deer at once and then again ive also seen nothing! Let me know what you do, horses would be a plus for this area!
 

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
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.
***I'd start high in the NF if the weather allows and work my way down lower depending on what you're seeing and what the weather is doing.
 

islandlaker

Member
Feb 23, 2014
54
0
Minnesota
MusketMan, we have no preference points. I was thinking of applying for R it looks like there is a lot of public land with a 50% chance of drawing. Then I could put Y as my second choice and looks almost a shoe in to get it as a second choice; at least according to last years results. Then for third pick M as that also looks like a guarantee.

I love all the helpful hints I am getting. The research is a very fun process; nothing else to really do in northern Minnesota right now just to much snow and Walleye season just closed!
 

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
Stay away from Region M as there is not enough public land that holds enough deer to make a good hunt if you haven't been there a number of times to know where to go.
 

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
MusketMan, we have no preference points. I was thinking of applying for R it looks like there is a lot of public land with a 50% chance of drawing. Then I could put Y as my second choice and looks almost a shoe in to get it as a second choice; at least according to last years results. Then for third pick M as that also looks like a guarantee.

I love all the helpful hints I am getting. The research is a very fun process; nothing else to really do in northern Minnesota right now just to much snow and Walleye season just closed!
Y has had leftover tags the last few years after the draw so you can easily draw it 2nd choice. I would apply for R first choice and Y 2nd choice.
 

MWScott72

Active Member
Jan 27, 2012
220
0
West Jordan, UT
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.
If you take care of the antelope (shoot them when they're calm / cool down the meat immediately), they are far and away better than mule deer IMO. Cool looking mount, much easier hunt, and, on average, a fairly easy tag to draw if you're not out for a monster. I love muleys too, but if the timing doesn't work out for a deer hunt, you won't be disappointed chasing speed goats.
 

islandlaker

Member
Feb 23, 2014
54
0
Minnesota
So the tentative plan right now is to apply for R as first choice and Y as second choice for Mule Deer. Leave Minnesota on 10/17 arrive sunrise in Wyoming on 10/18. Then hunt tell 10/24 leave the morning of 10/25. This is about as late in the month as we can make the trip as we have to do it over a weekend off. The hospital we work at wont let us all take a weekend off together. How does that sound to everyone? Again thanks, you guys rock!
 

nickpaolini81

Member
May 24, 2012
69
0
Stoneboro, PA
Stay away from Region M as there is not enough public land that holds enough deer to make a good hunt if you haven't been there a number of times to know where to go.
Isn't M where you hunt deer?

BTW: Here's a screen grab of unit 164 in Region M. Yellow/Blue = Public. White = Non-public. Better stay away from M. Not enough public land.
Screen Shot 2014-03-01 at 8.34.49 AM.jpg


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Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
That looks like a big chunk of public land in M!!! Maybe I should put M as my 2nd choice in case we don't draw the LE unit we applied for.

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nickpaolini81

Member
May 24, 2012
69
0
Stoneboro, PA
Take it all with a grain of salt. There is tons of public land in WY but a lot of it is very difficult if not landlocked w private. All that yellow looks appetizing, but u may spend your entire hunt on one or 2 hillsides equivalent to a pinhead on that map


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Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
So the tentative plan right now is to apply for R as first choice and Y as second choice for Mule Deer. Leave Minnesota on 10/17 arrive sunrise in Wyoming on 10/18. Then hunt tell 10/24 leave the morning of 10/25. This is about as late in the month as we can make the trip as we have to do it over a weekend off. The hospital we work at wont let us all take a weekend off together. How does that sound to everyone? Again thanks, you guys rock!
As long as the season is open then it sounds good if that is the time you all have. I would suggest trying to time it to hunt during the week as much as you can because weekends will usually have the most hunters out hunting. Also always check the regulations for the specific unit or units you will be hunting as they can vary within the region.
 

JMBC

New Member
Dec 16, 2013
24
0
SW Missouri
164 has the earliest season in m. If anyone wants to try m there is always leftovers for a reason. Yes plenty of public land in 164 but seeing it is enough for me. Make the season later and snow a bunch on mountain and I'll hunt it until then what inhabits it can live free.

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Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
Some of you guys really lack reading comprehension! I DID NOT say there wasn't a lot of public land in Region M. I said the public land there does not hold enough deer in any one spot to make a good hunt unless you have been there and done that a number of times to know where to go. Having access to a ranch or two like I do also helps more than a little, LOL! I've been all over 164, which is also unit 114 for antelope, and it's not called the Badlands for nothing because it basicly looks like moonscape more hospitable for Bighorn sheep than anything else! If any of you go out there and see more than 10 deer in a week of hunting in that BLM you'd be doing really well! There is a reason why there are hundreds of leftover tags after the draw in Region M, so don't say I didn't tell you so if you venture out there and crap out on a hunt!!! Also, disregard the comment JMBC mentioned about snow in the mountains and hunting late because 164 isn't a migratory unit for deer and is open the first part of October, although antelope do come down from the south in November or December from the Lysites to winter there if it snows bad down there at the higher elevations.
 
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Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
Easy Topgun, I think they were joking and didnt mean anything bad or against anything you said. What does "moonscape" look like? lol
 

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
Easy Topgun, I think they were joking and didnt mean anything bad or against anything you said. What does "moonscape" look like? lol
***I get more than a little upset when I've hunted out there for the past 20 years and try to give good advice on Forums and then have someone question what I've stated just because they're looking at a dang map while they sit at their desk 1800 miles away from Wyoming! I didn't even read his followup before I made my post after reading his initial one! The BLM in 164 looks exactly like pictures of the moon we've all seen from the NASA photos. For those that don't believe me, just go out there and have at it, LOL!
 
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Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
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colfax, wa
It can be frustrating and i know where your coming from but I dont think he meant it badly. Most of what we post is our opinion and what might be a great hunt to me could be a horrible hunt to you. None of us need to agree on anything, we just need to try and be respectful about how we disagree.

Is there any grass sage brush or anything on this moon area or is that part like the moon too? lol
 

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
I've never been to the moon. So that sounds interesting. J/k

We decided not to put in for a 2nd choice because we applied in the special draw. If we don't hit it, we will buy a leftover I guess.

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Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
Now we know why it got the letter M for Moon. lol Dont worry if you dont draw it will have leftovers and Y prob will too but might want to jump on them when they go on sale. Also I have never done it but you can still modify your app in WY if you decide you want a 2nd choice. Im pretty sure you will draw though!
 

JMBC

New Member
Dec 16, 2013
24
0
SW Missouri
Topgun, did I mention your name? No. Dont think your the only one that knows anything. I know Tom and I have relation in ten sleep. Was clearly stating that I would not hunt west of bluebank. Not getting in a pissin match but I don't post bs so leave me out of it.

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ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
7,940
2,817
www.eastmans.com
Easy guys, lets get back to the MO.

I would highly recommend getting an onxmaps product to help navigate the private ground.