Made a trip to Sheridan from Gillette today. On the way home we took the back roads through Spotted Horse and Recluse. It is as green as I've ever seen it. Saw lots of antelope and they really look healthy. Saw some bucks that have some really good horn growth already. So far it's looking like it could be a pretty good year.
Northeast Wyoming Antelope Look Healthy
- Thread starter robsev
- Start date
Musket Man
Veteran member
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Robsev, I was in and around Sheridan and Buffalo last Saturday, I agree with you. The bucks we saw had some pretty impressive headgear for this early in the year. We saw lots of antelope around Lake Desmet, and the country was very green due to all the rain and snow this spring (we're supposed to get snow tonight) We also spotted a pair of Loons on Desmet, the first I've seen in Wyoming in 25 years.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
You must not get over to Gillette much, there are a lot of loons mixed in with us triple c-s ers.
oh the birds, gotcha. I wouldn't mind it being wet until June again this year, except it cuts into my overtime. That is good news about the antelope looking good this year. There are quite a few bunched up going down to Wright and on 450. The bucks have been feisty already, chasing smaller bucks around and watching over the does already. I haven't been to Buffalo in a little while. When is the antelope rut? I can never remember,
Last edited:
Musket Man
Veteran member
I missed an exit around Belle Fourche 1 time and went on 450 instead of backtracking and I saw lots of antelope along it. Mostly on the north side. Isnt that alot of private land around there?
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
I actually haven't gone the whole route of 450 to Newcastle ever, but yes there is a lot of private in that area. The first 20 miles or so from Wright is right along side the mines, but there are some trust lands and walk-in areas, and grass land access along the route. The other Gillette guys probably know better than I do. There are some big ranches that lease grassland for grazing, but there is quite a bit of area that is open National Grassland to go tooling around in. The Rochelle Hills are pretty popular for elk and deer. I have never even put in for there. They do get some big antelope, but the Recluse, Spotted Horse area does, too. I still can't judge for a trophy after all these years. I either look for weird horns or pretty curls, so I am not the best person to ask about trophy goats, sorry. I think that is where I am going to try and take the kiddo for an antelope this year, though. Maybe go the other direction to Pumpkin Buttes, I just don't know. Its a terrible problem to have too many places to hunt. I think both of those areas are good places for a chip for the GPS to tell you where is private.
Last edited:
Musket Man
Veteran member
Its been a few years and I dont remember exactly what parts but I remember alot of antelope on 450. Saw alot of deer at night along the road around Wright going from Casper to Gillette 1 time when I tried to haul horses from CA to ND without sleeping. Got to Sundance
Againstthewind, the rut doesn't start till September. Does should be having their babies any time now. I don't know what the deal is with the aggressive bucks. I watched one behind our house last week chase after one particular doe. they stopped once and both their tongues were hanging out. Caught his wind and took off after her again. Last I saw of them he was still chasing her over the hill a half mile away.
stevevan
Active Member
stevevan
Active Member
I love that 110 Accubond! Always had good success with the 115 Partition but I switched to the Accubond. Gives a bit better accuracy in my rifle and has been a reliable performer with quick knock down results.
arwaterfowler
Active Member
I just got back from a trip to NW Nebraska and saw quite a few antelope out there. Saw a few in the Sandhills but more in the Ogala National Grassland. Saw a stud east of Crawford. I was surprised to saw one that big this early in Nebraska.
razorbackhunter
Member
Any info on the Douglas area, it's still a month before the draw but I can't wait to start the planning!
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
I guess I haven't been down to Douglas in a little while, but I am starting to see babies around and it is really green all over the PRB. The Big Horns look great and green. Still snow on top, so some good runoff yet to come. It seems like it was a fairly mild winter overall, just wet, so I would say the whole area is in good shape. Wyoming is not on the drought map yet right now, so that is really good news. I feel bad for those that have the drought problems, there are lots of big ugly red spots on the map. Anywhoo, things seem to look pretty good in the area at the moment IMO.
razorbackhunter
Member
libidilatimmy
Veteran member
To tag along here, I spent a couple days in the central part of the state (Areas 106 & 67) camping and what-not this weekend.
The current grass growth out there is some of the best I can remember so this should bode well for horn growth and fawn survival. Overall, I think the total animal numbers are still below average, but they were pretty spread out due to the abundance of moisture. I think these will be good hunts for those people lucky enough to draw tags in this region with the quota cuts.
The current grass growth out there is some of the best I can remember so this should bode well for horn growth and fawn survival. Overall, I think the total animal numbers are still below average, but they were pretty spread out due to the abundance of moisture. I think these will be good hunts for those people lucky enough to draw tags in this region with the quota cuts.
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,167
- 1,354