Question about scouting trip in late April.....

[ashridge]

I'm thinking about coming out in late April to get familiar, "on the ground", with some of the areas I'm trying to decide on as far as some future antelope hunts and cow elk hunts on public land. To "kill 2 birds with one stone", I'm thinking about bringing my 13 year old son and turkey hunting for a few days on general season tags since we're going to be out there anyway. I've been poring over maps and aerial photos looking at parcels of State and BLM land along major waterways in eastern Wyoming that look likely to hold turkeys, and I have found a few that "look" like they have potential, but I sure wouldn't mind some first hand input as well if anyone would be willing to share some local knowledge of some areas. Don't want to take anyone's honey hole, but maybe if anyone had even some general information about a certain area that would be great. The areas I'm looking to scout out for antelope are generally from Kaycee to Sheridan to Gillette and back to Kaycee area. However, if there are other areas, pretty much anywhere in the eastern half of Wyoming, that you have a good suggestion for on turkey, I'm more than happy to consider it. Perhaps such as areas along the North Platte or Laramie Rivers. Feel free to PM.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Turkey hunting and antelope scouting in late April is doable. Most cow elk hunting on public land is in the mountains, and most mountains are not accessible in late April (too much snow). You might try in and around the Black Hills. There are turkeys there on public land as well as elk. Also being a lower elevation, there won't be as much snow...maybe none.

 

[go_deep]

In the Wyoming black hills right now very little snow, and plenty of birds.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I would go for it you may not find exactly what your looking for but this will give a better idea of some of the terrain and at least narrow down some spots, plus you get to try to pull the trigger on turkey.

 

[Againstthewind]

Yep, I agree with the above. I saw quite a few turkeys on the ranches from Gillette to Clearmont today. Along with tons and tons of antelope. They already have a good start on horn growth, so I think you can pick out some of the ones with good potential. Black Hills always seem to have lots of Turkeys around, but last I looked they were sold out. There were still some for the Sheridan area left at that time. I should look into that as well. It sounds like fun. For turkeys I think anywhere along the Clear Creek drainage to Buffalo and the Tongue River drainage to Sheridan has lots of birds, but a lot on private property. I don't know of anyone right off hand to point you to, but hopefully you could find some. Good luck.

 

[ashridge]

Thanks for the responses!

 

[go_deep]

Here's what you're looking for. They are gobbling their butts off already.

 

[go_deep]

Pretty easy to tell the horn growth on the bucks already.