Sheridan Region Mule Deer Opportunities?

[roknHS]

The 2014 Forecast for Sheridan deer looked good and the success on private land was predicted to be high. I can't seem to find any non-resident season for mule deer in the Sheridan area......Units 23,26,29,24,27, or 30. Why??
They list whitetail only for unit 23 and 24. I know the area has lots of private property and almost no access without working something out with a landowner. My idea was to see what the trespass fees were in the area and try to put something affordable together for mule deer and antelope.
If any of you are familiar with these units, could you give some input as to where the mule deer opportunities went?
Or have I missed something?
Oh, just so you're not confused......I'm trying to research and plan for 2015.

 

[Againstthewind]

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/hunting-1001823.aspx#RegionY

I am not very familiar with non-resident, but if you apply for the Region C Type C with the combined units for example, that is the one with the mule deer. They don't specifically call it a mule deer season anywhere, but the any deer/antlered deer season that doesn't say white tail only is where you can hunt mule deer. The seasons change a little year to year, so the season ending date is listed on the current regulations for the year. http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/REGULATIONS_CH6_SIGNED0005672.pdf
Hope that answered your question a little. There are some really up to speed people on here for this stuff to help out.

 

[roknHS]

You have to understand I'm green as a gord..........I thought you had to apply by unit, not by region or combined units. Some of the units aren't even listed as having a quota for mule deer for non-residents or residents................Unit 26,29,27, and 30. I appreciate your thoughts. Maybe I've missed something and need to be educated. I was a "C' student some years ago and the comment section said "does not work to ability".

 

[Againstthewind]

lol, kein problemo. I am in the same boat, learning lots on here. http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/hunting-1001914.aspx This is the drawing odds page. It has the non-resident quotas it looks like.
The whole deal can be pretty confusing, but once you work through I think it starts to make sense. I tend to confuse the issue and then someone comes along and straightens things out. I don't know much about the non-resident side, but those units are listed as general in the regulations, so there isn't really a quota for residents. Non-resident Regions Y and C were sold out this year. If you wanted to kindof scout out the area, its pretty easy to pick up a white tail or antelope doe tag. I think those are easy to draw if you have to. Then you can kindof establish a rapport with a landowner if you decide to go that route. If you need to get a preference point to increase your drawing odds you need to do that tomorrow.

 

[Murdy]

Here's a map:

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/WGFD14_DEER_SUMMAP.pdf

Limited quota areas are listed in red (in the margin of the map). They require a specific area tag. If they are not listed in red, you can hunt them with a general tag for the region they are in. The units you ask about are in Regions C and Y and are huntable with those region tags.

 

[roknHS]

I did pick up a PP for both antelope and deer last week. So, in the 2015 draw I'll have 1pt to use. I think the Sheridan area could be one of those that has left over tags that can be purchased in July.

Maybe the next step is to give the Game Dept regional office in Sheridan a call. They could explain the mule deer issue and probably tell me how much I could expect to pay for a private property fee next year. From what I've read, they should have a list of private land owners that are looking for hunters.

Big dollar land access fees would put an end to this research project for me in a hurry. I have always allowed some hunting on my place here in Idaho..........just never could bring myself to charge someone for it.

 

[roknHS]

Here's a map:

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/WGFD14_DEER_SUMMAP.pdf

Limited quota areas are listed in red (in the margin of the map). They require a specific area tag. If they are not listed in red, you can hunt them with a general tag for the region they are in. The units you ask about are in Regions C and Y and are huntable with those region tags.

Thanks Murdy,
So, you're telling me I can just buy a regional tag for mule deer in the area? Is there a non-resident drawing for those? I didn't see any thing for mule deer units in the draw odds data sheets for that area. That's why I'm confused.

 

[kiddwinner]

I grew up in big horn right at the base of the mountains. 95% of all the ranches there are outfitted and the others are no hunting, but Ive seen so decent mulies on top of the mountain

 

[Musket Man]

You would apply in the draw for a Region the same as you would apply for a limited unit. The draw stats for the regions are at the bottom.

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/DRAW_DEER_PP_NONRES_20140005886.pdf

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/DRAW_DEER_RD_NONRES_20140005888.pdf

 

[Murdy]

What MM said. I applied for a limited-quota area with my first choice this, year, then 2 regional tags with my next 2 choices -- it's the same drawing.

 

[roknHS]

I'm slow on the uptake I guess. If you have to be in a random draw for deer units or regions, how come I don't see any results for unit 26, 27, 29, or 30? Or for that matter, Region C or Region Y? What are the odds I can draw a Regional tag for C or Y? Unit 23 and 24 have results listed but the tag is for whitetail only. I'm focused on mule deer for this research.
Don't give up on me guys........I know I'm mentally challenged in alot of ways.

 

[Musket Man]

There are draw stats for the regions on the links I posted. They are near the bottom of the pages. Points apply to regions too. The random draw it for everyone that doesnt draw in the preference point draw. Those units you are looking at within the regions are for separate WT only tags. Here is the link to the regs on the different units. http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/REGULATIONS_CH6_SIGNED0005672.pdf

 

[Murdy]

If you have to be in a random draw for deer units or regions, how come I don't see any results for unit 26, 27, 29, or 30? Or for that matter, Region C or Region Y?

There aren't separate tags for those areas (except for some of the limited tags, like whitetail only); you hunt them with a region tag, so there are no separate results. Draw odds for regions are listed at the end of the list after areas (scroll to the end of the list linked in MM's first post).

 

[roknHS]

Thanks for your patience.....I got it now.

 

[Cobbhunts]

Thanks for your patience.....I got it now.

If you'd like to give me a call, I can help answer most of your questions about the WY draw. I'll PM you my number.

 

[Elkoholic307]

I grew up in big horn right at the base of the mountains. 95% of all the ranches there are outfitted and the others are no hunting, but Ive seen so decent mulies on top of the mountain

That was also my experience when I went to college in Sheridan. It was depressing.

 

[roknHS]

Well, you local boys that have been there no doubt have the inside scoop. I'll make a call to the Regional Game Office for a landowner list and try to talk with a local warden after the season has ended. I won't expect to hear much different than what you've said here.
Thanks for the intel though.

 

[roknHS]

I e-mailed the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce and they sent me a list of land owners that allow hunting from Sheridan to the S. Dakota border. They included lists for both deer and antelope. A lot of names.
I called the Sheridan Game Dept. but couldn't get through so, I left a message asking if they had a land owner list for the Sheridan area. I haven't heard back from them. I suppose I'll need to call again and see if I can get a real person.
And, after the season is finished, I'll try to get in contact with the local game officer to see if he personally knows any land owners in the area I could contact. I hate to bother the poor guy right now.
I did notice on the lists I got from the Sheridan Chamber, some land owners only allow residents. Guess some of us non-residents must be slobs........that usually get the locals attention. I've got slob hunters around my place but, they're all residents. Haven't noticed anything I could blame on any out of state hunters.

 

[roknHS]

I called the Sheridan area warden this afternoon and actually got him on the phone. Very nice guy. He told me that most of the ranches have long term arrangements with private hunters or outfitters. The land owner list the game dept. has is of little to no use. They have discussed getting rid of it altogether but haven't done it yet. Most hunting fees run $350 - $400 for antelope and quite a bit more for deer. In all the area he covers, he gave me 1 name of a rancher that may permit hunting for antelope.....no deer.
He told me I would be better off looking into the central part of the state. He said the access availability is better and there are more antelope and bigger bucks. He told me a big buck in the Sheridan area is 12 inches.

So, the locals (kidwinner and Elkoholic) are dead on right. Most of the Sheridan region is tied up.
Well, it was worth a look and I learned quite a bit. Onward and upward......................

 

[AT Hiker]

Did any of the ranches around Sheridan offer a trespass fee for deer? Im a little confused by your post.

I bet you could find a reasonable trespass fee in the central part of the state for a pronghorn, $2k for a outfitted hunt so make sure you do the math right in selecting a trespass fee. I heard of someone paying $1,500 for a pronghorn and that was trespass only in a eftover unit.