Unit 83 lodging advice

[BigSexy]

I have submitted my application with 8pp to Unit 83. I really want to hunt this year, and have been chasing unit 67, but with point creep, me getting an itch to go hunt, and being intrigued by 83 I decided to pull the trigger.

My question is lodging. Been thinking about finding an Air BnB to headquarter out of, but also thought about tenting it. Im leaning towards lodging since it just seems like a more comfortable experience. Anyone have any hidden gems that they have stayed at in this area? Been looking around the Thermopolis area...

Thanks for any tips.

 

[bdan68]

Sent you a private message.

 

[Bonecollector]

I think I remember a thread very similar to this about 20-30 days ago...

 

[hoshour]

Wherever you stay, be sure to have a meal at the Safari Club which I think is the restaurant at the Days Inn - tremendous trophy collection from all over the world - very cool.

I like the Black Bear Cafe for lunch.

Thermopolis is a great town. I remember eating in the cafe at the truck stop at the south end of town and talking to my wife about how our truck had broken down on the first day of my antelope hunt and wondering how much of the season that was nearly over we were going to miss, and I had strangers from two different tables who overheard me come up and offer for me to use their truck to hunt. Completely blew me away. I actually took someone else who lived in Thermopolis up on that offer. His wife went without her truck that week so I could hunt antelope.

Most people don't know it, but if Thermopolis had a better phone system back in the day, Mike Eastman would not have moved from there to Powell and Eastmans' would come to you from Thermopolis today.

 

[kelso]

I hunted out of Thermopolis last yr. I stayed at the El Rancho and will do it again. Nice, clean, comfortable, affordable. Great people running it. A knife shop across the lot is a must go to. Very interesting man that has been on the forge and fire (don't remember name) Will sharpen your knife scary sharp for 5 bucks. Had him do 5 for me. Local gem and fossil shop is very cool. Owners are a wealth of knowledge. And o ya, Antelope everywhere. Yes the Black bear diner is very good. Several little restraunts in town that are very good. Dinosaur museum is very cool. And yes the before mentioned Safari club for dinner. Do yourself a favor and call the El Rancho

 

[BigSexy]

Thanks for the info everyone. I found some small cabins with access to the main lodge out near the grass creek area for an affordable nightly rate and what looks like good amenities. Enough for a trip that I originally contemplated camping on...

The Wyoming G&F website unit info suggests later in the season more antelope migrate into the area. Thoughts on this? I was thinking about heading out there for opening day.

My plan is to go out in June when I have some time off work to take a look around the unit and do some scouting, but 13 hrs driving one way, all the internet help I can get, the better!

Thanks again.

 

[kelso]

Like stated above, I hunted 83 last yr. I started the Thursday after the Saturday opener. Other than a group of antelope doe hunters, I saw zero hunters while I was in the field. I would give opening weekend a pass and wait a week. As far as later in the season, there may very well be more antelope later but There will be plenty of them around early. I only saw 1 REALLY good goat in 83 last yr. Lots of nice/decent goats. You may want to pick up a antelope or muley doe tag or 2. I shot 2 muley doe's and my antelope buck and had a pretty good haul of delicious table fare. Enjoy, and be forewarned that antelope hunting is addicting so plan on another trip in your near future.

 

[kelso]

And don't get to caught up in getting over there and scouting. YES that would be beneficial, but the amount of information on the web and available phone contacts will give you all you need for a successful hunt. Once again not downplaying actual scouting, and if you can get away to do it great. My point being, I spent quite abit of time on the phone with the game warden in the area and biologist. Not to mention a farmer that I got the name of and the many blogs on the subject. I did not seem lost or behind the scouting curve after the info I got prior to my hunt.

 

[Fish]

Make sure you hit the one eyed buffalo brewery in thermopolis, great beer and good food to. Great fly fishing in the big horn river too.

I saw some decent antelope bucks there while hunting doe antelope a few years back

Good Luck

 

[BigSexy]

Thanks for the advice! I actually don't work in the summer, so Im planning about 5 days in June to take my 5 year old out there just to see the country and get an idea of what Im looking at. She loves the outdoors and gives me an excuse for a road trip.

 

[wy-tex]

Rivers will be high in June but lakes will have good fishing. Great time for a visit as the tourist season is just starting in mid June.

 

[kelso]

Well with the summer off you will be ahead of the curve. Perfect trip for a youngster, enjoy.