What to do...

[EOHunter]

I have 6 PP's going into the 2016 Wyoming antelope draw and I can't decide between 90-1 and 93. I was pretty dead set on 90-1 but during my research I saw good things about 93 also. Anybody have any insight? The one thing steering me away from 93 is the lower amount of public access. What kind of bucks do you think I can expect from either of these hunts? I am not looking for a record book buck, although that would be nice, I am more looking for a respectable mid-70's buck or maybe something with some character that will look cool on the wall.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I have not hunted either unit, but I have hunted nearby units. I doubt you will have a problem with your goal in either unit if you are willing to hold onto your bullets for a bit. 90-1 has been an Eastman's blue chip unit most years, 93 occasionally. 90-1 also typically has about half the tags.

 

[Fish]

A bit dated but I saw some real monsters in 90-1 years ago when I had moose tag. I could never save the amount of points to draw it. My friends drew 91 twice and saw some very good bucks there but could not keep their finger off the trigger. I'd take a hard look at 91 also. Good luck in the draw.

 

[EOHunter]

Thanks for the advice...I am leaning toward 90-1, that has been my plan for years but now that it is actually time to put in I am second guessing myself. I am definitely willing to hold out and if needed, make two trip out of it.

 

[Slugz]

I don't think you will go wrong with any of your choices there....as others have said....hard to beat a blue chip unit.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Thanks for the advice...I am leaning toward 90-1, that has been my plan for years but now that it is actually time to put in I am second guessing myself. I am definitely willing to hold out and if needed, make two trip out of it.

I think you are on the right track with 90-1. Don't sweat it, a mid 70s antelope can be taken in 75% of Wyoming units by being a bit selective, if not all of them. Your biggest challenge is not that the unit can produce the buck you want, but rather shooting too soon because you are overwhelmed with the shear numbers of opportunities you will have.

I had that once on a rut elk hunt nearly 20 years ago. I made up my mind to hold out, but after the third bull came in in the first hour, the very first morning I couldn't handle it. Great bull but probably could have done a bit better.

 

[WY ME]

I have never hunted 90-1 but have hunted across the street in 90-2 a few times (last time was 2014) so I can only directly speak to 90-2 although I would suspect the hunting in 90-2 is similar to 90-1. I don't know how Eastman's rates 90-2 but in my opinion it has been a very poor hunt as of late and I would not waste my time there. It was a much better area 7-8 years ago.

WG&F has proposed reducing the number of buck tags in 91 slightly this year from 375 down to 350. Conversely they are proposing a substantial increase from 400 buck tags last year to 500 this year in area 93. I know which area I'd be looking at.