When should I plan to enter draw WY?

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I would like to hunt antelope and mule deer. I am not looking to just trophy hunt. Don't get me wrong I would like to kill the largest one out there, but a good average representation of the animal would be good. I have never hunted out West. I will turn 50 this January. Matter of fact until a couple years ago the longest kill shot I had ever made was 47 yards on a deer and that was with a bow. I did take a doe with the muzzleloader at 200 yards for my longest kill. All of my hunting up to this point has been for whitetail and bear in Arkansas. I did kill a deer in MO a few years back. I hunt like I am bow hunting even with a rifle and get close shots. I did also shoot a hog in OK at 325 yards. I know I would need to practice on long distance shooting. I feel I am good out to about 250 yards now.

I have hunted public land most of my life. So I understand the struggles it can present. I do not feel it would bother me. I just feel it would mean a lot more to do it on my own. Not to ramble on so my question is. I now have 5 PP for antelope and 3 PP for mule deer in Wyoming.
I would like to hunt both in one trip. It would be a once in a life time trip. When should I enter the draw and would I be able to hunt in the same area for both?

 

[RICMIC]

Again, welcome to the forum AR Hunter. 3 deer points will ensure a GENERAL deer tag, and 5 antelope points will open your options for some good antelope areas. I can not say where it would be good to do both, but you have plenty of time to do the research since WY has extended the time to apply for those species. The MRS will cover that when it comes out in early April, and you may get some pointers on this forum. Beware of other guys signing on to your hunt if they don't have any points as they will greatly affect your drawing odds. Meat management will be an issue on a combined hunt and is something that you will have to plan for.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Thanks for the information. I know about the point suckers. Had a couple guys want me to enter with them when they found out I had points. Me and a friend have the same points and plan on hunting together.

Oh and I have a small freezer and generator I plan to bring.

 

[go_deep]

Your best bet is to not try and get 2 tags for areas that over lap, but areas that are close to each other. Maybe with in an hours drive or so, get sick of hunting one thing or it's not panning out you can go hunt some where else via a quick drive. I'm sure there is some areas that have great deer and antelope hunting overlapping, but most don't.
Getting a good Antelope tag and filling it with a good buck will be very easy, the deer will be harder. Focus more on identifying a good deer area.

 

[shootbrownelk]

IMO. don't try to do a combo hunt for antelope & deer at the same time, unless you have 2 weeks to do it. If it's just a 7-9 day hunt I would stick to one species. I'm with Go Deep in this, you won't do justice to either tag if you try to do both. Usually, a GOOD antelope area isn't very good for deer. At least that's been my experience. If it was me, I'd try for a Good antelope area and spend the hunt looking for the best one in the area and not be rushed to do it. JMO

 

[laxwyo]

I would kills the goat this year and get another point for deer. Maybe even scout some deer areas near where you antelope hunt