WY Antelope Hunt For My Daughter???

[TR175]

My 15 year old daughter has 4 pp's going into 2013. She says she is ready to hunt this year. I have narrowed it down to either 91 or 106. Any thoughts or info would be great i.e. (public access and camping, type of terrain, hunting pressure, antelope numbers after bad winters and drought). Thanks for your time.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I've hunted Wyoming antelope many times, but never those specific units, but I'll tell you what I have heard.

Unit 91 was last year (2012) was one of the units Eastman's listed as having "extreme winter kill". So that is a real concern.

Unit 106 on the other hand was not in the extreme winter kill area. I have seen photos of some excellent bucks from Unit 106. It is also surrounded on every side by excellent antelope units. I nearly applied there myself last year.

Three of my boys have max points or one point less than max points. We have decided to hold off applying for Wyoming with them in 2013, because of the persistent drought. Most of the core antelope areas in Wyoming are in "extreme drought". Here is a link:

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/monitor.html

Another thing, antelope begin their horn growth in November, so antelope in Wyoming are already feeling the effect of the drought for next year, no matter how the spring turns out.

With that said, it's hard not to have a good time antelope hunting in Wyoming. Fish and game will adjust tags in June according to winter kill, but it is very likely the trophy quality will be off.

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

My 15 year old daughter has 4 pp's going into 2013. She says she is ready to hunt this year. I have narrowed it down to either 91 or 106. Any thoughts or info would be great i.e. (public access and camping, type of terrain, hunting pressure, antelope numbers after bad winters and drought). Thanks for your time.

Hunted 106 last year, was not the same as years past due to drought. Very dry, hurt horn growth. Another year of dry weather there will only make it worse. You will still get bucks but don't expect the size the unit used to have. Send me a PM if you want further.

 

[TR175]

I really appreciate your quick responses. In my research I have found that out as well. The winter and dry 2012 was not good. Even worse news is the storms coming now. I am leaning towards 106 for now. Not sure if I can talk her into one more year and another point! I have to agree with Umpqua Hunter, hunting antelope is always fun. This will be her first hunt and "Trophy" is not necessary but would be the icing on the cake. I have a couple months so I will watch the wonderful WY weather and make my choice.

 

[Eberle]

I hunted 63 last year & there was a ton of animals & very few hunters. You might consider it? PM me if you want some specific details.

 

[jenbickel]

I second unit 63, it is a great unit and the hunters are a little more scarce. You also have the potential of killing a big antelope!

 

[Eberle]

Jen,

Good to see ya back on here. Thought you were MIA for a while. Tried to send you a PM the other day but your box was full!

 

[TR175]

Thanks eberle & Jen. I will do some research on 63. Wasn't sure if she had enough points to draw a 60'ss unit. I will send you a pm eberle.

 

[Eberle]

I'll be looking for it, got alot of info was out there in September. So it is still fresh on my mind!

 

[jenbickel]

Jen,

Good to see ya back on here. Thought you were MIA for a while. Tried to send you a PM the other day but your box was full!

I was wondering why I wasn't getting any messages! Lol I cleared it now. I did go MIA for a bit..I got super busy but now I'm back!

 

[TR175]

Sent you a PM Eberle.

 

[Eberle]

I know the feeling, when you got small children & the Holidays you constantly run!

 

[MWScott72]

I hunted 63 last year as well on a Type 2 tag with a brother-in-law. Lots of goats. In speaking to the game warden and biologist for the unit prior to the hunt, they both indicated with the drought that high end horn length would be around 14". We found that to be true with both goats killed. Lots of 12-13" goats but you really have to sort thru them for anything much bigger. I imagine if the drought continues it will be more of the same in 2013. Great fishing on the Miracle Mile of the N. Platte during that time of year!!

 

[Eberle]

That's what we expierenced. There was 4 of us. Our antelopes were all 13-14" scoring in the low to mid 70's. We also fished the Miracle Mile. We caught some, but had better luck at the discharge of Alcova Lake. Limited out on cutthroat everyday!

 

[TR175]

Thanks again guys. Sounds like I better take my pole for some fishing once she tags out! This will be her first antelope hunt and a 70" + goat would make both of us very happy.