WY pronghorn planning for my granddad

[AT Hiker]

He is sitting on 7pts, basically how he got that many was health issue kept getting in the way then point creep happened.

Here is our scenario and I was wondering if some of you could give me some advice; he is 76 and in decent shape, however last year hunting in MT he had difficulty breathing and later discovered he had pneumonia which for whatever reason has left him with shortness of breath. Now, he has to walk slow and covering much distance is a feat in itself. We are also schedule to be in MT for the general deer opener on Oct 26, so I?m trying to fit his hunt into one trip.

In a nutshell;
-easy access unit with plenty of roads and easy-moderate terrain
-size of antelope is second to having the opportunity to put on many stalks(it just happens that he has accumulated points)
-unit open until end of Oct (I?ve noticed that a lot close Oct 22 which would cut our time drastically)
-selfishly a unit or nearby unit with attainable doe tags for me and him to load the freezer up.
-he will be the only one applying for a buck tag as I?m still holding out

It?s not imperative we wrap this trip into one but it would be nice as our drive from TN is a bit long. I?ve never hunted antelope that late so I?m not sure if some of these units will still hold good numbers or not. Also a bit concerned about weather and hindering our road access.


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[cking13]

With those points and an easy hunt like you?re describing I wouldn?t hesitate to apply for unit 74. I hunted it a couple of years ago and could?ve filled my tag from the truck with a bow if I wanted to. Plenty of mid 70?s bucks that I saw in that unit. The terrain is easy hiking as well, but you won?t need to unless you want to.


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[AT Hiker]

The only issue with 74 is it closes 10/22. Which, if we arrived say on 18th or 19th that would give us 4-5 days to hunt.
Surely he could bust one in 4 days, assuming the end of season is the animals are still around.


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[cking13]

I went the end of September so I don?t know what the unit is like 3 weeks later. But, if it?s anything like when I was there then you will have absolutely no problem putting your tag on a decent buck in 4 days.


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[Colorado Cowboy]

I hunted 74 last year with 2 buddies, we all had 2 does tags. It was the first week of October and the rut had started, bucks everywhere. Like mentioned, lots of mid range to smaller bucks. I'll be there again this year with buck tag the first week of October. He should be able to draw it with his points. Lots of roads, BUT if you get some weather, they will be pretty slimy!

 

[LCH]

Generally speaking, you could make a list of all the pronghorn units that run through the end of October, then cross off all of the ones except the 4-6 point units. That would narrow it down drastically and you could sort through them from there.

Having only hunted 0-2 point units myself, I think I've had opportunities every day to shoot a buck from the side of the road. I'm sure a higher demand unit would be even better.

The main variable, as you mentioned, is weather. On a very short hunt, one big weather event could knock out your entire hunt.

I think it's fantastic that you're able to do this kind of stuff with your grandfather, I'm envious of you. Good luck with your planning!

 

[AT Hiker]

83 was on my radar a few years ago for him but point creep got him and he didn?t draw when he applied for it.
Now he is back in the running for it. With the later dates I wonder if it?s still a decent unit to hunt for someone in his situation? Still, our idea of trying to tie it into one trip would only give us an extra two days of hunting as we would need to head out the morning of the 25th towards SE Montana....but those 2 days could be crucial if weather was messy.



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[Hilltop]

Generally speaking you can't go wrong with any area requiring 4+ points. I am not aware of a single one that doesn't have great access and plenty of antelope.

 

[AT Hiker]

Generally speaking you can't go wrong with any area requiring 4+ points. I am not aware of a single one that doesn't have great access and plenty of antelope.

I?ve killed 5 antelope in WY and every single one except my first was killed on a second choice tag. I honestly have no idea what to expect in a ?quality? unit[emoji3].


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[Oregonmuley]

Another unit you might take a good look at is unit 75. I know it also closes on the 22nd but its maybe better than 74 from a amount of hunters standpoint. Its also maybe a little easier to get around if you run into some less than great weather - not much better but maybe a little.
Good luck on your hunt, you should have a good time!

 

[Fish]

Maybe area 81 or 82 would work

 

[NEWHunter]

Based on your criteria and the assumption you?re looking at the regular draw, I think unit 69 might work. I talked to the warden about it this spring as my Dad (he?s disabled) and I are considering it. I?ve not hunted it, but the warden had good things to say. Good luck.

 

[Eberle]

Generally speaking you can't go wrong with any area requiring 4+ points. I am not aware of a single one that doesn't have great access and plenty of antelope.

I agree, lots of good units with that many points!

 

[mallardsx2]

Unit 89. That will put you closer to Montana and cut down your downtime between trip drastically.

Maybe you can get some doe tags too I recon to fill the freezer. If you went with the type 2 you could hunt after your Montana trip if you preferred.

 

[wy-tex]

Coming from Tenn, I would look at areas along your possible driving route. Lots of good areas with 4 PP in our part of the state as well, Laramie.
Hunting later in the season gets you the locals out yet to fill and some last minute NR, pressure should be much less on a weekday as well.

 

[AT Hiker]

Nothing unexpected from him but he wanted to hold off one more year. My uncle (his son in law) started acquiring points and will be at 5 this year. Since I will not be hunting he asked if we should invite him, I explained the whole averaging point thing and he decided to try that.

I?m ok with it as it will allow us to move the hunt up into September, which should lessen our chances for bad weather.


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[wy-tex]

5 PP opens up so other areas to draw. Might be a great choice for them to wait.

 

[ShepDog]

Unit 65
All public. Trust me lots of goats and oppurtunity. Won't disappoint. Easy terrain. Beautiful country. Visit Atlantic City. Seriously!!

 

[lucky guy]

I hunted 74 last year with 2 buddies, we all had 2 does tags. It was the first week of October and the rut had started, bucks everywhere. Like mentioned, lots of mid range to smaller bucks. I'll be there again this year with buck tag the first week of October. He should be able to draw it with his points. Lots of roads, BUT if you get some weather, they will be pretty slimy!

A bit of a hijack but imo 4 WHEEL CHAINS are required equipment for these fall hunts at high elevation.