I will draw region H in Wyoming this year and was wondering if anyone had any info to share on the wilderness in region H. I have a friend that is a resident that I can go with, but he hasn't hunted the wilderness areas up there as he usually stays down in the Grey's river area. Are the wilderness areas the best bet for a good buck or could we turn up some nice deer in the non-wilderness such as the south side of the Hoback? I know the non-wilderness areas get real crowded, but if we spent 7-10 days in the area I was wondering what the odds are of finding some good bucks.
Wy Region H wilderness
- Thread starter shedhead
- Start date
RICMIC
Veteran member
I have hunted in the Gros Ventre Wilderness 3 times; once for deer and twice for elk. These were guided hunts. This past season, the outfitter got some real Booner bucks. You could hike in a ways, but would never want to go as far as the outfitter camps. 7. 9. and 13 miles. Plus they hunt further in from there. One of the trails crosses a river a half dozen times, with deep muck on both sides. I did spot a huge buck on the edge of the wilderness that I would have given my first born to hunt. I was camping with my family in August, so all I could do is drool. I am hiking in on a DIY hunt in H this year, (non-wilderness). I did the same hunt in 2011. The areas near the roads were nuts, but we camped out three miles back and didn't see anyone. Do your research, and don't focus on going back too deep or you may start running into people again. PM me if you want some more specific info.
woodtick
Veteran member
Hunting Wilderness areas in itself reduces all the NR hunters except those are that being guided, so take out what 1200 hunters in region H and since it's not Region G you won't have quite as many residents as you would region G. I've got a good friend that lives in the Bondurant/Pinedale area and he swears he'll never hunt the opening week outside the Wilderness boundary, the only times he has is when they've had a huge snow storm to push deer down.
I've personally never stepped foot in any of the wilderness areas during hunting season but the general areas that are within a days walking distance get pounded pretty hard the 1st couple weeks. If it was me I'd take him up on the wilderness hunt especially if you've got stock to help get you way back in.
As far as killing a big buck in one or another, it's a crap shoot to me! Big deer come off all that country from Jackson to Evanston, from National Forest Wilderness to low land BLM. I'd definitely recommend some serious scouting trips if you want to give yourself the upper hand.
I've personally never stepped foot in any of the wilderness areas during hunting season but the general areas that are within a days walking distance get pounded pretty hard the 1st couple weeks. If it was me I'd take him up on the wilderness hunt especially if you've got stock to help get you way back in.
As far as killing a big buck in one or another, it's a crap shoot to me! Big deer come off all that country from Jackson to Evanston, from National Forest Wilderness to low land BLM. I'd definitely recommend some serious scouting trips if you want to give yourself the upper hand.
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Bonecollector
Veteran member
I hunted WY-H non wilderness in 2014. I packed in 6 miles and didn't see a sole. Filled 2 tags and were in bucks everyday. One pushing 180-185.