im considering using my 4 PP on the NR special tag for one of these units. really leaning toward 75. ive never hunted that far west for antelope though. hunted mainly the areas around casper and north towards kaycee and down towards Laramie. this is going to be a solo hunt, no tag alongs. may camp, but will also consider lodging although from what ive read theres not much in the area. anyone have any experience with these units?
wyoming 74, 75, 83 with 4 antelope PP
- Thread starter bb1379
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Ridgerunner
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- Feb 21, 2011
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hoshour
Veteran member
Colorado Cowboy
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wy-tex
Veteran member
Why not go with one of the unit you hunted before, 47 and 48 are good units with good bucks. Not sure what "chip" they gave them but livin close I know winter has not been bad and good bucks to be had. Area 50 would not be a bad area as well as 52 type 2. Have hunted them and they fit your parameters, lodging maybe nearby, lots of camping. Antelope numbers are good in these areas so taking time and not shooting the first 12 incher you see could get you a nice trophy. These areas have small towns nearby and more fun than just hunting, fishing etc.. Maybe some sage grouse and blue grouse hunting nearby. If you're willing to go the special draw then that opens up more areas for you. Lots of great antelope hunting in non blue chip areas.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I would suggest you get some BLM maps of these 2 units, that will show you what you need to know about land ownership....better yet the Wyoming chip from Xmaps if you have a GPS.
Keep in mind that last year to be 100% in NR special PP it took <4 for both 75 and 83; with 3pp being 36% and 64% respectively by the demand report. If there is point creep, 4pp in the special those units may not be 100% this year. If due to winter conditions fewer applicants put in for the draw (not just shoot for the moon or take a point), there may be downward creep, but if 75 is a blue that had a good winter compared to other comparable units, it could jump up and not be 100% with 4pp this year.
From a draw standpoint 73 may be a safer choice if you really want to draw (last year was 3 for 100% in special and <3 was 23%).
From a draw standpoint 73 may be a safer choice if you really want to draw (last year was 3 for 100% in special and <3 was 23%).
im looking at 47 and 48, but the tag numbers have been really low there the last few years, so I have to assume the numbers haven't recovered yet as they have in other units. I would like more access than 50/52 have. thanks for the info though
it seems like its been about 1/2point per year creep, the last couple of years. originally I was looking at 73 but just from the internet intel I've gotten, it makes me think 75 is a better shot at a real good one. as we all are, I too am in search of a 80" type buck or even better. I know last year I put my dad in for a unit that had previously took 3 points and BAM, it shot up to 5! its almost like a chess game. decisions, decisions.....
thanks for the info
I talked to a couple guys that hunted 75 the last 2 years that didn't see what they hoped for, no goats much better than 75". I have hunted that unit twice and took a 76" and 79" goat in past years, the last time I was there was 2012. Our group took 4 between 72" and 79" that trip. We didn't just shoot the first thing we saw, we spent 6 days at it that trip between hunting and scouting. We did see a couple goats we thought were better than what we shot bedded in the middle of wide open bowls with no cover within a half mile to use stalking. Smart goats. We are no expert antelope hunters, that was only my second hunt for them and my first was only half a day long. I'm not sure how much that helps but it's what I know. Opening weekend was a zoo our last trip and there were plenty of hunters the whole time, but I didn't think it was to bad after that first weekend. I saw some really interesting rigs local meat hunters were driving such as mini-vans with homemade cranes with crank winches in their receiver hitches. They'd shoot one close to the road, crank it up, gut it, and drive off.
PlainsHunter
Active Member
I hunted 75 back in 2013. I only hunted for about 4 hours because I have horrible antelope judging skills. Shot a dink and wish I had a chance to do it over again. Access wasn't bad. I hunted during the middle of the week, opening week and I did see others out hunting but it wasn't a zoo. I didn't see any giants but I really didn't spend much time in the unit. Good luck in the draw.
wy-tex
Veteran member
Take a look at harvest reports too. Some areas take longer to harvest, tells me the pressure by hunters is high or mature antelope number were down. Call some biologists also. Avoid opening day, weekend, if possible. Hunting is much better when half the tag holders are gone from the area.
wyohunter1
Member
- May 5, 2012
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I hunted 75 last year and there was Prairie Maggots literally everywhere I went. Passed more than I could count and ended up shooting a 76" er on the second to last weekend. I usually wait a couple weeks after season start and have most of the unit to yourself. I bet if they wintered well, they will bump up tag numbers again and your draw odds will get better.
NDHunter
Veteran member
wyohunter1
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- May 5, 2012
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shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Area # 73 might be a better choice, they're giving out more tags this year. 1,000 vs. 900 last year.
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