Wyoming Antelope Help

[Work2hunt]

I've been poring over all the information I can get my hands on for Wyoming antelope.....Google earth, Eastmans past and present MRS, forums, game wardens and biologists, and friends.....my head is spinning. I am trying to set up a DIY antelope hunt for my wife and I. We have 2 PPs and she wants to go this year.

I want this to be more of a fun hunt as this will be her first big game hunt where she is caring a gun and her first western hunt also!!!! So to us, seeing antelope would be great and harvesting a buck would be even better. Depending on what unit we pick we may try to get a left over doe tag for that unit or a unit close by to add a little meat to the freezer. Especially if my wife does ok after she harvests her first big game species.

At this time, I've narrowed our choices to units 86, 27, 32, and 72 (in no particular order). With a couple back up units in mind we should be able to draw 2nd choice. I'm not certain of any of these units or attached to any of them, but these units seem to have decent populations and available public land.

Would anyone care to share insight on these units or any other unit for that matter that we could draw with our 2pp's? Are these units going to be over run with other hunters? I really hate to have my wife on her first hunt and have 20 other hunters around us pushing antelope all over the place. Feel free to PM me if you prefer. Thanks for the help.

 

[ore hunter]

I had doe/fawn tags in unit 72 in 2012.,,,plenty of lopers,,,was like shootin fish in a barrel though,didnt take long and it was over.

 

[480/277]

"really hate to have my wife on her first hunt and have 20 other hunters around us pushing antelope all over the place. "

Go the last week

 

[Work2hunt]

"really hate to have my wife on her first hunt and have 20 other hunters around us pushing antelope all over the place. "

Go the last week

Fair enough. I was thinking of skipping opening week just to let the dust settle some. If one waits too long into an antelope season will they be too spooked to hunt effectively? I'm used to hunting whitetails and come the end of our gun season barely anything picks its head up to look around let alone seeing one walk around during daylight hours.

 

[ssliger]

Fair enough. I was thinking of skipping opening week just to let the dust settle some. If one waits too long into an antelope season will they be too spooked to hunt effectively? I'm used to hunting whitetails and come the end of our gun season barely anything picks its head up to look around let alone seeing one walk around during daylight hours.

It all depends on the unit. I have hunted units where the animals are spooked all year long. I have also hunted units where antelope stand 30 feet from the truck and stare at you. I will say, if you wait too long, they could be getting into larger groups for winter. It's one thing to stalk a small herd, but to try and get a shot at the one you want when the herd is around 100 animals is tough.

 

[lostriverproductions]

I take it your planing on special tag? If not don't plan on drawing any of those except 86. But I would scratch 86 off your list. Lower numbers in that area as most of its not "normal" antelope grounds. I would focus on 72 or 27.

 

[Hilltop]

Fair enough. I was thinking of skipping opening week just to let the dust settle some. If one waits too long into an antelope season will they be too spooked to hunt effectively? I'm used to hunting whitetails and come the end of our gun season barely anything picks its head up to look around let alone seeing one walk around during daylight hours.

I prefer opening day or the end of the season. Opening day there will be other hunters but very few will leave their trucks. You can use this to your advantage and have a great hunt- especially if you can scout a bit. The end of the season there is usually no other hunters and the antelope have for the most part calmed down again. I find the second week of the season to be the toughest hunting as the antelope are really wound up from the opener.

I took my wife and son a couple years ago on their first antelope hunt. We went opening day and had multiple easy opportunities. We were done by noon the 1st day.

As far as areas, I believe they would all be a decent hunt. 86 would be some cool scenery. My pick out of the 4 for just the antelope hunting would be 72. Good luck and have fun!

 

[laxwyo]

Nothing beats October antelope hunting

 

[480/277]

Nothing beats October antelope hunting

September bugling elk......

 

[laxwyo]

I meant for antelope hunting.

 

[480/277]

I know, work with me.....

 

[Work2hunt]

I take it your planing on special tag? If not don't plan on drawing any of those except 86. But I would scratch 86 off your list. Lower numbers in that area as most of its not "normal" antelope grounds. I would focus on 72 or 27.

why do you recommend 72 or 27?