Wyoming Antelope Opinion

[wjohnson1983]

I didn't want to hijack the other antelope advice thread. I feel like I am in no man's land with 6 antelope points in WY. I know I could get some good units that are worth 3-5 points, so I would be wasting a point or two. On the other end I'm 2-3 points away from the "trophy"/red desert areas.

Any thoughts on units I can draw near 100% and would be worth the 6 points. My other option is to shoot for the stars and use the 2nd choice to draw. We did this last year and had a great time for our first hunt.

From my research I could draw 108, 77, or 78 in the regular draw and 68/112 in the special draw. This is with the filter set to 80+ on gohunt. If I take it down to 75+ that opens up a ton more options.

Another note; This may be my last trip out for 2-4 years if my wife and I decide to have a second kid. I've been kind of leaning towards 2nd choice and then I'd be at 10 points the next time I get a chance to come out that way from Alabama.

I have 4 deer points also. Should I try to combo it with an antelope hunt or keep building points and focus on one at a time?

 

[480/277]

Point creep... Just sayin'
I'd burn the points if I was you. Try unit 16 you'll draw that with 6 points....

 

[Hilltop]

It really depends on what your goals are. You can draw some great areas right now where you would have an excellent shot at an upper 70s buck and maybe get into that 80" area. Experience is also something to consider. Many guys wait years to hunt the Red Desert for the experience as much as the chance to hunt big goats. Drawing 57 or 61 is no guarantee a guy will get an opportunity at an 80"+ antelope but it does guarantee you a ton of public land to try on. I think this should be the main motivation for guys waiting years rather than the trophy potential. The largest buck I have ever seen was in an area you could easily draw now on public land. As far as recommending an area... imo any area requiring 3+ points can be great- the hunt is what you make it.

 

[wy-tex]

6 PP can get you in areas with good amounts of public land. Hilltop is right on. Lots of areas with public access will have good bucks. I believe almost any unit with good population numbers and buck/doe ratios will hold 80 + inch bucks. Not a lot of them but they are there. SC Wyoming and central have good population numbers right now. Pick a unit with good access and you will have fun and if patient get a nice buck. Don't overlook type 2 tags. Sometimes late in the season turns up some more mature bucks. Units with longer seasons sometimes mean they are wintering type areas and the herds will move in with weather later in Oct. I firmly believe many non trophy units hold plenty of good bucks on "good" years, this should be one of those years in parts of the state. Give yourself enough days to enjoy your hunt and be picky.

 

[wjohnson1983]

Thanks for the replies. I realize a big antelope can be in any unit. We hunted 25 last year and a I saw what I thought was a big one. He stayed on private land for the two days I watched him though. We moved on and I shot a decent antelope on the third day. It was my first time out and was a blast. I may be mildy obsessed with antelope hunting now.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/14349-Drew-Antelope-in-WY-First-Time/page4

I think having more public access than 25 would probably be the biggest thing for me. I'm a novice at antelope, so telling a 70 inch from an 80 inch antelope would probably be hard for me. I watched several videos and read the Eastman's book, but there's nothing like experience.

 

[EOHunter]

I had 6 points last year and drew 90-2 which looks like it has been changed to #101 now with some additional area on the south side that wasn't included in my unit last year. It was a fun, but weird hunt. I arrived late Thursday and camped at the Big Sandy res and watched hundreds of goats from my camping spot Thursday night(not in my unit though). My hopes were high. I took off at day break across the highway and it took me until noon to spot my first antelope and I was looking hard. I thought I screwed up and picked the wrong side. About two hours later I found the motherload. Antelope everywhere. Opening morning I shot my buck at 10am after passing on several other bucks. After talking to some locals they said that I should have came during the migration. I had read that too, but with some other tags I had, the opening week worked the best with my schedule. Next time, I will put the other tags on the back burner since I drove across two states and waited 6 years for this opportunity.

Unofficially my buck was a 73'', I probably should have held out but I had an itchy trigger finger and I was solo so I didn't have anyone telling me to not shoot. I saw two bucks the day before that were quite a bit bigger but they hung out by the drilling rigs and I wanted a different hunting experience than shooting one with work trucks and semi's driving by me. Right by the dam at the reservoir I was camping at I saw a buck that easily would have went 80"+, thick heavy horned, long diggers, with good height, probably about 15". He stood right next to the road as I drove by with my goat in the cooler. He wasn't in my unit, but it sure got me thinking about pulling the trigger on mine!

Whatever you decide, good luck and we hope to hear the story!

 

[Flyforfun]

Point creep... Just sayin'
I'd burn the points if I was you. Try unit 16 you'll draw that with 6 points....

Ha, 16...that's funny.

 

[wjohnson1983]

Yeah 16 isn't on my short list to burn 6 points on from the research I've done.

From what I've seen I'd be better off going 2nd choice and banking another point than burning them on 16. Looks like access will be an issue there too.

 

[480/277]

16 is smoking hot and underrated....
Years from now 16 will still be talked about here.
I think it a perfect choice for you....

 

[bux4brainz]

There are some great units in the southwest corner that take 5-6 points to draw. Hit me up if you're interested in more info.

 

[lostriverproductions]

Since last year was your first hunt, I assume you mean antelope hunt, so if my assumption is correct, I say keep building points and hunting second choice tags for a couple more. You probably can't tell a 70" from a 75" buck and a 75" from a 80" buck. They are the hardest animal to judge. So even being in no mans land, if you continue to hunt second choice hunts for a couple years, you will have the point to hunt a good unit when your ready just my $.02

 

[wjohnson1983]

Yes last year was my first antelope hunt. And no I probably couldn't tell a difference in the numbers you mentioned above. I did read the Eastman's book and have looked at several pictures online. It's easy when they're really big

I know this isn't a giant antelope, but just for grins what is the guess on score? It's the antelope I got last year.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/14349-Drew-Antelope-in-WY-First-Time/page4

I ended up drawing a Region Y deer tag in a party this year, so I just bought a point for antelope and elk. Time for my first mule deer hunt!

 

[fackelberry]

That buck will go around 70 inches or so give or take. The problem i see with non-residents wanting to hold out for an 80 incher is they don't give themselves enough time to look over alot of bucks. And in an area with lots of lower to mid 70 inch bucks your gonna have to look at ALOT of bucks to find one close to 80 inches. Sometimes a 5-6 day hunt isn't enough time to cover the WHOLE area and look at as many bucks as you can. I know when i have looked at alot of antelope, because i get sick of stopping and looking through spotting scope to judge them. Sometimes if the buck is close enough and i get a quick glance and he doesn't have any noticable traits or character i just keep on going. I don't even stop to glass him up. I'm a firm believer when you see a big buck, i mean one over 80 inches you will know it for sure. Something about him will be not right. His prongs will be huge compared to other bucks, his mass will be way heavier than normal, or he will look like he has baseball bats on his head. Just remember to give yourself plenty of time to look over a ton of bucks.

 

[00BUCK]

That buck has great diggers but lacking in length. I would guess 72. Lots of great advice in this thread for newer lope hunters.