Wyoming antelope: When would you hunt?

[Ike]

Planning for our first Wyoming antelope hunt in 2019. If we draw tags, my son and I will be hunting DIY on public land in the eastern part of the state. Looks like the season will run from October 1 - 15, with opening day on a Tuesday. We will have a full week to hunt. Would you choose to hunt the first week or the second week, and why?

All of these responses are great advice. It all boils down to what expectations you have, you and your sons abilities, and the unit you draw. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with your son. They are the "Next Generation" for sure. If you get them out there early they will get hooked.

PS, you may want to pick up one of my dad's books so that you have some info about field tactics, field judging and expectations. https://www.eastmans.com/product-page/hunting-trophy-antelope


Good Luck! I hope you get to "RedLine the FUN Meter!!!"
~Ike

 

[Johnbud]

All of these responses are great advice. It all boils down to what expectations you have, you and your sons abilities, and the unit you draw. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with your son. They are the "Next Generation" for sure. If you get them out there early they will get hooked.

PS, you may want to pick up one of my dad's books so that you have some info about field tactics, field judging and expectations. https://www.eastmans.com/product-page/hunting-trophy-antelope


Good Luck! I hope you get to "RedLine the FUN Meter!!!"
~Ike

Thanks Ike! I have your dad's book on my night stand. That book has lot of good information and inspiration.

 

[hutty]

Weather first week is last few years (at least where I hunt) has been pretty decent. Second week has been cooler. If hunting public land pressure shouldn't be as bad 2nd week.

 

[Rich M]

Show up 2 days early on Sunday, scout and have a ball with few people around Monday, find the buck you are after and be sitting on him when the sun comes up on Tuesday. Then go have some fun the rest of the week before you drive home hitting devils tower and Mt Rushmore.

This is it. Similar to what I did and will do again. Opening day is the time to be there.

 

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

I think the answer to this totally depends on the unit. So here would be my answer assuming you have 1 scouting day and 5 hunting days:

Option 1: A unit you drew with 0-1 points

Show up the 9th, make camp, scout. Hunt the 10th-14th. My reasoning is opening week in these easy to draw units is a mad house. After the first WEEKEND people start clearing out. With season opening on Tuesday the 1st, you'll have a lot of guys show up before season and hunt Tuesday-Saturday/Sunday. This leaves Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th for animals to calm down. In an easy to draw unit, I don't like to waste time scouting when I could scout with a rifle in my hand. I've tried it a few times, and showing up before season is little more than frustration. You'll find good antelope before season, but, within 15 minutes of shooting light there will be 100 gunshots spooking the goats everywhere. If you don't seal the deal right away, you are out of luck. It doesn't seem to take long for antelope to settle down and get back on pattern .

Option 2: A unit you drew with 2 or more points

Show up Monday the 30th, scout a day without a rifle, scout the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with rifle in hand, hunt hard the 4th and 5th. A scouting day here is more practical because there are going to be (in general) a lot less hunters in a unit like this and therefore not as much "gunfight at the OK corral" type shootouts at antelope herds.

Now, please don't take this as discouragement from a 0-1 point unit. I hunt one of these easy draws on a second choice almost each year and i love it! you'll have a great hunt no matter what you decide!

Good Luck!