Wyoming Rattlesnake Mtn HMA

[kesand72]

Thanks for pics Musket!
Yeah that's about what its sounding like, more open than not. Warden said come hunt in Nov/Dec and you'll have the place to yourself n see plenty of elk. Wyoming in Dec sounds..... colder than Illinois in Dec!!

 

[Musket Man]

Your welcome! That 11/15-12/15 hunt could definitely be COLD! My concern that time of year would be how much snow there could be and if access roads would be open. I have not been there that time of year and dont know what would be normal or expected but I would recommend looking into it.

 

[kesand72]

Your welcome! That 11/15-12/15 hunt could definitely be COLD! My concern that time of year would be how much snow there could be and if access roads would be open. I have not been there that time of year and dont know what would be normal or expected but I would recommend looking into it.

Have you elk hunted that late in year before? How about that type of ground? I usually don't even deer hunt after 1 st week of December!

 

[Musket Man]

I have hunted elk in November but not in that type of country. I dont know if elk migrate in or out of that area or move to different parts of the unit. it sounds like they stay in the unit from what the biologist said. I hunted antelope in 74 but that is my only experience in that area. 1 thing I noticed about 23 when i was looking into it is the days to harvest is alot more days then most units.

 

[kesand72]

I have hunted elk in November but not in that type of country. I dont know if elk migrate in or out of that area or move to different parts of the unit. it sounds like they stay in the unit from what the biologist said. I hunted antelope in 74 but that is my only experience in that area. 1 thing I noticed about 23 when i was looking into it is the days to harvest is alot more days then most units.

How was your unit 74 antelope hunt? Its on my hit list for 2015.

 

[Musket Man]

It was good even though 12 was such a dry year. But asmuch as tags have been cut and drawing odds have gotten worse Im not sure I will go back unless it goes down a point or 2 in the next 2 years.

 

[kesand72]

Nice buck prongs look awesome!

 

[Musket Man]

Nice buck prongs look awesome!

Thanks he scored 76! First morning of the hunt but just couldnt pass that guy up!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I hunted 74 in 2012 also. Very dry and my guess is maybe 1/2 the goats as we usually see. I've hunted 74 maybe 10 times since 1990 and have taken some nice animals there. We hunted last week of September after most everyone was finished, never saw another hunter. It was pretty dry with lots of the water dried up. My pard and I did shoot 2 bucks and 4 does. I probably passed up 50 bucks before I shot one. he was a little above average. In 95 I took a 78" from there.

Hope the moisture improves and the herd recovers. The other thing is there is a lot more drilling and traffic on all the roads, doesn't help things either. Attached is 2012 buck.

 

[Musket Man]

CC your antelope is sticking its tongue out exactly like mine is, must me a 74/2012 thing!! lol I saw a couple hunters in early October. 1 truck drove by while I was stalking my goat. Luckily the antelope were in enough of a dip or the hunters were blind cuz they didnt see them but I thought they were gonna kill my goat or blow my stalk for a bit.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

CC your antelope is sticking its tongue out exactly like mine is, must me a 74/2012 thing!! lol I saw a couple hunters in early October. 1 truck drove by while I was stalking my goat. Luckily the antelope were in enough of a dip or the hunters were blind cuz they didnt see them but I thought they were gonna kill my goat or blow my stalk for a bit.

I see the snow in your picture. A warden came into to came to check us on the last day we were there and told us there was a big storming coming the next afternoon. We left in the am before it started.

 

[Musket Man]

I dont remember the date but it was the first few days of Oct. Wasnt much of a storm. Went to sleep with stars out and wokeup to that snow,just enough to cover the ground cactus up so couldnt see them on the stalk, then warmed up and turned to mud in no time. Skinned my antelope ontop of my 4wheeler ramps to try to stay out of the mud.