Wyoming Thorofare Hunt

[Colorado Cowboy]

After 20 years of applying (and not drawing) for unit 100, I decided to hunt with an outfitter in the Thorofare area of NW Wy. After a lot of research I booked a wilderness hunt with Hidden Creek Outfitters. My question is has anyone hunted with them? If so what was your experience. I am going to be 70 this year, live at 6800 ft and work out daily, so I will be well prepared physically. Next year I am going to BC, Canada to hunt Moose and Sheep. Been trying to draw Az also, no luck there.

Thanks for any input anyone has.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

I have not hunted with that outfitter, but I have bowhunted in the same area. My 65 year old dad hunted with me, and we're from MN, and the terrain was no problem. We saw quite a few nice bulls, I arrowed a decent 5x6. Also saw a lot of bighorn, mostly ewes and lambs, but still pretty cool. Expect to see the griz, as there is a healthy population in that area. Enjoy the hunt, and good luck!

 

[Scott S]

Congratulations! I hunted with Justin Jarrett (Wapiti Ridge Outfitters) out of Cody in 2009 for mule deer in that region (Shoshone NF). It is beautiful country but rugged and very high. I got altitude sickness one day when we were up around 12,000 but I was ok at camp level of 9500. I don't know the outfitter you chose but I've seen their shows. They seem to be good people and I've not heard anything negative about them. As Crimson Arrow mentioned, you'll probably see Grizzly. We saw two different sows and one of them had 2 cubs with her.

 

[DryFlyGuy]

Grab a prime rib from the Irma while you are in town. Hope you enjoy this visit!

 

[wyo9]

Good tag...wish we didnt have so many grizz and wolves around there. Never heard of your guide...i know JJ (Justin Jarrett) who is a great guide one of the best around also Colby Gines great guy, So awesome to be around him. Hope you have a good time on your hunt.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Talked to my outfitter Bill Perry today, he called to verify some info and let me know how things are. Seems that the snow really stayed late (same here in SW Colorado!) and the elk stayed low until a month or so ago. He said we should have a great year! I wouldn't expect him to tell me anything else. Still working out 5 to 6 time a week. Last week took a day hike into the Lizardhead Wilderness area to Navajo Lake. Trailhead is at 8500 and lake is at 11,000, 6 miles each way. In/out in 10 hours with a little time for fishing too. My workouts for the last year have really paid off. Other than the 30 mile horseback ride into camp....I'm ready. Pretty good for an old man of 69 years!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Just got back from the range and the final shooting with my .300 Wby. Got several groups at 200 that were around 1 1/2". Shot out to 500 last week and verified my scope settings, also shot less than minute of angle groups. No alibies now, looks like everything is ready. Been horseback riding and working out almost everyday. Can't wait ....I'll be on my way to Cody 3 weeks from today!

 

[Scott S]

I know you are getting excited! That muley hunt was my first "back country" hunt and it is one I'll never forget!! We don't get to do that type of hunting here in Alabama like you folks out west!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

CC,

I can feel your excitement in your posts!

It is great to see you are investing more into your hunt than money. It. Sounds like you and your equipment are good to go.

I can't wait to see a field photo of you and your trophy.

Good luck!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Tomorrow is the day, leave home here in SW Colorado at 4:00AM, expect to be in Cody for dinner. Last gym workout today and finish packing the truck. I talked to my neighbor yesterday and saw his nice 5x6 bull he got on opening day of bow season. Probably won't make 300 as one pt broke off. He is a pilot for SW Airlines and a dedicated bowhunter, has a 368 bull to his credit from the local area here, which is pretty good for here.
Going to spend a couple of days in Cody at the BB Museum and of course dinner at the Erma. Staying at the Cody Motor Lodge as my outfitter has a deal with them for rooms. Meet Saturday and verify our sight ins at the range and take all our gear to the trailhead for an early start Sunday AM. Start hunting Monday. Planning to take lots of pictures and on having a blast! Later......

 

[bowhuntress]

Sounds like lots of fun! Can't wait to see your trophy photos!

 

[trkytrack2]

As mentioned, the elk and all the other big game have taken quite a beating all around the Yellowstone area from the grizz & wolves. Population levels are way, way down from what they use to be. Hoping you have a sucessful hunt. Beautiful country there.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I just got back from the hunt and had a wonderful time.....but got blanked. First and foremost let me say that Bill Perry of Hidden Creek Outfitters runs a first class operation. Everything was done right. Food accomadations, guides and wranglers were great. Their first hunt went 11 for 12. We were blanked in Teton Camp and Hidden Creek Camp didn't do a lot better..2 for 6 (one was a cow). The ride in was as expected...hard and long, but I wasn't too sore afterwards. Hunted 6 long hard days. Up every day @ 4:30 am and out of camp after breakfast by 5:30. Hunt all day until dark and usually got back for dinner between 8:30 & 9:00 PM. Rode horse/mule to hunting area every day. Sure glad I spent so much time getting ready...I was also the oldest hunter in camp.

The hunting.... Saw elk every day, but not very many. First day had an oportinity at a great 6x6 that was just not a great shot to take. was 440 YDS going uphill, all I had to shoot at was his back and ass. Wind blowing about 20 to 25 and no good rest, so I passed. Saw him a couple of other times but either too far or too dark. That was the only good bull I saw.Other days we saw a few with the spotting scope or ones that were in the Park. Finally found a small group of 6 cows and a small 4x4 bull late one afternoon. Put them to bed and the next morning they were in the same spot, about 700 yds across a canyon. They were feeding towards us and a pack of woilves busted them! Found them again the last day and I would have shot the small bull,, but 4 Grizzlies had other ideas. They were on top of us (less than 70 yds)right a daylight and we really had to make a lot of noise to scare them off and the elk took off too.

A couple of years ago and again last year in EHJ, Guy Eastman wrote about the toll being taken on the Elk (Moose & Deer too) by the wolves. Really sad, bones laying everywhere. It should be finishing up with the rut now (should have been full on when I was there) but no bugling at all, heard one or 2 grunts from the 4x4 after we cow called. If the wolves and bears hear any calling from the elk they are on them. So everything is real quiet. Pretty sad situation, as this was a truely great area in years past.

If anyone plans on going to Thorofare, the first & last hunts are the only ones I would book.

 

[Elkoholic307]

That's a shame. Are you planning on going back ever?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Probably not. Even with a first hunt and much better odds, my 70 year old knees are the problem. But I'll never give in, so who knows.If Wyoming gets a real wolf management plan in place and gets some of thgose critter under control anything is possible. The only trouble is its so close to Yellowstone and safe haven for them.
Right now working on my son to go with me for maybe a Caribou hunt. Next year for sure is a deer & goat hunt to Wyoming and turkey/pig in Texas in April.

 

[brooks]

Better to have gone and not kill a bull than to sit home and wish you were there...Congrats... at least you got to spend a week in some of the most beautiful country god ever made !

 

[Scott S]

I am glad you had a wonderful experience but sorry that you didn't connect on a bull. A caribou hunt has always appealed to me as well and I think you would come back with 100% success on that hunt.

 

[sethkuhl]

Good Luck!