Wyoming antelope surplus tags.....what to do?

[cem3434]

So after striking out in every state that I applied for, I'm looking to do something different.  I have PM'd a few members on this forum about hunting antelope because I have never went after antelope and I have received some great information.  After talking with my cousin earlier this week, we both decided we want to go after some speed goats in Wyoming. 

I have been doing some research and it looks like our best shot to buy OTC tags would be units 16, 20, 22, 29 or 102 for buck tags, but most of these units have limited access.  I have been able to find the following public access points: Red Horse in Unit 16, Ed O. Taylor Wildlife area in Unit 20 and Bud Love with a couple of chunks of state land in Unit 102.  There are also a couple of larger walk in areas in Johnson (Area #3)for Unit 16 and Converse (Area #12) for Unit 29 that I have looked into. 

We would probably buy a couple of antlerless antelope and deer tags as well to stock up the freezer, so I am leaning toward buying one of the following combinations:
1. Unit 29 antelope buck tag, with Unit 30 antelope doe tags and Unit 65 deer doe tags.
2. Unit 16 antelope buck tag, with Unit 26 antelope doe tags and Unit 27 deer doe tags.
3. Unit 20 antelope buck tag, with Unit 20 antelope doe tags and Unit 33 or 27 deer doe tags.
4. Unit 102 antelope buck tag, with Unit 102 antelope doe tags and Unit 27 deer doe tags.
5. Unit 20 antelope buck tag, with Unit 26 antelope doe tags and Unit 27 deer doe tags.

I guess I am looking for a little advice from some of the more seasoned Wyoming hunters, since neither of us has ever been there. I am continuing to research other options, so any feedback that you on what we are looking at so far or other options we might want to look into would be appreciated.

[Karl Blanchard]

Give their game department a call.  They are pretty helpful and also can line you out with land owners who want antelope gone and also land owners who let hunters access land for a tresspass fee.  My friends boss (not a friend of a friend story, I have seen their home videos  ) and they do this every year.  They pay $150 a person and can shoot their buck and all doe's they have tags for. 

[Bob33]

For the most part, surplus licenses are available in areas with little public land.

That shouldn't necessarily discourage you. Antelope are third on the totem pole below elk and deer. Many landowners will allow hunting for a modest trespass fee, or for free, especially if you're a meat hunter.

As noted, their Game and Fish department is helpful and can provide a list of landowners that have allowed hunting in the past.

If you want to "do it yourself" you'll definitely want to get landowner software for a GPS.

Best of luck.

[cem3434]

I guess I will try calling WFG Department early next week and seeing what I can find out. I'm not really looking to pay a trespass fee, so we will see if I can find a landowner that isn't looking for money or that we can barter some fresh smoked salmon for access. Thanks for the info BLR and Bob! 

[Karl Blanchard]

Smoked salmon can win some hearts but fresh apples are like crack to those people!  We give apples to everyone we come across because even if they don't give you access, they remember you as the apple guy   we got shot down in Montana a few years ago but after saying thank you anyways and handing the lady some Fuji's, she said well maybe you could head out for just today  

I've never put much effort into Wyoming antelope but one thing I do know is Wyoming has more antelope than they know what to do with.  If you log the phone and computer time I'm certain you will find plenty of dirt.

[go4steelhd]

I have hunted 16 for antelope. We had two tags for bucks. Shot two bucks on a 400 yard by 400 yard patch of public. If you do not have a GPS with a chip that shows public and private don't waste your time. I went the second week of season. Saying access is poor in this unit is and understatement. There is a lot of public land it's just land locked. I went to the walk in area and did not see any antelope on it. Not saying they are never there, just I didn't see any. I was successful and I will not ever hunt that unit again. Hope this helps.

[RadSav]

I really thought I would be busy shipping broadheads and getting ready for my OIL bull elk tag/hunt (apparently for me it's once in a life time.  Maybe never in a lifetime )  So I decided not to go back to WY this year.  But I'm thinking I might need to let off some steam and take my frustrations out on a poor little speedster.  Almost 400 left over tags in the area I hunt.  Should be time for me to take this week and think about it.

[Karl Blanchard]

I really thought I would be busy shipping broadheads and getting ready for my OIL bull elk tag/hunt (apparently for me it's once in a life time.  Maybe never in a lifetime )  So I decided not to go back to WY this year.  But I'm thinking I might need to let off some steam and take my frustrations out on a poor little speedster.  Almost 400 left over tags in the area I hunt.  Should be time for me to take this week and think about it.

Go, I double dog dare you!

[cem3434]

I have hunted 16 for antelope. We had two tags for bucks. Shot two bucks on a 400 yard by 400 yard patch of public. If you do not have a GPS with a chip that shows public and private don't waste your time. I went the second week of season. Saying access is poor in this unit is and understatement. There is a lot of public land it's just land locked. I went to the walk in area and did not see any antelope on it. Not saying they are never there, just I didn't see any. I was successful and I will not ever hunt that unit again. Hope this helps.

Thanks, thats great info to consider.  I have a gps and can buy a WY chip, so I guess that is something to consider.  Was the walk in area you hunted, Map Area #3 in Johnson County?

[cem3434]

I really thought I would be busy shipping broadheads and getting ready for my OIL bull elk tag/hunt (apparently for me it's once in a life time.  Maybe never in a lifetime )  So I decided not to go back to WY this year.  But I'm thinking I might need to let off some steam and take my frustrations out on a poor little speedster.  Almost 400 left over tags in the area I hunt.  Should be time for me to take this week and think about it.

Go, I double dog dare you!

Do you want a couple of new hunting partners Rad?

[RadSav]

I can get openings and price information from my guide buddy over there if you guys want.  I know he was planning on cutting back on hunters this year, but I know he had a few opening left last I checked.  It is all private land and archery or crossbow hunting only.


Update:  I just sent him an email.  If he doesn't respond by this evening I will try to call Monday.

[go4steelhd]

Yes I went to the walk in area your talking about. Walk-in is a bad term for that spot because there are roads thru the center of it that you can drive on while hunting. There are a lot of antelope in that unit. They know the property lines well.
Pick two units and buy a buck tag in each and go hunt them. See which area you like the access in. Plan on spending two days driving around even with a chip just to find a few spots that touch a road you can get to in 16 or most of the units that have left over tags. I have got antelope bucks with every left over tag I have bought. But I always Aline the hunt with a deer hunt or antelope hunt in another unit. So I haven't ever gone on the opener in a left over area. They may be on public opening day . But out of all the public you see in 16 I bet you can't get two 7 square miles of it from the road. They gate roads off. And the gas company's gate and patrol that area very well. It's frustrating to say the least. But it can be done.

[go4steelhd]

This is my 16 buck

[go4steelhd]

This is 3 of the 4 bucks my wife and I got a few years ago where we tied a deer hunt with it. 2 different units. The other buck that my wife shot was at the taxidermist so it's not in this picture.

[Widgeondeke]

I've hunted WY twice for speed goats. Not in those areas, but here is what i learned.

Most landowners will charge an access fee for bucks. $0 for does, get those tags.
As was stated, WY DFW is great for info. I had a bio hook me up with a landowner. The landowners getting crop damage call to report; bio sends hunters  . We took 2 bucks for free. Owner asked if we had more tags for does or deer  My brother paid $50 access fee for his buck, does are complimetary.
The GPS is very accurate, but as i was told by a gamewarden. Use at your own risk. The fence is what they go by. Remember many fences were put in place decades ago. We found some fences were off by 20 yards or more.
Take a good range finder and glass
Be prepared to process your animals, at least to skin & quarter. Some of the units are hours from a butcher. DRY ICE and a good cooler, don't want spoilage.

Make sure you have your hunter education card, no grandfather clause there. They do allow a 1 time mentor; if only one of you have a card he can "mentor" the other.