wyoming deer draw

[jamesfromseattle]

Just found out we were lucky to get our antelope doe tags that I thought were a sure thing. There were more first choice applicants than tags, and my hunting partner and I got 4 of them!

Based on the numbers it looks like you put in for the same unit as we did...myself and my girlfriend, however, went 0 for 4.

There have been plenty of tags in that area for the last few years so I assumed we would have no problem drawing at least one or two tags. We already requested the time off work and put money down on a rental cabin...

My girlfriend was really looking forward to her first hunt (and I probably misled her by saying we'd definitely draw at least 1), so she is going to be extremely disappointed. I'm mostly just bummed for her because how much she wanted to hunt this year.

Not looking good for leftovers, either.

[bobcat]

Just found out we were lucky to get our antelope doe tags that I thought were a sure thing. There were more first choice applicants than tags, and my hunting partner and I got 4 of them!

Based on the numbers it looks like you put in for the same unit as we did...myself and my girlfriend, however, went 0 for 4.

There have been plenty of tags in that area for the last few years so I assumed we would have no problem drawing at least one or two tags. We already requested the time off work and put money down on a rental cabin...

My girlfriend was really looking forward to her first hunt (and I probably misled her by saying we'd definitely draw at least 1), so she is going to be extremely disappointed. I'm mostly just bummed for her because how much she wanted to hunt this year.

Not looking good for leftovers, either.

Sorry you didn't get your tags. It was a big surprise how many applicants there were this year for those tags. Twice as many applicants as tags!

[Buck_Nasty11]

Put in for special with a point and no draw for region h

[jamesfromseattle]

No kidding! Wouldn't have been nearly disappointing if knew there was a good chance of not drawing.

At this point I'd be willing to pay pretty much whatever necessary to give the GF a good shot at an animal on private land, but unfortunately she is starting school at the end of September so the units available to us are pretty limited.

Asked fish and game about trespass fee hunts in unit 109 and the other easy-draw units and they pretty much said they don't know of any landowners there that aren't permanently booked.

If anyone has any landowner leads (again, willing to pay) in 109 or somewhere like that, I would really appreciate any help.

[Halo]

Congrats to those who drew. I knew my odds were long and that my daughter & I would likely not draw and we didn't. I did see a couple nice consolation prizes this morning when I left for work. Two branched antler blacktail bucks in the front field. Looks like we'll be chasing the local critters this year for her first year hunting.

[lhrbull]

James I don't know where unit109 is but if you want to hunt deer look at Region B they never used to draw out.

[opdinkslayer]

 My 2 boys & nephew drew G tags with 4pts special so we will be taking them up into the most beautiful place I've ever hunted to search for a dream buck. My bro-in-law and I talked about how great it was gonna be when we got to finally bring our boys up here as we waited out a thunderstorm 15 years ago and its finally here! They are all amped about big bucks but for me its about camp on our backs diy in what I would truly call "GOD'S COUNTRY" that makes me excited. Three good bucks would just make this all the more special. This on top of drawing a oil any moose tag has me wondering what the hell I did to deserve this but I will take it!

 To those who drew in Wy this year, congratulations and to those going to reg G for the first time I offer you this basic advice. Enjoy the country and do not go there thinking that you see 100 deer a day and weed thru the 170 class bucks to get to the 200 inchers. Get in the best shape possible because when your body is a day away from taping out, your mind already did 2 days prior. It eats the weak in mind and body for breakfast and spits them out before sun up and be prepared for everything from 70 degree sun to a foot of snow and fog. Having said that, congrats to all and it should be a great horn year with the great spring moisture back there. See ya in "GOD'S COUNTRY" boys.

[gottatree]

We drew three region T buck tags. Then we also drew 2 unit 103 antelope bucks and my son drew to antelope doe tags. Should be a great year.

[Maverick]

So would this be the time to ask what the best units are to apply for over there? I've been building up points. Ill have 4 antelope and 3 deer points. I planned on hunting G because thats where my dad hunted but after their hunt last year I'm not sure thats a tag I want. They never saw a quality buck dead or alive. A game warden explained most guys shoot a 2.5 year old buck and that's what they ended up seeing other hunters with and what my uncle ended up getting. My dad ate the tag. So now I've gotta do some homework and decide if I should change game plans. Antelope I've just been building the points because I've always wanted to hunt them but bo clue where to go.

[Bigshooter]

So would this be the time to ask what the best units are to apply for over there? I've been building up points. Ill have 4 antelope and 3 deer points. I planned on hunting G because thats where my dad hunted but after their hunt last year I'm not sure thats a tag I want. They never saw a quality buck dead or alive. A game warden explained most guys shoot a 2.5 year old buck and that's what they ended up seeing other hunters with and what my uncle ended up getting. My dad ate the tag. So now I've gotta do some homework and decide if I should change game plans. Antelope I've just been building the points because I've always wanted to hunt them but bo clue where to go.

Stick with G.  There is nothing better in WY than G.  There are older bucks in G.  You just have to look over a lot of smaller ones.  For antelope the units that take a lot of pts to draw usually have more public ground than units that take no pts to draw.  Find a unit in the middle of the state that you can draw and go hunt antelope.

[WAcoueshunter]

So would this be the time to ask what the best units are to apply for over there? I've been building up points. Ill have 4 antelope and 3 deer points. I planned on hunting G because thats where my dad hunted but after their hunt last year I'm not sure thats a tag I want. They never saw a quality buck dead or alive. A game warden explained most guys shoot a 2.5 year old buck and that's what they ended up seeing other hunters with and what my uncle ended up getting. My dad ate the tag. So now I've gotta do some homework and decide if I should change game plans. Antelope I've just been building the points because I've always wanted to hunt them but bo clue where to go.

The deer herds in G and H got crushed in the winter of 2010-11 - mortality figures were like 50-75%.  So the fawns in 2011 and 2012 are making up the bulk of the bucks around now.   In 2014 they would have been 2 1/2 to 3 1/2.   But they've had four easy winters since then, and now those bucks are getting into the 4 1/2 range.  This is a big part of the point creep problem - many guys held off applying the last several years and are now cashing in.  Next year and the year after (etc.) should continue to get better until they have another bad winter. 

[Maverick]

Thanks for the. Wintering tip. I didn't know they got hit hard. My dad hunted near Afton. The spot he had hunted in the 90s you use to be able to pull a horse trailer on the road and now you have to rock crawl in. (Dad didn't know that till he got there) luckily hes got a lift and big tires. Everyone elserrode quads and rzrs in and everyone asked how the heck did he get his 05 long bed crew cab f350 in there?! Lol

[Stein]

My daughter drew two 115 youth antelope doe tags.  I drew a big zippo in 115 which was kind of surprising as I was hoping it was a sure thing.  Very cool that my daughter drew, excited for the opener.

[Bean Counter]

So would this be the time to ask what the best units are to apply for over there? I've been building up points. Ill have 4 antelope and 3 deer points. I planned on hunting G because thats where my dad hunted but after their hunt last year I'm not sure thats a tag I want. They never saw a quality buck dead or alive. A game warden explained most guys shoot a 2.5 year old buck and that's what they ended up seeing other hunters with and what my uncle ended up getting. My dad ate the tag. So now I've gotta do some homework and decide if I should change game plans. Antelope I've just been building the points because I've always wanted to hunt them but bo clue where to go.

The deer herds in G and H got crushed in the winter of 2010-11 - mortality figures were like 50-75%.  So the fawns in 2011 and 2012 are making up the bulk of the bucks around now.   In 2014 they would have been 2 1/2 to 3 1/2.   But they've had four easy winters since then, and now those bucks are getting into the 4 1/2 range.  This is a big part of the point creep problem - many guys held off applying the last several years and are now cashing in.  Next year and the year after (etc.) should continue to get better until they have another bad winter.

I saw the 50-70% mortality figure in 2010 but I thought that was just fawn recruitment but not necessarily all the herd altogether. Last year was my first in Wyoming. We spent our share of time in the field and definitely noticed that there was an older age class of bucks missing at least in the area of the Bighorn Mountains.

[chukar hunter]

Drew a deer tag but came up empty on Lope tags with 4 PP, very surprised.  Was hoping to double dip.  Not wanting to make the trek just for a deer when I can hit Idaho for two weeks instead.  Anyone have advice on getting out of the deer tag if I can prove hardship or is it a done deal, sunk cost?