Choosing an area in Wyoming.

[grundy53]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the help. This is really helping get it narrowed down.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I'll throw in my 2 cents review of Wyoming Deer Regions:

Region A - mostly private land with the exception being the Black Hills National Forest.  About 2/3 whitetails and 1/3 mule deer, it is the only large public land area to hunt whitetails in the woods; there are river bottom whitetails in most of the rest of the state.  This is the only place to hunt mule deer on an easy to draw license in the rut.  I would characterize the trophy quality as "recreational", with high relatively success; very slim chances for a truly large buck on the public.  Some of the pay to play private ranches have true trophy quality whitetails.

Region B - small percentage of scattered public, mostly on Thunder Basin National Grassland.  There is a small cadre of map nuts who delight in hunting the "public" with land status maps and public road maps and GPS - most of the public is within the boundaries of ranches that are pay to play, so expect to meet landowners and their employees if going that route.  I consider it a pay to play option only.

Region C - same as B.  Relative to A, the private land mule deer run bigger and the whitetails smaller.

Region Y - Used to be the western edge of C, which is the east slopes of the Bighorn Mountains and west of I-25.  The deer hunting on the BNF is only decent, nearly all mule deer.  South of the BNF, there are some extensive BLM lands and big game winter range lands that have higher densities of the deer, but also high pressure (for Wyoming).  Mule deer quality on public land is recreational, all the private is pay to play.

Region T - virtually 100% private for deer hunting, would not go unless paying to play.  Like western Nebraska with worse access, but some surprising big bucks of both species (also like western NE).

Region D - Pretty good public access, lots of private too.  Mostly mule deer, better proportion of bigger bucks but lower overall densities of deer than the Powder River Basin and northern North Platte (A, B and C).  Trophy quality generally increases from north to south IMHO.  One I'd recommend for public land DIY truck camping that is relatively easy to draw.

Region E - Low density of deer generally, and several of the hunt areas are limited quota only (unavailable to Region E license holder).   Lots of public land, anywhere there is flowing water or springs is private with most uplands public.  Easy to draw, good for a DIY IF you have excellent glass and your preferred method of hunting is to alternate between spotting scope and binocs, and you don't mind seeing small numbers of deer.  Good trophy potential if you have the discipline to keep looking and don't shoot a small buck, but really a hunt for the experienced glasser.

Region F - Very similar to what I wrote for D, except the trophy quality increases here from east to west (mule deer).  Some GREAT whitetails in the Bighorn Basin, all on private.

Region X - Used to be the eastern portion of Region F - low elevation, average deer density, private on the farm country, some BLM uplands.  Not much to recommend.

Regions R, M - very similar to what I wrote for C, but more public land, lower deer density, a little higher trophy potential.  The BLM adjacent to the BNF on the west slope of the Bighorns is where I'd go.  Good for DIY.

Region J - most large public land areas have few deer or are limited quota.  High deer densities and good trophy quality on private pay to play land, low densities on accessible public.  A good second choice option for the hardcore backcountry hunter who tries for G or H every year, but also wants to hunt Wyoming as often as possible.  Not an easy DIY, but it is doable. 

Region K - Similar to E but more sagebrush and less high mountains.

Region W - desert.  Some of the largest areas in the state with virtually no deer.  Small pockets of bucks.  Great age structure, a very few truly huge old bucks that are the proverbial needle in the haystack.  On the plus side, it's virtually all public.

Region G - the DIY back country trophy hunter's mecca.  Big bucks, high elevation, public land, no wilderness.  You are wasting this license if you aren't prepared for serious backcountry hunting - it's a mediocre truck hunt.

Region H - the second choice to Region G - more timber, wilderness areas otherwise very similar to G - same trophy quality, but harder to hunt due to wilderness and less visibility.

Wyoming has a lot to offer the deer hunter - you can spend several thousand dollars for a relatively easy hunt on private land from trucks for big mule deer and whitetails in most areas of the state.  You can spend that same amount for a physically demanding public land hunt in G or H with an outfitter and are virtually certain to get an adult buck, and have a chance at a really big one.  For a couple thousand, you can get private land access with limited services or access only.  If you put in time and effort, you can find places to get on (access only) for a few hundred dollars and the quality is a crapshoot, but you are very likely to fill tags. 

My picks for DIY public land: I want the best quality hunt, am in mountain goat shape and I don't mind building points: Region G.  I am in mountain goat shape, I don't mind sitting out a year but I don't want to wait multiple years between hunts: Region H.  I am in mountain goat shape, I want to hunt every year: Region D, J, E.  I'm not in the shape I used to be, but I'm an experienced hunter and patient who will be using the truck and glassing a lot: Region E, M, X, W.  I am not very experienced, but very enthusiastic and in average shape, I want to kill my first buck: Region A, Y, D 

These are generalizations, a starting place.  Don't feel the need to refute what I said about any region by pointing out that this little corner or pocket doesn't fit that description.  If you have that kind of knowledge, feel free to share it with the guys trying to hunt Wyoming for the first time.

[Bwana Bob]

Pretty spot on DD-Lung. I've only hunted G, D and 118 for deer in WY. didn't want to put up with all the private in the eastern part of WY.

[grundy53]

I'll throw in my 2 cents review of Wyoming Deer Regions:

Region A - mostly private land with the exception being the Black Hills National Forest.  About 2/3 whitetails and 1/3 mule deer, it is the only large public land area to hunt whitetails in the woods; there are river bottom whitetails in most of the rest of the state.  This is the only place to hunt mule deer on an easy to draw license in the rut.  I would characterize the trophy quality as "recreational", with high relatively success; very slim chances for a truly large buck on the public.  Some of the pay to play private ranches have true trophy quality whitetails.

Region B - small percentage of scattered public, mostly on Thunder Basin National Grassland.  There is a small cadre of map nuts who delight in hunting the "public" with land status maps and public road maps and GPS - most of the public is within the boundaries of ranches that are pay to play, so expect to meet landowners and their employees if going that route.  I consider it a pay to play option only.

Region C - same as B.  Relative to A, the private land mule deer run bigger and the whitetails smaller.

Region Y - Used to be the western edge of C, which is the east slopes of the Bighorn Mountains and west of I-25.  The deer hunting on the BNF is only decent, nearly all mule deer.  South of the BNF, there are some extensive BLM lands and big game winter range lands that have higher densities of the deer, but also high pressure (for Wyoming).  Mule deer quality on public land is recreational, all the private is pay to play.

Region T - virtually 100% private for deer hunting, would not go unless paying to play.  Like western Nebraska with worse access, but some surprising big bucks of both species (also like western NE).

Region D - Pretty good public access, lots of private too.  Mostly mule deer, better proportion of bigger bucks but lower overall densities of deer than the Powder River Basin and northern North Platte (A, B and C).  Trophy quality generally increases from north to south IMHO.  One I'd recommend for public land DIY truck camping that is relatively easy to draw.

Region E - Low density of deer generally, and several of the hunt areas are limited quota only (unavailable to Region E license holder).   Lots of public land, anywhere there is flowing water or springs is private with most uplands public.  Easy to draw, good for a DIY IF you have excellent glass and your preferred method of hunting is to alternate between spotting scope and binocs, and you don't mind seeing small numbers of deer.  Good trophy potential if you have the discipline to keep looking and don't shoot a small buck, but really a hunt for the experienced glasser.

Region F - Very similar to what I wrote for D, except the trophy quality increases here from east to west (mule deer).  Some GREAT whitetails in the Bighorn Basin, all on private.

Region X - Used to be the eastern portion of Region F - low elevation, average deer density, private on the farm country, some BLM uplands.  Not much to recommend.

Regions R, M - very similar to what I wrote for C, but more public land, lower deer density, a little higher trophy potential.  The BLM adjacent to the BNF on the west slope of the Bighorns is where I'd go.  Good for DIY.

Region J - most large public land areas have few deer or are limited quota.  High deer densities and good trophy quality on private pay to play land, low densities on accessible public.  A good second choice option for the hardcore backcountry hunter who tries for G or H every year, but also wants to hunt Wyoming as often as possible.  Not an easy DIY, but it is doable. 

Region K - Similar to E but more sagebrush and less high mountains.

Region W - desert.  Some of the largest areas in the state with virtually no deer.  Small pockets of bucks.  Great age structure, a very few truly huge old bucks that are the proverbial needle in the haystack.  On the plus side, it's virtually all public.

Region G - the DIY back country trophy hunter's mecca.  Big bucks, high elevation, public land, no wilderness.  You are wasting this license if you aren't prepared for serious backcountry hunting - it's a mediocre truck hunt.

Region H - the second choice to Region G - more timber, wilderness areas otherwise very similar to G - same trophy quality, but harder to hunt due to wilderness and less visibility.

Wyoming has a lot to offer the deer hunter - you can spend several thousand dollars for a relatively easy hunt on private land from trucks for big mule deer and whitetails in most areas of the state.  You can spend that same amount for a physically demanding public land hunt in G or H with an outfitter and are virtually certain to get an adult buck, and have a chance at a really big one.  For a couple thousand, you can get private land access with limited services or access only.  If you put in time and effort, you can find places to get on (access only) for a few hundred dollars and the quality is a crapshoot, but you are very likely to fill tags. 

My picks for DIY public land: I want the best quality hunt, am in mountain goat shape and I don't mind building points: Region G.  I am in mountain goat shape, I don't mind sitting out a year but I don't want to wait multiple years between hunts: Region H.  I am in mountain goat shape, I want to hunt every year: Region D, J, E.  I'm not in the shape I used to be, but I'm an experienced hunter and patient who will be using the truck and glassing a lot: Region E, M, X, W.  I am not very experienced, but very enthusiastic and in average shape, I want to kill my first buck: Region A, Y, D 

These are generalizations, a starting place.  Don't feel the need to refute what I said about any region by pointing out that this little corner or pocket doesn't fit that description.  If you have that kind of knowledge, feel free to share it with the guys trying to hunt Wyoming for the first time.

This summary was VERY helpful. Thank you very much. I really like how you broke it down.

[jamesfromseattle]

Doublelung,

That is an awesome summary and a great place to start. Thanks for taking the time to share all of that.

[Jonathan_S]

I'll throw in my 2 cents review of Wyoming Deer Regions:

Region A - mostly private land with the exception being the Black Hills National Forest.  About 2/3 whitetails and 1/3 mule deer, it is the only large public land area to hunt whitetails in the woods; there are river bottom whitetails in most of the rest of the state.  This is the only place to hunt mule deer on an easy to draw license in the rut.  I would characterize the trophy quality as "recreational", with high relatively success; very slim chances for a truly large buck on the public.  Some of the pay to play private ranches have true trophy quality whitetails.

Region B - small percentage of scattered public, mostly on Thunder Basin National Grassland.  There is a small cadre of map nuts who delight in hunting the "public" with land status maps and public road maps and GPS - most of the public is within the boundaries of ranches that are pay to play, so expect to meet landowners and their employees if going that route.  I consider it a pay to play option only.

Region C - same as B.  Relative to A, the private land mule deer run bigger and the whitetails smaller.

Region Y - Used to be the western edge of C, which is the east slopes of the Bighorn Mountains and west of I-25.  The deer hunting on the BNF is only decent, nearly all mule deer.  South of the BNF, there are some extensive BLM lands and big game winter range lands that have higher densities of the deer, but also high pressure (for Wyoming).  Mule deer quality on public land is recreational, all the private is pay to play.

Region T - virtually 100% private for deer hunting, would not go unless paying to play.  Like western Nebraska with worse access, but some surprising big bucks of both species (also like western NE).

Region D - Pretty good public access, lots of private too.  Mostly mule deer, better proportion of bigger bucks but lower overall densities of deer than the Powder River Basin and northern North Platte (A, B and C).  Trophy quality generally increases from north to south IMHO.  One I'd recommend for public land DIY truck camping that is relatively easy to draw.

Region E - Low density of deer generally, and several of the hunt areas are limited quota only (unavailable to Region E license holder).   Lots of public land, anywhere there is flowing water or springs is private with most uplands public.  Easy to draw, good for a DIY IF you have excellent glass and your preferred method of hunting is to alternate between spotting scope and binocs, and you don't mind seeing small numbers of deer.  Good trophy potential if you have the discipline to keep looking and don't shoot a small buck, but really a hunt for the experienced glasser.

Region F - Very similar to what I wrote for D, except the trophy quality increases here from east to west (mule deer).  Some GREAT whitetails in the Bighorn Basin, all on private.

Region X - Used to be the eastern portion of Region F - low elevation, average deer density, private on the farm country, some BLM uplands.  Not much to recommend.

Regions R, M - very similar to what I wrote for C, but more public land, lower deer density, a little higher trophy potential.  The BLM adjacent to the BNF on the west slope of the Bighorns is where I'd go.  Good for DIY.

Region J - most large public land areas have few deer or are limited quota.  High deer densities and good trophy quality on private pay to play land, low densities on accessible public.  A good second choice option for the hardcore backcountry hunter who tries for G or H every year, but also wants to hunt Wyoming as often as possible.  Not an easy DIY, but it is doable. 

Region K - Similar to E but more sagebrush and less high mountains.

Region W - desert.  Some of the largest areas in the state with virtually no deer.  Small pockets of bucks.  Great age structure, a very few truly huge old bucks that are the proverbial needle in the haystack.  On the plus side, it's virtually all public.

Region G - the DIY back country trophy hunter's mecca.  Big bucks, high elevation, public land, no wilderness.  You are wasting this license if you aren't prepared for serious backcountry hunting - it's a mediocre truck hunt.

Region H - the second choice to Region G - more timber, wilderness areas otherwise very similar to G - same trophy quality, but harder to hunt due to wilderness and less visibility.

Wyoming has a lot to offer the deer hunter - you can spend several thousand dollars for a relatively easy hunt on private land from trucks for big mule deer and whitetails in most areas of the state.  You can spend that same amount for a physically demanding public land hunt in G or H with an outfitter and are virtually certain to get an adult buck, and have a chance at a really big one.  For a couple thousand, you can get private land access with limited services or access only.  If you put in time and effort, you can find places to get on (access only) for a few hundred dollars and the quality is a crapshoot, but you are very likely to fill tags. 

My picks for DIY public land: I want the best quality hunt, am in mountain goat shape and I don't mind building points: Region G.  I am in mountain goat shape, I don't mind sitting out a year but I don't want to wait multiple years between hunts: Region H.  I am in mountain goat shape, I want to hunt every year: Region D, J, E.  I'm not in the shape I used to be, but I'm an experienced hunter and patient who will be using the truck and glassing a lot: Region E, M, X, W.  I am not very experienced, but very enthusiastic and in average shape, I want to kill my first buck: Region A, Y, D 

These are generalizations, a starting place.  Don't feel the need to refute what I said about any region by pointing out that this little corner or pocket doesn't fit that description.  If you have that kind of knowledge, feel free to share it with the guys trying to hunt Wyoming for the first time.

So... you've been to Wyoming?

[GUscottie]

It appears he has been there at least once or twice and he has done some research

[DOUBLELUNG]

Thanks for the kind words guys.  I lived in Wyoming 1990-2001, and have made several trips back to hunt.  Studied elk in the Bighorns for my masters, and was a district wildlife biologist in Casper for Game and Fish 1993-2001. 

[grundy53]

So, I've been at home all day studying google earth and googling regions and I am going blind and mad  . I'm liking Region R. Mainly from looking at google earth.The terrain appeals to me. The info I have found on the google searches isn't too promising but I take that with a grain of salt.Of course I also Like G but that seems to be what everyone else likes too  and I'm not sure if the point creep will have subsided by the time I put in. H, M, A (Black Hills NF) , and F are still in the running. I have plenty of time to narrow the field down but I think I'm becoming a little obsessed  . Of course I've also been doing similar research for Nevada so that will give me a change of pace.Once again, thank you all for the help it is appreciated very much.

[packmule]

Thanks for the kind words guys.  I lived in Wyoming 1990-2001, and have made several trips back to hunt.  Studied elk in the Bighorns for my masters, and was a district wildlife biologist in Casper for Game and Fish 1993-2001.

Your last 2 posts will earn you some pm's =).  Thanks for sharing, very good information.

[TomT]

Of those left on your short list, I have hunted region M many times.   It's big country and the deer can be pretty spread out, but there's always a chance for a really nice mulie.  It's unusual to come home empty-handed.  A lot of people road hunt this unit, so if you're willing to burn some shoe leather, you'll be mostly on your own.  Keep in mind that the roads turn into gumbo when wet, and we normally hunted at least 10 miles off of paved roads, but in a pinch you can get out at night after it freezes. 
Another bonus is it has historically been undersubscribed, so you can hunt it over the counter every year and still earn your bonus points.
Here's my best from that unit, taken a few years back.

[Bean Counter]

Nice buck there, Tom! 

[grundy53]

Of those left on your short list, I have hunted region M many times.   It's big country and the deer can be pretty spread out, but there's always a chance for a really nice mulie.  It's unusual to come home empty-handed.  A lot of people road hunt this unit, so if you're willing to burn some shoe leather, you'll be mostly on your own.  Keep in mind that the roads turn into gumbo when wet, and we normally hunted at least 10 miles off of paved roads, but in a pinch you can get out at night after it freezes. 
Another bonus is it has historically been undersubscribed, so you can hunt it over the counter every year and still earn your bonus points.
Here's my best from that unit, taken a few years back.

Thank you for the info. Great buck!

[Orion]

Great info, thanks.

[GUscottie]

Of those left on your short list, I have hunted region M many times.   It's big country and the deer can be pretty spread out, but there's always a chance for a really nice mulie.  It's unusual to come home empty-handed.  A lot of people road hunt this unit, so if you're willing to burn some shoe leather, you'll be mostly on your own.  Keep in mind that the roads turn into gumbo when wet, and we normally hunted at least 10 miles off of paved roads, but in a pinch you can get out at night after it freezes. 
Another bonus is it has historically been undersubscribed, so you can hunt it over the counter every year and still earn your bonus points.
Here's my best from that unit, taken a few years back.

Thank you for the info. Great buck!

This makes me want to bite the bullet and get out there this year....anyone want to come? I'll fly (drive) from Seattle area...