Every fall since 2005 I’ve made a trip to Wyoming to hunt big game. It started out with antelope. The majority of years it’s been for doe/fawn antelope; every few years I’ll hunt for a buck. In recent years it’s been more difficult to draw antelope licenses so I’ve added antlerless whitetail deer to the list. This year I did not draw any antelope licenses but was able to get four antlerless whitetail licenses.
I enjoy the trips and would probably go even if I couldn’t hunt. Each year I try to see or do something different. The last few years I’ve spent a couple days in Yellowstone on the way to or from Wyoming. Side trips on the “Red Grade” road and the “Red Gulch” cross-country trips were new this year.
Here are some photos I took along the way which remind me of another wonderful experience I had.
I have a friend in Wyoming with access to private land. The deer hunting went as hoped and I was able to fill the licenses rather easily with the longest shot being 200 yards which is a chip shot for my 257 Weatherby. The property I hunt has an abundance of deer and antelope:
I wanted to spend a little more time in small towns along the way this year.
Virginia City, Montana.
Ennis, Montana. It’s interesting to see how towns come to life at night.
Ten Sleep, Wyoming has the requisite components of a small western town: (1) Bar, (2) Liquor store, (3) American flag, (4) pickup trucks, even some older ones.
Buffalo, Wyoming at night.
Yellowstone is a wonder of geysers, water, and wildlife. The grizzly was quite a distance away but it was nice to see one. They are becoming more prevalent.
The scenery is something I never tire of.
Pronghorns are my favorite animal. I never tire or watching them, especially when they run.
Traffic is non-existent in most parts of the state. Here’s rush hour near where I hunt.
The overwhelming majority of Wyoming citizens and politicians support the Second Amendment and hunting. Guns are sold in some grocery stores.
There are so many things to love about Wyoming. I’m already making plans for 2026.
