Wind River Late Buck

[Hunter Dug]

Drew this tag. Was hoping, looking for some info on the area around Willard, and the Oklahoma Camp ground.  Has anyone hunted this area during the rut, is there usually snow there in mid November?  What do you think about migration into this area for winter? Any advice would be great and much appreciated.   Pictures of past harvest would be cool.  Happy trails.

[elksnout]

Son and I had this tag in 2009. We took a 4x4 and a 4x3. And I took a decent 3x3 towards the end of last years general hunt. All deep timber bucks and rutting hard. This is pretty much our unit of choice for blacktails. I was somewhat disappointed as I thought we would have seen more bucks during the permit hunt. Maybe because the area we hunt is steep and heavily timbered had a lot to do with it rather than spending time around logged areas. We hunt the SW corner of the unit where no recent logging exists. You will find some logged land east of Willard but that area sees some pressure during the general hunt. Really not my type of hunting.

[Hunter Dug]

Thanks Elksnout. Is it me or do you have to be some kind of celebrity to get responses on this sight.  Asking for information on draw hunts that you may only draw every 6 to 10 years you would think guys would be a little more responsive.  No like its there bread and butter.   

[bobcat]

Sometimes you just need to give it some time. You just posted this less than 2 days ago. People are busy, and many have probably not seen it yet. Also there is probably a very limited number of people who actually know anything about the unit in question.

[Hunter Dug]

Sorry, patients is hard to come by right now.

[bobcat]

I believe there was a thread on this same subject last year with some helfpul responses. Have you tried the search feature?

[Hunter Dug]

oh yeah looked at all past threads. Every internet sight available.  Its just tuff to scout for a hunt which the majority of the deer are migrating into the unit late in the season. Im not worried about shooting a good buck. I want to shot an exceptional buck.  Was hoping some of the late elk muzzleloader hunters would chime in since there season surrounds the late buck dates.  Lots of time left no worries.

[blacktail luv]

I think that the main problem with the lack of response is that not a lot of people hunt this unit, it is not known for big bucks( although there definitely are some) and that anyone who knows where the deer are aren't going to give up there spots because they hunt them during the general season.  Most years there isn't too much snow up high at that time of year so the deer will be in the same general area they are during the summer.  You are going to have a hard time shooting an exceptional buck without a little luck, just not a lot of them and the country is so steep and thick the ones that are there are hard to find.

[watrapper]

Wish I could help but I have not hunted the Wind for at least 10 years. It seems like each year I hear of at least a couple of good bucks coming out of there.[18-20inch 4x4] Good luck and keep us posted.

[elksnout]

Get a map, mark out the boundaries and drive the unit out. Pick an area that suits your style of hunting. Then lace up those boots and start hitting the ground. During the summer those bucks will be more inclined to be out in the open areas. And unless you just get lucky with heavy snows, the bucks you will most likely be hunting will be the local ones. In the early fall deer will have already begun to leave the higher country but will stage somewhere along the way before the winter snows force them into winter range which the Wind has much of. Resist the urge to hunt elsewhere during the general season.Spend this time honing your knowledge of your hunt area. Find  games trails or small hidden ridges with fresh rubs. Then hunt the hell out of that area. All of our deer have been taken between noon and 3pm. hint, hint. Don't go back to camp, stay at it. What's your take on treestands??

[packmule]

First off, congratulations on drawing your tag, it will be a fun pre-season as you prepare for "Mr Big."

Secondly, consider that this site gets bombed every year at this time with a lot of interested people who have just drawn a tag to their dream unit, and many of whom have never set foot in that unit.  A lot of great information is exchanged on this site, but many people are reluctant to give out good information to people who just pop on and expect to get the "hot spots."  You'll probably have more luck if you spend some time and provide some information of your own to others as well.  This really is a "community" in the internet sense of the word.

In that spirit, I have lived in and around this unit all my life so I probably can help you out some.  The unit boundaries have changed several times during the past few years which means that hunting pressure has affected different areas of the unit in different ways.  Also, predation is a big issue, and the lack of logging over the past 15-20 years has really impacted the habitat.  In short, there isn't a large population of deer, or large bucks.  I no longer apply to this, or neighboring units for this reason.  That's the bad news.  There are still pockets of deer and there are some really nice bucks, and your tag will allow you to hunt them during the best time of the year.  That's the good news.  If you're looking for the biggest bucks in the unit, I'd focus on the western edge of the unit.  I know you mentioned the Willard/Oklahoma campground area. . .not sure why you're interested in that area in particular, but if you are intent on hunting there you'll probably have snow at the high elevations and rain at the lower elevations.  If I were you I'd stay west of that location however.  If you are really looking for the big boys, you should also focus on the extreme northern edge of the unit as those big bucks migrate in with snow and the rut. . . they will avoid roads at all costs, consider that as you scout. 

Finally, don't expect to see a lot of deer or pass on a lot of bucks. . . consider setting your goals for a 4 pt, or a big 3 pt. . . .passing up that caliber of buck could mean a lot of miles and time before you find another one.

Good luck.

[BENCHLEG]

verry well said packmule . its not the 90's anymore you will have to stick to the timber, and pull all your tricks out of your bag.

[Hunter Dug]

Thanks guys for the responses. Pictures ar always good if you have any.

[blacktail luv]

The buck I shot in 09 was from the wind river general season do a search.  I have shot most of my deer from there got a couple on the wall also.