Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: northwesthunter84 on August 16, 2021, 05:39:42 PM
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Well I decided to try something new this year. I talked a buddy and his brother-in-law into applying for speed goat and mule deer. Glad we put in for both because we only drew the deer tag. Draws were crazy all over this year. We have some good ideas where to start and are heading over a few days early to scout. Hopping for a little weather up high but not too much to keep us out.
Also drew an Il whitetail tag this yea, (Either sex only and no bonus doe). It was a nail biter for that tag. 2017 there were 800+ tags available for the county that I hunt. This year 212 tags. Most of the quota went in the first (Resident only) lottery period. All tags sold out in the second lottery. Over the past 6 years the quota was consistent so that means there were 600 new hunters in that county. Tough but also happy to see this sport growing again.
I will update with pics of the trips when get them. Never been to Wyoming so I am super excited and will be snapping pics if I’m not pulling the trigger.
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We just got back today. We headed over on the 12th to find camp and scout. We saw tons of animals of all species but buck sightings were very limited. Opening morning found us surrounded by hundreds of antelope. Really awesome to see some of those bucks. We definitely were seeing deer but all does and a couple spikes. Finally on the 17th we saw a couple bigger bucks but they were firmly planted on private. Monday found us going way up into a sizable chunk of BLM. We made it all the way to the top @7600ft. Camp was at 5612ft. We checked a few canyons and only found does. I circled high and bumped 3 deer. To be honest I am a meat hunter so I was in it for any legal animal. A forky ran out 80 yards and I shot high. He stopped just in the timber at about 120 yards. Next shot dropped him and I punched my first mule deer tag. Everyone has to start somewhere. The country was beautiful and the hunting group was fantastic. Had a great pack out at 3.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation loss, plus one deep canyon. I will say I would save your points on unit Y unless you have a guide or access to quality bucks on private land. Even the wardens we talked to said buck numbers were way down. It was a tough hunt but a ton of fun and we learned a lot about hunting that area. Also learned that even a little snow won’t keep the dangerous critters holed up for long.
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More pics
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Animals
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More pics
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Sounds like a great hunt to me. Congrats on filling your freezer
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That was fun, thanks!!
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Congrats on your first muley, thanks for sharing your trip.
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Thanks for taking us on that trip. So, did you have snake for dinner?
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Outstanding. When do you head to IL? I'll be across the river in MO, leaving tomorrow for 11 days to hunt with my dad.
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I'm heading over in a couple weeks. The trash talking has already begun. Should be a great time.
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What were the daytime temps like? Can't remember ever seen a rattler with snow on the ground!
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That day was pushing 60, snow melted and he was on a north facing slope. I was really surprised to see him. Definitely caught me off guard.
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Had another successful trip to Illinois this year. Shot the biggest and oldest doe yet for me. She had no molars and front teeth were at the gum line. Huge body. Dressed and skinned at 128#’s. Bad moon and most bucks were locked down with does. Messed up on this one as I knew there was a buck in the draw. Sunday afternoon she broke cover first and I had a clean shot running at 60 yards so I took it. Only to have the buck step out at 40 yards, stand broadside clueless for 15 sec then walk at me. My uncle was in the brush and could not get a clean shot so that buck has a little longer lease on life.
