Post by: Bob33 on October 23, 2024, 11:37:32 AM
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.
For twenty years I have made a trek to Wyoming in the late summer or early fall to hunt antelope and/or deer. For the past ten years I’ve been hunting the north central part of the state because it’s mostly private and licenses are relatively easier to draw. I started out hunting public land exclusively but have made some contacts with landowners that allow me access to private land.
Wyoming in the fall is such a special place to be. I love to hunt, but hunting is partially just an excuse to go to Wyoming. I would try to go every year even if I couldn’t hunt. This year’s trip started out with a few days in Yellowstone to get my fill of bison and geysers for the year.
My hunt objectives this year were to look for a nice buck antelope, and also some whitetail does for meat. The private property I am fortunate to hunt has an abundance of whitetail deer with strict limits on how many can be taken; I was able to take four to fill our freezer.
In 2023 I remarked that I had never seen Wyoming greener. This year I would say I’ve never seen Wyoming browner. The area I hunt was spared from wildfires but two were close by this summer. For the duration of my trip the air was usually somewhere between a little smokey and very smoky. A new wildfire started while I was in Wyoming that altered my return trip travel plans.
Here are a few photos from this year’s trip starting with scenery in Yellowstone and surrounding areas I visited in Wyoming.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczN-vliexUrYeeHggURokm1xYGKx6dJcvixPu3J-i0o5AMhRKfxzLXU6thSJNB-FmLuSDZTnD7gQRQ8v7acbt3lEOoEPyXq8X23sG4LlMbY1FpKduY_t=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP4WLv1T3H8kcjLlcFJguuHioQgKsnYb3Tk6F53ae6mptyVD_zt9wXB4XdSg2NDOzN5fYyVEXL3o03dh5j7ilpcJy1b5KPWoQjMQoflRp2-Cmd-RKO_=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPrggNXbp6Uop4Se-Mv8fjixBTZuAshJXDvCF5AaCHpWdQQtBy_nITICsybis6_wkkTMDv6HMd1PuLlr-KuxU22vOlnLvSsYm6cPTyxFeGG08G7tf8Y=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPm1cYWNwdYJeIDwWA4inihGq4vjLUry91QORg3-W-K9kKbPfYLXtYjU6h5HemEjyIxhg4KL05GX_E1GYC8YKl5VUh0gjTHI-JVfOmdwlLj1ktGwHrC=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMuB0UuUbii6S2i5t3XHp2p_gQlzmcSQLt5d-KhLm7kAwOeXb9cjyiYZsTUMq6SdMpKky33iU0_85szk0UxqZTSliJCGAQA2hbW2Mmvhe0AJUQqjbjD=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczObcS-E9Qv_2BzUlomzSOnnJFY8MNKbU2w4Q8kNrQfTOyY8i_go_jUwaESherN71A3AGxBVQv6u9c1zrE3xt-8JpJWUWizpAJkdNljuIbjhFI_5ClFT=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPMse_Z7HiD_Rog0cFg7PU6fLox9NNAs_-8ro9vkLXy35IaGbpWB3lL3vPLL0-B3SJecVUpSPMWW4jZ0bD9C2QXwrBTjw6PZZQ3UIboXMfu7r2GW1lH=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOHLoBspSHBX37QU98alvwde6YoWUl4IasKIyhj6APhoJw_XurNdHpE_uwqF_RbNkHcL46Bu_qTbAIQf1zC6amUR3H1sWIW3kZ0_c0sT6CuGMLufMyq=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNp4d2cVz8Oe25QWetQMaBdrY0UNk6AjFcEPnKMXX3lL-EAUT1Fjpnwd57Tu__L50xTuhX1791If0kK6_TV0hF5uZbn5cK0ZG_9HiBFrbivRIcjIhhv=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPzWX8cu_qSNjnYJrCvzdG9t7-2jeF03cmh6ivin5D-40FZoT6IASfugPGhB5jx1i51RY5PbIKgryAs9RRsBNW7kxHUrcHr-zhgVqJlK4n31Pk9yT6L=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP0DvgFY6ou1LOfCBcNVJ9rHYkQnx_qFmCvRPFy-jS9QC6OAYkHM-uEenwzF1OR-KcxF8u5Xcs9DHB-XjKcepUy_3zIulf1t7a72zF0wWvLOTjcA7Rj=w1200)
I don’t recall ever seeing so many bison in Yellowstone. I must have seen over 500 in a few days. They were everywhere: Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, on the roads, in the rivers. I do wonder if there are too many given that an adult bison eats 25 to 30 pounds of vegetation each day.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNChdYKPGtGfrNjebrmxsWbl8Q0CYM_2MNsfVHW7lvRut6Mk_83QKhJQY-QP7N4QGvHCdngWZu2kE7ii1Wkh_VpR_-i-4VqPPPhk1UExfAh-SDtSQtA=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPhLk7ze2NdzqKq1NICJt29aw2D9Uyd2rbXgIivg-I_uf6ixj2sCpwbP77RMvreJ01hP2GO85YwApn2h5mw8mNricNx-njrIrYGQTux2dNHtipoJyaB=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMpUCjprQzMrDsBzOCiF5-Tmg5H4aZdf-u7mn3lnuNXLj6PtGI3eplTG7yFtxj1FU3Br-Cnn__yLAV20nIpUx_Tps-uVw-rvMG28Lz0_1diEDI9Jnjx=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOynxJn4UZZ7TbdhfFLFHB_0g8-HRDGVF-CabbN0nPd5NlEK9nA_uyaccacYvwSxVzjs-zGsd_idiLyVCi1yjzqMS7r0kzyYC58nAZLEGK81eXu3_vx=w1200)
Grizzly bear populations in Wyoming are increasing, resulting in more human interactions. I took several hikes in Yellowstone but found some areas closed due to grizzlies. Having read of several recent attacks on hunters and hikers by grizzlies I was on alert but didn’t encounter any.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczO6eaCI_kkrqam67Ptxy1SaBTPih33Lp-gL1LkZ6xzzOSfjrPY-6-H2ROH6BXdnic4TM3CBEg54Pk3cUVe1tDst43oOXTPgcabPENTGvLpWcjM3P2jU=w1200)
Bobcat sent me a tip about an area near Dubois with petroglyphs which was interesting to see. Here is one rock.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOVGOldcG9zArvYkEuoXSCfin7sBA3dl9gUVcOWh3tIk6jZy6vpR5a9pUNQ-aXaFMPWzpyI_0-LV9pnaNn4evhELege91BaPdkzxCZ8zyGJUdEucazz=w1200)
Smoky conditions from active fires were prevalent just about everywhere I went in Wyoming. The effects of the fires on locals is tragic, as it is in all western states this year.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNFbiZ-T6u24NEbgzqtlOAPmnwYj5mZtLeis6cpQg_2FHsTaeJgQQfpCKWtgo9fCdJszBBrwNGbFO2KBwKZGFd2QPj3-OcyC9LVJhbjIPitOvZg8vJo=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPumC_xHLWnVB3sUx2MF1EvO7OxD-KYNHHQMkhGnKkqgN9Few6zm5gprqWHUAdHvi1DQbu7BXeOppxoFrg42FT003q1U02Cyre4BVG2FOwK4pIexcs_=w1200)
My favorite animal to hunt, photograph, and eat is pronghorn. They are the second fastest land animal with incredible eyesight, ambitious curiosity, wonderful coloration, and fascinating habits. The smoky conditions made it a more challenging to get good photos but I came away with a few. On a side note I saw a lot of yearling and fawn pronghorns this year. I hope this is a harbinger of more licenses in the future as herds recover from the terrible 2022 winter.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMC3Bpr_aPDTiNBYx2-Mb-d-0YjXaCOeMjHvr02UAQ85kmt8oPZ5HDcS-oM_lZzxSSR9v78Mlk7uw8T-2LD8zm2zzEtrSzEyrgc8XcmPKL2Eh1-CK_n=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMpt_j1XLNQZozbDUmqjQwPvTQJw5csbZvz7OTt7To4aJmLe_8kNxBm5G8ZRCQm1DkHrtsmeR3pW7aKiLUcDbkqWORxHsyjxBvNo2eyFyIA9vG0qFgy=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOrlcFciIvUKDt1w43WBj7PdaRel6Zihy3JzKolApBnjg6RKSMChmQ8_01N2Fs27cvScfNNjEnzsjZuVVxIic0mQIuRpJ8hH9cY14YGTMkggba4nLhM=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczM9xhaeZ91dIRe6Loam8YbYFSMpDRl5tglcI46elkI3PhqDZI8G-xbGK8oMlrdk8l9GfP5geVcEUvebB47e4UvaUukoMpCliD51qFUyBSjGwpOKFHou=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP-PuMooosiogsHP5KiV5MACJE1lT-CVtrUlNGZ71XXU0d7OHcy20lqnNLCDAKC06HM3gNWXiCo-5da3jE5l1lBQ6D0fU_l7suiszlgeF1EpULbiJo8=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOwWXuV-gD71j0gbVfXpJTV_HhJkHo8jGR-9d5QSc_6G-RhI7DIg8SvZf_n7MzOj1TEe6-6Bdj9dGTE1Jj1Z55sym-0_r3hVMWgWobL7xmj4XqGo42D=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczORAxBPwjvQqUB68xzznigMf1llKlIw3FKPrY8x-Q0D7kH5qOYUPHrQFZHarPNpNGWzp0oRaxV9qRwXHanwr2R2CSeCyzVj8wYbhGfQTqRNehC61Rjr=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOPOWCWPUPorL9J1CwGFaIvYPp5JRmX-NxOBsluBEloQhhW9AkqWEH_xWedMESo4iQMt33MefakkOBQTwcLiA7krACuKcFGFdeehNuL6NaMfpplVh01=w1200)
This is the pronghorn I got. The horns were 14 inches and bases a bit shy of six inches. I rough scored it at 76 inches. The rifle used was a Weatherby 257 Magnum with an 80 grain TTSX bullet.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOarouirqftQW8_jVaajhm_712mAcL7iQub7gH5SG65ebxfTBlcZtMwvQukCDwZBZs1-8kuzFrqb-4Nf0B2b8c3xTgnN_AnfQuUPIJrkYkez63Sfw4f=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczN1ogePfupquVETj_ooCJ-gD9LYdSaiCLyQPzpDIQ2d6jQcfP9zhfsPJeWC1Rp6lzkf6K5-_Q-mjZWLgk1hwq-WP5xByTB8hZYTojC9Pgmt2ne-NoNr=w1200)
In spite of smoke, nighttime at high elevations made for good sky watching.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOWZpbVc3C4khUMCf2Yi_AteBlpX8dgHlALJjPNKNSzDs5bU8xZjr-ltG8GtOj-2MuLv06TTpTLzZM6MIb0N1hqK10HX7GLt_gtLOkZ8CFEB_WD7nQb=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMZ8V_9uYmdO9zmS_4DTZC_qhFpJSTLMUFtP7yskV5YA13zvB2iHL_AHCOqrk2WSs1e8WSe4d-Bx7TxSjET-oaosdgr-ZFG3TbPJYMubTCmlEQnSTbi=w1200)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczO4S9IXH4J4OM0IDOXxQFOeI88VnshwdRO4IeRkbsPSq7XWZIXqXSzk8vtLv7gl6Epb2tYiOD5aLhDigasz80EYQWY1KM6lxwNvySS4EUl6_VOSGLta=w1200)
After 3600 miles of driving my adventure sadly came to an end, with hopes and early plans for 2025 already being sketched out.
How often at night when the heavens are bright with the light of the glittering stars,
I stand there amazed and I ask as I gaze does their glory exceed that of ours?
Post by: Taco280AI on October 23, 2024, 11:48:09 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 23, 2024, 11:54:36 AM
Post by: Dan-o on October 23, 2024, 12:06:23 PM
Your annual trip report is always a highlight.
I love ALL of the pics, both wildlife and scenery.
Way to go!
Post by: Timberstalker on October 23, 2024, 01:17:37 PM
Your annual trip report is always a highlight.
I agree. Always awesome photos and an informative write-up. Thanks for taking us along, Bob.
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 23, 2024, 02:01:28 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on October 23, 2024, 02:25:14 PM
Post by: CamoDup on October 23, 2024, 02:28:43 PM
Post by: bearpaw on October 23, 2024, 03:18:57 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 23, 2024, 04:28:03 PM
Post by: zwickeyman on October 23, 2024, 04:30:24 PM
Post by: scotsman on October 23, 2024, 04:54:56 PM
Post by: full choke on October 23, 2024, 05:04:23 PM
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Post by: Ironhead on October 23, 2024, 05:33:12 PM
Post by: Bob33 on October 23, 2024, 06:18:48 PM
Beautiful pics, thanks for taking us along. What camera and lens setup? Love that partial moon.I used Nikon D810 bodies. The lens were all Nikon: 24-70, 70-200, 300mm, and 500 F4.
Thank you.
Post by: HntnFsh on October 23, 2024, 07:34:58 PM
Post by: idahohuntr on October 23, 2024, 07:44:15 PM
Post by: jstone on October 23, 2024, 07:48:41 PM
Thanks for sharing
Post by: Noneselected on October 23, 2024, 07:53:43 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on October 24, 2024, 08:30:33 AM
Thanks so much for sharing, Bob!:yeah:
Your annual trip report is always a highlight.
I love ALL of the pics, both wildlife and scenery.
Way to go!
Post by: wadu1 on October 24, 2024, 09:02:56 AM
Post by: Falcon on October 25, 2024, 03:33:13 PM
Post by: JasonG on October 25, 2024, 05:35:07 PM
Post by: Mfowl on October 25, 2024, 06:12:18 PM
Post by: waterdrinker9 on February 19, 2025, 04:53:20 PM
Post by: mountainman on February 20, 2025, 04:17:18 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on February 20, 2025, 06:14:41 PM
Post by: highside74 on February 20, 2025, 07:38:24 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on February 21, 2025, 08:23:49 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on February 21, 2025, 10:43:42 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on February 21, 2025, 01:38:32 PM
Post by: Bob33 on February 21, 2025, 01:41:45 PM
MD doe gave it all for her fawn, think she is making it through winter?I hope so. The whitetails in that area survived the bad winter a couple years ago a little better than in other parts of the state.