Wyoming Antelope

scruffee

scruffee

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Saskatchewan
Good afternoon all!

I've drawn an tag for Wyoming Antelope Unit 23 (south-west of Gillette) and plan on heading there this October. I've never been to Wyoming and will be going by myself and intend on covering a lot of ground by foot. I was wondering if any of you had experience with that unit?

From what I have read, that unit has a lot of BLM land but it is mostly landlocked by private properties with a handful of walk-in access. I'm also very fortunate that I can take time off work pretty much anytime in the fall, should I rush in first week of October or wait in the second part, I'd do most of my hunting during the week? Any info will help and be greatly appreciated. Oh and for those wondering, I'll be taking my .257 Wby Mag and 25-06 as a back-up!!!

Thanks
 
My 'goat' experience was in the SW corner of Sask near Coronach and Rockglen. We would road hunt extensively, looking for the flock. Once spotted make a quick plan of stalk and smack.

So, in your shoes I would wear camo for the area (ie US Army desert chocolate chips), carry high magnification optics and a rangefinder. I used a GPS receiver on one hunt to make sure I had a good distance measure of firing position to downed deer. Carry a good USGS topographic map, and be comfortable with your Silva compass for navigation (and staying found).
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
My 'goat' experience was in the SW corner of Sask near Coronach and Rockglen. We would road hunt extensively, looking for the flock. Once spotted make a quick plan of stalk and smack.

So, in your shoes I would wear camo for the area (ie US Army desert chocolate chips), carry high magnification optics and a rangefinder. I used a GPS receiver on one hunt to make sure I had a good distance measure of firing position to downed deer. Carry a good USGS topographic map, and be comfortable with your Silva compass for navigation (and staying found).
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Grew up south of Killdeer along Hwy 2, graduated high school from Rockglen and worked in the coal mine in Coronach to pay for university. Hunted antelope out my front door right on the border to Montana as my dad was a customs officer at the port of West Poplar. Great antelope country and mule deer also. We found they tend to favor grain fields next to native grass so they can see yet run if need be. Long shots. We used a Winchester Model 88 in .284 for antelope for the distance. Now this was a lot of years back before the .284 became the long range cartridge it seems to be today. Find yourself a hill you can get on to look over the most area.
 
You have to wear some orange in Wyoming. Unless you're expecting your 257 Wby to fail I'd just take one gun and save some paperwork with ATF and probably a bit of time at the border if they want to check out your guns.
If the unit is anything like the one I hunted, near Sheridan, there'll be lots of little cactus on the ground. Bring gloves for when you inevitably end up crawling to get in position for a shot.
Can't shed any light on the land and access situation.
 
mineguy said:
Grew up south of Killdeer along Hwy 2, graduated high school from Rockglen and worked in the coal mine in Coronach to pay for university. Hunted antelope out my front door right on the border to Montana as my dad was a customs officer at the port of West Poplar. Great antelope country and mule deer also. We found they tend to favor grain fields next to native grass so they can see yet run if need be. Long shots. We used a Winchester Model 88 in .284 for antelope for the distance. Now this was a lot of years back before the .284 became the long range cartridge it seems to be today. Find yourself a hill you can get on to look over the most area.
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Why or why, would you ever want to leave?

My excuse for discovering that little corner of heaven was I met a family from east of Rockglen when their eldest joined the military. I borrowed a rifle from them when mine failed. I wonder if the dustbowl railroad relic firetrap hotel in Fife Lake is still running?
 
Went down a few years ago and hunted the same area as your drawn for. Lots of goats and lots of private land. went with a buddy from Gillette. Better know where the BLM land is or be prepared to pay trespass fees. got a decent buck (73 4/8") there and a doe. Buck was on private land and doe was on BLM.

There is an app I believe that will show you where the BLM land is.....its definitely landlocked by private stuff.......and the landowners have the DNR on speed call.!!!!


good luck!!
 
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brucey said:
Bring your spare rifle, anything can happen, and you can't buy one there !
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Definitely, I'd rather "waste" a little bit of time at the border than be stuck with a broken rifle/scope. I've obliterated an inline muzzle loader a few years ago by falling down a snowy ditch, I was a few hours away from home so I went and bought a cheap CVA Wolf, took me 30 min to sight in my new muzzle loader and i was hunting again the next day. I'm afraid I can't do that in the USA...
 
there is a card you can buy for your GPS unit that shows all private land and public land, it is likely worth getting

Take some decent knee and elbow pads because you will be crawling....in the prickly pear and its not fun.

You only need to wear an orange hat.....put it on when you need to....

Make sure you are sighted in and prepared for a 300 m shot - a bipod is essential. You might want an ATV...

Get some "western wear camo" or similar.

Have fun.
 
I believe theres an app called onX maps that works on your phone (even when you don't have service) that shows BLM and private. Always hearing Steve Rinella and other podcast guys talking about it. Will also be watching this thread, a hunt down south is in the cards for me in the next year or two.
 
I'll second onx maps. Also how long have you been applying and if you don't mind what is the approximate cost of a hunt like that? Are there any other otc tags that you can buy when you get there like Turkey etc?
 
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