Central Wyoming - Guidance Requested

[HoytHunter24]

Hey all!
I have never hunted antelope before but have been saving up some points. I currently have 7 preference points in Wyoming and I am looking to use them this fall for a hunt I can do with my 9 year old son. I have been researching units in Central Wyoming and have found quite a few I have 100% odds to draw. My issue now is trying to decide which units would be the best to apply for. I understand the state is covered in antelope and I probably will have a great hunt in any of these units, but would love some local insight/guidance on which unit has the best access and quality of antelope. I plan to road trip down and spend 3-5 days hunting.

Feel free to PM if you are willing to help out!

 

[wapitibob]

Look at the top 2-3 you can draw, then look at access/terrain/proximity to lodging/ease of camping/etc, and pick one.

 

[Trr15]

Not unit specific insight but if you won’t be hunting on private, research BLM/State parcels and access points hard. Expect a lot of windshield time and don’t assume that you’re gonna be able to get access just because it looks like you can on the map. Tons of antelope but finding them on public that you can get access to is the hardest part. A huge % of the public land is landlocked. Once you’ve identified your access points, plan your routes accordingly. The units are big and you can log a couple hundred miles in a day easily.

 

[Laramie]

Hey all!
I have never hunted antelope before but have been saving up some points. I currently have 7 preference points in Wyoming and I am looking to use them this fall for a hunt I can do with my 9 year old son. I have been researching units in Central Wyoming and have found quite a few I have 100% odds to draw. My issue now is trying to decide which units would be the best to apply for. I understand the state is covered in antelope and I probably will have a great hunt in any of these units, but would love some local insight/guidance on which unit has the best access and quality of antelope. I plan to road trip down and spend 3-5 days hunting.

Feel free to PM if you are willing to help out!

If you wait 3-5 years, you can split your 10-12 points with your boy on a 5 point hunt. I did that several years ago... such a great hunt and way better me having a "better" tag by myself. Glad to offer help through pm if you still decide to hunt this year.

 

[brianwagan]

I sent you a message on Facebook but let me know if you have any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

 

[EdP]

Do exactly what Wapitibob said. There are some great units that are not close to hotels and restaurants but have BLM you can camp on. Pick based on the type of hunt you want.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I might add having done a couple of these antelope hunts with my kids is I'd look for terrian that is somewhat varied, my kids loved taking breaks during the day and climbing rock formations or jumping through sage washouts. Take a bb gun and let him carry it around along with targets to shoot at. Hotels are a good option too, kids love to go swimming at night and eat lots of gas station snacks. These hunts I just make fun for the kids and know that I'll see plenty of antelope and will eventually find one that I like. Definitely not the trip to be focused on finding that 80" or nothing buck.

 

[270quest]

If you have say 7 points and your son or hunting partner has 3, do they count that as 5 (10/2) on a group app, or do they look at it another way?

 

[ClearCreek]

If you have say 7 points and your son or hunting partner has 3, do they count that as 5 (10/2) on a group app, or do they look at it another way?

Points are averaged and carried out to four places to the right of the deicimal point.

ClearCreek

 

[HoytHunter24]

I appreciate the feedback and advice! My son has been hunting with me for 3 years now and actually got his hunting license this last year in Washington! I am hoping to stay mobile by camping on public land and just following the antelope as we see them. He loves to hike and be outside so having to hike a few miles off the road won't be an issue at all.

I will definitely take the advice of just diving into my top 3 and deciding based on terrain and access. Corner crossing being legal now creates much easier access to some of these spots.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

What units can you draw?

 

[kcm2]

Apply for doe tags. It's still antelope hunting and still delicious table fare.

 

[wytx]

Hey all!
I have never hunted antelope before but have been saving up some points. I currently have 7 preference points in Wyoming and I am looking to use them this fall for a hunt I can do with my 9 year old son. I have been researching units in Central Wyoming and have found quite a few I have 100% odds to draw. My issue now is trying to decide which units would be the best to apply for. I understand the state is covered in antelope and I probably will have a great hunt in any of these units, but would love some local insight/guidance on which unit has the best access and quality of antelope. I plan to road trip down and spend 3-5 days hunting.

Feel free to PM if you are willing to help out!

pm sent

 

[wytx]

What units can you draw?

Draw odds are right online. Not hard to figure out.

Draw Results & Odds | Wyoming Game & Fish Department

View draw results and leftover drawing odds from the current and previous years.

wgfd.wyo.gov

 

[Taco John]

Apply for doe tags. It's still antelope hunting and still delicious table fare.

Because of all the dipships on the internet telling people to apply for doe tags......doe tags are now harder to draw than overpriced buck tags.

Plus, its too early to be whacking does since the winter kill. Give them some time to rebuild.

 

[Coveyleader]

It blows me away the points needed to hunt WY these days. Do a search just 10 years ago, units that were 1-2 points are now 10 point units. The same for WY General elk. You used to be ablet to get them as leftovers.

NE Turkey, sold out in two hours!

I used to take a friend to an easy draw unit in WY that took 0 points, it now takes 9!

It is what it is, we "isn't going back"

 

[Sccritterkiller]

It blows me away the points needed to hunt WY these days. Do a search just 10 years ago, units that were 1-2 points are now 10 point units. The same for WY General elk. You used to be ablet to get them as leftovers.

NE Turkey, sold out in two hours!

I used to take a friend to an easy draw unit in WY that took 0 points, it now takes 9!

It is what it is, we "isn't going back"

Probably need to donate more to the 3R campaign...or have conservation orgs and PR dollars pay more to influencers.
G&F depts are making bank that's for sure...so I guess it's not all bad.

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[Rich M]

Until you see the regulation book say you can corner cross, I'd be leery of it. Last time I looked as a certain unit it said not to. Bunch of folks on here said the regulation book was wrong.

 

[ethanbillingsley]

@Bert01

 

[Laramie]

Until you see the regulation book say you can corner cross, I'd be leery of it. Last time I looked as a certain unit it said not to. Bunch of folks on here said the regulation book was wrong.

There are an awful lot of things not listed in the regulations that are legal. More specifically, the regulations typically address things hunter's can't do or that are unlawful along with the basic game regulations per species.
One call to a game warden should put hunters minds at ease. Doesn't matter which one you call in Wyoming either. All of them will tell you they aren't going to pursue corner crossing complaints. The next call should be to any sheriffs department to ask the same question. They will all tell you the same- they aren't going to pursue corner crossing complaints.

With the precedent set by the Supreme Court, anyone harassing hunters who legally corner cross are not only wasting their time, they are putting themselves in jeopardy of a hunter harassment claim.

Corner Cross at will guys.