disappointing hunt in G

[Steve O]

If I ever draw a sheep tag in Idaho, I plan to go out preseason and take a plane ride to look at the unit and try to get familiar with it as quick as possible and compare to what I’ve come up with using my maps. Flying all the time to find and keep track of animals, especially “trophy” animals, or using them to put hunters on game spotted from the air is very unethical in my book. I’d love to see those profiteers lose everything.

 

[Indian Summer]

I have 8 points. Thinking about hunting G next year. If I do I’ll hunt the entire season since I’ve waited so ling to draw the tag. I leave next Friday to hunt elk. I have three weeks so if I kill a bull early I’ll go look over some spots I have eyed up for deer.

Question for guys with experience... since the mulies head south to winter are there less bucks the further you go north? That could mean less hunters which is a bonus but if the deer just aren’t there maybe not the way to go. The plan is to pick 3 spots where there’s a ton of glassing and stay up there for a week before going to plans B and C.

 

[Jaden Bales]

Man @slim23 sorry your hunt wasn't what you had hoped. We probably ought to give these deer and that country more credit for being flat-out tough.

I am a resident and backpack hunted 9 days in archery season - saw upwards of 20 deer (mostly bucks) a day in the first week of September - bouncing between various unit boundaries depending on what side of the ridgeline I was looking at in this mountain range. Couldn't get one killed but had a fantastic experience and saw some big deer.

Fast forward to last weekend and I saw 2 bucks and 3 does between Friday night, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday.

General unit rifle hunting is just hard in that country. The mountains are big. There's so much timber. Lots of folks. Imperfect conditions during arguably the hardest time to hunt bucks. It's why WGFD bio Gary Fralick says they only kill about 1 in 13 bucks out of that country every year.

All this is to say, I don't think folks should beat themselves up about a rough hunt in Western Wyo. If you are one of the multiple-point holders looking to cash in on Region *whatever* just know it'll be a tough row to hoe BUT you've got a chance at a true giant. For a chance at a better experience that doesn't take as much effort, I'd be looking at a hunt that's a limited quota for residents as well.

 

[Fonkie]

I will throw my 2 cents into the conversation here since I hunted G this year with my resident buddy who is not a stranger to finding & killing big bucks in G & H the last 25 years or more.

He scouted 3 or 4 times in August/early September & we put in 3 days before the opener looking for a shooter after this summer did not produce a “hit list” of shooters for the first time in quite a few years. We turned up 1 buck over 150 in an area his cousin took a 204” & he killed a 31” 3x4 just 4 or 5 years ago that always held a big buck. With a horse acting sick we decided to go to plan B after opening day.

We addressed the horse issue & proceeded to the trailhead of an area that we hoped would be plan A ,but a 190+ typical that eluded him last year failed to show up this summer changed that plan, and there were 6 horse trailers & 15+ rigs at the trailhead so on to plan C it was.

That found us trying to navigate a new route to a familiar location due to a road closure that was a stressful adventure in itself thinking more wasted time & no shooter bucks known. We finally were able to figure the route & find our way to the basin lookout the 3rd morning. By the grace of god we were able to lay eyes on a straight 4 that had a short left G3 but outstanding fronts. We thought he would go close To 170 & that with all things considered this season I should consider trying a shot. That was a 5 second consideration & we took off to cut the distance for a shot. We got to a spot & determined if we tried to get closer they may feed over the divide or it would be too steep uphill & may not have a shot. We ranged 675 & set up for the shot where we were. When he cleared his running mates one 195 berger is all it took to send him tumbling down the basin. I was estatic to get a quality buck in such a tough year. My buddy said he hoped it would wait one more year but the 16-17 winter kill reared it’s ugly head this year. Most of the 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 year old bucks that would make up the 150-180 class deer were gone. If he couldn’t dig a few up then I know for sure they just weren’t there.

so those that struggled this year, don’t feel bad because it was tough & it was a struggle for most everyone. The one thing that’s always the same in the Wyoming range however is it is truly spectacular!

 

[creepincm]

I love people who complain about how hard the winters are and the deer populations are way down but then turn around and kill a 160 or 170 buck because "that's all that's left".

 

[CApighunter]

I guess I can’t understand why people expect to kill a good buck just because they are in the right unit. Being hopeful is great but I mean take a look at the statistics 60-70% of hunters go home without a deer on most tags that aren’t limited. And that’s just any deer let alone a big deer. I did the math on an Idaho hunt I did in 2017. Assuming the numbers Idaho fish and game got from harvest surveys was somewhat accurate 1/12 guys who hunted the unit I did went home with a 4 point. That still is just a 4 point. There’s plenty of 4 points that are smaller than 140 inches. unless you can scout you really are playing the odds even in places that have a history of producing big deer.

Looking at harvest stats by “trophy quality”, I’ve always wondered whether they round up or down on non symmetrical bucks. For example, would a 3x4 go into the 4pt category or 3pt?

 

[CApighunter]

That is a very good question. I wonder the same thing too.

Just looked up the 2019 stats for the unit I hunted, it shows 77% 4 point+. I’m willing to bet they round up, as the 3x4 genetics are strong in that area and I’d have a hard time believing that many bucks are 4x4 or larger were taken. Maybe @robby denning can confirm this?

 

[willfrye027]

Just looked up the 2019 stats for the unit I hunted, it shows 77% 4 point+. I’m willing to bet they round up, as the 3x4 genetics are strong in that area and I’d have a hard time believing that many bucks are 4x4 or larger were taken. Maybe @robby denning can confirm this?

In CA I am almost positive a 3x4 counts as a 4pt...not sure why i have this in mind as fact but I must have read it at one point. And a 3pt with eye guards, most guys will write 4x4 on the tag by the way it is written on the tag...so I take these stats with a grain of salt.

 

[Fonkie]

I love people who complain about how hard the winters are and the deer populations are way down but then turn around and kill a 160 or 170 buck because "that's all that's left".

was I not supposed to shoot a 170 buck? I wasn’t complaining about anything just stating my experience & facts. I’ve been to G or H 3 of the last 4 years to scout with my buddy once & hunt with my son another & I will tell you this year was a giant drop off.....FACT! It just is what it is & it will cycle back with some consecutive mild winters & continue down if winter is harsh again. That’s the story of the Wyoming range deer herd.

 

[willfrye027]

Just looked up the 2019 stats for the unit I hunted, it shows 77% 4 point+. I’m willing to bet they round up, as the 3x4 genetics are strong in that area and I’d have a hard time believing that many bucks are 4x4 or larger were taken. Maybe @robby denning can confirm this?

WHERE?!

just kidding lol

 

[Osprey]

I was in H for a week and it kicked my butt but I had a good time. This was only my second Muley hunt and second backpack style hunt first one was for Coues in AZ. Having never shot a Muley before I was just looking to get a decent 4 pt with potential for bigger. I had a 20 hr drive, no prior scouting, and never stepped foot in Western Wyoming. Add to that the winter kill and well my odds were definitely in the mature bucks favor . I arrived a couple days early to pack in and scout then had about 7 days to hunt.

1 Google earth lies those mountains are gnarly even worse than what Google makes them out to be. But I prepped in off season and was ready but damn I was sore on the way home.
2 I quickly realized most high country in that area open to NR your just going to have to hunt around people in that area the first week. Lot of people only so much high country
3 Mature bucks in this area know how to survive. Added they had a bad winter kill and numbers were down but it wasn't easy turning up deer in general. Easy to draw CO units in 2nd rifle are much easier hunts that high country is brutal mentally and physically. I think I read somewhere its the hardest place to take a mature buck and I believe it.

Anyways with about 1 day left to hunt I took a 4x5 probably one most would pass but its my first Muley and I'm now one leg up when the deer recover and know the area better. I also got a limit a blue grouse and a nice male ruffled grouse. Warden at game and fish check station said things were really slow not a lot of bucks coming out and only a few big ones. Basically stating we lost 2 yr classes of bucks.

I only saw about 15 does and 4 bucks in 5 days of hard hunting and 1 days scouting. I lost a couple days with moving to different spots its not as easy as just jumping in the truck and driving.

I set a goal a couple years ago to complete a diy solo public land deer slam and now I'm one animal closer. Just need to notch out the blacktails and I'm done.

 

[Osprey]

This is the biggest buck I turned up almost got him on the evening of the opener then the next day another group got him. I never did turn up a mature buck on this hunt.

 

[Osprey]

I guess I can’t understand why people expect to kill a good buck just because they are in the right unit. Being hopeful is great but I mean take a look at the statistics 60-70% of hunters go home without a deer on most tags that aren’t limited. And that’s just any deer let alone a big deer. I did the math on an Idaho hunt I did in 2017. Assuming the numbers Idaho fish and game got from harvest surveys was somewhat accurate 1/12 guys who hunted the unit I did went home with a 4 point. That still is just a 4 point. There’s plenty of 4 points that are smaller than 140 inches. unless you can scout you really are playing the odds even in places that have a history of producing big deer.

I was in H and I talked to about 12 guys and only 2 had bucks one was about a 20" 4x didnt see the other one but it fit in a saddle bag on a horse. I think success for WY G and H is around 35% total NR and R. I figured it was lower because guys were holding out and im sure it is slightly but after talking to those unsuccessful guys many were trying to take some of those 20 in wide bucks but didnt get shots for one reason or another. I even asked one guy if he saw any good ones and he said he saw a 22 in wide buck but couldn't get close enough in time.

 

[blacktail sniper]

Region h was even worse.

G and h are not what a lot of guys expect for a hunt that takes a number of points to draw- always expect to see a lot of other hunters off trail, animals get timbered you fast, and the country is gnarly.

Many guys would be better served waiting and drawing somewhere that isn’t a super popular OTC hunt for residents.

This is exactly why i am doing this. i am sitting on 13 could draw it but I am opting to wait and try of a better unit. To wait 7-10 years to draw and have that exp would suck. I have hunted in the southern area of G for years for archery elk and hardly saw a sole. Last two trips or 6 years and its been a madhouse.

 

[blacktail sniper]

Man @slim23 sorry your hunt wasn't what you had hoped. We probably ought to give these deer and that country more credit for being flat-out tough.

I am a resident and backpack hunted 9 days in archery season - saw upwards of 20 deer (mostly bucks) a day in the first week of September - bouncing between various unit boundaries depending on what side of the ridgeline I was looking at in this mountain range. Couldn't get one killed but had a fantastic experience and saw some big deer.

Fast forward to last weekend and I saw 2 bucks and 3 does between Friday night, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday.

General unit rifle hunting is just hard in that country. The mountains are big. There's so much timber. Lots of folks. Imperfect conditions during arguably the hardest time to hunt bucks. It's why WGFD bio Gary Fralick says they only kill about 1 in 13 bucks out of that country every year.

All this is to say, I don't think folks should beat themselves up about a rough hunt in Western Wyo. If you are one of the multiple-point holders looking to cash in on Region *whatever* just know it'll be a tough row to hoe BUT you've got a chance at a true giant. For a chance at a better experience that doesn't take as much effort, I'd be looking at a hunt that's a limited quota for residents as well.

This is my plan! but need to hurry up as hope to be a Wy resident in about 3/4..WEEEE

 

[Aqua Sage]

Good Writeup Slim, I as a beginning hunter am thankful for this insight into the area around G. While a Wyoming Hunt is most likely out of the cards for me it was good to hear your tactics ie glassing mid morning from elevation and having multiple backup plans.

 

[dihardhunter]

I for one appreciate when someone posts the reality of a glory tag - good or bad. I've experienced some great hunts over the year, but am under no delusion that number of points required is guaranteed to be positively correlated with the best hunt of your life.

I'm a scientist - wildlife ecology specifically, but also interested in coupled social-ecological systems. As I increasingly account for the human role in how ecology plays out, one must consider how cognitive biases in humans influence our perception of reality. A great example is this. How will I burn my 8 points in Wyoming? Hmmm...Google search. Region G sounds interesting. Google search "Region G Mule Deer". Search result 1: Me and a buddy killed a 187 and a 192. Search result 2: highlight reel Youtube Video. Repeat ad nauseum. Confirmation bias. I believe Region G to be a great option for 8 points. I Google search. The first 10 hits are phenomenal blow-by-blow accounts of giant bucks being taken in the high country. Perception confirmed. I'm gonna be Google Hit #11 when I return - big bucks here I come. Let me send a deposit to the taxidermist before I leave town.

We need doses of reality. Reality is what grounds expectations.

Put aside the egos and let's start reporting back on our tags regardless of success or failure. It will do us all good in the long run. I've got to say, the post by the original thread owner is a breath of fresh air. Thanks for posting and thanks for reminding us all that success is far from a guarantee.

In my opinion, this has turned into one of the more informative posts of the last several years in the Mule Deer subforum. Thanks for everyone's input.

(I have 9 points, excited to try Region G for the first time next year as a non-resident)

 

[NUGGET]

Is G worth 8 points? The best part of G is it can truly hold a tag of a lifetime. You never really know. Sure you can go for a different tag and seen a lot more mature deer from your truck. But there’s never going to be a truly monster buck running around....

 

[IA Hunter]

Sorry to hear it was tough

 

[slim23]

Thanks for the great responses guys. I knew it would be a tough hunt as nothing good is not tough. I expected pressure. But I did expect more deer in general. I know numbers are sown but I still expected more. Reading the other posts and videos I truly thought I could at least lay eyes on a 170” deer even if I could not get to him. I am a consistently successful guy who usually always kills the big critter of every trip. I also know playing that game tag soup is inevitable. When friends tell me they can’t find critters I assure them there there but theymust hunt harder and smarter. I truly got humbled on thus one. I can’t think of one thing I could have done different looking back. I always went the extra mile, to the better glassing knob even though it was super tough, was there plenty early and late, walked slow to keep noise down etc. Tried to do everything no body else would do.
But as stated it’s not a guarantee! I have read of similar experienceson the strip in az. Guys thought it would be easier because they had the points.
it was a great hunt, in beautiful country. It tested me mentally and physically. I never dreamed I could make 4L of water last 3 days but I did. The ground squirrel that I feed at lunch for 4 days was fun. I woke up to a forest fire across the valley from me one morning. A sight I won’t forget!
so yes the hunt was a success and I dint regret burning 8pts and 2 weeks vacation. But for those thinking G is easy be prepared!