It just got real... looking for advise from experienced WY mule deer hunters

[Brad1974]

Well, I finally have a tag in my pocket! After my attempted CO draw went from a 1 point unit to a 4 point unit.... WY didn't let me down! I drew a tag in a unit that isn't really sought after, but I am excited to give it a go. This will be my first trip ever to WY. Now I would really like some advise from people who have experience in WY or similar areas. I would love some insight on types of terrain and time frames to hunt, because the unit I have my tag has a mix of terrain, including some mountain high country, foothills, and plenty of high desert. I have done alot of map scouting, and have a ton of waypoints pinned for glassing areas, travel routes, etc. and one particular type terrain has given me more areas that seem like good options, but I have never hunted such terrain before so it's hard for me to tell by the maps what would be good and what wouldn't. I would really like to hear your opinions on the preferable types of terrain to find decent mule deer bucks.
The tag is for a general rifle hunt that begins October 1st. I am also thinking I will get an archery stamp that would allow me to hunt Sept 1st - 30th. My thought is the rifle season could be more heavily pressured, and the first week of september could be an easier time to locate bucks in the open. What are your thoughts on the best time frames to hunt for decent bucks?
I have spoken to one WKR from this forum, and he has been an immense help already, but I would love to hear more of your opinions.

 

[robby denning]

It's still the best to call the bio in the area because he'll know if/what deer use those habitats during your season. Just remember, he'll likely tell everyone the same info but at least you'll know what is deer country and what is not. Plenty of "mountain country" I've been to holds few if any deer but then 5 miles down the range, there they are.

If you can't scout, definitely hunt the archery in September. That'll give you chance at a buck and some great intel. Then hunt the opener to capitalize on that info. Not sure how late it runs, but rut/migration typically kicking in later in the month

 

[Brad1974]

It's still the best to call the bio in the area because he'll know if/what deer use those habitats during your season. Just remember, he'll likely tell everyone the same info but at least you'll know what is deer country and what is not. Plenty of "mountain country" I've been to holds few if any deer but then 5 miles down the range, there they are.

If you can't scout, definitely hunt the archery in September. That'll give you chance at a buck and some great intel. Then hunt the opener to capitalize on that info. Not sure how late it runs, but rut/migration typically kicking in later in the month

I really appreciate the insight. That's great advise & I'll definitely be contacting the biologist.
The Rifle hunt only runs from Oct 1st - Oct 6th, so it's not very long. I would assume that will get a heck of alot more pressure than the archery season, but I don't really know that for sure. The higher country is national forest, but the highest and only area above timber line is wilderness that I can't hunt in WY being a non resident without a guide. Quite a bit of the high desert is BLM land.
My hunting trips out west are normally with my brother, and we have 2 weeks total to get it done. If I only have 2 weeks, would you think it's better to get out there a couple days before bow season to scout, then hunt the first 9 days or so of bow season? or do you think it would be better to get out there just before the rifle season begins to take a crack at it then?
Do you think the bucks will be out and about more the first week of september? and/or is that dependent on being up in the timbered mountains vs being in the high desert areas? My only (very limited) experience is above timberline in CO, and this seems like is going to be a little different than that. At least the maps look alot different to me.

 

[Beagle001]

If you can, get the archery stamp, if not for anything but the leisure- Wyoming is beautiful in September. Labor Day Weekend can be loco with recreational traffic, but by Wednesday afterwards things settle down.

With your tag starting 10/1, I could also see a case for archery hunting however many days you can ahead of the rifle season and hopefully by rifle opener you can have one pinned down to wallop right away. Good luck!

 

[Brad1974]

If you can, get the archery stamp, if not for anything but the leisure- Wyoming is beautiful in September. Labor Day Weekend can be loco with recreational traffic, but by Wednesday afterwards things settle down.

With your tag starting 10/1, I could also see a case for archery hunting however many days you can ahead of the rifle season and hopefully by rifle opener you can have one pinned down to wallop right away. Good luck!

I would love to be able to hunt early in the archery season and during the rifle season, but that could be difficult. I am thinking maybe I will do the trip during the early part of bow season with my brother, then if I can't seal the deal, but think there is some potential, try to come back up for a week by myself to hunt into the rifle season... work and the wife may not be too keep on the idea, but it's better to as for forgiveness than permission, right? ha!

 

[wytx]

1st week in Sept they will be in velvet still and small bachelor groups until they shed the velvet. Most of the big mature bucks will be by themselves but may hang with smaller bucks until they shed the velvet.
Feeding patterns work well early in Sept too, find where they feed and ambush them along their route to it.

You may be surprised at what the sage holds, don't overlook that ground near water.

 

[Brad1974]

1st week in Sept they will be in velvet still and small bachelor groups until they shed the velvet. Most of the big mature bucks will be by themselves but may hang with smaller bucks until they shed the velvet.
Feeding patterns work well early in Sept too, find where they feed and ambush them along their route to it.

You may be surprised at what the sage holds, don't overlook that ground near water.

Yea, thats part of the reason I'm leaning towards being there during the early bow season. I haven't decided yet if I will do my entire hunt during the first week or two of Sept or if I am going to try to do two hunts, one the first week of bow, then at the end of bow into the first 3 or 4 days of rifle.
I see you're from Wyoming. Do you have experience in the south central part of the state? I'd love to pick your brain a little if you're ok with talking through dm.

 

[wytx]

pm sent Brad