Wyoming LQ tag 11 points used.

[Kevin W]

I'm out of my comfort zone for sure. At 60 years old I finally put in for and eked out a type 1 Wyoming LQ tag using my 11 preference points. I've never hunted mule deer before and have only seen a handful in my lifetime. I've taken a dozen or so whitetails but am only familiar with hunting small tracts of land here in Iowa like 80 acre parcels, the vast amount of area out west is a bit intimidating for me. I think I am in a good spot research wise for the hunt though. I've driven through the area before 12 years ago. But during my research to decide what unit to apply for I was told by the area's game warden that two fires have burned a major portion of the unit since I was there last. So I am really unsure what the area will actually look like now. To help with this I have a plan to check out the unit the second week of August with 1.5 days to scout it out on my way back from Yellowstone National Park. I think this is very necessary to get a lay of the land. I've been told the western 2/3rds the unit is mountains and the eastern 1/3 is low lands / sage. I was also cautioned that I may not see many deer as the game warden also said it's a migration based hunt with deer coming up from Colorado during the season. Still I know it's important for me to drive the unit and see if I can mark a few locations to not only check out for hunting but for camping as well. I plan to bring my small travel trailer with me on the hunt. I have located a game processor in a town very near the unit along with a gas station so those are certainly a plus. I'm comfortable out to 300 yards with my rifle (our rifle ranges max yardage). Optics wise I have what I think is a decent spotter and bino pair (both Vortex). I know I need to stay out of the wilderness area of the unit. I am really looking forward to the scouting "trip" in August, even though it's only a day and a half. I am really looking forward to seeing the area and hopefully a few mule deer as well.

 

[Steve O]

Sounds like you are off to a good start. I’d add try to get there a couple days early and get more lay of the land work in. You may need to find the elevation you need to be at, with Wyoming season dates you should probably not expect them on the flats.

 

[Kevin W]

Thanks Steve, your reply brings up another good question.
I have 5 week days off at work to use.
And it's a 14 day long season starting on a Thursday and ending on a Wednesday.
Option 1. Arrive Tuesday (two days before the season) hunt 4 full days and drive home the last vacation day.
Option 2. Arrive Saturday (day 3 of the season) scout while I hunt 7.5 days and drive home Sunday.
Option 3. Arrive Friday (the 9th day of the 14 day season) hunt the last 5 full days and drive home the day after the close of the season.

I will have my small travel trailer so I can be very mobile and I don't need any camp set up time really. I am leaning option 3 hoping to avoid the crowds and maybe seeing a bit of a start to the migration.

 

[wyosteve]

I think I have a sense of where you'll be and my only comment is to be aware that the weather can vary drastically during that time. If you find camping spots in August, you may not be able to get there if it snows early. Or, if you get there and set up camp, pay very careful attention to the forecasts. Every year it seems a big snow moves in and can strand folks.

 

[kota]

Are you going solo? That can impact travel and the mental side of things (maintaining focus, handling self doubt, thinking about home/family etc).

Personally, I would do whatever you can to maximize your time in the field. The learning curve is steep, and more time gives you greater opportunity to figure things out. More time also gives you some flexibility if you need a down day to recharge, move due to weather, get some work done if you can, call home etc. My second priority would be hunting late and/or weather. The more confident you are in your knowledge of the area and ability to figure things out, the more emphasis I would put on priority 2.

I typically trade days at work, work 4 10s etc to try and get an extra day off on both ends of the trip. I also leave after work so I can travel at night, and frequently roll in at 3-4 in the morning, catch a cat nap and get started hunting that morning. That schedule doesn’t work for my hunting partners, but it’s a thought if you can get by with minimal sleep.

How much experience do you have with your trailer in winter conditions? As already mentioned, could be 80, or could be 20 and snowing.