redkneck Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hey guys, need some input here. I'd like to take a trip with my dad out west. Honestly I have no preference for game, Anything from Elk, Muleys, Antelope, doesnt matter. I just want to enjoy some time hunting out west before he gets too old to want to go. I'd like some opinions as to good places to go, public land, where we'd likely see some great scenery and hopefully some animals. I guess the state's liklihood of us drawing tags is a factor too. I know nothing about that. What's the preference point system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 The preference/bonus points system is pretty much different for every state, and a couple don't use it at all. I am running out of time right now, but my quick suggestion to you would be Colorado Elk in the 2nd or 3rd season. In a lot of units you can get these tags over the counter, so you don't have to worry about the draw. Of course in just about all of the states, there are some units where you can draw without any points, you just have to do some research. I will be gone until Monday, but if you have some questions just list them up and if nobody has answered them by then, I will try. Note of warning. Once you go hunting out west, it is addicting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thanks, TT. By the way guys (idiot here), what's a unit? is that like a zone? Like you pull it up on a map, and has different limits and such for diff parts of the state? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 exactly. Similar to a County, but it may contain more than one county in a unit or more than one unit in a county. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 For your 1st trip out west----I suggest an antelope hunt, DIY in WY. Lots of animals, lots of fun. Plus you'll get your feet wet on planning the hunt. It's the most affordable hunt also. Lots of public land. IMO--an elk hunt is the hardest DIY hunt---the high country is hard hunting, the animal is BIG & packing one out is WORK. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htephil Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 For your 1st trip out west----I suggest an antelope hunt, DIY in WY. Lots of animals, lots of fun. Plus you'll get your feet wet on planning the hunt. It's the most affordable hunt also. Lots of public land. IMO--an elk hunt is the hardest DIY hunt---the high country is hard hunting, the animal is BIG & packing one out is WORK. CB Bingo!....both are awesome adventures but Lopes in WY are an action packed fer sure ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thanks, guys, that sounds great. I'll look into that. Anyone have any special area they liked? Or should i just google the public lands in WY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Try the WY fish & game. Good place to start. I would call them in Cheyenne------I'm sure they have answered the question many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 If a spring trip is something you are interested in you could do a black bear hunt. I did one last spring (DIY) in Idaho and it turned out to be a good trip (not great because I didn't get a bear:(). Bears were seen as well as Moose and a lot of deer and elk. I must have picked the worst week (rained just about every day and was rather cool). The snow pack was the worst in 20 years which made it tough to get to the good hunting areas. I'd be glad to share what I learned with you. Tags are over the counter (30 bucks) and many units are 80+ percent public land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) Note of warning. Once you go hunting out west, it is addicting. Ain't that the truth! :D:D I'd recommend an antelope or turkey hunt in South Dakota. TONS of public land(Walk-in Area, BLM and GPA as well as national park land) to hunt and good success rate (on antelope at least). I'd apply for somewhere in NW South Dakota (preferably Butte, Meade, Perkins and Harding counties) where you'll have better odds of getting drawn and finding good public land to hunt. There is a preference point system here in SD as well. If you don't get the main license (one any antelope plus 1-2 doe/kid antelope) you should be able to get a 2-3 doe/kid antelope license if you put that as your second choice. You could also apply for spring turkey in the Black Hills; tags are guaranteed and the Black Hills is over 80% public land. Birds are everywhere and aren't hard to locate. The deadline is Feb. 20th; I'd hunt around the Hot Springs area in the southern part of the Hills. Good luck! Dakota P.S. Here are some pics of this year's antelope hunt. I had my buck and doe on the ground by 7 am on opening morning at 50 yards! Butchering my antelope. The cows in the background are around the waterhole I was positioned over when my buck and his two does came by. That's how close we were to the truck! One thing I forgot to mention, antelope are stupid...till about 11 AM on opening morning...when the closest shot will be no less than 400 yards (trust me, after I field-dressed my two goats I tracked the last doe that was in the trio I ambusched from 9 AM till about noon and could never get a decent shot on her)! Dad scouting in the early afternoon. Edited February 7, 2009 by Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntaholic1 Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Ever thought of big Canadian whitetails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) Well I should have clarified a bit. I would LOVE to go to Canada, Alaska, Idaho, WY, CO, etc, etc, and hunt every animal known to man.....BUT...I'm kinda on a more restricted budget, so the sky aint the limit. Was just thinking about a DIY that i could afford to do every couple of years from now on. And yeah, i'd like to take one of every big game animal one day, right now just seeing the beauty of the west, and just hunting something different would be a blast. Daddy went out to CO a few years ago and drew an elk tag but didnt have any luck. I just want to spend some time out there with him, and not break the bank in the process. And btw, flyerla, that bear hunt sounds great, but i gotta plan out a little further in the future, but may PM you later about it. Bet that's gotta be a haul from down here in ms. Dakota, I never thought of SD as an antelope state. Guess i need to get out more. hehehe.... Thanks as always guys.... I'll bump this thread as I do more reading on these draws and units. Edited February 8, 2009 by redkneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 The antelope population in South Dakota has EXPLODED! Rifle season licenses have increased from 2 tag licenses (one any antelope plus one doe/kid antelope) to 3 tag licenses (one any antelope plus two doe/kid antelope) Residents can have a maximum of 21 tags archery and rifle combined. Public land is EVERYWHERE and tags are plentiful for residents and nonresidents alike (although it may take a year to draw a nonresident tag). Good Luck! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 OK, getting more info. Anyone out there have suggestions for game areas in WY for hunting antelope? Lady at WY G&F told me the western part was the best hunting/hardest draw, whereas the northeast areas were the easiest. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) I know that Steve B. and the rest were chasing goats around the Gillette and Campbell County area. That is a primo area imho, I saw HUNDREDS ()of goats in that area while chasing elk with Steve in 2006. Dakota Edited February 10, 2009 by Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 The lady at the WY F&G said that units 17,18 23 & 24 were walk in areas. I am still trying to digest the whole process of application. Lots to read for newbies! Am i missing something? Just one price (286 full price antelope + 12.50 conservation stamp)? I'm trying to get a party of 4 together and trying to pull together a price est so the guys can see what we got. What's camping availability like? Can you bowhunt during rifle season? Dumb questions but I gotta ask..... thanks Dakota! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Technically it is "firearm season" and you can use any legal method, however it is extremely dangerous hunting antelope with a bow during the rifle season. One of the best ways to bowhunt antelope is to decoy them and some rifle hunters are stupid enough to shoot a decoy. This is especially dangerous because many bowhunters use the decoy as cover and inch their way towards their quarry. I wouldn't recommend bowhunting speed goats during rifle season. Here is some info from the SDGF&P website that may help you. I'm not sure as far as the Wyo hunting. If you want more info for hunting in SD check out their website, www.sdgfp.info Nonresident Antelope 1-tag $195 Antelope 2-tag (Some firearms units, see application) $245 Antlerless Antelope 3-tag $80 Antelope 3-tag, (one "any antelope and two doe/fawn)$245 Dakota Edited February 10, 2009 by Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 yes, you can bowhunt during rifle season. bowhunt only is sept 1-30, rifle is cot 1-20 in the areas you mentioned. not much public land in area 23. i'd suggest you contact the chamber of commerce in gillette, and get a list of private land owners who allow hunting as well as a list of public land. while there is ample public land, it's pretty well used during hunting season and the better heads come off private land. most land owners charge $100 to 500 per anial, with 300 the norm. also, most land owners eill let you camp free. if you need more help, send me a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Steve, I was hoping you would post. Just realize you were in Salt Lake. An antelope it's just plain fun & an a very do able DIY 1st time. Red----pm me & I've got a couple other places to check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 I would check out unit 61 in WY. North West of Rawlins. Lots of goats, lots of public land. You should be able to draw a buck tag & probably get a left over doe tag or two. Take your 17HMR for a prairie dog town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I'll check that out. I told steve i'd call him today when he got back to Gillette, if he's back. Things got all screwed up when i left my maps and all at work and i got picked for grand jury work all week. I still need to work this out this week so i can get with the other 3 in this group to see if we are going to do this trip or not. Thanks, CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Good luck---planning is half the fun. Lots of gas/oil drilling in 61-----so there will be alot of 4x4 roads thru out. Best piece of antelope hunting is "Don't shoot the 1st one you see". There are lots of them---look around. That's when a couple of doe tags helps. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 deadline for applications is in March---I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Good luck---planning is half the fun. Lots of gas/oil drilling in 61-----so there will be alot of 4x4 roads thru out. Best piece of antelope hunting is "Don't shoot the 1st one you see". There are lots of them---look around. That's when a couple of doe tags helps. CB If I'm reading the Wyoming G&F site correctly, in 2008 there was only 3 tags allotted for non-residents in unit 61 with 358 applying. Not very good chances...but then again I may be reading the chart wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_MD_ Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 You could apply for a combination in Montana. That would give you a shot at both deer & elk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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