2008 wyoming hunting forecast

[ADMIN]

by Jeff Obrecht, Publications Writer

When you've got the smallest human population of any state in the Union on the ninth largest land area, the hunting forecast is always a pretty dang good one. But a variety of other factors: namely drawing a good license and favorable weather, enter in to make the trip complete.

The good snowpack and spring moisture received across Wyoming should add up to big game animals being in good shape this fall, and possibly increased antler and horn size. How precipitation is viewed by the hunter, depends on what species is being hunted.

Elk hunters generally welcome snow. In September and early October a snowfall will often help accelerate the rut or breeding activity in bulls. As the season progresses, snow makes the animals more visible and easier to track and helps move elk to elevations and terrain more accessible to hunters. Mountain snows are a critical factor in elk season success.

Moisture during antelope or pronghorn season -- which is most generally rain due to earlier seasons and lower elevations -- works to have the opposite effect on hunting. It's not that it moves the animals or prompts migration, it just turns many roads impassible -- particularly in desert areas -- and keeps hunters in camp. Same can be true for deer hunting. Good thing is: the desert dries out quick

Bighorn sheep hunters generally want nice weather since they are doing most of their work above timberline -- but hunters hunting late often desire weather to move the animals down to the winter range at lower elevations

So if the weather cooperates, it will be a great pronghorn season in the Cowboy State. The season may be even a little better than past years with potential excellent horn growth due to the wet spring improving forage quality. Although it won't matter much for hunting this season, statewide fawn production looks to be fair to good -- except in those western areas which had severe winter last year.

Some of the famed Red Desert hunt areas of south-central Wyoming had pronghorn licenses trimmed this year, but hunting will still be memorable for those lucky enough to draw. Red Desert areas north of I-80, such as 91 and 92, the animal is doing better and licenses were increased this season. Hunters should find excellent buck quantity and quality in the Lander Region's biggest herd unit, Beaver Rim (hunt areas 67, 65-69, 74 and 106) and hunting should be especially good, reports Tom Ryder, wildlife management coordinator or head biologist in Lander. Northeast Wyoming continues its tradition of excellent pronghorn production. Getting a license there is generally no problem -- finding a place to hunt can sometimes be difficult. With all pronghorn licenses "limited quota" across the state and adjusted to the population, success remains above 80 percent through all population peaks and valleys.

Pronghorn hunters in east-central Wyoming (areas 8, 9, 11, 12 and 29) are getting a particularly good return on their AccessYes investment. A significant increase in walk-in acreage has been enrolled to help them with their hunt.

It is not unusual to hear hunters lament about pronghorn table quality. It is also not unusual for the animal to be hunted in warm if not hot weather. There's a definite connection. In warm weather, hunters are urged to treat their pronghorn carcass as they would a game bird carcass. Put ice in the body cavity to quickly cool it or butcher it down to pieces small enough to fit in coolers. Important reminder: leave evidence of gender attached to all pronghorn taken on doe/fawn licenses. Interesting facts: Wyoming has more pronghorn than the rest of the continent combined or in other words more than any other place on earth! Wyoming's pre-hunting season pronghorn population is probably larger than Wyoming's human population.

The statewide mule deer forecast isn't as universally rosy. The traditionally popular areas of the Sierra Madres around Baggs and the southern Wyoming Range are facing tough seasons. So are the Uinta Mountains of extreme southwest Wyoming. The winter hit these areas hard. Mark Zornes, wildlife management coordinator in Green River says the effects of the winter will probably be even more noticeable next season. "That's when the yearling and 2-year-old classes will really be thin." But across the Green River Basin in the Wind River Mountains and the Sublette Herd, winter was much gentler and Scott Smith in Pinedale anticipates a season similar to 2007. Same goes for much the rest of the state in expecting a season that should be as good as last year's, which produced an overall success rate of 63 percent.

General license and nonresident Region W hunters are alerted Hunt Area 84 is no longer strictly limited quota now has a general license season. Another reminder: in southeast Wyoming, the G&F's Laramie Peak Habitat Area north of the Tunnel Road and the Thorne/Williams area in Sybille Canyon can only be rifle hunted on the limited quota area 64 type 2 license, reports Terry Creekmore, wildlife management coordinator in Laramie. Archery deer hunters can apply their craft to all of area 64, though.


Whitetails are doing well. After all, it is the Equality State. The species isn't the attraction of its big-eared cousin, because most hunters coming here have whitetails in their home state. The epicenter of their range in Wyoming -- the Black Hills -- offers about the only public whitetail access and some solid hunting is predicted this fall, says Daryl Lutz. Outside of the Black Hills, hunters need to be mindful that almost all whitetails are on private land and plan to get permission to hunt.

Elk hunting in Wyoming is still as great as ever before. Certainly the 1990s and 2000s will be remembered as the "elk era" in Wyoming. Yes, wolves and/or grizzly bears are probably impacting recruitment in some elk herds in the Yellowstone area, but for most of Wyoming those critters are not a factor. Elk continue to be a drawing card in the Laramie Peak country from Wheatland to Casper. Elk areas 7 and 19 encompass this population that is commonly referred to as the "Crown Jewel of Southeast Wyoming," according to Daryl Lutz, wildlife management coordinator in Casper. "If you're lucky enough to draw the any-elk tag, the chance of harvesting a trophy class bull in these areas is good to excellent" says Lutz. The Snowy Range and Sierra Madres between Laramie to Baggs and the Wyoming and Salt ranges between Big Piney and Idaho are also areas of great opportunity especially for the general license hunter. Around Pinedale, Smith terms the herds as "still robust" and expects hunting to reflect that -- if, and a big if, the weather cooperates.

As previously mentioned, weather tends to be the main elk hunting wild card. But even when Wyoming is vexed with warm, dry autumns, our elk hunting success still leads the Rocky Mountain region.


Those who like to hunt on the National Elk Refuge are alerted that the weekly drawing held in Jackson for permits is no more. The refuge is now run as a hunter management area and hunters should apply online by Oct. 3 for permits.

or moose and bighorn sheep, those hunters, who have literally won the lottery by drawing a license, should continue to experience Wyoming's famous high harvest success.

But moose hunters are having to put in more effort in the traditional esteemed moose range emanating from Yellowstone to Kemmerer and Lander. The big black member of the deer family is on a bit of a slide in that range and licenses have been pared accordingly. As in past few years, look for the biggest racks to come out of the Snowy Range and, of course, the Bighorn Mountains.

The Cody Region with hunt areas 1-5 is Wyoming's prime bighorn sheep country. Last year with 165 rams harvested, hunters enjoyed noteworthy 90 percent success. Kevin Hurley, wildlife management coordinator in Cody, predicts hunting could be as good this year -- except for area 2. There, the Gunbarrel Fire eliminated enough access to the area that the G&F offered the 24 hunters the option of deferring their license to 2009. Hurley is intrigued to see how the hunting turns out for the two pioneering sheep hunters in the new area 12 -- "Devils Canyon" up the mountain from Lovell. The herd is the result of 20 bighorns being transplanted in December 2004 from the Lower Deschutes River in Oregon and another 20 in January 2006 from the Missouri Breaks in Montana.

The average age of rams harvested in areas 9 and 10 increased a little last hunting season which is encouraging for that well-known sheep country that includes Whiskey Mountain. Ryder reports the Whiskey Mountain Technical Committee has planned several winter range improvements in the areas next year.


Wyoming is not much of a wild pheasant state, but the state's two bird farms -- Sheridan and Downar near Yoder -- produce a very high quality bird for release and are looking at another good year of production in 2008. About half of Wyoming's pheasant harvest is typically stocked birds with walk-in areas contributing to that recreation. If you know a kid that would like to hunt, take advantage of the youth hunting days at Glendo State Park and the Sand Mesa, Yellowtail and Springer habitat areas.

We're always hopeful for mountain grouse (blue and ruffed) production, but you never know how it is going to end up. Nesting cover should be good and cool weather helps these birds, but history proves it's hard to predict until the season starts Sept. 1.

Looks like the cottontail population remains in good shape. Hunters are advised to wear rubber gloves when cleaning the animals to prevent contracting tularemia, which rabbits occasionally carry. Actually it's a good idea to wear rubber gloves for all field dressing.

Our spring moisture has stimulated wild sunflower abundance, which should benefit dove hunting -- if we're lucky to avoid cold, damp August weather as we have the past two years, says Larry Roberts, waterfowl biologist.

He adds that Arctic-nesting geese -- both snows and blues and small Canadas -- benefited from excellent production this season. "Light goose flocks will be a lot grayer this fall," he says, with the increase of dusky-colored juvenile birds. Large Canada goose production was similar to past years and rated as "just fair" due to some frigid weather during hatching. But due to the overall abundance of these birds, hunting still has the potential to be very good. He characterizes the duck production in areas that funnel to Wyoming as "not great." The determining factor for both duck and large Canada goose hunting will be weather. Fierce storms can induce over flights and overly mild weather allows waterfowl to set up shop in Montana. But, with the increase in surface water from the wet spring, "Wyoming may have the ability to attract and hold more early season ducks," he says.

Eurasian collared doves are increasing their numbers, particularly in eastern Wyoming. The good news is, like pigeons, they are considered an exotic and there is no limit. Bad news is they prefer city life and are not consistently found in rural areas where hunting is permitted. The species is larger than a mourning dove with a black collar on the back of the neck and a squared tail.

Potential wolf hunters take note: All wolf hunting in Wyoming (including the predator zone) is on hold for now. An injunction returning wolves to the oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was granted by a federal judge in Montana.

Here's hoping you drew your license, that the weather cooperates for you, and you have terrific fall hunting in the "last great place on earth" -- Wyoming.