wyoming recommendation needed

[hardcorehunter5]

Hello all,

Well I wasn't planning on my first post t ocome off like a guy trying to poach intel off the internet, but after months of reading this website it seems most around here like to sincerely help people. I am planning on attempting a wyoming d-i-y mule deer hunt in 2012 with my wife and father in-law. I want the hunt to be successful and tagging a typical "trophy" animal is not what I'm looking for. For the expense for us non-residents its more important for us to be successful the first year then anything. My wife has never killed a deer before and I want to make it great for her. I am willing to pay reasonable trespass fees, but I have a blue collar budget. If the area is good it would be nice to come back every other year and get to learn a place. We all have two preference points also. I have been looking in the eastern wyoming area, but havent settled on an area for certain. Its difficult to scout on the internet and impossible to do the real thing when you live 2000 miles away. any help at all would be apprecicated.

-Hardcorehunter5

 

[Snubbie]

Hello all,

Well I wasn't planning on my first post t ocome off like a guy trying to poach intel off the internet, but after months of reading this website it seems most around here like to sincerely help people. I am planning on attempting a wyoming d-i-y mule deer hunt in 2012 with my wife and father in-law. I want the hunt to be successful and tagging a typical "trophy" animal is not what I'm looking for. For the expense for us non-residents its more important for us to be successful the first year then anything. My wife has never killed a deer before and I want to make it great for her. I am willing to pay reasonable trespass fees, but I have a blue collar budget. If the area is good it would be nice to come back every other year and get to learn a place. We all have two preference points also. I have been looking in the eastern wyoming area, but havent settled on an area for certain. Its difficult to scout on the internet and impossible to do the real thing when you live 2000 miles away. any help at all would be apprecicated.

-Hardcorehunter5

I know where you're coming from. Here's some suggestions from one in your shoes.

Spend a little time on this site. Do some searches. Read up about mule deer hunting. Lots of info on this site and WWW about mule deer hunting and out West hunting areas. I'm in the same process except researching Idaho, and that's what it is, research. Plan on spending many, many hours finding out all you can. Also, learn about mule deer and their habits and habitat, get some books. I would also suggest visiting 24 hour campfire forums. Get some maps, look at Google Earth, famaliarize yourself with the areas of interest.

I think you're looking for a shortcut and you're not likely to get local knowledge until you put in some considerable effort.

And accept a DIY hunt is a low percentage hunt. It takes time to learn the ropes. It is possible and possible on public land, but not easy.

If you think your success in the first year is priority #1 I believe you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. By "success" I assume you mean collecting a deer. I think you may need to re-prioritize and accept your first year may be more of a learning experience. Plan on enjoying the experience and learning all you can regardless the actual hunt outcome. Collecting a deer would be a big bonus...but don't weigh the success or failure on that.

I have spent a 1/2 year researching Idaho and intend to continue until next Fall. There are a few on here that have given me some pointers but don't expect any local to start pointing out the local hotspots to a non-resident...not likely to happen and understandable.

At least spend some time on this site interacting with other members and contributing before expecting too much.

It is possible to do, but like anything worthwhile, it isn't going to be easy.

 

[chucknbach]

Wife's first year. Stick close, save some money. Get her first kill under her belt when it doesn't cost so much.

I say this because my daughter, a very good shot, can hit prairie dogs at 200 yrds but for the life of her she can't hit deer or antelope. She's had many shots taken this year from 70 yds to 250. Not saying your wife would succumb to buck fever but I wouldn't chance it with an expensive trip.

 

[hardcorehunter5]

Thanks for the replies thus far...my wife has hunted for years so she should be good to go, just hasnt killed a deer..im not looking for a spot to steal from someone else either..was trying to get recommendations on potential land owners to speak with about trespass fees, etc....by diy i was more referring to non guided...i would like to avoid general public land as much as possible.

-hardcorehunter5