Moving out West

[srhaggerty]

To be perfectly clear I was born in Wa and lived in ID for 10 years after college. 3 years ago I moved to Atlanta (New career) and am now ready to move back. I am in the process of trying to decide where to go. I know what Idaho has to offer for hunting, and my love of the outdoors. I don't know much about MT or Wyoming. Mostly about the cities and where are good places to live. Looking at areas that have hospitals in them. Can some of you guys that live in MT or Wy comment on hunting and what its like to live in some of the places you do?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Atlanta huh? Be ready for some cold weather and lots of snow but at least no Kudzu.

 

[srhaggerty]

Atlanta huh? Be ready for some cold weather and lots of snow but at least no Kudzu.

Thats what I grew up with. Spent plenty of time around McCall in several feet of snow. I love the cold hate the heat

 

[gillettehunter]

Grew up in Idaho. Been in Wy. for 27 years. I like the hunting here better than Id. Can kill several antelope every year. Some areas can get a second elk , although it's for a cow. Both whitetail and mulies. Good part of the state is general license for deer. Decent amounts of public land to hunt on. Bruce

 

[srhaggerty]

Grew up in Idaho. Been in Wy. for 27 years. I like the hunting here better than Id. Can kill several antelope every year. Some areas can get a second elk , although it's for a cow. Both whitetail and mulies. Good part of the state is general license for deer. Decent amounts of public land to hunt on. Bruce

Bruce how do you like living in Gillette it was one of the cities on my radar.

 

[gillettehunter]

Its a great city with resources well beyond its population size. Great schools with good sports programs. I have been here for 28 years. We have basically refused to participate in the last recession. County seat for Campbell county. Wy is the largest coal producer in the USA. Campbell county provides the bulk of that. So mineral taxes have been VERY good here.
General weather isn't too different from Id. Probably more wind as a overall average.
Hospital here continues to grow. Seems to be generally well run and maintained.
My biggest complaint has been the lack of upland game birds. They have a area 25 or miles So of town where they release pheasants once per week. Fair sharptail population and thats about it. Some waterfowl, but not easy to do well locally.
If you fish the nearest lake is Keyhole 45 min away. Walleye, pike, crappie etc. Closest good trout lake is DeSmit 70 miles away. Miracle Mile is about 2 1/2 hrs away.
Lots of prairie right at Gillette. If you want to see the mtns then you go a hr either East or West. Loys of antelope in the Southern part of Campbell county and the neighboring counties. All antelope are draw, but many in our general area are undersubcribed so you can buy licenses over the counter. Most deer is general here so over the counter. Have killed a elk 3 of the last 4 years here in Campbell county. Just got to draw the tag. If you have more specific questions feel free to call me. My cell is 307-670-3390. Outlaw on the network is also in Gillette. You might talk to him. One or two others also on the network. Bruce

 

[srhaggerty]

Bruce I will definitely hit you up. I definitely like the whitetail so if you have that around Gillette i am sold. I am also looking at Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie to name a few.

 

[gillettehunter]

There are some whitetail near town. Saw a 4X4 in the city limits in Oct. 1hr either East or West get you Tao good whitetail habitat and numbers. The Black Hills you are likely familiar with from TV programs hunting white tails there. Over to Sheridan area about 1 1/2hrs away has a large population. This year they offered unlimited numbers of doe/fawn whitetail licenses over there. Call the F@G for details. Bruce

 

[Dgd6mm]

Rawlins, Wy. has a nice Hospital. Population is under 10,000. I have land 17 miles west of Rawlins in Sweetwater County. I stayed out there for 4.5 months 5-6 years ago and helped my buddy install flooring. I worked in Gillette 3 times, liked that area, fished the Miracle Mile and loved it. I actually worked quite a few different areas and did not see any place I did not like. The only bad thing about Rawlins is it is 100 miles from Rock Springs and 100 miles from Cheyenne.

 

[srhaggerty]

Thanks for the reply. How green is the state? Is there lots of trees and mountains?

 

[gillettehunter]

I would not call Gillette or Rawlins green unless its during April, May or June. We are considered high dessert. Lots of sagebrush. Go a hour either E or W from Gillette and then you get to the mtns and they are green. If you want green then look at Sheridan. Bruce

 

[Big Sky]

Currently deer and antelope hunting in Montana isn't that great. In fact, in many regions in the state right now, it sucks, for a lack of a better term. Elk are doing pretty well though. Black bear hunting is okay. Then there is big horn sheep, mt. goat, and moose if you are extremely lucky and can draw a tag for them. Pretty much over 2/3's of the state is private land. The majority of public is on the West side. If you like to fish as much or more than you like to hunt, then Montana would be a great state, but if hunting is the priority, you can find better quality right now in other western states.

 

[Browning Slayer]

To be perfectly clear I was born in Wa and lived in ID for 10 years after college. 3 years ago I moved to Atlanta (New career) and am now ready to move back. I am in the process of trying to decide where to go. I know what Idaho has to offer for hunting, and my love of the outdoors. I don't know much about MT or Wyoming. Mostly about the cities and where are good places to live. Looking at areas that have hospitals in them. Can some of you guys that live in MT or Wy comment on hunting and what its like to live in some of the places you do?

Congrats on the move out West. I just moved to Utah 3 months ago from Atlanta and I love it! Don't plan on heading back south to the crowds and humidity.

I'm still waiting to be able to put in tags but I've spent multiple weekends scouting for Elk and Mule deer and their are some nice ones here!

I just joined this site after lurking but I want to get input on building my 1,000 yard rifle. Good folks and good luck!

 

[srhaggerty]

Congrats on the move out West. I just moved to Utah 3 months ago from Atlanta and I love it! Don't plan on heading back south to the crowds and humidity.

I'm still waiting to be able to put in tags but I've spent multiple weekends scouting for Elk and Mule deer and their are some nice ones here!

I just joined this site after lurking but I want to get input on building my 1,000 yard rifle. Good folks and good luck!

Thank you. I have spent a good amount of time in Utah. 10+ years in Idaho. I will be glad to move back. I like what Wyoming has to offer. A little worried about things to do in the winter though.