BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 I am off to Wyoming in less than 2 weeks for a Mule Deer/Antelope combo 5-day hunt. It will be my first time hunting both Mule Deer & Antelope. I have been doing a lot of research on how to field judge these animals, but I know it will be tough when I get out there. I am used to hunting deer in Putnam County (3N) with a shotgun where my farthest shot is 50-60 yards and if I see a buck or 2 a season it was a good year. Out there, from what I was told, I will see many bucks each day. I am not concerned about the long shooting, bringing 2 Weatherby's, a .270Mag and 7MM Mag and feel very confident out to 300-400 yards. I am just really worried I am going to shoot something and then regret it when I see it on the ground. I almost hope I dont see a shooter the first day lol. I am hoping for a nice 4x4 with of at least 24" spread, though it would be tough for me to turn down any sort of non-typical. With regards to the Antelope, it appears even tougher to field judge. 12" compared to 14" is a huge difference.... Any last minute tips from those of you who have hunted out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve863 Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 I am off to Wyoming in less than 2 weeks for a Mule Deer/Antelope combo 5-day hunt. It will be my first time hunting both Mule Deer & Antelope. I have been doing a lot of research on how to field judge these animals, but I know it will be tough when I get out there. I am used to hunting deer in Putnam County (3N) with a shotgun where my farthest shot is 50-60 yards and if I see a buck or 2 a season it was a good year. Out there, from what I was told, I will see many bucks each day. I am not concerned about the long shooting, bringing 2 Weatherby's, a .270Mag and 7MM Mag and feel very confident out to 300-400 yards. I am just really worried I am going to shoot something and then regret it when I see it on the ground. I almost hope I dont see a shooter the first day lol. I am hoping for a nice 4x4 with of at least 24" spread, though it would be tough for me to turn down any sort of non-typical. With regards to the Antelope, it appears even tougher to field judge. 12" compared to 14" is a huge difference.... Any last minute tips from those of you who have hunted out there? How much shooting have you done at 300 to 400 yards? Anything over 150 yards is a long shot for most shooters who don't practice much. Just wait until you see a muley or an antelope at 300 to 400 yards. Just because you are shooting those Weatherby's honestly don't mean diddly. Shooting at that type of yardage takes a LOT of practice. The gun won't do it by itself for you. YOU are the one who will have to have that very steady hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growalot Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Good Luck and have fun...be safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 How much shooting have you done at 300 to 400 yards? Anything over 150 yards is a long shot for most shooters who don't practice much. Just wait until you see a muley or an antelope at 300 to 400 yards. Just because you are shooting those Weatherby's honestly don't mean diddly. Shooting at that type of yardage takes a LOT of practice. The gun won't do it by itself for you. YOU are the one who will have to have that very steady hold. There is a range by me that is 200 yards and shoot very good groups. I have shot off a bipod, shot from sitting down, etc. I have shot coyotes up in Canada at over 300 yards. I am not worried about making the shot on a 200lb+ deer. Honestly, I dont think it takes much practice. I shoot a handful of times before a trip and never had an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 Like I said, my worries are not related to shooting distance. I was looking for some more tips on field judging these animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkln Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 wow I'm jealous :-) Make a lot of pics man and share it when you get back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve863 Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Well, I hope you can make it happen. I have been out west a good number of times and in my opinion shooting at such yardage is not as simple as some think it is. If you are looking for tips, my tip would be not to set your goals so high on the animals you want to kill. A 14 inch antelope and a 24 inch muley you won't find behind every hill. In my opinion it's a safer bet shooting a representative buck your first time out at more modest ranges, than screwing up on something bigger at a more risky distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virgil Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Will you be hunting with a guide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 Will you be hunting with a guide? Yes. http://www.beartrak.com/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe12 Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 where in Wyoming are you going to be hunting? It is beautiful out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 where in Wyoming are you going to be hunting? It is beautiful out there. North Central Wyoming, Region C. Buffalo, WY area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culvercreek hunt club Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 first guide page I have seen with no package prices posted.... weird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culvercreek hunt club Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Biz...if they are guiding won't they be able to provide guidance inthe size of the ones you see. I have heard for us Eastern White tail hunters.... a good Muley is hard to jusdge because they look so much buigger. I have no reference though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNYBuckHunter Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 I was thinking the same thing. Probably a if you gotta ask you cant afford it type deal lol. Good Luck Biz, hope to see some pics of a nice speed goat and a mulie posted when you get back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) Biz...if they are guiding won't they be able to provide guidance inthe size of the ones you see. I have heard for us Eastern White tail hunters.... a good Muley is hard to jusdge because they look so much buigger. I have no reference though. Yea I am sure they will be able to assist. first guide page I have seen with no package prices posted.... weird $5K for Mule Deer/Antelope Combo. Edited September 19, 2012 by Biz-R-OWorld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doewhacker Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) I would love to do a hunt like this some day, good luck. I can offer no assistance beyond that. Edited September 19, 2012 by Doewhacker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 I was thinking the same thing. Probably a if you gotta ask you cant afford it type deal lol. Good Luck Biz, hope to see some pics of a nice speed goat and a mulie posted when you get back! Thanks. I definitely will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNYBuckHunter Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 That $5k price tag just made me break out in a little sweat hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 That $5k price tag just made me break out in a little sweat hahaha I figure that doing the Mule Deer and Antelope on the same trip saves me $ on the hunt, and also not flying two times and everything else that it would cost for 2 trips. Originally, I only planned to hunt Mule Deer, but the combo wasn't much more $. It came out much cheaper to both one 1 trip. My Dad is also going, but only for Antelope. He has 4 Mule Deer and 2 Antelope already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doewhacker Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 That $5k price tag just made me break out in a little sweat hahaha I think you could do a DYI one of these fairly easily out there, lots of "state land" out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNYBuckHunter Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Funny you say that Doe. I wont hijack this thread though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culvercreek hunt club Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Biz, How much do they rape you for shipping the meat back? or don't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 The licenses were killer (over $850 for my 2 tags). The Shipping I will find out. My first priority is the cape and horns for taxidermy. However, I will probably ship back some meat from both animals and donate the rest. I know we could have done a DYI for cheaper, but for the first time (for me) going out there. I want to have a high success rate on a 5-day hunt. Maybe someday down the road I would do a DYI. Might be a better option if I was going with more people as well. Hotel, Rental Truck, 3 meals a day, etc all adds up anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doewhacker Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 The licenses were killer (over $850 for my 2 tags). The Shipping I will find out. My first priority is the cape and horns for taxidermy. However, I will probably ship back some meat from both animals and donate the rest. I know we could have done a DYI for cheaper, but for the first time (for me) going out there. I want to have a high success rate on a 5-day hunt. Maybe someday down the road I would do a DYI. Might be a better option if I was going with more people as well. Hotel, Rental Truck, 3 meals a day, etc all adds up anyway. Thats exactly how I feel too, first time out with help to figure things out and on my own from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 I dont even have any friends who hunt, so a DIY would be just me. My Dad would rather stay in a lodge/hotel as opposed to camping out, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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