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Wyoming Trip & Pics

BizCT

By BizCT,
in Out of New York Hunting

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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I recently went to Wyoming on a Mule Deer & Antelope combo hunt hoping to bag my first of each species. My Dad had only an Antelope tag. I flew NYC to Denver and then a small prop plane from Denver to Sheridan Wyoming. I was seat 1C right behind the co-pilot (see pic). I have been on some small planes in the past but this puddle-jumper was the smallest so far.

While driving many back roads and walking many miles, we saw tons of game every day including Mule Deer, Antelope, Whitetail Deer, Merriam Turkeys, Coyotes, Badgers, many species of birds, feral cats, etc. We hunted 10/1-10/5. The weather went from 70-80 degrees the first 2 days to snow the last 3.

On Day 1 (10/1), we spotted a nice buck antelope with 7 does about a mile away. We drove within 1,000 yards then ditched the truck to get a better look at this buck. We then played the wind and snuck within 280 yards. We crawled another 20 yards to 260 yards where I decided I wanted this buck. I love non-typical racks even though I don’t have any yet. Anyway, this buck had horns very close together, almost touching. My guide said he was 13”+ on his good side and a little less on the other side which was slightly broken off. He told me it was a pretty unique buck with good mass. I decided to take a shot, when the buck antelope spotted us. This buck immediately started heading right towards us. 200, 150, 120, 80, was the last number I heard my guide said. Just under 80 yards he turned broadside and I shot him with my Dad’s Weatherby 7MM Mag. He stumbled 30-40 yards and down he went. He was 13 ¼” on his better side with a nice ivory tip. He was an old antelope with a black face and pot belly. I was very happy with this guy. I shot him in a town called Recluse, population 7.

On Day 2 (10/2), after passing many bucks again, at 540pm we spotted 2 bucks and 3 does off in the distance. The 2 bucks were bedded down. The bigger buck, according to the guide through his spotting scope said it looked like a nice 4x4 with brow points and about 25-26” wide. I told my guide if this is true, I would take this buck. My expectations were a 4x4 and at least 20-22” wide. I had passed on quite a few nice 3x4’s and many 3x3’s and smaller. We attempted to drive closer when both bucks got up and ran over a hill. We got to a good spot to ditch the truck and walk a good distance till we spotted them at 525 yards. At this point, I got a good look through the binocs and wanted this buck but daylight was running out. We literally ran to another hillside and crawled the last 40-50 yards. We got a spot where we couldn’t go any closer. We were on the edge of a hill watching the buck from across a canyon. He was now with 2 other bucks and 5 does. The guide ranged him at 330yards and I shot him with my Dad’s Weatherby .270Mag at 610pm. I hit him and he ran another 110 yards away. The guide ranged him now at 440 yards and I put a little daylight between the buck and my crosshairs and let it rip. I hit him again. This time he put his head and walked into some brush and collapsed. We found him at 640pm just in time for some pics before dark. These were the 2 longest shots I have ever taken in my life. The Buck turned out to be a 4x4 and 26” wide. He has brow points on both sides and then 2 extra points, making 12 total points. On 1 side he has double brow points, on the other side he has a drop-tine brow point that is about 2-3” long that goes down & backwards. It still has velvet/hair on it, I assume because the deer couldn’t rub it off. The guide said he had never seen this before in his 10 years guiding in Wyoming. He estimated the buck at 5-6 years old and 240lbs. I shot him in town called Ucross, population 25.

Both animals exceeding my expectations. It was an awesome trip. Additionally, my Dad took a nice Antelope on Day 4 just before dark. Also, shot in Recluse. It was 13 5/8” on 1 side and 13 ½” on the side. 5.5” cutters and scored mid 70’s if I remember correctly. Day 5 we shot some prairie dogs out to 400+ yards, and I shot one with a .22 handgun as well. Lastly, while out hunting for 5 days, I found 9 sheds and brought them all home.

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Just curious what a trip like that cost? awesome story thanks for sharing!

My share only below, not including my Dad's hunt, etc.

Combo hunt cost $5K.

Licenses approx $850.

Flights and baggage roundtrip approx $540.

Deer and Antelope processing, full cape, freeze & storage was $360.

Tips = $350

2 Extra boxes on flights home for meat, capes, antlers, sheds was $40.

Total around $7,140, unless I'm forgetting something...not counting ammo, gear, etc......and of course, taxidermy work to come.

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Pygmy Experienced

Pygmy

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Thanks, I was just curious. A little rich for my blood but sounds like money well spent on a opportunity of a life time!

Looks like Biz-R-O did a guided hunt..

DIY hunts can still be done quite a lot cheaper than that, but require more research and preparation, plus the fact that often the draw odds are less favorable and success rates are lower than with a guide or outfitter.

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Very cool. what a great week out there. just curious, did you make arrangement to have meat sent back and what is approx cost ?

My antelope was shot the 1st day in the morning and it was close to 80 degrees. We were an hour and half from the lodge so we stayed out hunting all day. I wasn't interested in this meat, so I donated it all. I also donated all the meat from my Mule Deer. We did bring back the backstraps & steaks from Dad's antelope. You are allowed 4.4lbs of dry ice when flying, we packed the meat,capes,horns/antlers in a cardboard box with 4lbs of dry ice. We only had to pay $20 for the additional piece of luggage. We wrapped the antlers and horns good with styrofoam pipe covers and tape them on the tips, everything made it fine. My Mule Deer antlers were too big so the taxidermist out there who caped the animals, cut my deer's skull plate in 1/2, which is fine since I am getting a shoulder mount anyway.

Unfortunately, even if you donate the meat out in Wyoming, you still had to pay the full amount of processing to the meat plant, unlike our local butcher around here. It came to about $100/animal, and then $75 extra to have a taxidermist do a full cape.

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