618-Flatlander
FNG
I took the plunge this year and went on my first western hunt with my cousin to try and find a mule deer in Wyoming with my rifle. I was unsuccessful but I gained a ton of knowledge of what I am looking for in future hunts. I saw plenty of mule deer, but they were all does. We froze the first night at the top of the mountain we focused on and had a little bit of elevation issues, but moved down about a thousand feet for the rest of the hunt and saw a lot more deer. We were also a lot more comfortable, 30 degrees was better than 1 degree. Overall my biggest disappointment was that there were truck and atv hunters everywhere. I was all about parking the truck and walking a mile or two to get the game, but then someone would drive by on an atv. I also was surprised to see so many cattle grazing everywhere, which didn't bother me too much, but it did make it a little confusing with their fences to help guide them to areas. The trip was enjoyable and frustrating, but most important, informative.
Now I am looking into what I really want in a western hunt. I am fully confident in saying that I can not do a late season hunt. The western winters just do not sound fun to camp in for a week. I also do not want to see a bunch of atvs driving around everywhere. I know I will see other hunters while hunting public land, but I would rather see them on foot. If I can find the ideal western hunting area, it would also provide somewhere to get a fishing line wet to break things up, but this isn't mandatory.
I know a Wyoming antelope hunt would be a fun hunt to try in the future, but I wouldn't mind making another attempt at mule deer or cow elk before going after antelope. I am from southern Illinois, so the states I've looked at are Colorado, Wyoming, and eastern Montana. I don't think I would want to drive any further than that. I like the thought of an OTC Colorado archery cow elk tag for the time of year of the hunt and because I wouldn't need points to get it. That is where I've started my search but I want to get feedback on where more experienced western hunters would look to check off some of the things I'm looking to get out of the hunt.
Thanks for any feedback.
Now I am looking into what I really want in a western hunt. I am fully confident in saying that I can not do a late season hunt. The western winters just do not sound fun to camp in for a week. I also do not want to see a bunch of atvs driving around everywhere. I know I will see other hunters while hunting public land, but I would rather see them on foot. If I can find the ideal western hunting area, it would also provide somewhere to get a fishing line wet to break things up, but this isn't mandatory.
I know a Wyoming antelope hunt would be a fun hunt to try in the future, but I wouldn't mind making another attempt at mule deer or cow elk before going after antelope. I am from southern Illinois, so the states I've looked at are Colorado, Wyoming, and eastern Montana. I don't think I would want to drive any further than that. I like the thought of an OTC Colorado archery cow elk tag for the time of year of the hunt and because I wouldn't need points to get it. That is where I've started my search but I want to get feedback on where more experienced western hunters would look to check off some of the things I'm looking to get out of the hunt.
Thanks for any feedback.