Going West

Sheep tags are draw only in all states that I know of,elk and deer ,and antelope can be bought over the counter in Wyoming, but only in certain areas. You need to go to Wyoming's fish and game site and find out what is available in your chosen area.You may be able to hunt does and cows with over the counter tags this season, and apply for bucks and bull for next season. Either way ,good luck with your hunt. That part of Wyoming is really beautiful.

I've been to Devils Tower and the area is really pretty. I have a friend who hunted near Hulett which is NE of the tower and he really had a good time. Lots of deer, mostly whitetail. You should be in for a really good hunt but it depends on how many people are hunting the land. Bad hunters and lots of activity can really spoil a property. Since you are from Wisconsin I would try for a mule deer. I shot my first mule deer in 1978 and they are one magnificent animal.

In the past that area had both mule and whitetail deer, Merriam's turkeys, a few pronghorn depending on exactly where you are and a few elk. If there are sheep, I don't believe they are a huntable species there.
The deer season in that area used to be later than the rest of the state because of the whitetails but now that whitetails are in lots of places, that may have changed.
It has been quite a few years since I hunted there so you need to take this post with a grain of salt.

You are probably too late to draw for tags this year so OTC tags would be the best option. Just look up Wyoming's F&G site and see.

I would call the Wyoming fish and game and explain. When I've called my local state I've found them to be quite helpful.

After you find out the procedures for hunting - tags, draws, etc., learn about any minimum requirements for taking animals as to size, ammo, etc. Then, start your exercise program now for next year. The highest point in WI is about 2000' above sea level, whereas that area of Wyoming runs about 4500-5000 give or take. There's another recent thread about someone going to hunt in Idaho from a lower elevation state; same advice there. Get in real good cardio shape and get there a day or so earlier to get acclimated. While not as strenuous or dangerous as 8000'+, that elevation can get you tired out real fast. The West is notorious for very fast changing weather conditions. Study up on that area, pull up past weather data for the last few years for the time you anticipate being there and prepare your gear accordingly. Personally, I would have someone else along in case something goes South quickly.

Getting a license in Wyoming is a lot different than walking into you local Gun Shop and buying a license. We hunted pronghorn in Carbon county once. Application date ended March 15 and we didn't know if we drew tags until late July. I don't know when the deadline for license draw is, but I do know that you are too late. The only option that I see is to cross your fingers that there are OTC tags or possibly landowner tags.


Personally, I would opt for a mulie tag but even though I have taken a semi-trailer load of whitetails, it would be really hard to pass up a 150 class whitetail.

I'm not positive but I believe the deadline for non-resident drawing for bull elk in Wyoming is Jan. 31. Wyoming F&G is the best source, of course.

L.W.

I hunted there for 6 years back in the 90's up to 2002. I suggest you bring some upland game bird gear. The partridge, grouse, pheasant, prairie chicken, and quail are abundant. And although it's a nice addition, you don't have to have a bird dog to enjoy this wonderful hunting experience. You can walk them out in the wind breaks (tree lines), corn stubble, and CRP.

And if you'll be any where near some water, you can do some water fowl too.

The deer and antelope hunting is awesome. Game in those parts of the country are well fed, corn fields and CRP make for healthy fat game. RC knows what I'm talking about, he lives in Kansas, they get big and fat there too, after all they're grain fed critters.

But do keep an eye out for CWD, it's pretty active down in those parts, as are disease carrying ticks, Lyme is bad ju, ju. If you kill any that are infected with CWD, make sure you contact G&F, cause I think they provide you with a duplicate tag after confiscating the infected deer.

Always prepare for the worst weather also. If the weather gets bad, and it can change in a heart beat, you can die very quickly in the sub zero temps, wind chills can dip to 70 -90 below. And even if you are pretty well prepared, it can still do you in if caught in it a mile from camp or home. Your lungs freeze, eye's, and just about everything else from those brutal negative temps. 10 below isn't all that hard to handle with good gear, but when the wind chills dip, there's little that will save your ass if caught up in it. My first year hunting in those condition was a lesson and education that nearly cost me my life. I thought my cover all's, insulated water proof boots and gloves would be enough, I was almost dead wrong.

Oh ya, I almost forgot to mention keeping the guns from freezing and the ammo protected from the extreme cold. Mine and my 5 sons 870's completely froze and wouldn't discharge at all. I don't recall ever having it happen to the bolt guns, though I suppose it's possible. And try to keep your ammo in your pocket to keep it warm-ish.

Best of luck, be safe, and I hope you have a great hunting experience, one for the books!

GS

"And if you'll be any where near some water, you can do some water fowl too."

This is true. We killed our limit of mallards by jump-shooting them out of galvanized stock tanks next to windmills (with the landowner's permission, of course.)

I would call the Wyoming fish and game and explain.

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There's your answer. You can call the state office in Cheyenne at (307) 777-4600, or the regional office in Sheridan at (307) 672-7418, or if you are hunting near Hulett/Sundance you can give the local warden (Chis Teter) in Sundance at (307)-283-1276. If you haven't already done so, take a look at the Wyo. G&F website at https://wgfd.wyo.gov

You really need to get out there and get a feel for the land before hunting it. I have hunted in that same general area many times. Some areas will have mulies only, some a mix of mulies and whitetails, and some nearly all whitetails. A region A general license is good for any deer. Antelope and elk herds move around a lot depending on weather, elevation, and availability of food. There may be tons of elk in say September, but by hunting season they may be 10 miles away. A couple hundred acres isn't much land to hunt in that open country. Most ranches in that area are several thousand acres. Plan on doing some hiking into the federal lands.
There are a lot of sharptails and turkeys as mentioned, I have never seen a pheasant or quail, but that doesn't mean they aren't there in some spots.

You won't find much in cropland except some hay in irrigated valleys, if his land has this it will be a huge draw.
Northeast WY is not the garden spot of the state so I would get positive location and do a little search on Google earth. There might not be a tree on the place.
Does stepdad live there, even a non hunter should be able to pass on basic knowledge of flora and fauna.

Those look like hay fields, if they are irrigated with senior water you've got some good hunting there. Probably less exiting than what your used to in Wisconsin.
Surrounded by public will mean you'll have a fair amount of issues with trespassers.
My guess is that the pictures of forest are on public.

Why not contact the rancher that rents the land? They'll likely know more about it than anyone else

redneck2 said:

Why not contact the rancher that rents the land? They'll likely know more about it than anyone else

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rduchateau2954 said:

That is a great idea

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It's a really great idea. After all, you'll want to be on good terms with the folks who are leasing the property, and letting them know your plans will help in that regard.