Western Wyoming Hunting Tips
"Region G & Region H Mule Deer Hunting"
Written by Brian Latturner, MonsterMuleys.com

Sam Jones 2002, guided by Grey's River Trophies

Brian Latturner 2003, Self-Guided Used Wolfley Horse Rentals

Will Wyland 2003, guided by Grey's River Trophies

1) Scout, Scout, Scout!!!! The mountains of western Wyoming are HUGE, and locating an area where a big buck lives is half the battle and challenge of the hunt. Preseason scouting is very important. During the months on July and August, the bucks in the high country will feed late into the morning offering you the opportunity to look them over and decide if they are what you're looking for.

Keep in mind while scouting that a lot of people will be hunting there along side you. Make an effort to scout areas far from the roads, as during the hunt, pressure reduces as you distance yourself from heavily used roads where most hunters begin their hunting. Of course, you never know where you'll find the "Big One", but keep in mind you most likely won't have the mountain to yourself.

If you've never hunted the Wyoming high country, then consider a summer horseback trip with a guide. Gary Amerine, of Grey's River Trophies, offers summer pack trips and day trips at a very reasonable rate. From his home at the base of the Wyoming Range Mountains, he can have you in prime deer country within a couple hours on horseback. Gary knows this country very well, and makes a living helping hunters find and harvest trophy bucks.

Wolfley Horse Rentals Why pack your own gear?

2) Hunt Long & Hard. The deer season in Wyoming is longer than in most areas of the west, take advantage of it. Time in the field is one of the most important elements to harvesting big deer. My theory is, the more time spent hunting, the greater the chance you'll have of bumping into the big buck. Go into your area a day or two early and hunt as many days as possible.

3) Pack Animals. After only a few trips into the Wyoming backcountry, I learned the importance of good pack animals. Sure, you can backpack your camp, food, and everything else in, but that's a lot of work. I'm a firm believer that a hunter is going to be able to hunt longer and more effectively when he or she is comfortable. Personally, I like to have bacon, eggs, and toast for breakfast. I also like to take along an extra pair of boots, coat, and rain gear on my backcountry hunts. The problem is that I can't have these things when I'm packing everything in on my back. It's just too much! So, whenever possible, I take pack animals.

Paul Anthony, 2003 Self-Guided

For western Wyoming hunting, horses are probably a hunters best bet. Although, in 2003, we used llamas on our first trip and they worked out great. On our second trip, we rented horses from Wolfley Horse Rentals in Thayne, Wyoming. Wan Wolfley rents out more than 60 horses each year, offers delivery to the trailhead, and the rates can't be beat.

4) Hunt Tactics. One of the most effective tactics used for hunting deer in the Wyoming high country are deer drives. Outfitters are the most effective at this because they usually have 4 or 5 hunters watching escape routes and 2 or 3 guides with big, strong horses to push up through timbered areas driving bucks towards their hunters. Grey's River Trophies often takes some of their best bucks using this tactic.

Bud Latturner, 2003 Self-Guided

However, for those of us who hunt in parties of 2 or 3, deer drives are little more difficult. In a party of 2 or 3, if you have horses that are in great shape, small drives can be done. However, the vast majority of horses cannot climb those steep, rugged mountains in that fashion very long, therefore, most small party hunting groups rely more on spot and stalk and still hunting.

Spot and stalk and still hunting are going to be the most productive methods of hunting for most hunters in western Wyoming. And, for many hunters, it's the most rewarding. To sit on a high ridge, glassing distant basins, ridgelines, and rock slides is what makes hunting the Wyoming high country so special. As in most areas, the first 30 minutes of daylight are the most important. Big bucks head for the timber as soon as the daylight arrives.