Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game WY - Son Didn’t Draw - Options?

Well, I screwed this up. I applied for myself and my son to unit 22 for Antelope. I was told it was a 100 percent chance of draw because there is not much public land. Like an idiot I didn’t do a group application and son did not draw.

There are no leftover tags in unit 22, but there are in unit 20 which is right beside unit 22. The rancher I am going to hunt with in 22 said he will see if he and find a ranch for my son to hunt on in 20, but if not, we will have try try on the limited public ground (assuming he draws a leftover tag).

If I have to hunt public how do I know which roads are public. I can see the BLM tracts on the map, but I can’t tell if the road into them is public or not. What is the best resource to find out??

Any other suggestions- besides applying as a group next year??

OnX chip in your Garmin for land ownerships.

I think there are some smartphone apps too.

Sorry to hear about your predicament, good luck to your son.

The best thing for hunting, is the On x phone app and gps chip. They don't always tell the road situation, either, though. Most private areas, where the roads are closed, are clearly marked by the landowners-from my experience.

OnX is what we all use nowadays.. Makes it easy to make sure we are staying on the right side of the line on the right trails and roads!

You need to contact the Road and Bridge Superintendent for the county. They can tell you exactly which roads are indeed public. The online maps are not legal representatives of what is actually public roads, OnX is not always right. Counties will have an online map but read the disclaimer carefully then contact the Super.
Google the county and then the R&B depart. will be shown. Have specific questions for the Super and they will get back via email. BLM may have a map available in their local office that shows public roads.
Also look online here to see if any landowners are giving access:https://wgfd.wyo.gov/public-access/hunter-landowner-assistance

Access for your son should be easier to find than for yourself, make sure the landowner knows you do not have tag for that area if he gets a leftover.

Thanks WYTex, good info,

23-2, buck antelope private land. 1k leftovers. just east of the powder river

Dang man sorry to hear about your predicament here I hope things come through for your son.

Tell ya what my son and I’ve had pretty awesome adventures even when only 1 of us had tags.

As you likely know, all we can do in calculating probabilities of tag allocation in Wyoming is HOPE last year’s results are duplicators this year which they weren’t unfortunately.

Or fortunately; this “demand side” challenge is a sign of a vibrant economy!

Thanks EFW.

I think that is the plan, to have him come along for the adventure. I’ve also located a doe antelope hunt Ivan take him on in Montana so I will likely do that too,

If you do end of drawing a unit 20 doe tag send me a PM, might have a couple suggestions for you. I also didn't draw my doe tags this year and did put in for the leftover in unit 20. Plenty of antelope in that unit and plenty of hunters so its not the most enjoyable hunt but you can probably fill a tag. Be sure to also get a hold of the game warden for the area - depending on which part of the unit its either going to be Justin Dodd who is a good guy or up towards Buffalo I believe its Jim Seeman.
Justin phone is 307-738-2455, Jim is 307-684-5223.

I will be there from 10/13 to 10/18 - good luck to you. By the way, some of the nicest bucks I've seen the last few years have all come out of 22 so you should have a great hunt.