Good afternoon Gentlemen, I have been a member on the fire longer than I care to admit. I have been blessed with great friendships along the way and have met some amazing people! Sometimes these types of requests are met with disdain, however, here goes!

With that said, I plan on retiring and am in the stages of planning my retirement Mule Deer hunt in Wyoming. I was lucky enough to get in on the ground floor and have maximum preference points for Deer as a Non-Resident. I've been saving them for just such a reason. Looking for an opportunity to find a great trophy buck and enjoy the experience. Hoping for a class III Buck and am willing to devote as much time as I need to do this. I plan on camping in my Toyhauler, and have spent time in Wyoming hunting Antelope and Elk previously. I have a great resident friend that can act as a guide for Wilderness areas, so am not concerned about that.

What I am asking, if you should so be willing, is input on what area would you apply, with Max points, for a once in a lifetime hunt for a great Mule Deer?

I have had one knee replaced and will have the second done within a month so that I am able to do this. Just an old soldier that has to replace worn out parts. LOL I'm hoping that in 18 months or so, that I'm up to the hunt, but am willing to give it my all.

I have been researching all the historical areas such as 105, 125, 98, but as we all know, with the changing issues with drought, fawn recruitment, fire , etc....well tough to pick an area when you don't live there.

So, if you're so inclined, I'd appreciate hearing your suggestions.....kind of like trying to decide what you'd do if you won the Mega Millions lottery! LOL

Have a great weekend and thank you!

Frog---OUT!

Good luck hope you the best of luck and post pics

Wyoming deer area #128 type 1 is an early November rut hunt, and nearly impossible to draw even with max points. Residents don't get preference points for deer, elk or antelope. I drew that area exactly once in 30 years. Good area and lots of good deer were sighted on my hunt and I did take a nice heavy horned 5X5, but don't hold your breath waiting to draw that tag.

I'm curious about your resident friend's opinions.

Sorry I can't offer any help, myself. I've decided to hunt other states for a few years based on the issues you've mentioned, plus late winter storms for 3-4 years in a row, CWD and EHD outbreaks etc. The quantity and quality of the herds seems to have taken a serious turn the last few years.

You're in an enviable position. I wish you good luck in your decision and your hunt.

Frog, I've never even been to Wyoming, so, I'm no help to you at all.

However, I do wish you the best in both your upcoming retirement and Mule deer hunt!

Frog, I think you'll have a harder time sorting out the unit you want to use the points than what to do if you'd won the mega lotto.

Good luck to ya - hope you bag a big'n.

Frog,
Some years ago I used to want to hunt with a now-out-of-business outfitter that killed lots of BIG racked bucks in the mountains east of Afton. I regret not getting around to doing it.
If I were lucky enough to be in your situation, I would mention to your friend that you want to hunt in one of the units around Pinedale, or Afton and rely on him to help decide.
Good luck!

Little Mountain (unit 102 type 1) south of Rock Springs or the Rock Garden (unit 130 type 1) SE of Pinedale are good, as are other areas of the state I am less familiar with.

The general units have just as good of genetics and produce just as big of bucks, though you’ll likely have to work much harder and go deeper into the back country for the big bucks. 130 has a general hunt but the type 1 tag allows you to hunt until Oct 31, which is a huge advantage.

102 or 130 are physically easier hunts if you can draw the tag, and the crowds won’t be as bad.

Book with an outfitter in Region G or H. Tell them you have max points, you should be able to split them with another client and save some money on your hunt.

Good morning Tiny, I have been reading as much as possible about both of these areas. Of course, parts of 102 are checkerboard, so there's that. Being retired, I plan on usings as much time as desired in the area pre-season scouting as well. That's somewhat difficult if on a guided hunt in an area I don't have access to.

Plan on eventually buying a small place in Wyoming to become a resident......just enjoy being in the wide open spaced too much. Probably should have done this years ago, but life gets in the way.

Thank you for the input!

Thank you all for the input and well wishes.

Yes, Wyoming is struggling at the moment, and 128 will be a difficult draw even with max points.....but it is the situation I find myself in.

About 9 years ago, I took a month off work to burn up my Elk points on a hunt in the Bighorns....it was quite an adventure, and I enjoyed every moment of it......even the actual shooting of a Bull after 8 days into the season. A big part of the experience was the exploring a new area....learning new terrain, and seeing all that was there.

I don't know.....I may be kidding myself. Just had one knee replaced, and getting ready to have the other side done if the surgeon says I'm recovered enough to do so. I don't know how many more years the good Lord will allow me to be in the Mountains, but I'm going to do the best I can to go at it until I have to stay on the porch and be a bystander.

Thank you gents!


Frog----OUT!

I'd start my research by narrowing down the type of country you want to hunt. Rolling sagebrush? High mountain meadows? Grasslands? Once that's done, any of the harder to draw units have the quality that would make me happy.

This!

Contact Tre Heiner at double diamond outfitters. He and his crew are the best!

https://www.doublediamondoutfitters.com/

Andy3

True, but the better deer habitat is south of the checkerboard on pure BLM surface. Little Mountain to be specific.

Besides, the checkerboard in that area is largely Rock Springs Grazing Association, which at this time allows public access. That could change I guess but as of right now they don’t restrict public access.

I appreciate the information Tiny!

The coveted tag around me is Area 109. I never put in for it as I am a meat hunter, but those that get that tag and put in the effort usually get a good reward. I can't speak for the latest wet and dry cycle, but nobody can predict for the area they put in for either.

Region G , hire an outfitter or get horses, you need them in there.
Big bucks and they are up high usually.

120 maybe ?

I agree with what some of the others have said, region g and horses would be my vote. Don’t worry, your still going to have those knees in great shape because you will be burning some boot leather as well. If you haven’t hunted from horses before, it’s an experience in its self. They will get you to places that most hunters won’t go. There is nothing like a high country mule deer hunt from horses in my opinion.

Thank you for the input, greatly appreciated! Just met with teh Surgeon yesterday for my six week post op check up. Says things look good, and we have scheduled my left knee replacement for about 5 weeks from now.

Getting everything fixed now so that I can enjoy retirement!

Frog---OUT!

good luck frogman send me some pics. when you kill a biggin

Hey M, good to hear from you! Absolutely will do that!

I regret we never had a chance to hunt Hogs together before I left Florida. You should have seen one of the young men helping me load my stuff for the trip, when he latched onto that old pot that you had given me the lead in it for casting bullets......he went to jerk it off the floor and struggled saying "Damn this thing is heavy!" LOL

Be safe!


Frog---OUT!

Wishing you the best, save me some meat.

Frogger,

No help from north of the border, but wishing you well, in healing, retirement & on your dream hunt, Mate !

Looking forward to pictures & the story.

Good luck on the hunt. I was a 25 year resident of Afton. Took some dandy bucks during that time. Region G is rough country. Tough as any sheep country. I too have Max. points but I'll start looking for a lower elevation sage brush/aspen hunt to apply. PS: My knee replacement surgery was 6 weeks ago. I'm planning on the other knee this winter.

Funny you should say that....my right knee was done 7 weeks ago today. The left is schedule for demo and rebuild on Sept 9! Need to get it completed while still having medical coverage.

I lived in Michigan for close to 40 years, Muskegon area, but traveled to Da UP ay often for Fishing. Been through Bark River once or twice....LOL Used to fish LBDN often during my years a Tournament Walleye angler.


Have a great day!

Frog---OUT!

Good morning, everyone! Reviving this thread to see if there's any fresh information after the past season? Will be busy moving to Wyoming in January (Bought a small place there in November!) so want to get the choice for my application ready so that once Jan 1 rolls around I can submit it and be done with it.

Have a great day and Thanks for all your suggestions!

Frog---OUT!

good deal froggey stay in safe

This 👆🏻

Tre is excellent at what he does
(307) 730-4868 Cell

What part of the state is welcoming you ?

G is not what it was, still produces big bucks but not like years past.
I would talk with one of the guys living on the West side of Wyoming and pick their brains about areas that get less attention and have mature bucks. I'm thinking in the sage country maybe.
With time to scout and good public access you may turn up a dandy down in the lower country or foothills.
Late season hunts are always inviting but in areas like 128 now you have tons of spotters ands helpers with the hunters, lots of folks hunting the same areas and bucks. Lots of stories out from this years hunt about numbers of folks.
You might wander over to say MonsterMuleys and look at threads Wyoming mule deer hunting.

January is a brutal time to move to Wyoming, safe travels and welcome.

I thought about calling the outfitters above, but given that I just had both knees replaced, and reading their website about top physical condition for this hunt was a MUST.....I don't think it will fit for me.

Guess I'll keep looking ay other areas with at least an opportunity for a nice buck.

Thank you all for the replies!

Frog

Burn those suckers up. Big changes coming to NR tags in WY and a big price jump.

Well...you'll be a resident now so that may not affect you much. Hell, it may help. You won't have to burn as many points.

Well perhaps I should contact WF&G to get some clarification. I have been under the impression that NR points are separate from Resident points. It takes a year in Wyoming to become a Resident for hunting license purposes, so figured I'd burn up the point during this year in transition........