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Tag: hunting

  • Why Wyoming for a Guided Mule Deer Hunt

    Why Wyoming for a Guided Mule Deer Hunt

    When it comes to western hunting, few things are more iconic than a big mule deer buck in the sagebrush. These spot-and-stalk hunts are a game of chess on an enormous scale. It’s easy to see why mule deer hunting remains so popular.

    Here in Wyoming, we’re fortunate to enjoy some of the best mule deer hunting anywhere on earth. Mule deer hunting in Wyoming is special. Here are a few reasons why:

    1. Variety of Opportunities

    From the peaks of the Rockies, to the Red Desert, to the high plains and sagebrush steppe, Wyoming is hope to an incredible diversity of mule deer country.

    The areas we hunt are near Douglas, on the eastern side of Wyoming. These are primarily sagebrush and high plains habitats, cut with stands of ponderosa and juniper-covered ridges and canyons. It’s classic western mule deer country.

    Here, our deer aren’t as vulnerable to winterkill as many high-elevation herds. We enjoy both migratory deer that show up when the weather turns cold, as well as resident herds deer that live here year-round. As we mentioned in our recent article about winter conditions and 2020 license numbers, our deer herd here is healthy and growing.

    Guided Mule Deer Hunt

    1. High Quality Hunts

    The Wyoming Game and Fish Department does a great job of managing mule deer hunting throughout the state, offering high quality opportunities. It might take a year or two to draw your mule deer license. But it’s well worth the wait. You can be sure you’ll have a very high quality hunting experience!

    What’s more, we operate our hunts on beautiful ranches in east-central Wyoming. These sprawling western landscapes are home to great mule deer habitat. We have exclusive access to these ranches – meaning you won’t have to deal with public hunting pressure.

    When you combine the quality wildlife management from the state agency, plus the careful ranch management that we employ on these private properties, you get a mule deer hunting experience that’s difficult to find anywhere else.

    Guided Big Game Hunt in Wyoming

    1. Antelope Combo Hunts

    One thing we love about deer hunts in this part of Wyoming is the ability to plan a mule deer and antelope combo hunt. Together, these two species make for an extremely fun hunting experience.

    On these hunts, we will often spend the early morning hours glassing for mule deer and if given the opportunity, making a stalk. Then, the afternoon hours are perfect for chasing antelope. If you missed our recent article about antelope, you might be surprised to learn that unlike deer, antelope are most active during the daylight hours. In the late afternoon, we will go back to glassing for mule deer until dark.

    In terms of the number of animals you’ll see and the consistent action throughout the day, there’s nothing that quite compares to a mule deer and antelope hunt. We truly believe this is some of the most fun to be had on any western hunt!

    Guided Antelope Hunt with Box Creek Outfitters

    The Wyoming Application Deadline is June 1st

    If you’d like to experience a Wyoming hunting adventure in 2020, you must apply for your license before June 1st! The deadline is approaching quickly and we’d love to help you plan your hunt. For details, give us a call at (307) 359-1848. You can also send us a message.

    If you’d like to read more about applying and our available guided hunts here at Box Creek Outfitters, please go take a look at our recent blog post about the application deadline.

    Again, feel free to call us anytime (307) 359-1848 or send us a message. We look forward to seeing you out here this fall!

  • 3 Things You Might Not Expect on a Wyoming Antelope Hunt

    3 Things You Might Not Expect on a Wyoming Antelope Hunt

    Antelope are truly one of a kind. Found only here in North America, the pronghorn is an iconic species of the American west. Nothing is faster. Their eyesight is incredible. And their painted appearance makes them one of the most beautiful big game trophies.

    Because they’re so unique, hunting antelope is often full of surprises for folks who haven’t hunted them before.

    Pronghorn Hunting

    Here are a few things you might not have expected if you’re looking forward to your first antelope hunt:

    1. Hunting Daytime Hours

    The first thing that surprises most hunters is that we don’t have to be in the field before daylight. Rarely is this necessary on an antelope hunt. Unlike deer, which are active during the early and late hours of the day, antelope remain active during the middle of the day.

    On most antelope hunts, you can expect to get started sometime after daylight. Antelope bucks are notoriously difficult to field judge. Daylight makes that task much easier for your guide.

    It might seem like a luxury hunt – because it is! No other big game hunt allows you to sleep in at your hotel in town, begin hunting after daylight and then see lots of animals. Antelope hunting is truly one of the most fun western hunts.

    1. Nonstop Action

    One of the things we love about antelope hunting is the numbers of animals we’re able to see every day. In this wide-open country, we can glass long distances and we will have the opportunity to watch good numbers of antelope.

    Antelope hunting is as fun and action-packed as it gets for a western big game hunt. On our guided antelope hunts, you can expect to see plenty of antelope throughout the day. We hunt beautiful Wyoming ranches where we have exclusive access to unpressured animals.

    As previously mentioned, antelope are tricky to judge on the hoof. So don’t be surprised if your guide isn’t ready to take off after the first buck you see. It sometimes takes a lot of looking before you and your guide determine a shooter buck.

    Guided Antelope Hunt with Box Creek Outfitters

    1. They’re Different Than Anything You’ve Ever Hunted

    Antelope aren’t just unique in their appearance. Their natural defenses and their behavior are also different from most other big game species.

    Unlike elk and deer, which rely heavily on their nose, pronghorn rely on their excellent eyesight. That’s why they prefer being in open terrain. When we stalk antelope, it’s important to keep this in mind. Playing the wind takes a back seat to playing their line of sight.

    Antelope are also unique in many of their other behaviors. At moments they can seem extremely skittish. While other times they seem unreasonably curious. The more time you spend around pronghorn, the more you’ll come to appreciate these cool animals.

    Guided Antelope Hunts with Box Creek Outfitters

    Please take a few minutes to explore the rest of our website to learn more about our Wyoming antelope hunts. You’ll find pricing and other information. If you have questions about availability or other specifics, please don’t hesitate to call us at (307) 359-1848 or send us a message.