Hunting & Fishing Pronghorn Hunt Suggestions

[JTJACKSON]

My father and I are in the first steps of planning a DIY public land pronghorn hunt for 2018. We have nothing set in stone, and are open to any suggestions. As of now, we are planning on going to Wyoming, as we have been told that is the easiest place to draw tags and there is plenty of public land, but are open to suggestions for other states as well. I was hoping to get some information about which units have easily accessable public land, as well as likelihood of drawing a tag, success rates, or any other information anyone feels would be pertinent to our research. Thanks in advance; all help is greatly appreciated.

 

[kraigWY]

I live in the NE part of Wyoming, 10 miles east of Newcastle to be exact. Just west of town is Area 7, its part of the Thunder Basin National Grass lands. Tons of public land, More antelope then you can imagine. There is also a lot of walk in areas on private land. But I don't hunt the walk in areas.

South of the airport (not much of an airport there is a road that leads to 6 mile basin. For I don't know how long, I've hunted this part of area 7 and normally tag out by noon opening day.

Lots of critters.

This part of the state has had a few mild winters, with a high fawn survival rate. Close to town if you want to stay in motels but even though I live close, wife and I go out the night before and set up a tent. I love camping on the prairie.

The last two days before opening day, our club has "free' sight in days so out of state hunters can confirm their zeros before going out. I always work the sight in days so if you decide to put in for Area 7, you'll find me at the range the day before. I'll point out exactly where you need to go if you want good goats.

 

[JTJACKSON]

I live in the NE part of Wyoming, 10 miles east of Newcastle to be exact. Just west of town is Area 7, its part of the Thunder Basin National Grass lands. Tons of public land, More antelope then you can imagine. There is also a lot of walk in areas on private land. But I don't hunt the walk in areas.

South of the airport (not much of an airport there is a road that leads to 6 mile basin. For I don't know how long, I've hunted this part of area 7 and normally tag out by noon opening day.

Lots of critters.

This part of the state has had a few mild winters, with a high fawn survival rate. Close to town if you want to stay in motels but even though I live close, wife and I go out the night before and set up a tent. I love camping on the prairie.

The last two days before opening day, our club has "free' sight in days so out of state hunters can confirm their zeros before going out. I always work the sight in days so if you decide to put in for Area 7, you'll find me at the range the day before. I'll point out exactly where you need to go if you want good goats.

Thanks for the response and the offer kraig. We certainly may take you up on that for sure. We are planning on flying out and renting a car. Then backpack in and set up a camp. We are complete rookies to pronghorn, we just thought it would be fun to hunt them, and also thought we were more likely to draw a tag on them than elk or mule deer. How are they on the grill?

 

[kraigWY]

Thanks for the response and the offer kraig. We certainly may take you up on that for sure. We are planning on flying out and renting a car. Then backpack in and set up a camp. We are complete rookies to pronghorn, we just thought it would be fun to hunt them, and also thought we were more likely to draw a tag on them than elk or mule deer. How are they on the grill?

You would fly into Rapid City SD, Rent a car there, Newcastle is about 70 miles or so from Rapid. Like I said, if you show up at our Sight In Days, I'll be there and get you lined up. The range is right in town so you wont have any problems finding it.

If you put in for Area 7, as it gets close to time to head out here, PM me and I'll give you my phone number and answer any questions you might have.

 

[JTJACKSON]

Thanks again Kraig. Is there any likelihood that we could draw Area 7 without preference points? We are planning on taking the trip in 2018, so we can purchase one PP this year. Also saw that there is a special tag that costs about twice as much. Does the special tag improve odds enough to make it worth paying approximately twice as much? Hope I'm not bombarding you with stupid questions, but all this is a complicated process for a hillbilly from Southwest VA lol.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Isn't the draw closed already?

 

[Mike Casselton]

JT,
If you end up doing the hunt, it's worth a slight diversion to check out First Stop Guns (7th and Main).
Once you've spent some time there, head a block east on Main st and have something to eat at the Firehouse Brewing Co.
It will take a couple of hours to make the 70 mile drive.
Don't forget to save a day or two to see the Black Hills.

 

[JTJACKSON]

Thanks for the input guys. Cold bore, we can still purchase preference points this year as I understand it. We are hoping to draw tags for 2018.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

How did your hunt go? My buddy Jim and I are starting to think about going next fall or 2020. Looking for places in WY or NM.... don't mind hiring a guide, but don't want a multi-thousand $$ 'canned' hunt, either.

The Thunder Basin area sounds awesome! Any of you WY guys do guiding or willing to have a couple of Easterners visit?

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[kraigWY]

Sirhrnechanic:

I'm no guide and I dont play one on TV. However if you put in for and get drawn for Wyoming Area 7, come early. The last two days of Sept. our club has the range open for free sight in days for hunters. I work the range, and I will line you up as to where to go.

There is tons of public lands in Area 7, a heck of a lot of goats, there is no reason for anyone to have to hire a guide.

There are planty of roads (dirt) and two track trails allowing access. Rolling hills making for easy stalks when you spot something.

Close to town, plenty of cheap motels in Newcastle though I like going out the night before. Wife and I always get one buck/ond doe each and are normally done buy noon.

Depending on when my elk hunting starts, (sometimes the 1st of Oct, sometimes the 15t), I may stay our there longer, I love nights on the prairie. Listening to coyotes and watching the stars.

As a side note, if you draw area 7 or anyother area in the Thunder Basin Grass Lands, bring a Varmint rifle, there are a gazziliana prairie dogs.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Kraig: Awesome!!!! Jim and I are already starting to look at the process for Areas 7!

Thanks, my friend! We will make it out there one way or another! And look you up!

Cheers,

Sirhr