Planning of a Possible Future Bigger Game Trip

[mulsas]

Just wanted to throw this out there for all of you guys more experienced with this. My son got us into hunting in the last few years. We haven't gotten our first whitetail yet, but we are working on that.

But to the point, the idea of something bigger than whitetail as like a milestone 16th bday is an idea I have been kicking around. He just turned 13, so still some time. After reading posts on here, and some other articles, I was thinking that Wyoming antelope would be a good option. We wouldn't be able to afford an outfitter, but this sounds like a doable option for us on our own, with at least a decent probability that we could come home with something. Obviously something like Colorado Elk would be the trip of a lifetime, but costs would be a lot higher and odds lower. Starting this year I would be able to accumulate 3 preference points for each of us, before we get to the possible year of the hunt. Not a lot, but at least would be some help. This would likely be a fall break trip, so near the end of October. I haven't really started looking into specific areas yet, that planning would come later.

Does that sound like a good path to go down? Read the blog post from Woody in the other thread about their numbers this year. Didn't realize their max was 9 points, but hopefully the numbers improve a little bit in the future. If there is anything else you guys think I should look into as an alternative, or in addition to accumulating points in WY, let me know.

Thanks
Matt

[lawrencecountyhunter]

I think that's a great idea. 3 points will get you a unit with lots of public land and lots of goats. Late October will put you towards the end of season, which also means the crowds will be gone.

Other ideas in that price range are Colorado or Wyoming deer. 2-3 points in either state will get you a fun hunt that would line up with your dates.

[esshup]

Like was said, the crowds will be gone, but the number of goats will be lower, and they will be more skittish too - if your stalking skills don't allow you to get close enough to a whitetail, there's no way to get close enough to a goat, especially on public land. So, with that said, I would plan on having a rifle that could shoot 300 yds. accurately, and practice with it enough so that you and your son are proficient with it, especially shooting in a wind. Plus get a rangefinder. The distance out there is harder to determine (at least for me) than here.

Rifle caliber wise, there's many, many to pick from, but if you think you might be going out West for another hunt sometime in the future, I'd look into a 7mm Remington Magnum and good enough glass to put on it.

[steiny]

Wyoming antelope would be a great do it yourself choice, and you could do mule deer on the same hunt. Might not get both, but good chance you could get one or the other. Many areas wouldn't require any preference points either, they are typically 100% draw.
I've done this hunt many times successfully. Camp on public ground, hunt public ground, do our own cooking, etc. It's a great trip.

[mulsas]

Thanks for all of the comments.

steiny I actually did my first backpacking trip this spring in Zion National Park, and will hopefully get to do a few more, so that was good preparation for being on our own. And I have thought about doing a combo license as well, just in case we see something else. Not sure whether I would try to build up points for that too, or just see what is available at the time.

esshup Yeah, working on our marksmanship skills is priority number one right now. But if we did this trip, it would definitely include the appropriate rifle.

[mulsas]

Thanks lawrencecountyhunter your posts on your hunts out there are great reading, and helped provide a bit of motivation for me.

[Land Between the Lakes]

Colorado has 23 million acres of public land so there is plenty of good places to hunt. There are really good places on just about every national forest in Colorado.

[bullseye69]

Aug 5, 2015 2:10:42 GMT -5 esshup said:

Like was said, the crowds will be gone, but the number of goats will be lower, and they will be more skittish too - if your stalking skills don't allow you to get close enough to a whitetail, there's no way to get close enough to a goat, especially on public land. So, with that said, I would plan on having a rifle that could shoot 300 yds. accurately, and practice with it enough so that you and your son are proficient with it, especially shooting in a wind. Plus get a rangefinder. The distance out there is harder to determine (at least for me) than here.

Rifle caliber wise, there's many, many to pick from, but if you think you might be going out West for another hunt sometime in the future, I'd look into a 7mm Remington Magnum and good enough glass to put on it.

I have done the DIY hunts twice for antelope in WY. first time went when season started and did great. Filled all our tags.
Second time went a week after season started and didn't do so good. Goats were few and far between on public land.
So if you go you need to be there when the season starts.
And yes 7mm mag is the way to go for goats at long range.

[mulsas]

Good to know, thanks bullseye69