Wyoming Antelope Hunt
Last October, we loaded up two quad-cab diesel trucks, pointed 'em West and hit the road. Our cargo: four kids, three dads, a grandpa, a camera lady, and enough camo, firearms and food to outfit a small army. Oh yeah – there was also a full size chest freezer and two ATV’s strapped to the trailer. We left Michigan on a Friday morning and were back nine days later with a little less gunpowder, a full freezer and enough memories to last a lifetime.
Our hunting trip was about as inexpensive as you can get and still have a quality hunting experience and a comfortable place to stay. Non-residents need to apply for their tags by March 15th. Our group applied for antelope and mule deer licenses and was successful in receiving everything they asked for. Antelope season began in our area on October 1st, and mule deer season on October 15th. We stayed in Buffalo, Wyoming at a campground that has a couple of little cabins for rent. At 8’x10’, they were precisely the right size to squeeze in our gear and bedding for 5 people and not much else. But hey – we were there to hunt, not lounge around in the cabin!
We were hunting the public land just up the road from Buffalo. It was a very good thing I wasn’t carrying a tag in my pocket, because we may not have come away with much footage. It’s a challenge for a hunter to be strictly an observer (or videographer) ~ especially with so many antelope running around out there! After a few days of hitting it hard, everyone in the group was able to fill their buck tags. A couple of the guys went back into town and bought over-the-counter doe tags for more meat. The mule deer hunting is a little more challenging, and I think it’s because more of the locals hunt muleys too. That adds to the hunting pressure, and to the competition for a good spot to hunt on public land.
All in all, we had a blast! For tags, travel and lodging, each person spent around $1000. Not bad for a big game hunt Out West. We already put in for our tags for this fall, and you’d better believe the camera lady will be toting a gun over her shoulder this time!
For more information on antelope hunting in Wyoming, visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website.