Wyoming - Antelope Area 8

smooth927 · 03-11-2007, 07:43 AM

1st time doing this need some assistance or advice for an antelope hunt in area 8, eastern centralside of state.I have the 7mm sighted at 200, probably extend this distance out some what. I'm trying to locate quality land with lots of animals on it in this area. I've only drove through the state once, "live in S.E. wisconsin". I would like information on how to access private land, if need be, for a small fee. Maybea list of land owners that have allowed hunting in the past years? Scott

manboy · 03-11-2007, 08:49 AM

i would have applied for 6-or7 instead. 8 is not a very good area. not aas much public ground. try around morrissey rd. thats about all i can tell you. good luck

smooth927 · 03-11-2007, 11:49 AM

The area you recommended, Morrissey road, have youscouted in this area and are you aware if this is land that I can access, or is it private? Where you from?

game4lunch · 03-11-2007, 04:59 PM

Antelope huntin' Wyoming style!! Doesn't get better! Congrats.
1st off . . . 7mm zeroed in to 200 yards? Just put the crosshairs on the kill zone and you'll be good inside of 200, and easily out to 300. Watch the cross wind. Don't move much, just an inch or so on the animal.

"quality land with lots of animals on it in" . . . Lopes will be every where. It's not like white tail, goats outnumber people in WY. You'll see goats everywhere you go. Have you been to the G&F sight and investigated "Walk-in" areas? Go to
http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/access/plpw/huntingwalk/niobrara/niobrarakey.asp

Wyoming has a program state wide where the G&F in cooperation with land owners allow hunting on private lands. One of these programs is called Walk-in areas. Nibrara Couty doesn't have a lot, but there are some. Map #1, area 3 is in your area. And area 5 in Map #2 has walk-in also. This one is near the afforementioned Morrisey Rd.
As you look at these "maps" of Walk-ins, notice some of the map is blue or yellow?
Blue is public land owned by the state. You can hunt this. Yellow is owned by BLM. You can hunt these too. You'll be smart to get some BLM maps of you area. They show public/private lands, roads, etc. Maybe get a Wyoming topo atlas by DeLorme. Local book store should have them, or order you one.
One thing to remember about public lands, you can only legally hunt them if they are accessable via a "publicly maintained road". If you see a sign that says "Private Road", or Has a gate accross it, you cannot get to it. There is a LOT of public land in WY that is landlocked by private.
Don't be afraid to knock on some doors! A lot of property owners are glad to have Antelope shot on their lands for free. They eat crops and are very hard on fences.
As far as a list of property owners, you might try and contact the chamber of commerse in say Lusk, or even Riverview (if they have one). Small towns often provide lists of property owners.
If I've missed somehting, let me know. Always glad to help.
One last and important thing! Get the hide off you goat, wash it down, and get it on ice as soon after knock down as possible. Doesn't spoil, but gets gamey quicker than most critters. Take care of the meat and you'll have some delicious table fare when you get home.

smooth927 · 03-12-2007, 04:39 PM

Thanks much for your input, any and all information is needed. Really don't want to put out $238 for an out of state license, drive 15 hours and sit out on the plans when the sun comes up and see nothing but blaze orange. On more request, any phone numbers, ranchers that you may have in mind that want the population of antelope reduced? Most of my tiime off has been a canadian fishing trip, monster pike, hundreds of walleye. Time for a change! Yes, I've seen the walk in area's, not to many in area 8 thats way I'd rather be on private land. Too much of that in Wisconsin where you hunt on public land, shoot a whitetail at sun up and have 25 bullet holes in it by the time you get there to field dress the animal. Wish I had the time to take a ride out and do some door knocking, but work- income comes first. Thanks again for your reply. I'll be sure to take plenty of water and a few coolers along, might as well quarter it while I'm there. Next year... Colorado, Elk. Take care! Scott

game4lunch · 03-12-2007, 05:11 PM

I mean, you drive down a road, see some goats near a house, and go ask!

You'd be surprised at the response.

If you're willing to get out and walk over a couple rises, you probably won't see any orange!

smooth927 · 03-13-2007, 03:34 PM

I'll take your advice, sure will be worth the effort. We plan on arriving afew days ahead of time like Saturday morning. Setting up camp and visiting the area taverns to speak to the locals. Lot of BS to go through to hunt, but as Nugent would say... It's not the kill but the thrill of the chase.

manboy · 03-13-2007, 03:42 PM

i know alot of ranchers in that area,mmm try CARR. last name....
ROBERT CARR i think thats his first name. i used to cut beef for him in newcastle. tell him ronnie miller sent you. good luck

24/7 hunter · 03-13-2007, 03:49 PM

Also try the Newcastle Chamber of commerce site. I think 8 is around there. Ithink theyhave numbers for ranches that allow hunting.

game4lunch · 03-13-2007, 06:26 PM

Try Googleing an eastern Wyoming cattleman's association of some kind.
Go to Lusk and Newcastle sporting goods stores and inquire as well.

And I'm tellin' ya, you're gonna see goats on those walk-in areas.

Good hunting. Hope you're stay and hunt are a memorable Wyoming experience. Of the possitive kind anyway.