Mid-Eastern WY antelope rut

[Willy_P]

About what time do the antelope in the Rochelle/Wright area of the state rut? Just a general idea. Mid month? or earlier?? I am trying to plan when to go out to bow hunt that area and I guess time is creeping up on me. I have always rifle hunted there in the past so I am hitting it Oct. 1 and they act a little interested in the does still some years but not as interested most years.

TIA

 

[Willy_P]

From input for several different places I have decided I am headed out the second and third weeks of Sept. It will turn out however it turns out. Here is hoping I have a taxidermist bill for a goat better than the one I have on the wall from the same area.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

If you are looking to hunt the rut, then you are heading there at a good time. However, hunting the rut is not necessarily better in terms of killing a nice buck. They are easily tricked at that time, but sometimes a buck will have 20-30 does with him and will often be unapproachable. It can be frustrating to say the least. It is a great show to watch though.

 

[ICMDEER]

Willy,

You'd be better off to hope for hot, dry weather. And you picked a good time for that, too. Most guys have better luck setting up by a water hole and being patient. And rain really can screw that up. Good hunting. You should see lots of speed goats.

 

[Willy_P]

I think after 20 some years in that area I know where all the water is and how to get to and from using the land contours. There is a deep creek bed in one section that would let me move close to a half mile pretty much undetected. My plan is some spot and stalk with a buck decoy for a day or two and then after my blind is being gotten used to I will sit the water IF it is dry. I have seen it wet enough to be gray grease once and snow to my butt once in all the times there. Usually there is not water in the cow tracks. I'd like to knock off a doe and nice buck and get on over to where I deer hunt and scout the mountain for a week if possible. I'll have to see how it all works out. At least I am feeling good about my shooting. The changes I made to my setup have me with good groups at 50 yards. That is all I can manage here at the house as I am out of ground after that. I think I can get in a little shooting at 60 at a buddy's house and that will have to do it as I shoot 5 pins.