16 October 2012, 00:17
D. NelsonD. Nelson Wyoming 2012
Hunt: Pronghorn and Mule Deer - Gillette, WyomingOutfitter: Randy Routier Outfitting (South Dakota & Wyoming)
Dates: Oct. 1 – 4, 2012
Rifles: Self: .308; Husband: .300 win mag
Ammo: Self: Barnes 165 gr.; Husband Barnes 180 gr.
My husband and I just finished an excellent hunt in Wyoming!
I booked this hunt through the AR “Outfitters- Offered & Discounted Hunts” with Randy Routier. I consider hunting mule deer and antelope in Wyoming a staple for my freezer. My husband and I love the sage fed critters. And, our larder was getting low.
Our hunt took place on the cattle ranch of Bill & Cindy Mankin, located just south of Gillette. Randy’s brother, Ryan, was our guide. Although Randy and Ryan cater mainly to bow hunters with an almost 100% success rate for both deer and antelope, we would be their only rifle hunters this season. Since we were mainly meat hunting, our expectations weren’t going to be demanding. We just hoped for success on our two mule deer and two antelope. I can’t over-state how surprised and delighted we were at the outcome. We would highly recommend this hunt to anyone.
Our meals and accommodations in the bunk house were included in our hunt. And, of course, we were very well fed in traditional ranch style. A light bite to eat and coffee before going out in the AM, a huge breakfast after the morning hunt, and a hearty dinner after the afternoon hunt.
Day 1: Our first plan was to get the antelope down. Then hunt deer in the remaining days. I have hunted this general area many times, but was surprised at the number of antelope we saw on this ranch. The first morning we checked out hundreds of antelope. From my previous hunt reports, you know my husband’s macular degeneration problems make it difficult for him to hunt a buck or bull in the middle of a herd or one that is moving around a lot. (I always feel sorry for pronghorn bucks determined to control their women. This is a seemingly impossible job for any species… but an especially demanding job for antelope this time of year.)
When we spotted one nice pronghorn on the move, I was first up. Ryan and I did a short stalk after the buck crossed from one basin to another. My shot was about 100 yds. off the sticks. He did run another 50 yds. before piling up.
Later that morning, Ryan got my husband on an equally nice goat standing on the edge of his harem. I am always prepared to make a back up shot, should the animal take off, as it is nearly impossible for my husband to make a fast second shot. This occasion was no different. So while my husband and Ryan readied for his shot, I too had a bead on his target. After my husband’s shot I could see blood pouring like a faucet from the buck’s shoulder, but I had already launched my back up shot. This buck was already dead by the time my back up shot hit. I’m such a helpful wife!!!! So sorry honey!
Day 2: We didn’t see any shooters in the AM, but very early the second afternoon, Ryan I boarded his Honda bench seat quad to check out a draw behind the ranch house area. We found just the freaky buck I could not pass up. He had been seen before, and nicknamed “Old Christmas”. He was still in velvet and had 14 little points and one long point of about 10 inches. We snuck up to within 175 yds and I shot from a prone position.
Day 3: The weather changed and it was cold and the sky was dark! We were after a muley for my husband. That morning we didn’t see anything except a few does. But that afternoon not far from the ranch house, we spotted 7 very nice bucks bedded down on a side hill at about 200 yds. This was a big problem, because there was no way we could get my husband on the right one. We drove on and found a big buck with two small bucks, but this guy spotted us and ducked down a steep draw and wouldn’t come out. On we went. We found another nice 4x4 with eye guards bedded down alone in the open on the edge of a cut. My husband made a 150 yd shot and rolled him over!!! Hunt done!!!
We had a day before our meat would be ready to pick up, so watched as the Mankin’s sorted and shipped calves. The next day it snowed.
We will definitely go back!!!!
D. Nelson
two great looking goats and tha muley buck in velvet has all the character in the world. Congratulations on a great hunt.