OK...figured I'd air this one out to for all the experienced guys on here that hunt out that way.

This hunt is going to be a spot and stalk type, and I figured I need to be prepared to put on some miles.

We'll be out there on the 3rd week of November, so I have no idea what the temps will be like or what can be anticipated.


Here's the list of questions:

1) What boot do you recommend for hiking the Wyoming terrain? I was thinking along the lines of Danner, since I hear such good things about them for hunting out west. What do you all use? I also know socks are very important...and since I never do any spot and stalk, not sure what is suitable for this type of hunting. Recommendations there would be great too!

2) What camo pattern do you recommend for the terrain out in Wyoming? Some prarie grass/ghost type pattern?

3) What camo clothing do you recommend for the hunt? Some BDUs and a hooded jacket? Fleece maybe or will those burrs wreak havoc on it? Stick with cotton or some other material? What do you all use?

4) I have a set of Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42s, not the best for out west but do just fine out here in NJ. Will these suffice out there for the week or am I going to burn a hole in my head from strain? Would love to have a set of Zeiss or Swarovski but just can't afford that for this hunt...so I'll likely have to make due with what I have.

5) Backpack wise, I have an all purpose pack where I can pack my gun in the back and whatnot. Thing is pretty awesome, but not sure if I need all that...although the added benefit of that gun carrier could be well worth it. I also have a hydration pack, which I plan on bringing and packing onto the above backpack for putting on those miles!


Anything else I'm missing?

LOL, I've only been here two days and I'm probably killing you guys by now!

Thanks again for all the help guys, great forum and great people!

spot and stalk what? And where? The state is very divers in topo. By spot and stalk do you mean "get high" and use a spotting scope or cruise the two tracks looking for animals? Help us out so we can help you.
One thing for sure, in most of the bars and many of the other places of business, they will have a sign to the effect: "frankly, we don't care how you did it back home". And they mean it.

Spot and Stalk for Mulies is my plan. I will have a "deer tag" and the way I understand it (of course I will certainly verify all of this), it is good for either a whitetail or a mulie. My plan is going after a mulie.

So consider these questions for spot and stalk for Mulies on the 3rd week of November!

the 8x42 should be fine, 10x42 even better.Third week of november is probly cold. I wore wool in east montana in october, and was comfertable.Some guys I saw wore upland pants.If you are unguided a spoting scope is a good idea.Also shooting sticks, bipod, oe monopod.I wore danner canadians with wool sock.wayne

I am in central montana and I will try to give some advice based on my experience.

I would only use fleece that is wind resistant. The wind cuts right through fleece here and the wind blows constantly. I use danner boots and they are super, I have the kletterlift (sp) sole and it works fine. A lot of people use the air bob and like it quite a bit. Try wool socks and don't overdress as you will sweat when climbing hills.

I don't wear camo very often. Be prepared for cold weather.

Your Nikons should be fine, a lot of guys use 10X but I use 8X Steiners and I get by. If you want optics maybe you could get a spotting scope.

Mule deer are not tough to kill, be prepared to shoot 200 yards. I use 150/165 grain Interlocks in my 06 and have never lost a Muley. I shot a 4X5 once that had a 22 centerfire bullet in his belly, use enough gun.

Hope I helped!

Most important in boots is that they fit, give good support, and are properly broken in. Good socks are as important as your boots. I love Smartwool. They really cushion well and hold their shape. I wear them over a light wicking liner. As far as other clothes think layering and forget cotton. Cotten has no insulating value when wet. I like a light pair of capilene underwear under Filson whipcord pants. If it is really cold I wear heavier wool. On top I wear a light wicking capilent undershirt under either wool or worstelon with a fleece jacket over that. I carry raingear in my back that also doubles to block the wind. I also pack a down or synthetic jacket that is light but warm for sitting. I carry a warm hat and gloves but generaly when hiking wear a ball cap and light wool gloves. Going up and down mountains keeps you pretty darn warm. The first time I hunted out west I dressed like I was going to a Michigan deer stand and about died from overheating. You want be able to add and remove layers as needed. For a pack I strap a daypack on a packframe to use to haul quarters. One item I highly recomend is a good collapsible walking staff. I got the idea from Customstox and it is worth it's weight in gold, especially going downhill. Carry lots of water, you can get dehydrated very easily. Finally get in as good a shape as you can. That way you can get farther from camp before you realize how tired you are

Jeff

Great tips!

It will be a guided hunt, so some of these issues will hopefully be alleviated.

What I want to avoid at all costs is:

"The first time I hunted out west I dressed like I was going to a Michigan deer stand and about died from overheating."

LOL

Not sure how much walking we'll be doing, but I'd imagine it will quite a bit (but I hear there is quite a bit of driving as well). From all the offseason scouting I do in cold temps out here in NJ (nothing like Wyoming), I don't tend to dress much while scouting and stay plenty warm. Out there, I don't anticipate much sitting on a spot and stalk type hunt...so I definitely won't be overdoing it with the clothing.

I'm thinking along the lines of some raingear (just in case) and some windproof, breatheable clothing. Something not too light, not too heavy. I have that nice Cabela's wool windproof sweater that should be a nice bring along. Something fleece parka related on the outside (again not TOO heavy)...pants I'm clueless so far.

My biggest concern is my feet. I put miles and miles on with my knee high rubber boots (LaCrosse) and they are as comfy as can be, but they just aren't suitable for out west I don't believe. I've been through my fair share of boots, and more often than not (until I found Lacrosse LaGrange boots), my heels and ankles got torn to shreds. I'm looking for a LaGrange counterpart in a nice comfortable hiking/hunting boot suitable for November weather in Wyoming. My feet also sweat like crazy, so I need a breatheable boot if I'm going to be putting on the miles. (which rubber is not, but is needed where I hunt here in NJ)

What do you guys wear out there, like I said I hear Danner is popular but no clue which one of their many boots. What other boots are good for lots of walking in hilly terrain? Should I be getting an insulated boot or uninsulated considering all the walking?

What camo you maniacs use out there? I see all these strange western style camos, but not sure if that's Wyoming oriented or not. Never been out in those parts!

the danner canadians i have used on my hunts the last 3 years are insulated 600 gram with bob sole.If you want camo, check out www.kingsworld.com
wayne

I've hunted Wyoming in 20-30 Novembers. I've seen temperatures from 60 above to 20 below. One constant is wind. Don't know the area you're hunting, but Muley hunting Wyoming is about 50% driving. I've hunted with 8 power binos, and personally don't think they're enough. If you're being guided, the guide should have a spotting scope(I'd verify this).

Danners are great boots, perfect for Wyoming. I have some rubber, ankle fit boots with liners that I wear in really cold weather. I prefer wool or fleece with an extra wind breaker layer if needed.

I just spoke with my brother, he says this trip is indeed alot of driving and using spotting scopes...then on foot to pursue. Sounds kinda lush...not really used to that level of catering in hunting!

His buddy goes with this guide every season and brings alot of business with him (i.e. his family of 10 last year)...so the guide takes care of him (us) because his buddy takes care of the guide.

I hear someone shot a 202 +/- whitetail there last season and quite a few big ol' mulies. So, it should be an experience...if nothing else to see the state of Wyoming and experience my first hunt out there!

Alot of great ideas on here, and I'll certainly be getting some good footwear. I'm hoping I'll have the choice of going on a footed spot and stalk on some of the days out there. Hunting from a truck doesn't seem quite as intimate with the game or terrain...but I don't want to knock it until I try it either. I've never been out there, and that could just be the only effective way to cover alot of the terrain without wasting your minimal hunting time.

Any additional recommendations are very much appreciated, thanks again!

Bowhunter-just curious what Outfitter will you be employing?

Danners are good

Smartwool is The way to go

8x42's will work no problem (I spend a lot of my time guiding between Montana and Mexico and my 7x42 Swaro's are my main binoc.

You will need a rangefinder

A bipod is preferred, I prefer the shorter Harris one

A good camera and plenty of film

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

I don't know the name of the guide offhand, my brother is sending me the info hopefully tomorrow.

I also keep forgetting to mention I have a rangefinder...I know I've ranged to at least 400 yards with it while messing around. So I think I'm good to go there...I dont plan on any 400+ yard shots.

I'll definitely take a look at the Harris bipod...but why the bipod versus say Stoney Point Steady Stix? Is there an advantage to the bipod out west in general?

You know it's funny, I was at work all day reading about these Smartwool socks...and saying to myself I really don't need them because I found an awesome sock this year that I've worn on dozens of hunts and they have been absolutely amazing...don't plan on using anything else again.

Well, guess what...they were Smartwool socks!

I got a pretty decent digital that will be nice, I'll probably snag an extra memory stick for the trip though.

HILL? What hills...we don't have no stinkin hills out here in NJ...just flatlands, swamps, and pinelands!

There is always a use for a good pair of sorels. If you don't already have some they don't cost much and their great for those calls in the middle of the night. Not to bad to walk in either if you not doing a bunch of side hilling. In Nov. I bring the sorels for my extra pair. Danners are great.
For cloths I like polypro or capiline, then a light fleese top or windstopper sweater and a cabelas dry-plus fleese coat and pants. Make sure to bring something to go over your face and ears. Lightweight gloves and some heavier ones too.
For me stony point shooting stix are a must and they work as a walking stick also if you buy the heavy ones.
You have the bino's covered. Maybe a small day pack or bird vest. The outfitter will be prepared to pack meat. Good Luck!

While I'm sure Danner's are good boots (I've never had any) I would suggest Mieldl's. The are extremely rugged and plenty stiff for rough/uneven terrain. I have the Island Pro model, but will consider the 11" version for my next pair. I got them from Lathrop and Sons with their footbed system. Though more than I've ever spent on footware before it was money well spent! Here's what made me decide cheap boots are for me no longer.

OUCH!

Been there with rubber boots in the past, couldn't walk for a day or two after. Ever since I went to the LaCrosse knee high rubber boots for my local hiking/scouting needs...my feet have been great. Worth every penny!

AHHH! Pointer, what a bummer. Could'nt you have done somthing about that befor it got that bad, or were you trapped on a backback hunt?
I have a friend who gets blisters like that and has tried all kinds of boots. His last pair were danners...Same thing happened. Not the boots fault. He just needs to have custom boots. For some reason he dos'nt want to spend the money and he puts up with the blisters. If it were me I'd spend whatever I had to. I hike and hunt too much to deal with that. I don't know he puts up with it and keeps on hunting.
Guess he's a major diehard.

BHNJ, You say you want to do a lot of foot hunting. Well, first off, the word distance takes on a whole new definition in Wyoming. On my first hunt in WY, I was on a rancher's place that OWNED 75,000 acres and leased even more from the state and BLM. And he considered himself one of the smaller ranchers. It kinda blew this Easterner's mind.
You will find your game concentrated in pockets kinda like back east, BUT those pockets may be several miles apart.

Start now and begin making up a list of "stuff" you think you'll need and plan to take. You can and will revise the list constantly between now and the time you leave, but do have a check off list to go by when you start packing. If you have the room, set aside a closet or a corner and put stuff there as you think of it and check it off. On our hunts, we usually camped 25 miles beyond roads end -over 50 miles to the closest little town- and certainly didn't want to find we've forgotten the tent or matches or such.
When you get back and begin to plan your next hunt -and you will- go over your list and decide what you really needed and what was extra junque.

BowhunterNJ: Ok, first off, I've never hunted in Wyoming but would like to one day. Based on my experiences here in Ak., I'd say you've received some very good advice from everyone. I would like to add however that perhaps you should ask your guide/outfitter what his recommendations are. After all, he's the most familiar with the area/weather you'll be hunting. Secondly, you mentioned the sweater from Cabela's. That is one item I NEVER go into the bush without and can highly recommend it. It's their Windstopper style. If you do get one, be sure it's large enough to go over a heavy shirt. Also, don't forget a good quality hat with ear flaps.
Good luck, & hope this helps some.
Bear in Fairbanks

Yes, I definitely don't mind putting on the miles. I do ALOT of scouting year round and I wouldn't doubt I walk quite a few miles each time out through some of the nastiest cedar swamps, thickets, etc in NJ. Granted there is no elevation change really, so Wyoming will be a completely different story...but at least I won't have to deal with brush resistance...just gravity instead!

Pete, I already have one of those Cabela's Windstopper Wool sweaters...absolutely an awesome piece of gear. I use it as my top most layer before putting on my parka. In all honesty, I haven't had to use it at all this season...temps have only gone down to about the teens so far and my normal layering and outerwear is sufficient for that. I don't break that badboy out unless that wind is cranking big time and/or temps drop into single digits or below. On this hunt out in Wyoming though, that will be an integral part of my outfit...no doubt about it.

Neckwarmer and a quality hat are probably two of the most important pieces of gear IMO...many especially that neckwarmer. Nothing worse than sitting on stand and having a cold wind blow down the back of your neck! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR