np307
Well-known member
We left NC at 0545 Thursday, 10/12. The Subaru was loaded down for my buddy and I to spend a week in a low point WY mule deer region. For the first time since we started hunting out West together, both of us had a buck tag. Neither of us had hunted mule deer before, so we knew this trip was going to be a learning experience. The trip was full of plenty of drama, with the first episode coming just a few hours into the trip. I had changed the oil and rotated the tires the day before we left, and apparently I didnt torque the left rear lug nuts back down. Thankfully I had my milwaukee battery impact handy and I ugga dugga'd them down to a torque that I'm sure I will regret the next time I remove that tire.
The rest of the journey was pretty calm and we rolled into WY the next day. It had snowed on our drive out, but not very much. The dirt and gravel roads were definitely a little snotty though, so we had some fun sliding around trying to figure out what the terrain looked like, checking out spots we had marked on the map, and generally getting familiar with the area. We also had a type 6 antelope tag each that was already valid, so as evening approached and a herd was spotted, my buddy decided to make a stalk in the snow in his crocs and shorts. The stalk was unsuccesful, but the image is still pretty hilarious in my opinion.
As darkness fell, we circled back around to a section of ground that looked like a decent spot to camp. We knew there would be wind, but we really couldnt find any windbreaks to camp in. We settled for a flat spot just below the road on a small chunk of BLM. We got camp situated in the dark and got a decent night of rest, excited for what tomorrow would hold.
The sun was already lighting the morning when we got up the next day. As we got some water boiling for coffee and breakfast, we heard the unmistakable sound of an elk bugle. We walked outside to see a small herd with at least 6 branch antlered bulls and probably 40-50 cows. We watched them move on for a while and then resumed getting all of our stuff organized for the day.
As we were about to leave and start scouting, we were met by the neighboring rancher who was very angry with our camping spot. We were pretty sure he was full of crap, but didnt want to risk him vandalizing our camp so we moved on. The rest of that story is detailed in this thread:
www.hunttalk.com
The rest of the journey was pretty calm and we rolled into WY the next day. It had snowed on our drive out, but not very much. The dirt and gravel roads were definitely a little snotty though, so we had some fun sliding around trying to figure out what the terrain looked like, checking out spots we had marked on the map, and generally getting familiar with the area. We also had a type 6 antelope tag each that was already valid, so as evening approached and a herd was spotted, my buddy decided to make a stalk in the snow in his crocs and shorts. The stalk was unsuccesful, but the image is still pretty hilarious in my opinion.
As darkness fell, we circled back around to a section of ground that looked like a decent spot to camp. We knew there would be wind, but we really couldnt find any windbreaks to camp in. We settled for a flat spot just below the road on a small chunk of BLM. We got camp situated in the dark and got a decent night of rest, excited for what tomorrow would hold.
The sun was already lighting the morning when we got up the next day. As we got some water boiling for coffee and breakfast, we heard the unmistakable sound of an elk bugle. We walked outside to see a small herd with at least 6 branch antlered bulls and probably 40-50 cows. We watched them move on for a while and then resumed getting all of our stuff organized for the day.
As we were about to leave and start scouting, we were met by the neighboring rancher who was very angry with our camping spot. We were pretty sure he was full of crap, but didnt want to risk him vandalizing our camp so we moved on. The rest of that story is detailed in this thread:
Section of BLM camping restricted?
Buddy and I rolled in to WY yesterday for our mule deer tag. Never been to this area before, saw a section of BLM on the map that looked like it would work for camp. Rolled in after dark and set up camp on a little corner that crossed a paved road. Set up off the road but still on BLM, no signs...
www.hunttalk.com
