The Red Desert area of south-central Wyoming is famous for its superior antelope, slammer mule deer and thick-beamed elk. It is also known for its wild mustangs, its unique environment and spectacular scenery. This long-time outfitter has a well-deserved reputation for producing massive, exceptional muleys and tall antelope.
He has guided clients to incredible mulies in the 220-inch class, and mulies in the 170- to 190-inch class are regularly seen and harvested. Not too many places can make that claim. Heavy-antlered bulls average in the 300- to 340-inch range and he kills some 350 and up bulls every year. A 2022 client of Hunt Nation saw several in the 360 range but settled for a 330 that he could reach out to. Also antelope over 80 inches are not uncommon, assuming decent moisture. It is not a high percentage draw area for non-resident licenses, historically in the range of 50-60%, although Wyoming’s preference point system alters that a bunch.
South-central Wyoming is a premier trophy hunting destination. This outfitter offers fully guided hunts on private ranches. This property spans over 200 square miles encompassing some of the premier game areas in all of Wyoming. He also offers fishing trips to private stock ponds, the North Platte River, Seminoe Reservoir, Savery Dam, the Little Snake River, and Savery and Battle Creeks. Incredible amounts of prime habitat and low hunting pressure produce great animals.
MULE DEER:
The wide open spaces of Wyoming are one of the few places you can still consistently tag trophy Rocky Mountain mule deer. Mule deer hunting in Wyoming is a game of miles. Wyoming is a land of expansive, varied terrain and you must hunt a big area to find big deer. The number of bucks here is sometimes amazing, and if weather cooperates, you may see a dozen trophy bucks in a single day.
A 30-inch mule deer is like a 17-pound bass or 12 pound trout! It’s one of the most widely-accepted benchmarks in Western big game hunting and one of the hardest hunting trophies to check off your Bucket List. Each year this outfitter has a few lucky clients who get the opportunity to harvest one of these once-in-a-lifetime trophies. Over the last decade, the outfitter’s carefully managed properties have yielded three mule deer bruisers over 30 inches. They’re rare and hard-earned, but available for the persistent and dedicated hunter. But 170” to 190” class bucks are the rule. The outfitter takes archers as well as gun hunters. Archery season opens in September and offers a unique opportunity to spot and stalk a giant buck asleep in his bed. It’s the supreme archery challenge! The bucks are relaxed then, having not been hunted for several months and are in bachelor groups that might have several shooter bucks. This all takes place on private ground where you will not see another soul.
ANTELOPE:
The outfitter hunts areas 53, 55 and 108 on these fully guided hunts. The terrain features sagebrush, buck bush, washes and rolling hills; in other words, ideal antelope habitat. Terrain dictates the techniques to be used. Trophy pronghorn hunting involves a lot of glassing to find just the right buck. Then it’s a matter of planning a stealthy stalk in the classic, time-proven Western way to hunt trophy pronghorn bucks. They don’t get big by being dumb and will use their incredible eyesight to spot you if you don’t stay low and use the terrain to your advantage. The vast expanses of Wyoming enable you and the antelope to see for miles. Spotting and stalking is the most practical and efficient way to locate the maximum number of antelope in the minimum amount of time.
ELK:
This outfitter offers fully-guided bull and cow hunts in Area 108 (takes 11+ points to draw). Ranch size and limited quota elk areas means tougher draw odds, peak elk numbers and mature trophy animals. On an average day, it’s not uncommon to see herds of elk that are composed of more than 50% bulls. In recent years every elk hunter filled out the first day on bulls ranging from 320 to 360!!
That makes the odds of tagging a branch-antlered bull pretty good! The average bull harvested is around 320-inches Boone & Crockett, with an almost 100% success rate. Awesome! The hunts take place on property straddling the Continental Divide where the high desert meets the foothills of the Sierra Madres.
The country consists of small pockets of aspen and wind-weathered pine draws. The area is home to a resident herd, and later on weather forces more elk to migrate down into the region for the winter. Action is around every corner. With fresh bulls moving in and the quest for dominance, the fighting never stops. The amazing sound of a bull elk’s bugle echoing through the canyons makes the hair stand up on a hunter’s neck.
The scene is set during the rut beginning in September into early October. One ranch the outfitter hunts is as classic an elk hunting venue as you’d ever want to see. It features high mountain peaks with pine and aspen as far as the eye can see. It’s elk Nirvana. The ranch is bordered by the Medicine Bow National Forest on two sides. Hunting pressure on the public lands forces elk on to the private land.
Archery season runs September 1 until September 31. Take advantage of the rut by bugling and cow calling. When not glassing and calling, they have permanent waterhole blinds for those hot afternoons. Treestands set up during pre-season scouting and ground blinds located along heavily used trails can also be productive.
Hunters stay at the ranch cabin, complete with all the amenities and great food. It’s not uncommon for the outfitter’s clients to go 100% on 320- to 365-inch bulls.
COW ELK:
Late-season cow elk hunts take place in November. These are three-day, fully guided hunts. In the past, cow licenses have been available into July or later. Buy them over-the-counter (ask us about availability). Cow elk hunts run 100% success. The hunt is a great opportunity for kids or first-time hunters, and to fill the freezer with great-tasting venison. You’ll also see giant bull elk and monster mule deer bucks actively rutting.
2024 PRICING (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
All hunt package prices include guide, lodging, meals, fishing, varmints and transportation during the hunt. Hunt prices do not include licenses, taxidermy, meat processing or gratuity.
Antelope (Trophy Buck) | $3,500
Three day rifle trophy antelope hunt.
Antelope (Trophy Buck – Archery) | $4,000
Five day archery trophy antelope hunt.
Antelope (Doe) | $750/day
One day rifle doe antelope hunt.
Antelope (Management) | $750/day
One day hunt for a good representation of the species.
Mule Deer (Trophy Buck) | $8,000
Four day rifle trophy mule deer.
Mule Deer (Trophy Buck – Archery) | $8,500
Five day archery hunt trophy mule deer.
Mule Deer (Management Buck) | $3,000
Three day hunt for a mature 3×3, 3×4. Can be added to a full price hunt for an additional hunter with a youth licence for $1,250.
Elk
Elk (Trophy Bull) | $9,500 (Area 108 and 118)
Four day rifle trophy bull. Five day archery hunt.
Elk (Cow) | $2,350 (Single hunter) $2,050 (2+ hunting party)
Three day cow elk hunt.
Elk (Management Bull) | $6,500
Four day area 21 general bull or area 108/118 mature 5×5 or 5×6.
Shiras Moose (Bull) | $7,500
Five day trophy moose hunt.
Shiras Moose (Cow) | $5,000
Five day cow moose hunt.
Non-Hunter Accomodations
Non-Hunters | $250/day
Accompany hunters and guides and observe the hunt.
Black Bear | Five days: $4,000 Seven day: $5,000
Hunt over bait at the ranch.
Mountain Lion | $4,500
Call for details.
Blue Grouse and Sage Grouse | $725/ day
One day hunt for your choice of either blue or sage. We can also do both with additional days. Bring your own dog if you want.
Varmit
Coyote | $725 per day
One day calling coyotes.
Prarie Dog | $725 per day
One day shooting prarie dogs
Fishing trip | $750 per day
Trout and Walleye fishing on the beautiful streams, rivers and lakes of Carbon County Wyoming.
