This professional big game outfitting operation is based in eastern Wyoming. We have been working with them for nearly 20 years, and know them well. In fact, Hunt Nation founder Butch Manasse’s wife Joan did an October 2017 elk hunt with them and took a very solid 6×6 the first day, watching while the guide and Butch called him off the top of a mountain a mile and a half away! He came for an hour, screaming and bugling and was visible the whole way. Awesome experience!
This outfit conducts all hunts on various private ranches encompassing over 60,000 acres of prime habitat for Elk, Deer, and Antelope in S.E. Wyoming. Much of this acreage is credited to a handful of very large, well managed private ranches. Working closely with the ranch owners allows the outfitter to maintain quality hunting on all of the ranches, and in doing so produce some fantastic trophies. Butch saw in 2017 two good elk brought in and a couple whopper antelope, and one muley as well- all on the first day!
The operation is relatively small in scale, when compared to many of the higher profile public land operations in the state. Being small has its advantages, like greater attention to detail, hands-on management of the ranches, and the big game herds they support.
Most of the hunting is done from 4-wheel drives, ATVs and on foot. Locating animals by glassing is the norm, and then making the stalk on foot. The guides are all licensed professionals who have spent their entire lives hunting in this area. All of them are very accomplished trophy hunters themselves that understand what makes a quality hunt for the client. Knowing the country and behavior of the animals is their business, and they are good at what they do.
All of the hunts are conducted with professionalism, all are fair chase, and all laws and regulations are obeyed strictly. Below is a list of hunts that are offered, the length of the hunt, and the price. They like you to arrive by noon on the day before your hunt, to shoot your gun, do paperwork and get settled and ready for the 4AM start the next day.
The antelope seasons begin in early October. Hunts are 2 days, which is normally plenty of time. Both Areas are equal in production of trophy antelope. The ranches are managed to produce high numbers of antelope, and great buck-to-doe ratios. Many of our clients choose to hunt with archery equipment, and the ranches have consistently produced fantastic archery trophies for many years. The ranches have very high concentrations of antelope, and blind locations for archers are perfectly situated (usually by water holes) to afford clients the best possible chance at a close range shot.
ELK
We think this is a superb elk hunt. It is a ranch of approx. 6,000 acres and it has alfalfa, so it draws elk from neighboring ranches that do not. The elk may wander off this ranch for a day or two, but they always come back to the alfalfa eventually. It took 3+ points to draw in 2022 (Area 6 General License), but could require more in 2023. The season is normally the month of October on private lands. Bulls here range from around 260” to 340”, and many are 300-class. Because it’s a private ranch with low pressure, the elk are very undisturbed, making them easier to call and stalk. Not pushovers, though. You still earn them, but you are likely to go home with your bull here. We estimate elk success to average around 90% or so, assuming normal weather. And some great bulls too. We like the fact that they do not archery hunt elk, so bulls are more laid back and largely unbothered until the season begins. The elk on these big ranches are around all year long – these are not migrating elk. The quality feed and lack of hunting pressure on the ranches support large herds of elk, and selective harvest has resulted in the taking of some great bulls over the years.
ANTELOPE:
They have some high-success archery antelope hunts, as well as rifle. For archery you must first draw a tag, then buy a $30 over-the-counter Archery License. This area has some excellent genetics for mass and length, and good prongs. Plenty of animals so you can be selective on this hunt. Many clients also do the mule deer/antelope combo hunts, as muley tags are also an easy draw here. Normally we expect 100% kill on both species. They hunt Areas 34 and 38, which required 1+ preference points, to draw in 2023, and 2024 could require more points.
The antelope seasons begin in early October. Hunts are 2 days, which is normally plenty of time. Both Areas are equal in production of trophy antelope. The ranches are managed to produce high numbers of antelope, and great buck-to-doe ratios. Many of our clients choose to hunt with archery equipment, and the ranches have consistently produced fantastic archery trophies for many years. The ranches have very high concentrations of antelope, and blind locations for archers are perfectly situated (usually by water holes) to afford clients the best possible chance at a close range shot.
MULE DEER:
Mule Deer here will typically run from around 160 to 190 class. They tend to have good width and mass as well. And of course having spent most of their lives on relatively secluded private lands with difficult public access, they tend to have age and be a bit more approachable You will do plenty of glassing, try to put them to bed and then make your stalk. You can see the typical terrain in the pictures above. Success on Muley’s is probably very close to 100%.
Deer are hunted in Regions T and J which have consistently maintained close 100% drawing odds for non-residents, even without preference points (but 1 point will certainly help). Mule deer hunts begin in early October and run throughout the month. These ranches have earned a reputation for quality trophy mule deer. One of our clients harvested a 191” trophy just a few years back. You can even do a trophy mule deer/antelope combo hunt. Managing the ranches to maintain good genetics, and produce some great trophies, is top priority. Mature bucks can often be spotted from a 4-wheel drive and then a careful stalk is planned to get the client within a comfortable range.
LICENSES
Wyoming is a draw state for non-resident hunters, but southeast Wyoming is unique in that it is made up of almost entirely private land, making license availability very good. This outfitter will assist you with the application process. ELK APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED BY THE END OF JANUARY, AND DEER AND ANTELOPE BY MAY 31.
Wyoming has a two-tiered license system for deer, antelope, elk and on some other species. There is a Regular Price license and a Special Price license. You pay more for a Special Price license in order to get better odds for drawing (sometimes much better), simply because fewer people are willing to apply for the more expensive license. That is the advantage of applying at the Special level.
2024 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
Elk – $7,750 for 5-day hunt*
Antelope Rifle – $2,200 for 3-day hunt*
Mule Deer – $6,150 for 5-day hunt*
Mule Deer/Antelope combo – $7,750 for 5-day hunt*
*The hunt is considered over when the tag(s) is filled, even if on the first day.
All prices are based on 2×1 guiding. Add $1,000 per person for 1×1 guiding on elk, mule deer or combo hunts. Meals and lodging are not included but are readily available nearby at your expense. When making hotel/motel reservations, please allow an extra day for meat processing, if you choose to have it done locally. There is a meat processor nearby.
INCLUDED:
Guiding, in-field transportation, trophy care
NOT INCLUDED:
Licenses, Conservation Stamp, breakfasts and dinners, accommodations..
GETTING THERE
You will be hunting near Wheatland, which is about 45 minutes north of Cheyenne, in southeast Wyoming. You can either fly to Denver and rent a car for the 3-hour drive, or you can fly into a closer regional airport in Casper or Cheyenne and arrange for the outfitter to pick you up from there (for an additional charge).
