Wyoming Mule Deer

[SIMPLEARKANSAN]

I have applied for a bull elk tag for zone/area/unit 49 and if I'm not drawn was thinking about applying for a mule deer tag if it's available for that area. The closest town to the area I'm looking at is Tensleep. Does anyone know if there is a huntable population of mule deer in that area, or even if their is a season? Thanks.

 

[wmidbrook]

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Is there a huntable population?[/b]

Sorry, couldn't help myself. I was there in 2001. There are a lot of hunters that hunt south of TenSleep--in fact, you could camp in Tensleep at the only campground there and all the boys there would show you where to bag deer.

There are not very many bigger deer on the public lands around there. If you go west out into the badlands, there are fewer deer than S and E of Tensleep but there are some bigger ones if you can get away from the pressure.

There are a gazillion hunters that hunt east of the big ranch on the maps about 15 miles south of Tensleep. And a gazillion mule deer too. That's deer unit 40 or 42 if I remember right. Out of 50 - 100 deer I saw hanging in camps, there was only one that was mature. It was about a 24 or 25" 3x3.

 

[SIMPLEARKANSAN]

Thanks wmidbrook. We have been invited to hunt private property that has both elk and mule deer. I can't remember how many acres the farmer has, but it is one of his farms that he raises cattle on. He built a large steel building that he insulated and has heat and air, so we have a place to stay. I'm not sure of what direction the land is from Tensleep. One of my friends that went last year said that it was the closest town. All four of my friends that went last year had cow elk tags and only saw bulls. If we don't draw for an elk tag we were hoping to apply for a mule deer tag. As far as the mule deer zone/area, can you tell me what the number is for that area. I know it's 49 as far as the elk is concerned. Thanks for your help.

 

[Hoback Hunter]

Elk hunt area 49 overlaps most of deer hunt area 42, part of deer hunt area 40 (immediately south of 42) and maybe even a little of 39 (immediately west of 42)...

The state maps are really hard to use, but I think that's about right.

 

[wmidbrook]

If you're up above the road heading south of TenSleep by 1,000 foot or more, be preparred for snow--you've got a 50:50 shot of having some real snow fall for the deer/elk opener. The year I was there, I couldn't hunt very far into the ranchers property due to 4 foot snow drifts in a lot of places.

A horse, mule or snowshoes would have helped.