6 days in Wyoming
Contributors to this thread:Pronghorn
From: steff
12-Sep-23
After not hunting antelope for 20 years, I thought I'd head for Wyoming this year. Last fall, I called Kelly Glause who has run Cole Creek outfitters near Casper for 30 years. It's an 80,000 acre private ranch . I tentatively booked a combo deer and antelope hunt. After the brutal winter Wyoming had, I was a bit apprehensive. Kelly assured me that winterkill on the ranch was near normal and encouraged me to apply. I ended up drawing both tags. I was going back to Wyoming!
From: Jasper
12-Sep-23
Bring it!!!!!
From: steff
12-Sep-23
I landed in Casper 8/29. Kelly met me at the airport and nd after a few stops, we were on our way to camp. The plan was to hunt antelope for a few days then mulies on 9/1. I was the only antelope hunter, but he had 2 deer hunters coming in 2 days. On our drive to camp, I'd no sooner asked about snakes when we saw this guy. Snakes don't bother me, but it's good to know they're around.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Camp was pretty nice. Plywood floor wall tents, a free standing cook house with stove, water and electricity and a shower house with hot and cold running water. Very comfortable! Got unpacked, settled in, had dinner and was ready for morning.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Camp was pretty nice. Plywood floor wall tents, a free standing cook house with stove, water and electricity and a shower house with hot and cold running water. Very comfortable! Got unpacked, settled in, had dinner and was ready for morning.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Morning broke with a pretty stiff wind. They were calling for 40mph plus winds. Over breakfast, Kelly said that he was taking me to a blind called the cage. On the way, we saw a pretty good mulie buck.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
The blinds are well thought out, spacious and permanent. Shots are set up under 25 yds.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
I got settled in . The wind was howling as the dust swirled around the inside of the blind. It got hot pretty quick, and I was down to my skiveys. Saw a few antelope, but nothing came in until late afternoon.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
I looked behind the blind and saw a nice buck coming in. He waked by at 5 yds and settled into the water broadside at 15 yds. He had good mass and nice cutters. I decided to shoot.
From: Murph
12-Sep-23
Hunted with Kelley in 2014, my dad and I tagged out opening day by far best guided hunt I’ve ever been on and a true archery outfitter, most common guy in the world sit down and have a whiskey at night and bs great experience
From: molsonarcher
12-Sep-23
Waiting not so patiently…..
Type faster Steff!
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Yes, Kelly is one of the best, most knowledgeable outfitters I've hunted with. We was named outfitter of the year this year.
From: Shug
12-Sep-23
Really... cmon Steff!!
From: steff
12-Sep-23
As the shot cut, a bigger gust blew through. Because of a shoulder injury, I shoot a lower poundage. Even at 15 yds, I watched my arrow drift a bit and hit a little back. He went 30 yds and bedded. He was laying straight away from me. With the wind, another shot was not possible. I had another arrow nocked hoping for an opportunity. After a painful wait watching him, he got up and turned broadside. I ranged him at 47, tried to compensate for the wind and shot again. I watched my arrow drift again, hit back and angle forward. He went a short way and bedded again. I grabbed my bow, left my gear and decided to sneak out of the blind. Of course, when I got out, there were 5 mule deer does that spooked. He saw them and moved again. I snuck up to the road and watched him bed. We decided to leave him until morning. It was going to be a long night.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Sorry guys, trying to type between patients.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Thankfully, Kelly does an awesome job with predator management and keeps the coyotes controlled. The wind continued to howl all night, but I did manage a little sleep. At first light, me glasses where we'd last seen him and he wasn't there. He'd moved 1 more time, and was down. I felt a huge rush of relief! The coyotes had not found him. It got down to 41 during the night and the meat was fine. First shot was gut, second liver. He went a total of 200 yds. He was a nice goat and I was happy.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
We got him back to camp, hung and skinned, then headed to the processor in town. After we got back, I shot a bit and relaxed. The other two guys got into camp and we had dinner. Mulies we're on the menu for tomorrow.
From: Shug
12-Sep-23
Congratulations
From: Buffalo1
12-Sep-23
Way to go Steff !! Good lope !
From: steff
12-Sep-23
9/1 was the opener for mulies. It was a perfect morning, but the super moon had it pretty bright all night. Deer hunting might be a little challenging. The other guys, Dick and Sean were from Nevada and had hunted with Kelly before. We'd be hunting the northern part after the ranch and needed to leave earlier.
From: steff
12-Sep-23
Kelly was putting me in a blind called "Hell Hole". It was in the bottom of a canyon, surrounded by 7' tall thistles. I got dropped off first, got in, and got settled. I put a ground cloth down to keep my gear out of the sand as much as possible, put my shoes in a plastic bag and wear bears feet . As it started to get light, a few does and fawns trickled in. No bucks. The far end of the water was 22 yds. Had to do the obligatory foot photo.
From: midwest
12-Sep-23
Great so far, steff!
From: bghunter
12-Sep-23
Enjoying this thread. Only problem is now makes me want to book a hunt lol
From: t-roy
12-Sep-23
Congrats on the goat! Steff! Good luck with the mulies!
From: Scoot
12-Sep-23
This is great! Congrats and good luck!
From: drycreek
12-Sep-23
Congrats ! Antelope with a bow was always my favorite hunt !
From: LBshooter
12-Sep-23
Is Wyoming a OTC or draw for big game?
From: WapitiBob
12-Sep-23
Both for residents, draw for nr.
From: LBshooter
12-Sep-23
Is Wyoming a OTC or draw for big game?
From: steff
13-Sep-23
It was a long hot day. I sat from 6am to 8 pm. Saw quite a few antelope, but not many mulies. Got entertained by a herd of sage grouse. Right at dark, a spike mulie watered at 9 yds, with a pretty good antelope buck next to him. I left all my stuff and would sit here again tomorrow.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
Back at camp, both Dick and Sean had both seen multiple bucks and Sean had missed a shot. Kelly's wife Karma brought dinners out nightly. They were hearty and delicious. Sleep was not a problem.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
Morning came quickly. We grabbed a coffee and some cereal. I packed my lunch and plenty of water and we headed out. I quickly settled in to my blind and waited for daylight. Had a forkie in just after daylight, then 2 sets of does with fawns. I had hoped for more action. A little before noon a good antelope came in to 18 yds.
From: midwest
13-Sep-23
Dude....that's a looooong sit in a blind. That's a special kind of grind.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
Yes, looong sits. I was hoping it would be worth it. The afternoon passed slowly. Had a lot of antelope in and out, several good bucks. Kelly's blinds use a galvanized water tank with the bottom cut out for a base, and the blind is bolted to it. It keeps scent in and is pretty solid. As I sat reading my book, I caught movement near my right foot, and watched as a snake was slithering by. My breathing slowed as I considered my options. I had no cell service. Kelly wouldn't be in to get me for another 5 hours. The snake was between me and my bow AND I was sitting in my socks and underwear. Standing on my chair wouldn't work. I was going to have to let it play out. The snake continued by and looked to be about 4'. When I saw it's tail, I was relieved. No rattle. It was a non venomous bull snake. I didn't want to kill it, but didn't want it in the blind either. I spent the next 5 minutes chasing it around the inside of the blind before I was able to get it out. I sat back down and after 15 minutes my pulse was back to normal...
From: steff
13-Sep-23
The remainder of the afternoon was much less exciting. Antelope activity gradually stopped by 5:30. With the moon, I figured that deer activity would be limited to the last hour. At 7, I had bow in hand and kept watch out the 2 shooting windows. At 7:15, I glanced to my right and saw a deer coming. I saw antlers and thought it looked like something from Mexico. I reached for my camera, but he was coming too quickly. I thought it was going to happen fast and got ready for the shot. He was head on so I thought I'd let him pass the right hand window and shoot out the left. I pivoted to my left, but he didn't show. Then I heard splashing and slurping. He had turned between the windows and was at 15 yds, facing straight away drinking and drinking and drinking.... He must have been really thirsty. I had no shot.
From: bghunter
13-Sep-23
Well that story was great up until the snake part. Lol. Man I really hate those things.
Seriously though great write up. Sounds like you are definatley putting your time in the blind. Hope it all comes together.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
After what seemed like too long, his whistle was apparently whet. I assumed that he would continue on his original path and was set up to shoot to my left. He had other plans, turned 180 degrees and was moving to my right. I quickly pivoted and came to full draw. He was walking quickly so I blasted to stop him, settled my pin and shot. I watched the nocturnal pass through where the 10 ring would have been. I heard him run behind the blind and then it was quiet. I had to sit. I couldn't believe it. One of the nurses I work dad used to bow hunt. He now has dementia and can't. We shot the same arrow shafts, so I've been using them and he's been living vicariously through me. I was putting them to good use.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
The dry ground was tough for blood trailing, especially in the dark. After 15 minutes I decided to get out and look. I knew he wouldn't go far. I found my arrow and it looked good. I found 1 drop of blood and decided to go to a high spot and look. I got to the rim and there he laid. He'd gone about 100yds. It was good to get my hands on him!
From: Boreal
13-Sep-23
Congrats Steff! Great read so far!
From: steff
13-Sep-23
I had 15 minutes until Kelly would be there to get me, so I quickly posed him and hustled back to the blind. I packed all my stuff and waited. When he got there I told him that I hadn't seen much and he couldn't believe it. I told him that I'd climbed to the rim for cell service mid day to get moved but couldn't call. I told him I'd found something that I wanted him to look at. We drove to the rim and I led him to the buck. I stepped aside and he couldn't believe it. It was one of those great moments! We got some pictures,got him loaded and went to get Dick.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
13-Sep-23
Great story so far. Kudos to you for shooting the special shafts!! Now finish with your patients before we lose out patience lol!!
From: midwest
13-Sep-23
Sa-weet!
From: steff
13-Sep-23
When we got to Dick's blind, we saw his light on the ridge. He'd shot a buck, but lost the bloodtrail. We leave him until morning. Sean had seen bucks but no shots. Back at camp we noticed that my buck had 1 tooth left. He probably would not have survived the winter. He was 32" outside. I was pumped.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
Sorry, urgent care is urgent care... Anyway, we went back the next morning and found Dick's buck. It was a nice 4x4. Sean hunted all day but didn't see a shooter. He went to a different blind the last day and shot a nice hard horned 3x4. We were 100%in camp. It was a great trip and I look forward to going back! Thanks for following.
From: Twinetickler
13-Sep-23
Great write up! That muley is a neat buck! Congrats.
From: Bob
13-Sep-23
Steff: Are you from Connecticut? The beer in your picture is from a local brewery here called Quirk Works.
From: Beav
13-Sep-23
Congratulations steff on a couple of cool bucks! Thanks for sharing it with us.
From: steff
13-Sep-23
Bob, I'm not from Ct , upstate NY. The beer is Elysian space dust.
From: PushCoArcher
13-Sep-23
That's a wicked cool deer! Sounds like a amazing hunt congratulations.
From: RonP
13-Sep-23
great write up and buck! thanks for sharing.
From: bghunter
13-Sep-23
Awesome story and great deer. Congrats
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
13-Sep-23
Way to get it done Steff, Congratulations on two cool bucks!!
From: RD
13-Sep-23
Good going Steff, I'm leaving for Lope hunting Friday.
From: Brotsky
13-Sep-23
Way to go Steff! What a great hunt and great critters to boot! Congrats!
From: Scoot
13-Sep-23
What a great few day you had!!! Outstanding in all regards (except the damn snake)!
From: deerhunter72
13-Sep-23
Great stuff! Except for the snake, me no like snakes at all. Congratulations!
From: sitO
13-Sep-23
Great bucks, especially that muley! Thanks for taking us along.
P.S. It was a bull snake you wimps
From: iceman
13-Sep-23
Good trip! Congrats!
From: Shug
13-Sep-23
Congratulations again
From: molsonarcher
13-Sep-23
Congrats again buddy! I would have had 3 kills though. That snake would not have made it out alive.
From: Treeline
13-Sep-23
Awesome recap! Thanks for the excellent telling of the tale!
From: Ken
13-Sep-23
Great hunt. Congratulations!
From: Charlie Rehor
13-Sep-23
Yes sir. Enjoy
From: TMac
13-Sep-23
Well done Steff congrats!
From: Steve Leffler
13-Sep-23
Awesome Steff!
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
13-Sep-23
Congrats!
From: t-roy
13-Sep-23
Way to go, Steff! It’s just too bad you didn’t have a GoPro running while you and the snake were doing battle;-)
From: Buffalo1
13-Sep-23
Great write up of your hunt Steff. Thanks for taking us along. Congrats on a neat trophy !
From: steff
14-Sep-23
Thanks guys! Always like to share good hunt info so others can have same opportunity. Kelly has a great operation and has really refined it for great bowhunting.
From: Zebrakiller
14-Sep-23
awesome
From: Jethro
14-Sep-23
Great hunt and recap story. I keep going back to the grouse pic. When steff first posted it my first glance saw a bobcat with head in the grass, little stub tail up in air. When he wrote about being entertained by grouse I had to go back and look again. I see it, lol. Congrats steff.
From: rattling_junkie
14-Sep-23
Cool hunt, I so want to do that hunt one day.
From: orionsbrother
14-Sep-23
Congratulations!
From: Old School
14-Sep-23
Thanks for the write up/ recap - no thanks on having a snake in the blind.
From: Mint
14-Sep-23
Congrats, glad to see you had no trouble with the antelope coming into the water. I hunted around Douglas this year and they had received so much rain water was everywhere.
From: Paul@thefort
14-Sep-23
Loved the story but what I really loved was the camp. That is what a camp should be like. My best, Paul
From: Inshart
14-Sep-23
Great hunt and story - agree with others, not much on snakes, especially up-close-and - personal!
From: Potro
14-Sep-23
Congrats!!!!
From: APauls
14-Sep-23
Congrats! Sounded like a great hunt! Love to hear a good story.
From: Taxidermy man
15-Sep-23
That’s a nice Mule deer, by the way…deer don’t normally have teeth in the the front in the upper jaw.
From: Taxidermy man
15-Sep-23
Never mind, your showing the lower jaw. Nice hunt recap.
From: Taxidermy man
15-Sep-23
That’s a nice Mule deer, by the way…deer don’t normally have teeth in the the front in the upper jaw.
