Wyoming area 26 antelope contacts needed

[gkainz]

We didn't draw for antelope for our normal area, threw darts at the map and came up with area 26, between Douglas and Wright. Anyone have any contacts for this area that they would be willing to share? Is the Thunder Basin National Grasslands actually public lands? Starting to hear things that hint there's more private than public land there, or lots if landlocked public lands with difficult to no access?
Greg

[knifemaker]

I have not hunted area #26, but have hunted area #8 East of there on numerous occasions. Most of that land in those areas is 80-90% private ranch land. One reason it is easier to draw a tag for the Eastern part of Wyoming. You have several options to locate a hunting area. Call the game dept. in Cheyenne, Wy. and they will provide you with the name and phone number of the game warden that works #26.

He can provide you with infromation on ranchers who will allow trespass and their fees. He can also provide you with information on the better areas for finding good antelope herds. Another possibility is check with any towns in your hunting area and if they have a chamber of commerce. If they do, contact them and they will normally have names and phone numbers of ranchers who will allow trespass.

Final option, get there two days prior to open season and go to the ranches and knock on doors. You will be surprised on the amount of ranchers that will appreciate you asking and may find a good ranch to hunt with plenty of antelope on the ranch. Fees to trespass for hunting antelope are normally cheaper then for deer hunting as most ranchers want the antelope thinned out.

There used to be a very good meat processing plant in Douglas runned by a retired USDA meat inspector that was top notch on processing your game animals. Their sausage was out of this world. we would have the rear quarters and backstrap made into chops and the rest went into sausage on our antelopes. I am sure that guy is now retired as he would be in his upper 80's if he is still alive.

[longranger]

Go to Wyoming F&G website and find the "walk in areas"and the "private lands access" now is the time to apply for the private land permits.There are some large ranches that don't do the outfitter gig but allow hunters, permits will go fast as the season approaches.It is 100% percent incumbent on the hunters part to know exactly where he
/she is with regards to property/trespassing.Also be aware that there is no"high water" right to ford any stream/river. you can float but not touch the stream bed,landowner owns the stream bed.