As a non-resident, I had been accumulating Wyoming deer preference points over the years and was sitting on maximum points. For many of those years, I simply applied for points, planning to work in a hunt when it fit my schedule. About the time I wanted to start applying and go hunting, a hard winter hit western Wyoming in early 2017. That winter was especially hard on the mule deer herd, so I waited a little longer to apply.
After a few years, as reports of good deer hunting started rolling in, I decided it was time to apply. After all, I get a little longer in the tooth each year. Early in 2020, I called Garth Jenson, Hunt Advisor at Huntin’ Fool, to discuss the best way to use my Wyoming points for a good mule deer. He made a few recommendations of the top units. He also suggested a couple of outfitters to contact to get their thoughts on units and what they had to offer. With maximum points, I was definitely going to hunt with an outfitter.
After reviewing draw statistics and talking to the outfitters, I chose the unit with the best draw odds and one that had a good chance of having the type of buck I wanted. If I was successful in the draw, I decided to go with Chance Marshall at Extreme Outfitters. He knows the unit well and would be scouting and guiding in the unit before my hunt in late October. Luck was with me as I drew the tag.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks before my hunt. Chance sent me a text that simply said, “Shooter Buck,” along with a picture of the buck. I replied, “Wow, I hope he makes it through the next couple of weeks!”
As I watched the weather forecast leading up to the hunt, it kept getting colder with an increasing chance of snow. It turned out the forecast was right. As I was driving to the hunt, just outside of Cheyenne, I ran into a traffic jam due to an accident 20 miles ahead of me that had closed the interstate. The accident was likely caused by snow-covered roads. Fortunately, I was able to get turned around and back to Cheyenne and get a hotel room for the night. Thankfully, I did not have to spend the night in my truck stuck in the traffic jam. The next morning, the sun was out, it warmed up, and the interstate was open. I was on the road again.
Later that morning, which was a day before my scheduled hunt, I arrived at the meeting spot with Chance. He had finished up early with an antelope hunter, so he was ready to go early afternoon. We met up, and as we pulled away to go hunt, Chance said he had two guys out in the unit and they had found the same buck that was in the picture he had sent me. He said it might be a short hunt. I was okay with a short hunt if it was the type of buck I wanted. On many hunts, I have either been successful late in the hunt or eaten tag soup. Seldom have I been successful on the first day. As we drove, we reviewed the type of buck I wanted. Chance assured me he would look the buck over carefully and then decide if it was what I wanted.
One of the guys who had located the buck was Dave Brown from Pronghorn Guide Service (PGS). When Dave is not busy with PGS, he helps Chance chase big elk and mule deer. Dave also had a friend with him, William Weaver, who had just finished a deer hunt. When Chance and I met up with Dave and William, the buck was bedded down and out of sight. While we waited, Dave and Chance ranged the spot where the buck had laid down at 375 yards. I dialed in the yardage on my scope and got my rifle set up for a shot when the buck stood up, which happened after a couple of hours passed. It did not take long for Chance to look over the buck and say, “That is a shooter.” I got behind my rifle and found the deer in the scope. There was some light brush right in front of him, and I was concerned about it. Dave said, “Don’t worry about it. He is right on it.” I squeezed off the shot, the deer tipped over backward, and it was over. Congratulations were shared all around. When we walked up on the buck, it was everything we expected it to be.
That evening at dinner, I asked Chance and Dave, “Since it was so early in the hunt, what would you have said if I wanted to look around to see if we could find a better buck?” Both replied, “We would have had a serious discussion.” We all had a good chuckle about that. Later, back in the hotel room, Dave and Chance green scored the buck at 188". It was above the 180" minimum I had discussed with Chance.
Although it was a short hunt, I was very pleased with everything. Chance provided good advice for my application, had scouted the unit, provided great service during the short hunt, and was well prepared for a longer hunt. Thanks to Dave for finding the buck and staying on top of it until we arrived. Also, thanks to Garth Jenson at Huntin’ Fool for his advice and recommendations.
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