2007 Hunt Summary

Jackson Hunts

Bailey Creek Camp Elk

This was probably the best year for opportunities to harvest a good bull elk we have had since 2003.  Call it bad luck or my year in the barrel; we did not have the best draw for hunter numbers.  What we did have was great numbers of bull elk and many of them were BIG, (really BIG)!  When it was all averaged out each hunter had more than 4 opportunities to take a different bull standing inside 300 yards.

During the General Season we harvested a couple of bulls in the 300 SCI class a few more in the 320 SCI class, some really nice bulls in the 340 SCI class and a couple of bruisers in the 360 - 370 SCI class.  We missed shots at 3 bulls that would have gone over 380 SCI, but that's hunting!

The Area 79 GTNP hunt provided at least 4 opportunities per hunter to take a 320 SCI class (or better) as well.

Cody Hunts

Region F Mule Deer

2007 was a most unusual year for mule deer hunting!  With the weekly snows throughout September and October the mule deer migrated into the area west of Cody before the hunting season opened.  For our hunts, we would have snow one day and 50 - 65 degree days with wind for the next 5 - 7 days.  We had to spend much more time in the saddle to locate the bucks than we normally do.  We saw numerous 4 X 4 and 5 X 5 bucks (3 year old deer) in the 18 - 22 inch range.  They should be bigger and better for the 2008 and 2009 hunts.  Every hunter we had saw branch antlered bucks while hunting.

For our October 31 - November 4 hunt, every hunter we had took home a deer.  Several 24+ inch 140 - 150 SCI class bucks and a couple of 28 inch 170 SCI class big boys were taken.  The bucks were for the most part the tall heavy antlered animals the Cody area is famous for.  Due to the high winds a few really nice bucks were missed.  They will be bigger and better in 2008 and hopefully we can have another opportunity at them.

During our November 6 - 10 hunt the weather was warmer yet and the wind blew even harder than the week before!  It is a tribute to the quality of our hunters that they would go out each day and fight the elements!  Again we had to spend much more time in the saddle than we normally do to find the deer.  With the weather being what it was the deer were found to be in the timber more often than not.  Because of the tenacity and ability of our hunters, we were fortunate to take some really nice bucks ranging from 140 - 170+ SCI we otherwise would have never seen.  Again, the wind "played hob" when taking some longer shots at some big bucks and we will go after them again next year.

Area 109-1 (Late Season) Mule Deer

The weather was only warmer and windier for this hard to draw hunt.  Our hunters pounded the timber pockets and ridges where we have seen big bucks on a yearly basis.  Each of our hunters got a buck and we did take a real nice 170+ SCI non-typical buck with some kickers.

Antelope

With the spring and fall moisture we've had this year the antelope numbers and antelope hunting are on the mend.  If we continue to get moisture the quality of bucks and availability of licenses in the Cody area should only get better.

Our combo hunters all took nice mule deer and antelope bucks as well including one 17+ inch antelope that will score over 80+ SCI.