HUNT REPORT - 2013 Wyoming High Country Horseback Mule Deer Hunt

[Len Backus]

Six of us LRH members had a wonderful time with Mule Creek Outfitting in mid September. We had planned to be 8 in number but one cancelled and one shifted his schedule to the next week.

Let me start off by paraphrasing one of the long time outfitters in the area who said "opening week weather this year was the worst he'd seen in his entire 29 years in the area."

For our group, opening day meant some of us couldn't see past 100 yards for many hours at a time due to low hanging clouds or fog. Others of us could see a few hundred yards at all times and some times longer. But it was windy and rainy on and off the whole day.

In all in 5 days we had rain, sleet, hail, snow, thunder, lightening, 30 mph winds, etc. We also had about one and a half days of blue skies.

• The day before we met up, Wayne and I did some shooting.
• At the trailhead.
• Why did everyone laugh at how much more "stuff" I was bringing?

 

[Len Backus]

I wasn't motivated to take many pictures during the bad weather but here are a few.

 

[Len Backus]

Reserve 3

 

[Len Backus]

Here is my guide (and outfitter) Jacob, earning points by using my satellite phone to check in with his wife.

 

[Len Backus]

Bottom picture is me with Jacob and Mugzy.

 

[Len Backus]

We were in 2 different tent camps that were only 4 miles apart. But...it was almost 2 hours away by first horse and then vehicle.

We won't do that again. Not enough feeling of connection. I knew it was 4 miles but had no idea how difficult to connect.

For our 6 hunters, we had 100% opportunity, 67% shooting and 33% kills. I passed on a nice 4x4 in the first 10 minutes of the first morning before we got socked in. I had no better opportunity the rest of the hunt.

I can't wait to get back there next year. It remains the most beautiful spot I have ever hunted in.

With weather there are no guarantees but it can't be that bad again.

Out of this camp in 2011, the group hunting the same week we will in 2014 went 5 for 6 in kills. One week later my hunting partner and I each had very nice kills.

The following is the outfitter's summary of his entire 2013 season.

Looking at the 2013 hunting season we had a great time despite the wet and cold weather. Over the course of roughly three weeks we guided 14 deer hunters from our two tent camps. We had 92% shot opportunity and 57% success. The largest deer harvested was 178 inches, with most of the others ranging in size between 120 and 140. The size of the the bucks were slightly discouraging, but a noticeably large number of young bucks were seen, which has us excited about upcoming seasons.

 

[etisll40]

Len, what kind of range are your typical shots there? That has to be some of the prettiest land I've ever seen, looks like a great time. Congratulations.

 

[Len Backus]

Really unlimited down to 10 yards.

 

[etisll40]

Thanks Len, I see one of these trips in my future.