Chasing Whitetails in Wyoming: A Hunt To Remember
Bridget Fabel
There is something about Wyoming’s wild landscapes that makes a whitetail hunt feel like more than just a pursuit- it’s an experience that lingers long after the final shot rings out.
This past season, I had the opportunity to chase whitetails across the rolling plains and timbered river bottoms of the Cowboy State, and it was a hunt I will not soon forget.
The Land and the Challenge
Hunting whitetails in Wyoming is a unique challenge. Unlike the dense hardwood forests of the Midwest or the deep South, Wyoming’s whitetail country is a mix of open prairies, cottonwood river bottoms, and rugged breaks. This means glassing plays a huge role, as does patience. It’s not about sitting in a tree stand all day; this is spot-and-stalk country, where every step and decision counts.
I had hunted in Wyoming for mule deer years ago on a friend’s ranch. I reached out to this friend before putting in for the tag and was excited to try hunting whitetail out west for the first time and spend time with my friend in an area that is one of Wyoming’s best-kept secrets.
Early Mornings and Cold Glass
The mornings came crisp and clear, with a hard frost covering the grass and a thin layer of ice forming along the creek beds. With a good set of optics and a thermos full of coffee, we scanned the river bottoms and hilltops each morning and evening.
From the first day of the hunt, we found a whitetail buck that my friend was familiar with. He was a great 8-point hanging out in the lowlands. I did not get a shot opportunity at my first sighting, but I was hopeful that we would cross paths again.
The next couple of days brought cold, winter-like conditions into this November hunt. Strong winds kept the bucks bedded all day, so my friend, my dog Dixie, and I enjoyed hunting birds of all kinds to pass the time.
The Stalk
Closing the distance on a whitetail in open country is no easy task. Using the natural folds in the terrain, I made my way down from the ridge, keeping the wind in my favor. The buck I wanted to shoot was in the wide open feeding with a large group of does. It was getting later into the evening, and I was running out of daylight.
I moved slowly and was patient with every step, knowing that if the buck or any of his does were to spot me that I would lose my opportunity. There was a band of cottonwood trees between myself and the buck, and I used those to close the distance.
When the deer had their head down feeding on grass, I inched closer and closer. The buck was moving out of my sight window with the trees, so I grabbed a range, 200 yards. I set up my rifle, got him in my scope, and squeezed the trigger.
The other deer scattered, and I saw the 8-point drop in his tracks. To my surprise, he still had his head up. I put my binoculars on him and could tell that it was a good hit, but he had his head and antlers up despite the vital shot. Because he was now bedded, I couldn’t get another shot on his vitals without getting closer. The hill between us blocked his vitals, making it so I could only see his head.
I snuck in until I could get a clear shot at his lungs. I set my rifle up and I got into the prone position again and put one more round in him, and his head went down.
Hunting With a Suppressor: A Game Changer
It wasn’t until I lowered my rifle that I realized something—I’d just fired two rounds from a high-powered rifle without hearing protection… and my ears weren’t ringing.
This hunt was my first with a SilencerCo suppressor on my 6.5 PRC hunting rifle, and I was already a fan. But this very moment made me fall in love with the suppressor all over again. I went back to the truck to reunite with my friend and Dixie, and we celebrated the success of a great hunt… tagged out!
We went out to the buck, and he was everything I could have ever wanted in a western whitetail. Big frame, big brow tines, great mass, large body… perfect ending to a great week in a place that I love and admire so much.
A Hunt Worth Remembering
Walking up to that buck, I felt the familiar mix of emotions that comes with every successful hunt. Gratitude, respect, and a deep appreciation for the land and people that made it possible. Wyoming had once again proven itself as an incredible place to chase game.
How lucky am I to be able to do what I love, with great people, in such an incredible place?
My First Suppressed Hunt with the SilencerCo Can
This was my first hunt in the books with my new SilencerCo Scythe-Ti suppressor, and it won’t be my last. Before the trip, I zeroed the rifle at 200 yards and practiced shooting suppressed. I was very impressed. My 6.5 PRC has never been more enjoyable to shoot.
The suppressor noticeably reduced recoil, and I didn’t need ear pro during the hunt. I’ve made some poor hearing-related choices earlier in my hunting career, and I’m paying for it now. Having a suppressor makes practicing and shooting that much more fun for me now. I can just go out and practice whenever I want without hurting my ears.
This was the first hunt of many with my new addition from SilencerCo, and I’m already planning big things for 2025!
Bridget Fabel
