Region W has a lot of ground in Southern Wyoming, but also has a lot of record-class mule deer and whitetail deer. Desert Units 131 and 100 have some great bucks harvested every year. Some deer in the 180” class are taken from both units every year. Area 82 regularly produces some of the largest whitetail deer harvested every year with most bucks getting into the 150” class and sometimes bigger.
Units 100 and 131 are dry areas with deep canyons and big buttes. A lot of big mule deer bucks will key in on the buttes for bedding grounds in the rocks and then move in the evenings and early mornings for feed and water. The whitetail deer in area 82 can typically be found in the low-lying land along the town of Baggs and near the water in and out of Savery Reservoir.
Most of the region has BLM and state land tracts, hunters can travel the two-track roads, and maintained county roads through most of the region without a lot of restriction. Around the towns and the southern part of the region, the Colorado border ranch land and irrigated fields will restrict some access, but most trails and access locations have alternate routes.
Find high spots to glass from to look for the big bucks before the season starts. This can help hunters to pattern large bucks in their summer routes. Setting up in feeding areas or bedding areas can bring in the older bucks.
Most private landowners are welcoming to hunters and will share information on the best public accessible locations to find the big deer. Sometimes landowners will give permission to hunt on the irrigated fields that whitetail typically feed from. Whitetail in Region W usually stick to patterns. This can give archery and rifle hunters the opportunity to take some big bucks in all parts of the season.