MIKE'S OUTFITTING
2002 MULE DEER and ANTELOPE HUNT REPORT

BOWHUNTS Year 2002 had our highest success rate ever for bowhunting mule deer and antelope. We had 19 mule deer hunters take an amazing 15 bucks for an 80% kill success. Seven antelope hunters also took 6 bucks for an even higher 85% rate. The majority of these animals made Pope and Young.

Good weather, great guides, avid hunters, accurate shooting and some luck all contributed to the high success rates. The 2 best deer taken were a 177 typical by Jeff Podosek from New Jersey with an intense 6 yard shot and an old heavy 174 non-typical by Chris Forbes from Pennslyvania with a 35 yarder. Kevin Kelly from Maryland took the 3rd biggest with a nice 165 score deer. Mike Thrasher from Texas shot a wide framed 2 by 3 that scored an unbelievable 153 gross. Mike and his partner Bob Keith also both scored on nice antelope.

Other hunters who collected both species were Rich Mowry, Brian Darden, Marcus Casano and long time repeat hunter Mark McQueen. John Carber from Pennsylvania came on his 7th deer hunt with us and took another good buck. Chip Ray, Bill Gough, Gary Larson and the happiest hunter alive, Jesse Schoewengerdt all took good bucks. Jerry Dollard deserves special mention for coming on his first ever bowhunt and shooting a multi-tined 7 by 4.

Overall it was an excellent bow season due to hunters in good shape with positive attitudes and avid bowhunting guides. RIFLE HUNTS The November rifle rut hunts also went very well with 9 hunters taking 8 bucks. The one unsuccessful hunter saw dozens of bucks and missed a few shots. The 2 biggest deer were very heavy with 6 inch circumferences, lots of character and a few extra points.

The best buck was shot by another long time repeat hunter Greg May from Michigan with a score of 178, the next best was taken by Rex Indra from California. It was almost palmated with very heavy mass to the end of each point and scored 174. It will look great next to his 196 score, 8 by 8 he killed with us last year.

Three solid 170 class bucks were shot by Lyle Hach, Steve (Otter) Olsen and Larry Haley. Rounding out the year were 3 other nice deer taken by Ralph Holsclaw, Bob Rushing and Brian Dunn. We did see a few 180 plus muleys but we were short on killing themcompared to other years.This was due to them getting away from us, missed shots, warm weather and some plain old bad luck. Most hunters who hunted 3 days saw 50 to 80 bucks with plenty of them being nice 4 by 4's so 2003 should be as good or even better than 2002. Thanks to everybody who came hunting with Mike's Outfitting Ltd. and we hope to see you up here again soon.

Several bowhunts are open for 2003 and rifle hunts are almost full and booking up for 2004 so call right away if you want to reserve a spot and receive 2002 prices. A 1 on 1 bowhunt costs $3450.00 plus lic., rifle $5000.00 plus lic. and trophy fee of $500.00 for a 180 plus score buck (U.S. Funds).