Wyoming Antelope Hunting
on the Bright Ranch
Wyoming Trophy Antelope Hunting on the Bright Ranch
The family homesteaded the ranch in 1895, traveling all the way from Illinois with a covered wagon and a team of horses. The ranch is now on it's 6th generation and 115 years. The ranch sprawls over nearly 9000 acres of diverse Wyoming countryside. Rolling grass and sage plains to the north, creek cuts and coolies to the east, and bluffs and ridges to the south. To this day it continues to be operated as a cattle ranch, with windmill water tanks spread throughout the ranch along with natural springs and a seasonal creek significantly increases water availability keeping wildlife on ranch property longer. Joe Bright, the current owner and manager has spent a lifetime hunting this area. One quick stop at the ranch headquarters to look at photos and animal mounts shows just how successful and productive this ranch and surrounding area is when hunting antelope, deer, elk, bobcats, cougar, prairie dogs, coyote, fox, badger, etc...
A recent hunt in the south gorge revealed a broken flint arrow further confirming the family's knowledge that native american hunters used this portion of the ranch as a very productive hunting area long before it was homesteaded. The very next day Joe guided a hunter to a successful buck harvest from the ridge above the gorge. Its this kind of family knowledge and experience that significantly improves the chance of a successful hunt.
A recent hunt in the south gorge revealed a broken flint arrow further confirming the family's knowledge that native american hunters used this portion of the ranch as a very productive hunting area long before it was homesteaded. The very next day Joe guided a hunter to a successful buck harvest from the ridge above the gorge. Its this kind of family knowledge and experience that significantly improves the chance of a successful hunt.
A visit to the ranch is like a trek back to simpler times. A historic 1880's two story ranch house, cowboy bunk house, wagons and a red ranch barn still stand today. Although modern vehicles and building also populate the ranch, one unchanging old west characteristic is the western hospitality that has lived on through the generations.
For more than a hundred years the family has practiced land stewardship, livestock and wildlife management and has significantly improved the ranch in quality and quantity of wildlife that it can support. Its a dedicated balance between nature and productive ranching that lets the two coexist in such a beneficial manner.
