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Medicine Bow Wyoming
By Kevin Wheeler
Medicine Bow is a tiny, rural, community in southeastern Wyoming. The official population is less than 300 people. It is located along a short section of Highway 30, that separates from Interstate 80, at what is referred to as Walcott Junction, and rejoining the Interstate at the town of Laramie. That section of the Highway is a common alternate route during snow storms, and periods of high winds, when light trailers are not allowed on the Interstate. Medicine Bow is at the junction of Highway 30 and State Highway 487, which goes north, through the Shirley Basin, to Casper.
Despite its small size, Medicine Bow is a “Mecca” for two different types of sports shooting. Being out in the middle of alpine prairies, Medicine Bow is in prime habitat for antelope and prairie dogs. The Spring brings out the sport and distance shooters for prairie dog season. August brings bow season for all species of “big game” animals (including pronghorn antelope). Mid-September begins rifle season for antelope. Most all of Wyoming is known throughout hunting and wildlife observation circles as having more “trophy class” buck antelope than any other state in the Union.
While staying in Medicine Bow, hunters are able to fan out in all directions in order to fill their tags. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is a short drive from the town, for hunting in wooded areas. Mule deer, elk, and moose are all found there. The Shirley Basin is also a noted stop for hunters of not only antelope, but mule deer, as well. There are open, State, and Federal, lands available to hunt on, but there is also lots of outfitted ranch lands available, as well. Some ranchers are willing to allow shooters on their property to “rid” them of prairie dogs, but some charge fees, and others only allow guided, outfitted hunts. You will need to contact the ranchers to find out which group they are in.
Medicine Bow is the town that is featured in Owen Wister's “historical” novel, “The Virginian”. It is from that novel that we get the “classic” old western line, “when you call me that, smile”. As a matter of fact, the main hotel in town is called the Virginian, and maintains an “old west” atmosphere. There are rooms that share a common bathroom, as in the older style, but you may also rent rooms with their own facilities. You may rent a completely modern room, as well. There is also the Trampas Lodge, which is a modern, single story, motel. (The name Trampas comes from the character in the novel who initiated the argument that spawned the famous comment.) If you would like to stay in Medicine Bow, it is usually not too much of a problem to find an available room. However, if you come for the hunting season (September through November), or are traveling through at that time, Medicine Bow has been known to triple its population during those months, so it is wise to make reservations well in advance of your arrival.
Kevin, and his family of seven children, have lived in Medicine Bow for over 10 years. He is familiar with the area, as he has worked in Rawlins, Saratoga, Laramie,and Cheyenne.
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