GOAL: Branch bull

[Timberstalker]

Hey guys, a buddy and I are applying in Wy this year. Our goal is to kill a branch bull, not looking for a trophy, just a bull. We want to hunt this fall, anyone have any suggestions for a couple Oregon guys? We are used to hunting for days without seeing many elk here in Oregon, hoping Wyoming changes that for us, besides it just sound like fun to see new country.

 

[Musket Man]

Dont worry Timber you still have almost 5 days to apply! LOL. What do you plan on killing these elk with? I think your options for getting a tag this year will be very limited without going into the special draw and even then they will be pretty limited but there will be a few more options.

 

[Timberstalker]

Dont worry Timber you still have almost 5 days to apply! LOL. What do you plan on killing these elk with? I think your options for getting a tag this year will be very limited without going into the special draw and even then they will be pretty limited but there will be a few more options.

I know, last minute. I figure worst case, I gain a point for future. Rifle or bow works for me, special is what we plan to apply.

 

[Musket Man]

If you want a tag this year I would look at 39 type 1, 37 type 9, or the general tag. Most tags you can draw with 0 points have lots of wilderness or poor access.

 

[kiddwinner]

be careful of 37 type nine... you can hunt the second two weeks of archery with a type 1 tag in that unit, lots of people

 

[Timberstalker]

Thanks guys. We are hoping for a general unit at best, but we would like our name in the hat for a Controlled area. After hunting in areas where success rates are less than 5% Wyoming general looks good!

 

[WapitiBob]

If you're applying in the special side, put GEN as your 2nd choice and you'll be guaranteed to draw.

 

[Musket Man]

You have 63% odds of drawing a gen tag 2nd choice. You might also consider a unit in the bighorns that you can draw with 2-3 points but you can draw a cow tag 2nd choice. Cow tags in some can even be drawn 2nd choice in the reg draw. That way you will get to know the area and have a great hunt in a couple years when you draw a bull tag!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

You have 63% odds of drawing a gen tag 2nd choice. You might also consider a unit in the bighorns that you can draw with 2-3 points but you can draw a cow tag 2nd choice. Cow tags in some can even be drawn 2nd choice in the reg draw. That way you will get to know the area and have a great hunt in a couple years when you draw a bull tag!

That was true last year. Just so everyone knows, Huntin Fool in their January issue made a HUGE push for hunting the general tags and also that you can draw on your second choice. Historically when that promotion by HF happens the odds crash. I'll just bet those odds drop drastically this year.

 

[Musket Man]

That will most likely affect the 2nd choice odds quite a bit. Be interesting to see. Dont worry timber you can always get a gen tag in Idaho if WY doesnt workout this year.

 

[Timberstalker]

I agree UH. I expect Wy to be extremely popular after the recaint reviews.

Good idea MM, shooting a cow doen't do much for me though, thanks anyway.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Good idea MM, shooting a cow doen't do much for me though, thanks anyway.

Really? That's funny, I'd rather take a cow than a small bull any day! Guess it all depends on your perspective. I heard a well known outdoor author on a hunting show say one time... "there's no glory in shooting a small bull". My guess is he's shot a few big bulls, which changed his perspective! For some reason that statement always stuck with me.

Anyway, back to your situation... there's alway's the dreaded Colorado OTC elk hunts if you strike out in Wyoming. We have a cabin in unit 61 within a quick drive to unit 62. I might be able to set you up with a rental if that's something your interested in. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Timberstalker]

Really? That's funny, I'd rather take a cow than a small bull any day! Guess it all depends on your perspective. I heard a well known outdoor author on a hunting show say one time... "there's no glory in shooting a small bull". My guess is he's shot a few big bulls, which changed his perspective! For some reason that statement always stuck with me.

Anyway, back to your situation... there's alway's the dreaded Colorado OTC elk hunts if you strike out in Wyoming. We have a cabin in unit 61 within a quick drive to unit 62. I might be able to set you up with a rental if that's something your interested in. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks CHC, I will see what happens. As far as cow hunts, I guess I have trouble with shooting females. I have no issue with other people shooting them, just not for me. It has nothing to do with being macho, it just doens't feel right to me. I may change my mind in a year or two if I don't draw a bull tag though! It's still elk hunting wether its bull or cow.

 

[WapitiBob]

You have 63% odds of drawing a gen tag 2nd choice. You might also consider a unit in the bighorns that you can draw with 2-3 points but you can draw a cow tag 2nd choice. Cow tags in some can even be drawn 2nd choice in the reg draw. That way you will get to know the area and have a great hunt in a couple years when you draw a bull tag!

His adds are 100% in the special draw.

 

[Elkoholic307]

It's still elk hunting wether its bull or cow.

You just made the point that I was going to make.

If I were you, I'd put 39-1 as first choice and General as second. Good luck!

 

[Timberstalker]

That will most likely affect the 2nd choice odds quite a bit. Be interesting to see. Dont worry timber you can always get a gen tag in Idaho if WY doesnt workout this year.

Copy that. We have dicussed that option as well.

 

[Musket Man]

His adds are 100% in the special draw.

How do you figure? I looked on the wgfd site and that is what I came up with.

 

[WapitiBob]

'cause you're looking at the random draw report.


don't spill the beans gunner

 

[Musket Man]

Where else would 2nd choice draw odds be?

 

[Topgun 30-06]

WB---Beans, what beans? I'm not a beans spiller, but as many times as the two of us have gone over this on the various Wyoming Forums I'm really surprised that MM is saying it's only 63% when it was 100% for second choice and some even got the General Tag last year as their third choice!!!