11 points for 2019 WY

[Grainbelt]

What would you do?

Guide
DYI
Archery

Been doing tons of research, thinking its about time to spend some points. Struggling with deciding what to do. Guide, no guide, type 9 or type 1. Have been archery hunting elk in the past, but its been a few years due to life.... Never been on a back-country horse type hunt which sounds appealing, but I'm more of a DYI type guy. All the websites in the world are no substitute for some first hand opinions. Being a non res I understand the wilderness requirements but I don't want to squander a once in a lifetime tag. Seems to me the more prestigious units there is no chance of me pulling a tag.

Been a member here for quite some time, although I don't do much posting, figured there has to be someone out there that can provide a little guidance. Not looking for a hotspot, just looking for a quality experience that may get me an opportunity.

Thanks.

 

[Grainbelt]

The guide or DIY is the biggest hang up for me. I guess my real question is this, I'm sitting on 11 pts, never been on a guided hunt, don't know a thing about it worth the $. I would like to believe that I could get one DIY but
really don't want to piss it away.

 

[mntnguide]

Depends entirely on what you're searching/ hoping for.. do you want a backcountry horseback hunt in amazing country with potential for big bulls? If you have the funds and want a true backcountry elk experience, you have the points to draw some very good hunts that have some top notch outfitters working in the areas. . Id suggest you at least take a look at and even talk to Josh Martoglio of Trails West Outfitters. Also Tre Heiner and Washakie Outfitters take some giants every year as well. The units those outfitters operate in are wilderness so guide is necessary for you to hunt it, and those guys know what they are doing and are well respected for that reason

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[ore hunter]

it shows a lot of the desert country as blue chip,,if I had 11 points,id d I y it in some of those areas,,you should pull a tag soon though 11 is no guarantee,good luck

 

[Ace]

Trails West. Hunted with them. Units 61 and 62. Got a booker in 61. In all my life of elk hunt I’ve never seen so many monster bulls. In the wilderness you have to go with a outfitter. I did the rifle hunt. Would advise doing the same but archery ok.. Wolfs and grizz there. Hunted with them 2012. Look at the pics on his site. Self explanatory. There’s another unit to look at and that’s the 56. My points are building up again. I would put in for the regular tag not the bribery tag ( special )

 

[Grainbelt]

Deep down, opportunity is more valuable than bull size. Love to archery hunt them, but based upon my lack of success over the years, thought it may be best if able to return with a rifle if archery didn't pan out. As far as the grizzly areas, hunted around Dubois years back and only came face to face with a sow and older cub once. She came into a bugle across a meadow, quickly, stopped about 150 yds out and stood up. Bear spray didn't make me feel to secure...we bailed...didn't wait around to see what she/they did. I suppose the guides are why more savvy, but every year the griz seams to thin out a hunter or two. makes me nervous.

 

[grizzly]

I hunted 61 with Josh this year with a bow. Pics are in the thread on the Wyoming page if you're interested in seeing the bull and the country.

 

[go_deep]

Everyone has different priorities. Do you have to shoot a big one? Do you have to shoot a decent bull? Would you be happier shooting an average bull on your own, or rather shoot a big one even if you can't make a single decision in the hunt? Nothing wrong with hiring a guide if you know you really just need the experience, and don't want to spend a couple k on gear you don't have. Going with a guide guarantees you nothing though.

 

[Grainbelt]

Giving a lot of consideration to unit 22. Thoughts?

 

[jtm307]

Giving a lot of consideration to unit 22. Thoughts?

Good luck drawing 22.

 

[Hilltop]

Giving a lot of consideration to unit 22. Thoughts?

Last year was less than a 10% chance with 12 points... You had 27 unsuccessful guys one point ahead of you last year trying for the 3 tags allotted. You're likely 5+ years away from drawing that area unless tag numbers change.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I think Hilltop may even be a bit optimistic. I would guess Unit 22 is 10+ years out for you. It still takes max points to draw and you are two points below that. There are many people with as many or more points than you (like 3 of my sons) who have never even applied yet. Also realize there were "0", zero, nada, no random draw tags for 22 last year.

If I was you, with 11 points I'd to be looking at hunts that were drawing with 8 to 10 points in the 2018 draw. One of the biggest mistakes people make is looking at last years odds and think they apply to the current year. This is particularly bad with hunts that have heavy point creep (more points required each year). Any Wyoming elk tag drawing up near 10 points is going to have fairly heavy point creep and be going up nearly a full point each year.

 

[jimss]

In 2018 there were 33 max applicants for 2 tags in the special draw and 30 applicants for 3 tags in the regular draw in 22. That means it could possibly take 10 to 16 years before all the max pt applicants have drawn in 22. It doesn't list how many applicants there are with 1 less than max....so it will take a chunk more years to have 100% chance to draw with 11 pts.

 

[Grainbelt]

Thank you for the responses, suppose I should reconsider...understood that it was a long shot. Do the tags automatically go to the individuals who have the most points, or is it more along the lines of their names go in the hat more than mine would?

 

[mntnguide]

In the points draw... they go to highest point holders then down from there depending on how many tags. It's not a bonus point system where you just get more chances... most points get the tags

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[Grainbelt]

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't understand that....time to audible

 

[Maxhunter]

Last year in Area 22 folks with 12pts which is max, had less than a 10% chance of drawing. The special draw was worst. Josh is a great guide and his brother is also. Like stated having a guide is no guarantee. They'll get you opportunities but it's up to you to make the shot.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Drawing-Odds/2018-Drawing-Odds

 

[Grainbelt]

How big of a concern are the grizzlys while going with an outfitter like Josh? Just another day at work for them, so should it give a guy pause when thinking about a back country hunt?

 

[mntnguide]

Just another day at work...i spent 5 years guiding in grizzly country, and saw a ton of bears, and it never once affected the way i hunted the areas. The good thing about an outfitter is they have the man power and horse/mule power to get animals off the mountain, back to camp and to the trailhead quickly. Josh has spent his whole life in grizzly country and im sure he has his ways very dialed in handling them around camp

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[grizzly]

How big of a concern are the grizzlys while going with an outfitter like Josh? Just another day at work for them, so should it give a guy pause when thinking about a back country hunt?

We saw grizzlies on our hunt, but to me it actually enhanced the experience. Just be smart and be prepared. There are a lot more likely ways to get injured or killed on a backcountry hunt than a bear.