2015 wyoming antelope quota predictions ???

[cycloneshooter]

I pronghorn hunted south of Casper in 2013 with my dad, a buddy and his dad. We researched the units history and were pretty much guaranteed to draw the unit of choice with 1PP and the special pool. We easily drew and all harvested decent bucks. We took 2014 off in order to gain our 1PP again.

We are now planning our 2015 pronghorn hunt, and were hoping to go into the same unit/area. My research shows that in 2014 the unit was far from 100% with 1PP and the special pool. My investigations shows the likely cause of the drastic change in odds was not directly due to point creep (as the # of those trying to draw over 1PP isn't changing) but more likely the result of a dramatic reduction in available tag quota from 2013 to 2014. A 43% quota reduction to be exact. Further research shows a steady decline in available quota for the unit from 2012 and beyond.

So now our 2015 hunt is looking less likely to happen as the odds for drawing 'our' unit isn't a guarantee any longer. So my question is, what are peoples thoughts on likely quota changes from 2014 to 2015? Will the quota reduction trend likely continue, stabalize, or will quota be added? Probably depends a lot on this coming winter. I think most areas are no longer in severe drought conditions.

Our options now appear to be...
1. tackle the lesser odds and still attempt to go
2. find another comparable unit with the same amount of PP required (not easy to do)
3. find a lesser unit to draw with a second choice (have to pay large trespass fees most likely)
4. stay home and get another point (not a desirable solution as we already waited a year)

 

[bdan68]

I'm curious about this too since I hunted antelope in Wyoming for the first time this year, and plan on going back again in 2015. As you said, it's probably still unknown, with winter not even officially here yet. But I would think that unless it turns out to be an abnormally bad winter, that antelope quotas would at least remain close to the same as the 2014 numbers. The quotas were cut substantially from 2013 and that should have been enough to stabilize the population. I can't imagine tag numbers decreasing again. If they do, I may have to look at some other options, maybe a cow elk hunt instead of antelope, since Wyoming's elk seem to be above objective while deer and antelope are not.

 

[Hilltop]

My guess is that tag numbers will be very similar to 2014. Wyoming had a good moisture year but that won't immediately translate to more animals. In my experience tag reductions are swift but tag increases are very slow. It takes some time to build populations back up. There are some very "reasonable" trespass fees out there in the easy to draw areas. My advice would be to line up a reasonably priced ranch in a 2nd choice area. Apply for your top choice knowing you won't likely draw. Buy your preference point and go hunt on your second choice tag while still building points for the future. If your lucky, you may still draw your first choice. Either way, your hunting next fall. Another option is to buy doe permits and preference points for future years... an even cheaper option.

 

[cycloneshooter]

Am I correct is saying that quotas are not published until long after the application deadline?

 

[WapitiBob]

.....

So now our 2015 hunt is looking less likely to happen as the odds for drawing 'our' unit isn't a guarantee any longer. So my question is, what are peoples thoughts on likely quota changes from 2014 to 2015? Will the quota reduction trend likely continue, stabalize, or will quota be added? Probably depends a lot on this coming winter. I think most areas are no longer in severe drought conditions.

I fixed it for you....

Our options now appear to be...
1. apply for the "type" tag we want
2. sleep well knowing we're in the draw
3. change our app after the quotas come out, which is well ahead of the change period ending

 

[libidilatimmy]

Proposed quota's typically come out around the first of April. While these "proposed quota's" aren't set in stone at the time of their release, the final quota's are generally very close to the proposed ones.

 

[cycloneshooter]

WapitiBob, Can you enlighten me how the change app process works? I didn't even know this was possible...

 

[WapitiBob]

I will add it to my upcoming "non member research section" post but:

The app period closes march 15, you can change your app up to June 3. You can't change "type" as in type 1 to a type 6 because of price differences but you can change units. Get the app in, worry about units later.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I will add it to my upcoming "non member research section" post but:

The app period closes march 15, you can change your app up to June 3. You can't change "type" as in type 1 to a type 6 because of price differences but you can change units. Get the app in, worry about units later.

What a guy you are! I thought you were going to quit giving out all our secrets, LOL!!!

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

I would guess tag numbers will remain very similar to 2014, which is fine with me. As much as I like to hunt antelope, they need some time to recover from too many tags and the brutal winter. If they would quit killing does in the impacted units things would recover quicker....but they won't so it will take a few years.

 

[WY ME]

After what I felt was the worst antelope hunting I'd ever experienced this fall I contacted a WG&F biologist I know. He was aware of the bad antelope numbers and said he expected a continued decrease in tag numbers for 2015.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

After what I felt was the worst antelope hunting I'd ever experienced this fall I contacted a WG&F biologist I know. He was aware of the bad antelope numbers and said he expected a continued decrease in tag numbers for 2015.

That's really a statement that needs to have a unit number mentioned because it's not representative of a good number of the units in the state. As an example, the unit we hunt had the best numbers I've seen there since 2009 and my buddy shot a B&C buck the second day of the season. Others that I sent there with doe tags also filled them with no problem with one guy from CA taking his two does in one afternoon. Wyoming is a big state and some areas may be like you stated, but I would say that overall even though numbers may be down in some spots that Wyoming is still the "go to" state for antelope.

The G&F just posted the application booklet on the website today and NRs now have until May 31 to apply for a deer or antelope tag just like the residents instead of the old cutoff date of March 15.

 

[WY ME]

TG, I've hunted a lot of areas in Wyoming over the past 40 years but felt that this fall's hunt was really bad. But kiilling 2 does or a buck antelope the first day in Wyo is easier than shooting a jack rabbit. That doesn't mean the antelope hunting in Wyoming is really good right now. If I'm not mistaken the WG&F reduced tags by 15,000 statewide last year. That's pretty telling about how they feel state is doing overall right now.
Congrats to your friend on getting a good buck. I never saw anything worth pulling the trigger on this year.

 

[bdan68]

With the 15,000 tag decrease, it sure seems like that would be enough to at least stabilize antelope populations and allow for the same number of tags this next season. I can't imagine another cut in tags, unless this winter ends up being extraordinarily bad and causing a major die off.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

The thing many are missing here is that until recently antelope were at an all time high in Wyoming, if I'm not mistaken, and that's why so many doe tag were being given out to bring many areas down to the proper carrying capacity the land could support. Dropping the tag count as mentioned certainly got the attention of everyone and I believe the big percentage of those tags were for does. It will probably take 2 or 3 good years of weather to get things back to where everyone would like them to be throughout a lot of the state. The GW/biologist that covers a big chunk of the BigHorn Basin told me that the biologists all felt that the area had the best fawn recruitment by far than it has had in the last 20 years, which was certainly great news to hear!

 

[Bonecollector]

Agreed. Last year was a great step in the right direction. So far, winter has not been too bad this year. Let's hope for good things to come!

The thing many are missing here is that until recently antelope were at an all time high in Wyoming, if I'm not mistaken, and that's why so many doe tag were being given out to bring many areas down to the proper carrying capacity the land could support. Dropping the tag count as mentioned certainly got the attention of everyone and I believe the big percentage of those tags were for does. It will probably take 2 or 3 good years of weather to get things back to where everyone would like them to be throughout a lot of the state. The GW/biologist that covers a big chunk of the BigHorn Basin told me that the biologists all felt that the area had the best fawn recruitment by far than it has had in the last 20 years, which was certainly great news to hear!

 

[WY ME]

With a few mild winters antelope seem to bounce back fairly quick but the habitat in some of the area I hunted was in terrible shape. The sage looked kinda dead (effects from the drought we had awhile back). I've never driven 10 miles without seeing a single antelope in "good antelope country" before...until this year.

 

[coastalarms]

I will add it to my upcoming "non member research section" post but:

The app period closes march 15, you can change your app up to June 3. You can't change "type" as in type 1 to a type 6 because of price differences but you can change units. Get the app in, worry about units later.

I'll be watching for it!! Wife and I are going to make our first out of state hunting trip this year to Wyoming for antelope. We talked to a couple guides and also though of a diy hunt.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I'll be watching for it!! Wife and I are going to make our first out of state hunting trip this year to Wyoming for antelope. We talked to a couple guides and also though of a diy hunt.

The application period for NRs for deer and antelope has now been changed to match the residents so the last day of the application period will be 6/1 since May 31 is on a Sunday. That will give NRs that much longer now to change their units during the modify/withdraw period.

 

[bdan68]

The application period for NRs for deer and antelope has now been changed to match the residents so the last day of the application period will be 6/1 since May 31 is on a Sunday. That will give NRs that much longer now to change their units during the modify/withdraw period.

I've seen you and WapitiBob say the deadline will be June 1st. But, how do you know that? Just curious, since the WGFD website shows the application period being January 1st to May 31st.

The last day for modify & withdrawal is also May 31st.

Why would it matter if it's a Sunday?