2016 wy elk

brhodes01

New Member
Dec 16, 2015
2
0
Looking for an area to go to for elk with a bow. Not looking for anyones specific spot just a good starting point. An area or unit to start with. 6 of us going. Looking for good numbers of elk.
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
2,230
Eastern Nebraska
A good start would be to head to the new member's section and leave an introduction. We get a lot of first posts like yours that are very hard to answer because we know nothing about you or your situation. Many great people here that love to help but we like to see a little give and take. Best advice I can offer is to subscribe to Eastman's and then check out the Eastman's MRS. It is a great tool to help you search through potential areas.
 

hoshour

Veteran member
I think the Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal that has the 2016 Wyoming Elk MRS is supposed to be in mailboxes next week. If you subscribe, you should ask to start with that issue as your first. The # is 800-842-6887.

You'll need a subscription to both Eastmans's Hunting Journal and Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal to get all the Members Research Section (MRS) issues. Wyoming information is split between both magazines this year.
 

Jlrineer1

Member
Nov 29, 2015
67
0
I am in the same boat as you brhodes. I've done a lot of research on the wfg website as far as draw odds and area quotas. At this point I am planning a mule deer and antelope hunt for this year. I am looking at a elk hunt in about 3-5 years so I have enough preference points for a good zone. I also wanted time to build up vacation so I can take a full 2 weeks off. If you go to wfg website you can print off all the odds reports for any big game. It seemed to me that there are a few spots you have a shot at getting a tag your first try and you could even put in for the special tag for better odds. The only issue I found was the areas that have high odds and low preference point requirements seem to have limited public land or not as big bulls as other areas. With that being said that's only my opinion, I am not an experienced elk hunter. My plan is to pick 3 or 4 areas with a lot of public land near the western side of the state and start drawing in 3-5 years for elk. The state of Wyoming has a complicated way of doing drawings and quotas and it took me a little bit to figure it all out but once you do it makes it easier to plan for the future.

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toadmeister

Member
Nov 28, 2015
62
0
NE Iowa
I'm just staring to figure Wyoming out. Also planning on a Elk hunt 3-4 years out, want to bank up some points first.

I got Eastmans' Members Research Annual 2015 and am just starting to browse it.
 

Manualman

Active Member
Aug 10, 2011
217
7
62
North Jersey
I would put in for the General elk tag. Easy draw, you can draw it every other year. Lots of places to hunt. Why waist 3-4 years to get a tag for someplace you know nothing about. Just go hunting and get experience ELK hunting. Shoot the first legal elk you can, bull or cow. I would rather have a general Wyoming elk tag over some of the limited ones in other states. While antelope hunting a few years ago I found out I would be wasting points if I applied for a bull tag because the elk stay on private land most of the time. I try to buy a leftover doe or cow tag to learn new areas without burning points
 

Wyoming Hart

Very Active Member
Oct 10, 2014
858
165
Spring Run, PA
I think the Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal that has the 2016 Wyoming Elk MRS is supposed to be in mailboxes next week. If you subscribe, you should ask to start with that issue as your first. The # is 800-842-6887.

You'll need a subscription to both Eastmans's Hunting Journal and Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal to get all the Members Research Section (MRS) issues. Wyoming information is split between both magazines this year.
Did anyone receive the print edition in the mail yet? Been looking for it for the past week and nothing yet.
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
61
North Umpqua, Oregon
Yeah I got mine yesterday. Same units pretty much as last year blue chips. Debating on wether to put in for 7 yrs for a unit 100 tag, or just go general.
Hycntryhtr, do you have max points (10 points going into 2016)? The reason I ask is to have a reasonable chance to draw Unit 100 in the next 7 years you would need to have max points. Also, if you have max points, there are far better options than a general season tag.
 

DRUSS

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2014
537
157
nw oregon
sitting with 6 pts almost feels like stuck in the middle of these options. hunt now..........or wait some more??????? ohhh, app seasons choices
 

DRUSS

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2014
537
157
nw oregon
want to bow hunt with the option to come back on rifle tag later if need be. I think that means has to be a type 1 tag if I understand correctly? if possible hunt with a bow for 10 days then roll into rifle season. looks possible in some of these units. had been looking into 53,54. might have my sights a little high though as draw odds are
 

Hycntryhtr

Member
Feb 22, 2014
145
0
north colorado
Hycntryhtr, do you have max points (10 points going into 2016)? The reason I ask is to have a reasonable chance to draw Unit 100 in the next 7 years you would need to have max points. Also, if you have max points, there are far better options than a general season tag.
I have no points. I burned my points this year on a general tag. Are you saying I'll wait an additional 7 yrs with max points to draw that 100 tag? I'm not waiting 10 + years anymore. I waited 11 for my AZ bull tag. I'm not waiting that long for an elk tag again I hope. Utah paunsagaunt, is the only tag I'm willing to wait for anymore.
I would like to draw a decent unit every 3 years, but that may not be possible. My general tag was cool, I shot a 340 bull with my bow.... And lost him... I'm sorry to say.
 

laxwyo

Very Active Member
I know 50 yr old men that have been putting in for 100 elk their whole lives and never have gotten a tag if that makes anyone feel better.

Before i drew 124 in 2012, I drew 100 18 years before and that's been it.
 

shootbrownelk

Veteran member
Apr 11, 2011
1,535
196
Wyoming
I know 50 yr old men that have been putting in for 100 elk their whole lives and never have gotten a tag if that makes anyone feel better.

Before i drew 124 in 2012, I drew 100 18 years before and that's been it.
I'm a 68 year old man that applied for area 100 for 30+ years without success. Preference points would have helped.
 

highplainsdrifter

Very Active Member
May 4, 2011
703
128
Wyoming
Looking for an area to go to for elk with a bow. Not looking for anyones specific spot just a good starting point. An area or unit to start with. 6 of us going. Looking for good numbers of elk.
I see you have six people in your party. That is a lot for an archery hunt. It is approaching the size of a small marching band, and you won't be alone. There will be other hunters nearby. I hope you have a plan for spreading the six of you out. IMHO this could be as important to the success of your hunt as picking the exact right unit. There are a lot of good units in Wyoming.
 

cmbbulldog

Active Member
Jul 18, 2011
264
21
I have no points. I burned my points this year on a general tag. Are you saying I'll wait an additional 7 yrs with max points to draw that 100 tag? I'm not waiting 10 + years anymore. I waited 11 for my AZ bull tag. I'm not waiting that long for an elk tag again I hope. Utah paunsagaunt, is the only tag I'm willing to wait for anymore.
I would like to draw a decent unit every 3 years, but that may not be possible. My general tag was cool, I shot a 340 bull with my bow.... And lost him... I'm sorry to say.
Unless you get really lucky in the random draw, trying to draw unit 100 will never happen in your lifetime if you are starting with 0 points.
 

laxwyo

Very Active Member
Is it really only 7 points to draw 100 as an out of stater? I'd take that but I imagine if we had a point system, it would be much higher.

I don't understand why they don't have a weighing system. 2 points, 2 times your name is in. 10 points, 10 entries. Still random draw but the poor sap that hasn't drawn in 20 years would have better shot than the kid drawing his first year
 

cmbbulldog

Active Member
Jul 18, 2011
264
21
Is it really only 7 points to draw 100 as an out of stater? I'd take that but I imagine if we had a point system, it would be much higher.

I don't understand why they don't have a weighing system. 2 points, 2 times your name is in. 10 points, 10 entries. Still random draw but the poor sap that hasn't drawn in 20 years would have better shot than the kid drawing his first year
No, Its max points for a NR and terrible odds at that.