A little overwhelmed.

[shootbrownelk]

Thanks for the input.

I know the sheep hunt is a long shot but I know I am not gonna get to go if I don't make the attempt.

As far as the physicality of the hunting... If I can't hack it I'll give up the ghost trying. I am in decent shape, just gonna have to work at it to get back in peak physical condition. I have worked like a mule most of my life. I'll be ok.

Coming from sea level to hunt in the Rocky Mountains at 8 to 12 thousand feet is what will kick your ass, even if you're in shape. My son-in-law got altitude sickness as did some friends from Louisiana that came out to Wyoming elk hunting. Come early to get acclimated. It's serious stuff.

 

[mallardsx2]

What he said....^^^^^

I know a lot of people who went out there and got really sick and had to go to town before they died. Literally

 

[ShaneW]

Coming from sea level to hunt in the Rocky Mountains at 8 to 12 thousand feet is what will kick your ass, even if you're in shape. My son-in-law got altitude sickness as did some friends from Louisiana that came out to Wyoming elk hunting. Come early to get acclimated. It's serious stuff.

That is definitely my main concern. My house sits at a whopping 65ft above sea level.

We plan on making our trips be at least 10 days in the area we hunt not counting travel time for that very reason.

 

[joens]

You mentioned considering Montana for mule deer as a place to get your feet wet while you gain points on some other states. I think that is a good idea but like gonhunting247 mentioned don't count on OTC tags go ahead and put in for the draw for a non resident general tag . They have been 100% the last few years the leftovers are sold over the counter but this year they sold out In several hours. also here in south eastern Montana we are between 3000 and 4000feet elevation so that may be easier do deal with as far as the elevation goes . if you want to come to Montana next year go ahead and order the Block Management guide for this year it will be out in about a week and feel free to get a hold of me when you start looking for a place to go.

 

[ShaneW]

You mentioned considering Montana for mule deer as a place to get your feet wet while you gain points on some other states. I think that is a good idea but like gonhunting247 mentioned don't count on OTC tags go ahead and put in for the draw for a non resident general tag . They have been 100% the last few years the leftovers are sold over the counter but this year they sold out In several hours. also here in south eastern Montana we are between 3000 and 4000feet elevation so that me be easier do deal with as far as the elevation goes . if you want to come to Montana next year go ahead and order the Block Management guide for this year it will be out in about a week and feel free to get a hold of me when you start looking for a place to go.

Thank you very much.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I have managed to buy deer, elk, and antelope points in Wyoming for both me and my son with Bighorn Sheep points to follow shortly...

Please don't waste your money on sheep and moose points in Wyoming. You will never draw on points in Wyoming. Without a rule change your money spent on points is worthless. There is currently a 140+ year backlog of applicants with points.

You can possibly draw by actually applying for a tag (random draw tag), but it's a pretty poor use of your hunting dollars. Save them for a sure thing.

Read through this thread on applying for sheep.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/13715-Ground-level-sheep

 

[ShaneW]

Please don't waste your money on sheep and moose points in Wyoming. You will never draw on points in Wyoming. Without a rule change your money spent on points is worthless. There is currently a 140+ year backlog of applicants with points.

You can possibly draw by actually applying for a tag (random draw tag), but it's a pretty poor use of your hunting dollars. Save them for a sure thing.

Read through this thread on applying for sheep.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/13715-Ground-level-sheep

I read the post at the link. It was very informative. Thank you for sharing.

It seems like if I were to try for a sheep hunt in the Lower 48 Wyoming is one of the worst States in which to do so. I will rethink my strategy here. I may just have to come to grips with the fact that I will probably never be able to hunt sheep unless I get super lucky.

I would rather spend my money making a hunt or two year in and year out for other species. I still may try some of the raffles out as they seem fairly inexpensive and at least I will have some chance.

I am one of those guys who realizes that playing the lottery is a losing proposition from a mathematical aspect. It sounds like the point systems in some states for some species, and in certain areas for different species are pretty much the same principal.

Like the old saying goes " The lottery is a tax on people who do not bother to or cannot do the math".

 

[JimP]

None of the lower 48 states offer very good odds of drawing a sheep tag.

 

[gypsumreaper]

With Colorado you have to have at least 3 pp before you are even put into the draw. Then it's still a hard chance of drawing a tag but might be better odds than what was said above. I think average for some of the areas I'm around is 9 years for sheep, and about the same for goats. There are a few areas that off more goat tags g12 where I guide offers 22 goat tags a year and s25 is 2 ram tags. But that's resident only that's the problem with Colorado there aren't many non resident areas to draw my units don't have non resident tags


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ShaneW]

go back in the digital and read all of the MRS's from this winter and spring. That will answer alot of your questions!

seems like all the issues I want info from aren't available......

 

[buckbull]

seems like all the issues I want info from aren't available......

Looks like you will need to wait for the annual MRS book. Doesn't look like the MRS book for last year is available online. You might want to send a PM to ScottR to see if they have any remaining.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

A year of Huntin Fool magazine ($100) would bring you up the learning curve pretty quickly. One thing to be aware of, their draw stats are not reliable though since they use "simple odds" which often does not reflect nonresident quotas.

 

[Whetstone]

You mentioned hunting in the Arkansas National Forest. What part are you looking at? There are large differences in the Ouachita and the Ozarks. Both have roughly the same elevations but the Ozarks are more rugged and its easier to get away from the roads. Ouachita's are east west ridges that go up a few hundred feet at about a 70 degree angle. Its hard walking because its mostly basketball sized rocks covered with a layer of leaves. A lot of its not really walking, its pulling yourself up with your hands. It can be a lot more fun though because there is a logging road on one side or the other so you never get far from the truck. They also run dogs during modern gun in a lot of that forest. Check out Winona about an hour west of Little Rock. No dogs or atv's and a little easier to get away from the roads.
Ozarks are more rugged and the terrain will dictate where you can go. The mountains have large steps that turn into cliffs so you might have to walk a long way trying to find a way down or up a mountain. None of these mountains are big by western standards but there are no trails, no flat spots, and they will kick your but if your not in shape. In my experience most of the travel is either on top, in the valley or a hand and foot affair to climb at all. Both are heavily forested so you wont see more than a couple hundred yards and usually less. Like 50 or 100 for a clear shot.

 

[Doe Nob]

My take - Get in New Mexico for sure. Idaho is a long way off and very rough. Apply there if you think you can handle it. Those 2 are both randoms, you don't have to worry about adding a point system. Then add 1-2 states a year. You can get overwhelmed if you try to do all of them at once. Add WY, CO, for sure then look at AZ, UT and NV and MT.

Do you guys bowhunt? This shortens the tag curve dramatically in a lot of areas, lower harvest success rates in general but at least you are out in the mountains learning how to hunt.

 

[hoshour]

CO is the only preference point state worth putting in for sheep and you have no chance the first 3 years. If you are OK with long odds, MT doesn't cost very much to apply.

NM is a random draw state with extremely low odds, but again, it doesn't cost that much if you're not drawn. Just be aware you have to pay several thousand dollars up front to apply and get it back if unsuccessful. NV gives you a low chance too but you have to buy a license first and if you want to build bonus points you have to let them keep that license money - not worth it IMO.

 

[HuskyMusky]

I'd skip building sheep points in WY especially if you currently have 0-1. Save your money, donate it elsewhere, or invest elsewhere...

It'll get easier... don't stress.

 

[hoshour]

seems like all the issues I want info from aren't available......

They should be.

 

[ScottR]

seems like all the issues I want info from aren't available......

EHJ is available all the way to 134, and the same number back for EBJ. Where are you trying to view the subscription?

 

[ShaneW]

You mentioned hunting in the Arkansas National Forest. What part are you looking at? There are large differences in the Ouachita and the Ozarks. Both have roughly the same elevations but the Ozarks are more rugged and its easier to get away from the roads. Ouachita's are east west ridges that go up a few hundred feet at about a 70 degree angle. Its hard walking because its mostly basketball sized rocks covered with a layer of leaves. A lot of its not really walking, its pulling yourself up with your hands. It can be a lot more fun though because there is a logging road on one side or the other so you never get far from the truck. They also run dogs during modern gun in a lot of that forest. Check out Winona about an hour west of Little Rock. No dogs or atv's and a little easier to get away from the roads.
Ozarks are more rugged and the terrain will dictate where you can go. The mountains have large steps that turn into cliffs so you might have to walk a long way trying to find a way down or up a mountain. None of these mountains are big by western standards but there are no trails, no flat spots, and they will kick your but if your not in shape. In my experience most of the travel is either on top, in the valley or a hand and foot affair to climb at all. Both are heavily forested so you wont see more than a couple hundred yards and usually less. Like 50 or 100 for a clear shot.

Thanks for the information.

We are looking at the Ozarks. Sylamore, Buffalo and Pleasant Hill Ranger Districts in that order.

We have spent some time in the Ozarks but always in summer and always relatively short hikes from the truck to fish some of the larger creeks.

 

[ShaneW]

Do you guys bowhunt? This shortens the tag curve dramatically in a lot of areas, lower harvest success rates in general but at least you are out in the mountains learning how to hunt.

Oh yea we bow hunt.

I am just trying to narrow it down to specific areas in specific states so we can spend time with boots on the ground getting to know the area and the animals. I know that there are some good limited quota areas that have easy to draw or OTC bow hunting opportunities. I want to try and concentrate on those type of areas as much as is practical.

Right now my top 2 states are Wyoming and Montana. Those are the 2 that I am locked in on to spend some time in. Wyoming is seems to be a State we are going to want to bank points in for several more years. Wyoming seems a little difficult because they don't seem to have a lot of opportunities for bowhunters to get into the limited quota areas easily during a special bow season. I am also interested in Idaho and Colorodo for that reason.

I am trying to narrow it down to 3 or 4 states because we would like to be able to get to know a couple of areas well and then branch out from there. I feel like being able to hunt an area at least every couple of years will benefit our long term chances of being able to harvest the type of animals we are ultimately after.

My son and I have really been talking it over and we want to concentrate on Mule Deer the first couple of seasons and then start thinking about antelope and elk.