Another thread on Wyo elk

[Jrod]

So I will have 8 points for elk this year before the draw, my dad will have one. I want to share my points as a party and I think we will average at 4.5. Is that correct, 9 divided 2=4.5. Looking for a unit we might draw that would offer relatively good chances at a branch antlered bull, or 2. I cant afford an outfitter and was looking for something closer to the west side of the state. I can do a back country hunt but my father cant and I love hunting with him so that is out. We will rifle hunt too.
Here are my thoughts
Unit 23
unit 95
unit 88
unit 91
I don't know. Any thoughts would be appreciated. We just like to hunt so it doesn't have to produce the largest bulls by any means.
Any opinions about 102,103,104,105, 107. Lotsa private with no access? Poor herd quality? Just throwing all this out there.
Cheers

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Some advice...the quality of tag you can draw with 8 points will be MUCH better than any tag you and your dad and you can draw as a party. Perhaps it would be better for just you to draw a tag and both of you go together. I have as much fun helping someone get an elk as killing one myself. Your dad will get to do everything but pull the trigger. Also, killing two elk, packing them out, and hauling to a meat processor on a DIY hunt can be quite a challenge unless you can devote a lot of time to it. I am not sure of your experience elk hunting, but that difficulty will be compounded if you are still newer elk hunters.

Just my thoughts....

You are correct, the two of you together would average 4.5 points.

 

[Bonecollector]

I agree with every UH stated.
Good luck Jrod.

Some advice...the quality of tag you can draw with 8 points will be MUCH better than any tag you and your dad and you can draw as a party. Perhaps it would be better for just you to draw a tag and both of you go together. I have as much fun helping someone get an elk as killing one myself. Your dad will get to do everything but pull the trigger. Also, killing two elk, packing them out, and hauling to a meat processor on a DIY hunt can be quite a challenge unless you can devote a lot of time to it. I am not sure of your experience elk hunting, but that difficulty will be compounded if you are still newer elk hunters.

Just my thoughts....

You are correct, the two of you together would average 4.5 points.

 

[Hilltop]

I also agree with UH. Another thought would be to have your dad get a cow tag for the area you draw a bull tag. Many of the areas you can draw with 8 points will have some cow tags that are fairly easy to obtain.

 

[Jrod]

We are very green when it comes to elk hunting so I guess one animal down is more than enough work. So if I use my points just for me where should I think about? I tagged along with my dad in 45 last year. saw lotsa elk opening morning and were done that nite. Looks almost like a lock in the regular draw but dang that is a long ride. The terrain was more than manageable where we hunted above tensleep. I like 100 but apparently everyone else does too. Seems like the units near Colorado are quite popular as well.
Thanks for the responses gents

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

We are very green when it comes to elk hunting so I guess one animal down is more than enough work. So if I use my points just for me where should I think about? I tagged along with my dad in 45 last year. saw lotsa elk opening morning and were done that nite. Looks almost like a lock in the regular draw but dang that is a long ride. The terrain was more than manageable where we hunted above tensleep. I like 100 but apparently everyone else does too. Seems like the units near Colorado are quite popular as well.
Thanks for the responses gents

If you know a unit and like it, go back. It will take several days on the ground to figure out a new unit, not to mention the many many hours of at home research. Once in Wyoming, you can drive anywhere in Wyoming in a few hours. That's a lot less time and money than figuring out a new unit.

You likely won't draw 100, 124, 30, 31 or 32 for a very, very, very long time.

 

[Hilltop]

Unless area 45 goes down in popularity for the next draw, you won't likely draw it with 8 points (regular pp draw). If you apply special, you look to have a decent chance but no guarantee. If you are set on hunting next fall, look at areas that had a high percentage chance to be drawn with 7 points in 2016. I'm sending you a PM with my recommendation...

 

[WapitiBob]

Burn your points on 45 then hunt special Gen on the West side every year after.

 

[Hilltop]

Jrod- I made room in my inbox. Had no idea it was that full.

 

[Thomas11]

Just how bad are the grizzs on the west side and how far south are they? Are they really something to be overly concerned with? I've never hunted in Grizz country but I just wanna have all the facts and be prepared before hunting there. I've been leaning towards the bighorn units for this very reason but feel the elk hunting may be a step better on western side but u gotta contend w the Bears

 

[brianboh]

Just how bad are the grizzs on the west side and how far south are they? Are they really something to be overly concerned with? I've never hunted in Grizz country but I just wanna have all the facts and be prepared before hunting there. I've been leaning towards the bighorn units for this very reason but feel the elk hunting may be a step better on western side but u gotta contend w the Bears

Just know they are there and take the right precautions and you will be fine. That first night in a tent will be rough though or it was with me.

 

[Thomas11]

Just know they are there and take the right precautions and you will be fine. That first night in a tent will be rough though or it was with me.

That's what I was afraid of! Not being able to relax and enjoy the hunt! so did you have any encounters, etc?

 

[Jrod]

bump........

 

[tom338]

I have a relative who ranches on the east side of yellowstone park, grizzy bears are more and more of a problem every year. There are a couple spots even he won't go into because a large male bear lives there. He knows where it is, others who would wander in there are in serious trouble, this is a bear not to be messed with. Now there is another area where another large male has laid claim to... to many bears in yellowstone and they are being pushed out to look for more individual space. They loose a lot of cattle to bears, way more than wolves. Be prepared if you go hunting by the park!!

 

[brianboh]

That's what I was afraid of! Not being able to relax and enjoy the hunt! so did you have any encounters, etc?

I had one sneak up behind me while at the truck. Looked over my shoulder and he was 20 yards away. Saw them a couple other times from a distance.

 

[wy-tex]

We take plenty of elk and no where near the western part of the state. No grizz , no wolves, why does everyone want to hunt near Jackson? Good bulls can be found all over the state if you are willing to work for them.

 

[NDHunter]

I'd agree with UH as well. Apply by yourself and have your dad tag along. And if you think you can shoot another bull in 45, I would absolutely apply there. That's a solid unit and unless you have killer info for a different unit, the grass won't be greener in any other units.