Antelope draw forecast in near future?

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I just reviewed the draw results for 2025. This was the first time I looked it over. I was shocked by what I saw. A unit I drew in 2017 took less than 1 PP to draw. In 2025 took 6 PP for 100%. I knew the unit was down when I hunted it in 2020. I am thinking that the reduction of tags in that unit and other units around the State is a compounding affect on all antelope tags. Do you think the Wyoming Game and Fish had a crystal ball? Was the reduced tag numbers a factor in the huge increase in special draw application price. So I am thinking everyone needs to be praying for the health of the whole State herd.
It is crazy to think a person will possibly need 6 or 7 or more points to hunt a unit with limited access. I figure the game of looking for a low PP unit and making the best of it days are long gone. Can anyone talk me off the edge or maybe just go ahead and push me off.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I don't know why the big price increase, but IMHO it is just $$$$, no crystal ball.

You really have to be careful in choosing the Special Draw. There are units that actually take more point than the regular points draw. You need to look at the history of the both draws in the unit you want to hunt.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I am thinking there are so many point holders it makes it almost impossible to predict the out come of any unit. I have been talking some to a WY resident and he has not drawn an antelope tag in 15 years. I explained to him he needs to apply in some units that have more than a small handful of tags. He wants to hunt close to his home.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I love to hunt antelope. I have hunted Wyoming since 1980. The last time I drew an antelope tag was 6 years ago. The unit I usually hunt requires 8 points this year. The tags were cut in half after the terrible winter 4 years (?) ago and there have never been doe/fawn tags since then. I will probably be able to draw it 1 more time in my lifetime (I'll be 84 next month). The same goes for deer too.

 

[JimP]

I think that the days of easy antelope tags in Wyoming are long gone unless you have access to private lands where they restrict the number of hunters.

I spent 11 points this year for a antelope tag that you could draw with 6. The person who was going to go with me didn't have enough points but with my extra points he would of also drawn.

But with problems drawing tags and the states rising non resident tag fees I'll pretty much be out of the point game after this year.

 

[Slugz]

Couple things to consider.

I'd do an apples to apples comparison of the unit you speak of that was 1 or less 8 years ago versus now. By what percentage was the buck tags decreased? Point creep of that magnitude is probably right on norms. ( if it is point creep)

Second. IMO with the big numbers of doe tags reduced, more people are buck only hunting. Little less buck tags. Lotta more people applying.

Lastly. The days of a non res going to Wyoming and having 3 tags for cheap ( 1 buck and 2 doe) are probably not coming back anytime soon.

Now all that being said. Still lots and lots and lots of animals to go around. I went special this year ( didnt have my year up here yet and points from Co to use) and drew a tag that went anywhere from 12 to 8 points. ( I had 5)


Back up from the cliff. Keep digging in the data and there are still gems out there to find.

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The above from 2024

Ill be applying as a resident Wy next year.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Slugs,
The unit I like to hunt has had a 50% cut in the number of tags. No doe/fawn and big cuts in buck tags. 6 years ago (the last time I drew a tag), we saw almost as many bucks as does. I still don't think it has recovered as some friends who live there tell me.

 

[Turbodude]

I just recently moved to Wyoming this year, but won’t be resident yet into next years draw. But have 8 PP’s to apply for a non-resident tag. Understand it is still tough to draw a tag even being a resident.

 

[ScottR]

The die off from 22/23 did have a regionalized impact for sure on total tag numbers. Many residents chose to sit out of the draws, or some drew and didn't hunt at all. That said, Antelope tend to recover fairly quickly, especially when compared with Mule Deer.

What we have inside of Taghub with an elite membership plus Jaden's write ups give a really clear picture of how to build for future success.