Antelope unit advice

[JFox]

My buddies and I are looking to buy nonres preference points this year with the intent to rifle hunt Wyoming antelope during the 2018 season. I was looking at zones 50, 52, 56, 108 or any that are near the Saratoga area (though we are very open to hunting other places). Do y'all habe any advice on the application process, zones to choose, or general pointers on this? This would be our first hunt in Wyoming, though I have a decent amount of experience working in the sage oceans and the mountain areas.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[lostriverproductions]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you won't have enough points to draw any of those tags in 2018, except maybe 50-0 tag. You could get lucky in the random draw. But buying a point this year only gives you one point going into 2018. CHeck out the draw odds https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Drawing-Odds/2017-Drawing-Odds
and you should be able to narrow it down to units with 100% draw with one PP

 

[LCH]

Definitely buy the points now, and you'll have 9 months to decide on a unit.

Tag prices are going up next year, and that may affect draw odds to some degree.

 

[JFox]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you won't have enough points to draw any of those tags in 2018, except maybe 50-0 tag. You could get lucky in the random draw. But buying a point this year only gives you one point going into 2018. CHeck out the draw odds https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Drawing-Odds/2017-Drawing-Odds
and you should be able to narrow it down to units with 100% draw with one PP

Gotcha. Are there any units that have higher draw % that still have public land on them that you'd recommend? Thanks!

 

[JFox]

Right on, thank you!

 

[jerm8352]

Check into HMAs as well. There are plenty in the units just west of Laramie. I have taken nice bucks (not Boone and crocket but nice) on an hma.

 

[Work2hunt]

There are lots of units that can be had for 1pp or less but for some, public land could be an issue. Definetely check out the draw odds and narrow the field down. Also, just because there is a lot of public land doesn't mean it is all accessible. Some units look like a checkerboard any you just can't get to the public land.

 

[JFox]

Check into HMAs as well. There are plenty in the units just west of Laramie. I have taken nice bucks (not Boone and crocket but nice) on an hma.

What are HMAs? I am not familiar with some of the lingo used by the WGFD, though I'm starting to pick it up..

 

[LCH]

What are HMAs? I am not familiar with some of the lingo used by the WGFD, though I'm starting to pick it up..

HMA = Hunter Management Area. Private land open to public hunting. You must apply for a permission slip that may or may not be limited in number.

WIA = Walk-In Area. Private land open to public hunting. No permission slip needed.

Go to G&F Public Access tab for locations, descriptions, and maps of HMAs and WIAs.

 

[JFox]

There are lots of units that can be had for 1pp or less but for some, public land could be an issue. Definetely check out the draw odds and narrow the field down. Also, just because there is a lot of public land doesn't mean it is all accessible. Some units look like a checkerboard any you just can't get to the public land.

I may be misinterpreting or misunderstanding the data, but in your estimation, zone 9 look ok?

 

[andrew12gauge]

Definitely buy the points now, and you'll have 9 months to decide on a unit.

Tag prices are going up next year, and that may affect draw odds to some degree.

How much are the prices supposed to go up next year?


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[LCH]

How much are the prices supposed to go up next year?


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https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Apply-or-Buy/License-Fee-List/2018-License-Fee-Changes

 

[PlainsHunter]

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Apply-or-Buy/License-Fee-List/2018-License-Fee-Changes

Wow- I heard the prices were going up , but didn't realize they were bumped this much.

 

[andrew12gauge]

Do you have to buy a conservation stamp with the antelope or deer tags?


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[mnhoundman]

Do you have to buy a conservation stamp with the antelope or deer tags?


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Yup you do, I think I forgot the first time I went out!!

 

[andrew12gauge]

Dang that makes Wyoming more expensive than Nevada for antelope


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[andrew12gauge]

Special antelope would be $800 for tag and conservation stamp, even regular draw will be $530 or something like that. That's a lot of money when a guy can do montana for like $250


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[mnhoundman]

I think the regular draw antelope would be $326, seems they have to many numbers on that chart to make it confusing. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

[00BUCK]

I think the regular draw antelope would be $326, seems they have to many numbers on that chart to make it confusing. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

I think your spot on. Not sure if it will change the odds much for deer or lopes in the regular but may have more effect on the special. I'm glad I got both my deer and lope tags this year.

 

[nv-hunter]

Still too much for my wallet. Too bad i was wanting to do a group antelope hunt in the next couple of years with my kids.