hey guys didn't draw any tags this year so am looking at general tags for elk was wondering if anyone had experience in the big horn mountains units 36 and 37. would like to know how the elk herds are on the public land. and how the terrain is there. Is it worth the time or should I focus on a different area. Im planning on archery hunting. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
big horn mountains
- Thread starter wyowelder
- Start date
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Since you're a resident and can go up in the wilderness area without a guide if you have to because you see a few more people than you like down lower and you're talking the last half of September on an archery permit I'd say go in a heartbeat. For what you're talking about I don't think you could go wrong on an archery tag that time of the year. I would probably not recommend either one for rifle season with the large number of people that go in those units then. I hunt the west side of the BigHorns and have every year for deer and/or elk every year and have since 1994. The entire mountain chain is on the upswing for elk numbers and if I were you I'd buy the tag, an archery permit, and take the whole two weeks up there if you can swing it.
Elkoholic307
Banned
I'm no bowhunter but I am pretty sure to hunt archery elk in 36 or 37 you must draw one of the limited quota licenses.
trkytrack2
Active Member
Your correct. Unit 36 and 37 are both Type 9 Limited Quota. Drawing for archery. Unit 36 is a General License for rifle bull elk and Unit 37 is General License for any elk for rifle. Both of those open for rifle on Oct. 15th.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
You guys are incorrect in that assessment! With a General License you can also buy an archery permit and hunt the two week Special Archery season from 9/15-9/30 in 36 and 37 along with the rifle season if you don't fill the tag with your bow. If you draw the A/O tag in the limited quota drawing you can hunt the entire month of September and there is no archery permit needed. Those tags are not good to hunt in the rifle season. Units that are limited quota require you to draw that tag and then buy the special archery permit and that is the only way you can hunt with a bow in those seasons there. That's what my buddy in Sheridan does when he draws a tag for the unit we hunt up there. In our unit the tag is good the whole month of September with the archery permit and then for the three week rifle season that follows. Some LQ units don't allow that and units 38 and 45 in the BigHorns are examples of that restriction and that's why those units are not listed in the chart on page 7-19. A lot of people don't realize how Wyoming is set up for bow hunters in that there aren't that many units that have an exclusive A/O draw. Most allow bow hunting on the limited quota tag you draw or on the General tag if you buy that archery permit for the special season dates in the Regulations. That's why I suggested to the OP that he do that hunt in either of those units. Click on this link and that information is at the bottom of page 7-18 and the chart is at the top of 7-19.
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/REGULATIONS_CH7.pdf
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/REGULATIONS_CH7.pdf
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kiddwinner
Active Member
I grew up in Big Horn, just a 10 minute drive to the top of the mountain... in that area there are a few elk but most head to private land during september. Look at the MRS section and the success rate is very low for 37.
jenbickel
Veteran member
Correct! 36 and 37 are general areas for a Wyoming resident. Area 37 is a good area as long as you stick to the side of Wolf Creek that doesn't open up for rifle cow season in September. If you end up going area 37, I have some spots for you to try.. I know a couple areas in 36 also. Archery is definitely going to be the way to go for these areas. If you want some specifics, you can PM me.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
That's great of you to offer that help Jen! I'm going to be out in Sheridan at my buddie's house just past the RV park on Decker Road several different days between hunts we're going on starting next month and through the first week of November. I'd love to meet you over lunch or something like that and shoot the bull about your adventures out there. Let me know by PM if you could do that some day.
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