Ever find yourself in No Man's Land with preference points?

[graybird]

A couple weeks ago I started doing my normal digging for information and potential hunts for the 2019 season. In year's past, I never really paid much attention to WY because I was in the point building mode and more focused on other hunts in my home state of Colorado.

Well, the time has come to pay more attention to WY and those points. I've been building points for elk and antelope only, with 6 and 7 points, respectively. One thing I quickly learned while attempting to narrow my search is I'm at a stage that I need just a couple more points to get me into the next tier units; however, point creep has steadily been going up about a point/year, which will leave me never being able to reach that next tiered unit.

Therefore, I think it is time to burn some points and be done with it. I don't need the meat for the freezer as I can stuff as many Oklahoma whitetails I need in the freezer each fall. So, I'm primarily looking for trophy type animals, nothing off the shelf, but a better than average specimen.

Any particular recommendations for 6 elk points and 7 antelope points? I've somewhat narrowed my thoughts down to a few select units for each species, but I'm curious if I might have missed something.

Thanks, Graybird

 

[go_deep]

If your just over the border in Colorado, drive on up just before rifle Antelope opens, and take a few days to eyeball a couple areas. Mid September sure would be a good time to check out an Elk area for a day or two also...

Good luck on your decision!

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Might be better off to take a friend who has zero points and get a couple of general tags. Would give you a lot of flexibility with some units right on the border.

 

[BrettKoenecke]

I found myself in the same position. Went with some guys on a guided wilderness hunt, had a fantastic time and moved on with my life.

 

[LaHunter]

I would guess probably 75% of the WY elk pref point holders are in that 'no man's land'.
In a few years, it may take your 6 points to draw a general tag.

 

[Alabama]

I'm in almost exactly the same boat, unsure if I should just burn them and get out or hang in for hopes of one of the better units. I know there are about 10-15 units I'll never catch but others units could be 2-3 years or even 5 or more depending on what the other high point holders do. I think some will eventually stop chasing the top units and drop down to the 2nd tier units I'm chasing. I'm mostly thinking about elk. I have no idea what to do so I can't help there.

I think you can't go wrong with 7 antelope points, there are some very good units, outside the very best units, where you can have a fantastic hunt. I would just look at the units that could be drawn with 6 points last year and research them. Pick the one you like and go! Everybody says don't shoot the 1st one you see, so I'd look over a bunch of bucks and pick out the one you like. If I don't draw an elk tag somewhere this will be my plan this year. Maybe I'll see you there!

 

[NDHunter]

I don't even know what to say if you think 7 antelope points puts you in no mans land. More like "I can draw a bunch of sweetass units" land.

For elk, there are options too. There are some Bighorn units you could draw and a few others scattered across the state. It's been said many times before but if I were you, I'd pick a unit and then get a cow tag.

 

[Bonecollector]

I agree with NDHunters statement However, Cow tags are tough to come by any more.
This is another issue developed by point creep. Guys don't draw 'horn' tags and want to hunt. This compounds the theory or hunters of the guys wanting to get boots on ground research for an actual future 'horn' hunt.
However, you gotta keep trying.

 

[troybackman]

Im in the same boat with points too. 7 antelope, 7 elk. Im burning them both this yr hopefully.(actually just put my name in the hat for elk today) Hoping to have an epic fall and then probably done stock piling points. I have points in sd and co to use over the next couple yrs and then i can relax and hunt the easy draw and over counter areas ive learned (and love) while i was building points. I think ive come to the point in my life where just being out there but still having success trumps "trophy" hunts. Man i must be getting old. America. Good luck in your decisions graybird and if you have any suggestions for 5 co deer points im all ears.

 

[graybird]

I think I've finally come up with a potential solution to the scenario I'm in. I can apply this year for a pretty good antelope unit. Use this year as a scouting trip for a 2020 elk hunt with the majority of the unit boundaries overlapping. If it doesn't work out on the elk scouting, I can always back up and figure something different out next year.

 

[Hilltop]

I think I've finally come up with a potential solution to the scenario I'm in. I can apply this year for a pretty good antelope unit. Use this year as a scouting trip for a 2020 elk hunt with the majority of the unit boundaries overlapping. If it doesn't work out on the elk scouting, I can always back up and figure something different out next year.

Sounds like your best course of action to me- good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

 

[Bonecollector]

I think I've finally come up with a potential solution to the scenario I'm in. I can apply this year for a pretty good antelope unit. Use this year as a scouting trip for a 2020 elk hunt with the majority of the unit boundaries overlapping. If it doesn't work out on the elk scouting, I can always back up and figure something different out next year.

Good philosophy asI did something similar to that this year on my trip to WY.


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[ssulliv155]

With 7 Antelope Points I would consider units 74 or 75. Both are excellent. 6 Elk points would get you area 95 or 99. Both are solid and you will find elk.

 

[DH56]

I'm there somewhat in no mans land- 16 Moose preference points. It's getting expensive to stay in the game.

 

[Mackey]

I'm there somewhat in no mans land- 16 Moose preference points. It's getting expensive to stay in the game.

I feel your pain. 14 bighorn sheep points here. And I?m 63 years old. The way I calculate it, I?ll be 70 at best unless I get real lucky. Some outfitter is going to have to tie me on a horse to get me up to where the sheep are.

Mackey

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have maximum points for deer and havn't been able to draw for 3 years. When I finally get my tag, that's it for Wyoming deer hunting. At 77, I can't wait that long anymore!

 

[Bonecollector]

I don't know CC, I may be inclined to look at another unit so I could hunt. Obviously you can draw a darn good unit with max points as you've got your pick of 95+% of them...
If it were me, I'd burn those points and hunt, but I understand your mindset of not wanting to settle after all this time.
Like my dad always says, "can't take it with you"....

 

[Prerylyon]

I hope the members don't take what I am about to say out of context-but are these high point, high demand units that much better heads and shoulders above others, that can be reliably drawn at a few points maybe less than max?

I am a very inexperienced western hunter, so my frame of reference is small and limited to what I perceive/understand constitutes a trophy unit and what doesn't-other than what I catch you guys talking about. I too also chase points, in WY, 3 for deer, elk and antelope for this yr.

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[mallardsx2]

I hope the members don't take what I am about to say out of context-but are these high point, high demand units that much better heads and shoulders above others, that can be reliably drawn at a few points maybe less than max?

I am a very inexperienced western hunter, so my frame of reference is small and limited to what I perceive/understand constitutes a trophy unit and what doesn't-other than what I catch you guys talking about. I too also chase points, in WY, 3 for deer, elk and antelope for this yr.

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May or not apply to what you are saying but:::

Just ask and you will hear that "EVERY UNIT HAS THE CAPABILITY OF PRODUCING QUALITY ANIMALS"

If thats the case then why are so many people trying to get into specific higher point units?

The answer, from what I have gathered, over pouring over stories and countless hours of data is that its because those units hold the better animals, more opportunity, less pressure and are worth the wait.

Can you kill trophy class animals in low point and easy to draw units? Sure you can. But your odds are much slimmer.

Are you going to kill the same class bucks in Unit 33 that you are in Region G? From what I ready, its not not likely.

Guys like me accept the fact that we are hunting somewhere on 4-6 points on a yearly basis (Depending on how many states you apply to. If I cant draw into a unit that can be drawn for that amount of points I will sit in a treestand and shoot a whitetail or 3 or go OTC Elk somewhere. I think there is a lot of guys like me out there that know that we are so far behind that its not practical to even try for those top tier units.

I'm chasing a unit in Colorado for Mule deer with 6 points for 2 years now..even when I know "how many people are ahead of me" point holders come out of the woodwork and drive it up another point. lol

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

I hope the members don't take what I am about to say out of context-but are these high point, high demand units that much better heads and shoulders above others, that can be reliably drawn at a few points maybe less than max?

I am a very inexperienced western hunter, so my frame of reference is small and limited to what I perceive/understand constitutes a trophy unit and what doesn't-other than what I catch you guys talking about. I too also chase points, in WY, 3 for deer, elk and antelope for this yr.

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I personally have more fun hunting the same units every year than waiting years between hard to draw tags like some do. But others would rather just hunt if they have those premium tags. Constantly chasing the best units based on intel from the internet is not for everyone, that takes a certain kind of person and as you mentioned they must believe that the premium tag/units are going to give them the best opportunity to kill a huge animal to show off. I usually chalk the first year up to paying my dues in a unit as it takes me about 3-4 years to really get to know an area. But I also have more respect for a kid shooting a whitetail doe on public land than I do a guy who went on a guided/private hunt in a premium unit and shot a big animal so see things differently than some.