Getting started in Wyoming

[boomerbull]

I know the rules of Wyoming, if you are a non resident you need a guide to hunt wilderness. I am a non resident who lives in NC. Its a little difficult to run out to Wyoming to scout for elk. What I'm looking for is a national forest to start to research with good access and decent numbers of elk. Willing to get off the beaten path. I know there are areas like this in Wyoming, but having a hard time pin pointing an area. More interested in areas for bow hunting. Any help or nudge in the right direction would be appreciated. Not looking for your honey hole. Just a place to start. Thanks for any help.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Plenty of opportunity in the BigHorns with a few PPs and there are no big bears and very few, if any, wolves. If you lack PPs, start buying them this summer.

 

[NE69]

I bow hunted several years ago in the Bighorns for deer on a left over tag. Plenty of deer at that time. Easy access. I think you can draw a cow tag with no points in some units still. Would be great way to get started.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Hunting on reduced price cow/calf and doe/fawn tags is an excellent way to get your feet wet out there and do some good scouting so you're ready when you get a buck or bull tag in the future.

 

[rhendrix]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, aren't you allowed to hunt without a guide in national forest land?

 

[mnhoundman]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, aren't you allowed to hunt without a guide in national forest land?

Yup, just not wilderness.

 

[hoshour]

Boomerbull - where are you in NC? I live just south of Charlotte.

 

[OregonJim]

Boomer;
Growing up in WNC and now hunting the western states both rifle and bow, I can relate.
By all means purchase the points each opportunity even if you do not enter the draw.
In most situations the bow tags will take less points, but there are still some type 9 tags that you can't expect to draw starting now with zero points.

Wyoming has a ton of options. Start by determining what type of hunt you want.
Terrain, Bears, Wolves, pressure etc.....Alpine, high desert, or something in between.
Don't just limit yourself to WY. I Hunt CO and Utah as well and in some cases you can get decent non-trophy tags OTC or near 100% draw.

Once you zero in on an area the folks on here will hook you up with good info.

 

[kesand72]

Do yourself a favor and either draw a cow elk tag to scout the unit you are interested in hunting bulls in,or pick up an antelope tag near the unit you are looking at and when you are done having a blast chasing antelope, do some elk scouting!

 

[kesand72]

You have about 11 days left to apply for antelope, and whatever you do, pick up preference points this summer. Good luck!!