Unit 19 elk Wyoming help

[Craig Holland]

So in a small pickle . First time elk hunt and drew unit 19 for elk.(Had 5 points) Did a lot of calls and spoke to a few Biologists and Game Wardens prior to drawing. All stating 19 has some really big bulls . I plan on bow hunting the middle 2 weeks of September. I was hoping bulls would still be on public land before the guns started going off in October and maybe a little less cautious as I though they should starting into the rut. Going to get the Muddy mountain area and get the permission as well. As this is a fairly limited tag , was hoping someone had some first had specifics or advice on this unit. Thanks in advance.

 

[JM77]

The Muddy Mtn HMA is where you need to go. You need a good GPS unit with ownership, because the landowner bordering the HMA and adjacent forest land WILL trespass you and he has most of the elk. By the second week of archery season most of the HMA and public land elk have been pushed to private, but you still have a realistic chance to kill satellite bulls 260- 300 and possibly, if it's a weird year, to chase a herd bull or two. The absolute best place to hunt archery is 6 miles in one-way on foot, but of course, there is no guarantee from year to year.

You also need everything associated with packing an elk out, i.e. pack frame, good quality game bags and such. Most likely you will be hunting down to the elk and if successful will be packing back up the mountain. That elk will need to be broke down immediately after the kill or you will loose a bunch of meat. Elk are the worst for spoiling.

Honestly, area 19 is not an area to come into without prior experience or someone with knowledge to hunt with you. Most all the other archers will be hunting the HMA and nearby NF land. What's in your favor is the large amount of elk and the fact there are many roaming satellite bulls in September.

 

[NDHunter]

The absolute best place to hunt archery is 6 miles in one-way on foot, but of course, there is no guarantee from year to year.

You talking down on the sage flat?

 

[JM77]

You talking down on the sage flat?

Nope, not the sage brush flat.

 

[Joe Schmo]

This was my first choice for years...I changed based on the access and the fact that I really like to put “worrying about private land” last on my list of things I want to do on a hunt. However I do think it’s entirely possible to kill a good bull on this hunt. Good luck buddy. I think an archery hunt and gettin on em first thing opening morning of rifle is the way to go.