I put my son in for unit 24. He has max points in the special license draw so he should get the tag. If anyone has any experience i would really appriciate it. This is his first elk hunt. I cant wait to spend 10 days in the mountains with him. Hoping to get a chance at a 320 type bull. We will be archery hunting late september and staying for the Oct 1 firearms opener if needed. Thanks in advandce
Unit 24 WY Elk
- Thread starter Lab
- Start date
24 is managed more for quantity than quality as far as the limited units go. He should have a great hunt, see lots of 5 and 6 pts, but he shouldn't pass a 300 bull. I'd say the average 6 pt bull taken there is probably around 250-260, so 300 would be a little above average. Now the good news is this is Wyoming so there will be a couple bulls harvested between 300-340, scouting here would be key...find a big one and sit on him opening morning...just find one that's away from traffic points or you'll have company.
Thanks for the info. I know his main goal is going to be to kill a decent bull with his bow. I will be doing the calling he will be the shooter. If we cant get it done the last week of September we will be there for the Rifle opener. I think we will apply for the goat tag in 68. We both have 7 points for goats so we should draw that tag too. Sounds like 68 is a great unit for public access.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Hi Lab, as a reminder when you were first asking for input on a unit, you were asking about a "reasonable chance" at a 300 class bull. In this most recent post you are hoping for a chance at a 320 bull. Believe it or not that 20 point difference may be a big stretch in Unit 24.
Another thing to think about is does your son wants the best quality bow hunt possible or does he want to better insure he kills a bull? If he want to insure he shoots a bull, yes stay for the rifle opener. If he wants the best quality bow hunt, finish the bow hunt about a week before the October 1 rifle opener. If I was wanting the best quality bow hunt on an October 1 opener, I would consider the following:
1. Hunt 14 days or more if possible.
2. Start your hunt somewhere between September 7 to 10, that way you can catch the pre-rut when the biggest bulls are looking for cows and not herded up. It will he harder to hunt the bigger bulls with a bow later in the rut when they are herded up with cows.
3. Check a moon phase calendar on-line when picking your dates. The moon is dark on September 24, a darker moon normally is better. Avoid the brightest moon. I've never heard of a hunter complain about a dark moon when hunting elk.
4. If you want a high quality bow hunt, avoid the last 5-7 days before the October 1 rifle opener. The unit will get busy then as hunters move in to scout and to "scout with their bows", and that is typically the hardest time to bow hunt units with October 1 openers. if you definitely want to hunt the rifle opener, maximize the number of days you can be there before Sept 25.
5. Avoid weekends as much as possible. If you are limited for time, pick your hunt to utilize the most number of weekdays as possible. That will thin out the number of locals hunting as possible. If you can hunt more than 14 days (say 18-20 days), take a break on the weekends to recuperate, and hit it hard on the weekdays.
Just a few thoughts to help you and your son achieve your goals of a quality bow hunt and killing a bull.
Hope you and your son have an awesome hunt!
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Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
You would no doubt get an antelope with your plan and have fun doing it, but dividing your efforts between elk and antelope will detract from the other hunt. If I was going to do that I would not plan these hunts in "parallel" but add 4 to 7 days to hunt antelope exclusively for the best antelope hunt.
Also I far, far, far, far, far, far, far prefer to hunt antelope about 2 weeks after the season opener, or at least after the second weekend to have the best quality, low pressure hunt. I personally believe hunting late is the best time to kill a quality buck. Also with 7 points you are in the race for some of the top units in the state.
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Musket Man
Veteran member
I agree with UH. Unless I had unlimited time and the seasons were at different times I would not want 2 hunts in the same year that took that many points to draw. I would do them different years so I could concentrate on one at a time and try to scout a bit for next years hunt after this years if you can. It will be a while before you have the points to draw either again.
NE69
Active Member
Totally agree with only trying for one species at a time. I tried that 8 years ago plus tried to help my nephew on a project for a couple days while I was in WY. Had type 9 elk tag in 45 and antelope in 114. Sure wish I had that antelope tag for the next year and could have totally dedicated my time to the elk. I didn't do a good job of either tag. Good tags are too hard to come by. Just my 1/2 cent worth. UH info always spot on.
The goat hunt wil take a back seat to the elk hunt for sure. Thanks for the input. A lot will depend on him getting a job after he graduates from College this fall. What little vacation time he has will be spent hunting. It is about 14 hr trip to Wy from where we live so long weekends are not out of the question.
You can probably get it done with two tags if they're close to each other. Last time I drew a 24 tag, I also drew a 61 goat tag. I archery hunted elk in the morning and rifle hunted antelope mid day. There were also a few days where it was snowy and foggy in latter Sept on the mtn and you couldn't see squat. Dropped off the mtn and hunted goats all day. Shot an 81" goat and a 280 6 pt bull opening day of rifle. Out of 54 bulls spotted, he was the second best bull I saw which included a lot of scouting time. I know bigger ones were up there, but I couldn't find them. I also wouldn't focus on just weekdays. 24 is a tough tag to draw and the locals who do, usually hit it hard the entire time since its a short season.
Musket Man
Veteran member
I think if I had both tags I would end up putting to much pressure on myself and prob be in more of a hurry to fill the first tag then I should be in especially if they were both new areas to me. When I use points I want to be able to concentrate on that hunt and have the best hunt I possibly can. If 1 of them was a 2nd choice tag or I knew the areas pretty well I might be ok with it but thats just me. You could fill the tag on the first day and have lots of time or still be there on the last day with it still in your pocket. You just never know.
libidilatimmy
Veteran member
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Yeppers…most likely the same this year. I believe the actual dates will be out in about May.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Dates are available the last week of March if you know who to talk to. You can't have public meetings on dates and bag limits, without dates and bag limits......
Not final but I haven't seen the commission over rule them yet.
Not final but I haven't seen the commission over rule them yet.
247Buckfever
Member
Lab, send me a PM. I spent a good deal of time hunting the area two years ago...depending on how picky you are, getting a goat will not be too hard. I shot a 78" buck but saw a bigger dude while predator hunting in the foothills of all places. He literally about ran me over while chasing a doe at twilight. We did not hunt till late september
Musket Man
Veteran member
Lab is gonna have a hard time explaining to the game warden why he has an elk tag on his antelope. lol
libidilatimmy
Veteran member
I think buck fever was looking at the antelope unit 68 that is the same area as elk unit 24. Sure would be nice if deer,elk, and antelope were all the same units. Less confusing. I understand the units are different sizes. I am more interested in elk 24 but if we do draw I will most likely try to get the goat tag for the same area as elk 24. If I am looking at it right this would be antelope 68
Musket Man
Veteran member
68 antelope looks like it has more of elk 24 in it then any other antelope units but it looks like some of 24 is also in 61, 106, and possibly 64 antelope as well. It is confusing having different unit numbers for deer, elk, and antelope.