Unit 7 Cow Elk - Private or Public?

[ashridge]

I'm looking into the possibility of doing a cow elk hunt either this Fall or in 2016 with my 12 year old son. I've elk hunted in multiple states, but never Wyoming. This would be his first time out West. Been doing a little research and talked to the Laramie Fish & Game office about Unit 7, which they highly recommended for a cow elk hunt. They sent me the list of landowners who allow access of one sort or another.

I see there is a lot of public land in Unit 7, but I also have read in a number of places about how the unit is overrun with hunters. For a cow elk hunt in 7, I'm wondering whether it would be better to fight the crowd on public land or try to get access on one of the ranches on the landowner list they sent me. I haven't made any calls yet, kind of wanting some input first before I do.

One thing I was wondering also is if the type 6 tags that are good for private land earlier in the season, are able to be used on Walk-In Hunting Areas that are private land, before the "general" season starts.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Hilltop]

It really depends how much you are willing to work for those cows. It is very doable on public land but your likely not going to shoot one by the road. If you are the type that is willing to hike in and hunt hard, cows can be taken fairly easily on public. The private hunt could be stupid easy depending on the ranch you get access to. As far as the tags go, private only tags are just that- for private land only. I'm not sure if the private leases that the G&F gets would still fall under that designation- I would call to get the specific answer on each one.

I would decide based on the 12 year olds abilities and character. Some 12 year olds I know wouldn't be up for a tougher hunt/pack out elk hunt. I'm guessing the trip would be more fun for the 12 year old on private unless you have a really motivated son.

 

[libidilatimmy]

The type 6 tag is valid in the entire unit after Oct. 15th. They type 7 tag is the late season (January), but the access to the elk country gets pretty dicey starting in early Dec. most years since they really don't maintain the county roads up there.

 

[ashridge]

It really depends how much you are willing to work for those cows. It is very doable on public land but your likely not going to shoot one by the road. If you are the type that is willing to hike in and hunt hard, cows can be taken fairly easily on public. The private hunt could be stupid easy depending on the ranch you get access to. As far as the tags go, private only tags are just that- for private land only. I'm not sure if the private leases that the G&F gets would still fall under that designation- I would call to get the specific answer on each one.

I would decide based on the 12 year olds abilities and character. Some 12 year olds I know wouldn't be up for a tougher hunt/pack out elk hunt. I'm guessing the trip would be more fun for the 12 year old on private unless you have a really motivated son.

My son is very motivated and above average mature for a 12 year old and I think he could handle it, but as this is my idea of a kind of "get your feet wet" hunt for him, I don't want to do something too hard for his first time hunting anything other than whitetail deer or waterfowl. Also, I don't think we would have the time available - this Fall anyway - for more than about 3 days of hunting (we'll have almost 4 days just of driving, round-trip, from Ohio), and that was another reason I was looking at cow elk instead of bull. We could go to Colorado and do bull OTC but don't have any elk points built up in Wyoming for drawing a bull tag, either.

Are you familiar much with Unit 7 specifically, or is the advice you're giving just in general? If you know of any ranches in particular in Unit 7 that allow access for cow hunting, feel free to PM me. I'll probably start making some phone calls to the guys on the list I got, also.

 

[Hilltop]

I haven't set foot in the area for a few years. The ranches I had access to were sold so I can't offer any specific advice. About 5 years ago my buddies were doing guided cow hunts for $1000 regular season or $500 for late season. They were basically day hunts as there were just that many elk. The public land isn't usually that easy and it may take you 3-4 days just to locate huntable elk. With only 3 days to hunt you really should do private land IMO.

 

[30Hart]

I agree, private is the way to go as you want a good experience for your son.

 

[nebowhunter]

I took my 13 year old on the same cow hunt 2013 season picked up a leftover tag for myself. Also took a buddies 16 year old son. the three of us filled over a long weekend during Christmas break. All public access. Pm if you want and I will help you any way I can.

 

[ashridge]

I took my 13 year old on the same cow hunt 2013 season picked up a leftover tag for myself. Also took a buddies 16 year old son. the three of us filled over a long weekend during Christmas break. All public access. Pm if you want and I will help you any way I can.

Thanks for the input, I'll send you a PM.