This will be my first year as resident in wyoming. I have been doing research on elk deer and antelope for about a year now. I feel that i have deer and antelope and a couple good general areas for elk figured out. Area 7 is all that most people talk about it have an extremely high amount of bull tags given. With only 45% of this area being public land. My question, is this a good area for the DIY public land hunter or am i waisting my time.
Unit 7 Elk is it worth it?
- Thread starter JPSeveland
- Start date
HiMtnHnter
Active Member
If you have time to devote to the area it can be. It can also suck. Lots and lots of tags given out make the area not much different than a general tag on public land. Lots of elk, but lots of hunters. The private vs. public land is frustrating. In the end it depends on your expectations. If you're expecting a special LQ experience then it probably won't meet that expectation. I suspect most people apply for the area for two reasons: 1) just simply buying into the hoopla or 2) know it well, enjoy the country, and understand the obstacles. I've seen the results of both reasons for applying and #2 usually end up happier.
SouthernWyo
Member
- Mar 11, 2011
- 62
- 1
Food for thought, I was told by a WGFD biologist in the area that unit 7, in terms of sheer hunter numbers, is the most heavily hunted unit in the state, including general hunt units.
I know the unit well and avoid it like the plague. Of course, access to the right property would result in a literal elk hunting paradise...
I know the unit well and avoid it like the plague. Of course, access to the right property would result in a literal elk hunting paradise...
muleymaniac
New Member
I hunted this area a few years ago when I was going to school down in Laramie. I know it holds good bulls and was excited for the season to start. I had been out scouting a few times and seen a ton of sign. But opening morning at the trailhead I wanted to hike from there were cars on both sides of the road for about a half mile before the trailhead and probably another ten trucks in the very small parking area. So like they said lots of hunters, and after opening morning most of the elk were on private land. I hunted a few weekends and still saw more hunters than elk. The only way I would put in for that tag again is if I was going to strictly archery hunt it. Just my two cents. Hope this helps you out.
Hilltop
Veteran member
JP,
There is a high elk population so therefore many people want to hunt it. As a non-resident going in blind, I think it is a good cow hunt but not a reliable public land trophy hunt. If you want a realistic shot at a trophy in area 7, you should pay for good private access. If your looking for a DIY trophy hunt, apply elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.
There is a high elk population so therefore many people want to hunt it. As a non-resident going in blind, I think it is a good cow hunt but not a reliable public land trophy hunt. If you want a realistic shot at a trophy in area 7, you should pay for good private access. If your looking for a DIY trophy hunt, apply elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.
kiddwinner
Active Member
HiMtnHnter
Active Member
minn elk chaser
Active Member
- Jan 6, 2014
- 332
- 72
I hunted there in 2014 on private property and had a good experience but would not want to be on public land when you have better choices of units.
Thank you for all your input. from everyone.I guess its a great area but you best put some money down and go guided or pay for access. I currently live in cheyenne an thought it would be a closer good tag to apply for cause i was looking into are 51. Does any one have any other areas that i should look into for the LQ tags?
muleymaniac
New Member
I know its a long drive but any of the areas up around Cody are really good, and so are the desert areas over by Rock Springs. Other than that just getting a general tag if you can travel is a good way to hunt in my opinion. Not going to shoot a monster bull but will at least get out hunting.
Totally agree with you muleymaniac. I was able to do some scouting last year during the rifle season in some general areas and feel i could shoot a good bull that way.
As a resident, I'd take a 16-2 tag over a 7 tag everyday of the week. 7 has a lot of elk. It also has a lot of hunters and private ground which is why they have a lot of elk. The public access in 7 that holds elk is relatively small in comparison to the total size of the area and it will be crowded. 7 gives out 1500 bull tags plus another 3000 cow tags at the same time.
16-2 has 50 tags decent access and a decent sized HMA. On top of that, most of 16's cow hunters will be done or will be waiting until January to catch the elk down on the flats. On a side note, 16 is pretty close to Cheyenne. We hunted it a couple years ago and only saw three other hunters in three days of hunting...
16-2 has 50 tags decent access and a decent sized HMA. On top of that, most of 16's cow hunters will be done or will be waiting until January to catch the elk down on the flats. On a side note, 16 is pretty close to Cheyenne. We hunted it a couple years ago and only saw three other hunters in three days of hunting...
Hilltop
Veteran member
You may want to double check the HMA. There was another thread on here talking about it shrinking in size due to a new outfitter lease? There area couple of threads on here recently about area 16 that may be worth looking into.
Correct Hilltop, one of the ranches in the WMA (the best one that holds the most late season bulls) was sold to Q Creek. I've talked to guys that have hunted the late hunt since the sale and they can see the bulls across the fence but can do nothing about it. Great hunt for a big bull if guided w/ Q Creek...plenty of guys are going home empty with that tag DIY.
16 has had a reputation for producing good bulls with a high success rate long before they ever added the HMA to it and after the Q started buying up additional acreage. Many of the ranches they bought had been closed to public hunting anyway. As I noted its a "decent" sized HMA based on the acreage still enrolled in the program. When we hunted 16-2 two years ago, there were a lot of elk on the Shirley's and we didn't even bother with the HMA. I had of reports of a 360 - 370 class bull in the area we were focused on, but unfortunately we could never find him. Additionally, if yer wanting to hunt that chunk of ground on the Q that they just bought, they were allowing a trespass fee of a $1000 a day. Its pricey, but a lot cheaper than a guided hunt. Especially if yer looking across the fence at some quality bulls.