Unit 89, 90, 91 for archery Elk

[mntnguide]

its not ur limits anyone cares about..You have made clear your in good shape...Shooting a bull that time of season, that far back, without horses..your meat will spoil before you get it all out. Its waste of game. Nobody disbelieves you are up to the task, but its to the task of being a responsible sportsman you need to think about. In normal early to mid september, Western WY temperatures, even up at 10,000 feet; meat on a bull can spoil overnight. If you plan on doing this alone, you really need to think of what happens after the bull is on the ground, not how far back you can go to get one. You would be surprised how much game is within a day hunt of roads and trailheads down in that zone. You should try to make a scouting trip, to get a better idea of what your getting into...The terrain is big and steep, and 8 miles one way of hauling meat in that country will beat up anyone no matter what shape you are in.

 

[FitToHunt]

its not ur limits anyone cares about..You have made clear your in good shape...Shooting a bull that time of season, that far back, without horses..your meat will spoil before you get it all out. Its waste of game. Nobody disbelieves you are up to the task, but its to the task of being a responsible sportsman you need to think about. In normal early to mid september, Western WY temperatures, even up at 10,000 feet; meat on a bull can spoil overnight. If you plan on doing this alone, you really need to think of what happens after the bull is on the ground, not how far back you can go to get one. You would be surprised how much game is within a day hunt of roads and trailheads down in that zone. You should try to make a scouting trip, to get a better idea of what your getting into...The terrain is big and steep, and 8 miles one way of hauling meat in that country will beat up anyone no matter what shape you are in.

Was just out there last month to take a look, and I'm planning a hiking/scouting/backpacking trip back to the area in May hopefully. I'll get an up close look at the terrain then.

I guess this brings up another question though.... Anyone know a packer in the area with horses since I don't have a hunting buddy? I'll pack myself in, but maybe someone I could hire to help get it out...

 

[Z Barebow]

FitToHunt- Although I have not hunted Grey's, I have hunted similar units. As far as MD rifle hunters, they aren't an issue. In fact, they can help you. As mentioned, most of these guys are at the highest points, glassing and hunting down. I found most of my elk at timberline and lower. Most MD hunters are more than happy to tell you where they see or hear elk, since you are not competition with them.

I am not going to discourage you on how far, but do the math. If you kill one, I figure on 4 round trips minimum. 8 miles x 2 is 16 miles. Multiply that out 4 times and, well, you can do the math. Keep in mind, 1/2 of those miles will be with 70-90 lbs on your back if you kill. I run a lot (Over 2K miles a year) and I am in good shape. Unless I could mtn bike one out all downhill, 8 miles is too far for me.

As far as scouting, I would wait until mid July if you can. When I scouted my area in 2009, I went ~ 3rd week in June. (I had just got done running a 50K race). Not only did I over estimate my physical capabilities, the areas was not very accessible. The snow line was ~ 7200'. It was over my knees at 7800'. The animals pretty much follow the snow line up. Also even if you can navigate w/o snow, all of those "intermittent streams" on your topo maps are raging. You will find ones that you cannot cross.

The scouting trip gave me a feel for the country, but I couldn't access Sept elk country. FWIW. I ended up killing a small 6 point that fall and it was awesome!

 

[mntnguide]

As far as scouting, I would wait until mid July if you can. When I scouted my area in 2009, I went ~ 3rd week in June. (I had just got done running a 50K race). Not only did I over estimate my physical capabilities, the areas was not very accessible. The snow line was ~ 7200'. It was over my knees at 7800'. The animals pretty much follow the snow line up. Also even if you can navigate w/o snow, all of those "intermittent streams" on your topo maps are raging. You will find ones that you cannot cross.

-That is a very good point...I could almost guarantee the majority of that portion of that country will still be covered in May...I usually have been lucky to get my horses up in the high country on early pack trips by the end of june! And the water can be frickin ripping in some areas. Lets just say, I have taken my snowmobile out on a full ride in July here in Western WY before; so the longer you can wait for a scouting trip the better, especially down there. Some of that country being so steep etc..if you have a bunch of snow preventing access you wont get a good idea of the country. You would be surprised how long the snow lasts in these mountains, May is definitely early and if you can avoid it and come later I would highly suggest doing so.

 

[FitToHunt]

Ok, that makes sense. I'm pretty sure May is gonna be my only shot to visit the area. I don't have enough seniority at work to take time in July, and it's a 14.5hr drive. If it's not really worth while to go in May, then perhaps I'll just have to scout once I get there in September.

The good thing is I should be able to get at least 2 weeks off, so I can afford to take time to learn the area.

Someone PM'ed me and said bringing a quad to that area could be a big advantage. My understanding is there are quite a few area's you can ride in, but also ones that area for foot travel only?

If that's the case. I'll most likely drive in as far as possible chain up the quad and hike the rest of the way.

 

[Z Barebow]

FitToHunt- I am pretty sure Wyoming has a very good ORV map on where they are allowed and not allowed. (Check into licensing requirements also). Some of what you are hearing might just be "talk".

Different units, but I hunted areas without ORV access, and I had some old logging trails which made access very doable.

Don't be alarmed if the trailhead is like Walmart with horse trailers. Most of these guys are chasing mule deer.

 

[Brianh]

FitToHunt, coming late to this conversation but thought I'd toss a few things out as I've hunted the Greys for several years. Best advice given to me when I started, was do not put all your eggs into one drainage. Most of the valleys leading off the Greys are 5 miles or less. If you go in to camp for several days, and you don't find any elk in that drainage, its really hard to move over the top into another drainage. Second, stay away from ATV trails. When the deer season opens and they start running up and down the Greys River Road, the elk closest to the road will shut down. The trophy deer hunters will ride right past you to get up to elevation. But the DIY on foot and horsebackers, will be in the lower elevation meadows. Be prepared for them to bust elk out of that area. Hunt 1/3rd of the way down from the top of the hill in the dark timber and the elk are there. And where we hunt...it is very steep so you will test your fitness, LOL. We always tried to time the middle of our hunt to be there on Sept. 15th. Most of the time, we start to hear bugling around the 12th, and when we go earlier the bulls are still in bachelor groups. We also hunted to the west of the Greys and only scouted on the east side once. Its skinnier down to the south, but there are elk up in some of those draws. Good luck. We are going mule deer hunting this year and will be back next year. Can't remember if you asked, but there is an oufitter in the middle of the greys that will come in and get your animal. Not sure about cost, but plan on a few hundred bucks minimum.

 

[laxwyo]

I went in July last year and there was some snow up there, especially in the trees. I correctly guessed that a creek that was flowing would not be by September. A lot of guys ride the atv trails to the trail head. I know quite a few guys that can make quite the journey on motorcycles and have covered a lot of country.