Mike Carrico, Outwest Safaris south of Rawlins hammers some big bulls. The Q Ranch in 16 takes some big bulls. If you're looking for a horseback hunt in the Thorofare, Yellowstone Outfitters takes some big bulls. Their prices were pretty reasonable the last time I checked.
what unit in wyoming with 9 points
- Thread starter handeerooster
- Start date
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
The problem is you are two points behind max and want a 350 class bull, so as others have said that will be a private land hunt, or a NW hunt with grizzlies.
Most of the top units are going to be out of reach for a VERY long time with 2 points behind max.
I would do this, go to the Wyoming draw odds and find all hunts with 50% of better draw odds in the special draw for 8 points (the number you had in 2016). These are the units you will likely draw in 2017. Make a list of those units. Don't worry about units that took far less than the points that you have, demand is often the indicator of quality unless you have some solid inside intel. Look only look at those that drew with 7 or 8 points, don't worry about far less points.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Hunting/Drawing Odds/DRAW_ELK_PP_NONRESSP_2016.pdf
If you do this exercise, you will have a fairly narrow concise list, then you can eliminate a few more by your other criteria (no grizzlies).
Most of the top units are going to be out of reach for a VERY long time with 2 points behind max.
I would do this, go to the Wyoming draw odds and find all hunts with 50% of better draw odds in the special draw for 8 points (the number you had in 2016). These are the units you will likely draw in 2017. Make a list of those units. Don't worry about units that took far less than the points that you have, demand is often the indicator of quality unless you have some solid inside intel. Look only look at those that drew with 7 or 8 points, don't worry about far less points.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Hunting/Drawing Odds/DRAW_ELK_PP_NONRESSP_2016.pdf
If you do this exercise, you will have a fairly narrow concise list, then you can eliminate a few more by your other criteria (no grizzlies).
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NDHunter
Veteran member
Well I'm glad to hear we weren't the only ones that had a tough hunt in 45. My dad hunted the unit almost the entire month and the rut activity wasn't that great. I think the biggest bull he saw was like 330", but he didn't see many over 300". He talked to a lot of other hunters and only a couple of them had shot bulls, with none of them being anything to write home about.
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Swedishhunter
Member
- Jun 24, 2016
- 97
- 6
I've hunted with Bighorn Outfitters a couple of times (not elk) and have only good things to say about Rich and Dustin. They run a first class operation, I am looking myself into an elk hunt with them in a year or two. I am not sure about 350 or bigger class bulls, but they should be able to give you an honest assessment of the odds of finding such a bull. Good luck!
- Sep 30, 2016
- 14
- 0
wy-tex
Veteran member
Wagonhound Ranch is your best bet for that 350 bull. You will need private land access and they have 200,000 acres of it. Area 7 is the trophy area in Wyoming right now. They have tent camps for their hunts also. Check out the hunting shows on TV to see what they have to offer for bulls. Laramie Peak is well known for big bulls with mostly private access.
- Sep 30, 2016
- 14
- 0
Looking at this thread and knowing what I know about the NW corner of the state you have a few options.
It sounds a lot like you want to chase adventure, i.e. the idea of staying in a wall tent for the really western hunt feel. Most of the Outfits herein Wyoming that run camps like that are in Grizzly country.
As it stands right now, there are two places producing big bulls in Wyoming. The Cody region and the region south of Casper.
That puts you in a solid dilemma on what king of outfitter you want to choose from. Either go with Wall Tent option and just deal with the bears or you get into a camp that will be a lodge on a ranch.
Either way, the objective of a 350 bull is a tough order. It can be done but it will take determination of what you are willing to deal with to get it done.
It sounds a lot like you want to chase adventure, i.e. the idea of staying in a wall tent for the really western hunt feel. Most of the Outfits herein Wyoming that run camps like that are in Grizzly country.
As it stands right now, there are two places producing big bulls in Wyoming. The Cody region and the region south of Casper.
That puts you in a solid dilemma on what king of outfitter you want to choose from. Either go with Wall Tent option and just deal with the bears or you get into a camp that will be a lodge on a ranch.
Either way, the objective of a 350 bull is a tough order. It can be done but it will take determination of what you are willing to deal with to get it done.
minn elk chaser
Active Member
- Jan 6, 2014
- 332
- 72
In your first post you stated you were looking for a tag in 2017 elk season. Apparently you did not draw this year, so what unit did you apply for? I hunted unit 7 in 2014 and had a great time.
Interesting thread. I am also sitting on 9 points. Stupid point creep has kept me from getting max points. Thinking of cashing in in 2018 or 19
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
If you want a good chance at a 350 bull, suck it up and go with wagonhound. $7,000.00 huh?
You get what you pay for...and never a guarantee. I'm sitting on 7 points and have done my research and know exactly my plan of action.
Since I've been building points in different states, I've also been researching my options within those states and for the different species. So when the time comes to cash them in, I know what I'm going to do and not scrambling last minute trying to figure out.
A little research goes a long way...just sayin!
Since I've been building points in different states, I've also been researching my options within those states and for the different species. So when the time comes to cash them in, I know what I'm going to do and not scrambling last minute trying to figure out.
A little research goes a long way...just sayin!
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mntnguide
Very Active Member
There is no guarantee of a 350 bull no matter how many points you have...does wagonhound kill 350+ bulls yearly, yes...does every hunter leave with one, No. Hunting is still hunting. If what matters to you is the score of the horn, then by all means fork up the money, go private land in one of the top units, and hope its worth it. If the hunt and experience is worth just as much as a good bull, then go guided on a backcountry horseback hunt and experience what in my personal opinion is what elk hunting is all about. Trails West Outfitters now owned by Josh Martoglio in 62,63 would provide a great hunt with a possible chance at 350+ but a great hunt in the mountains with horses and wall tents. Or just get a general tag and go with one of the top outfitters deep in the teton wilderness out of either Jackson or Cody. Some people seem to think just cause they have been saving points, mean that gets you a bigger bull than the guy with a general tag, which is definitely not always the case. I know of a 402 bull taken archery on a general this year, i havent heard of a limited draw 400+ taken in WY yet, but then the late season hunts havent happened yet. NO matter what your choice, just go hunt and enjoy it, the last thing a guide wants to be told is a #, because if thats all that matters to you, it makes you a hard client to enjoy taking.
- Sep 30, 2016
- 14
- 0
Thanks for all the input everybody, I have been researching units for several yrs however the more points I accumulate the more things change. For some reason I just cant seem to draw a tag. I don't have enough points to draw in 62 or 63, but I have been trying to find a guide in 61. My choices this yr will be unit 38 type 9, unit 7, or 61 type 1. I should be able to draw this yr in all of those units with now 10 points. The problem I keep running across is several of the outfitters are booked up through 2020, no matter ware I end up hunting and no matter if I harvest anything at all I will still enjoy the hunt and the great experience of doing something I love and that's to hunt.
wyohunter1
Member
- May 5, 2012
- 112
- 1