Wy general elk tag

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Now that the draw results are out with the three zones. The future of elk hunting for non-resident in Wyoming looks bleak.
Me and my buddy are setting at 4.5 and could be at 5.5 going into next years draw. Looking at the numbers we appear to be in no mans land. Probably never know for sure we will draw a tag for several years. Wyoming has us in a tough spot. Enter and tie up several dollars each year or continue throwing money into the preference point wishing well. I know what the smart thing to do is, but would like to elk hunt at least once.
Sure makes a change on the outlook of a once in a life time elk tag. Just going to learn an area has changed. Now a guy needs to make it count on that one trip.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Wonder if Wyoming would let me trade in my elk points for antelope or deer points.

 

[wy-tex]

Lol, Wyoming removed the cap on NR elk licenses and now you think not enough?
PP creep did not go up exponentially, just a tick so pick a region and apply.
Reason for the increase in apps, Wyoming has quality elk hunting and folks are tired of the OTC show in CO.

If you think it's bad now wait until resident start pushing to get the general tags reduced due to crowding.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Don't get me wrong I am thankful for the hunts I have been able to draw. I just got in the game to late and missed out on a ton of good hunting. Sometimes I look to hard at the numbers and don't do what it requires to draw a tag. You know your odds when just buying points.
That is no chance to draw. Glad I did not dismiss the New Mexico antelope tag just because the odds are so low.

 

[dan maule]

Some of the areas that I keep track of actual had a negative point creep, one area took 9 points last year and 7.5 this year. It looked quite a few folks putting in with 18 pps for tags they could draw with <10.

 

[ScottR]

Jaden has a really good blog coming out that analyzes the general draw. My gut says that it will take 3 years to level out and then we will know where things sit. The big X factor is the East region that took WAAAAYYYYY too many points to draw. However I see that changing as the quotas there will likely go up or there will need to be more changes made in the form of private land only tags to realistically manage the animals. That population just continues to grow.

 

[RICMIC]

I used my points to full effect in 2022, so after buying a point this year will be chasing the dog's tail with 2 points. Fortunately, my hunting partner will have 8 pts. going into next years draw, giving us a 5 avg. The NR GEN area W was 100% with 5 pts., so barring too big a jump, we may still be in the game.
On a positive note, we both had applied separately for a type 6 (cow/calf) and both drew. The 2024 odds were 22%, so for you statistics guys, isn't that 11% that we both got a tag? I have beat the odds for this area by getting it 4x in 7 tries. It has been a tough, tough hunt each time, but 100 % successful. But, dang I swear that those mountains keep getting steeper.

 

[disabled combat vet]

I used my points to full effect in 2022, so after buying a point this year will be chasing the dog's tail with 2 points. Fortunately, my hunting partner will have 8 pts. going into next years draw, giving us a 5 avg. The NR GEN area W was 100% with 5 pts., so barring too big a jump, we may still be in the game.
On a positive note, we both had applied separately for a type 6 (cow/calf) and both drew. The 2024 odds were 22%, so for you statistics guys, isn't that 11% that we both got a tag? I have beat the odds for this area by getting it 4x in 7 tries. It has been a tough, tough hunt each time, but 100 % successful. But, dang I swear that those mountains keep getting steeper.

I applied for cow/calf with a 50/50 chance and still didn't draw....... so congrats!!!!!!!

 

[Naturebob]

Lol, Wyoming removed the cap on NR elk licenses and now you think not enough?
PP creep did not go up exponentially, just a tick so pick a region and apply.
Reason for the increase in apps, Wyoming has quality elk hunting and folks are tired of the OTC show in CO.

If you think it's bad now wait until resident start pushing to get the general tags reduced due to crowding.

I will take an Arizona tag over Wyoming any day , Never did elk in Colo. did My 14 points in Wyoming this year to be done. I won't play their high dollar games any more . ............Good Luck All ...................BOB!

 

[wy-tex]

Good for you bob, residents should be taking advantage of their own state's draw to the fullest extent.
Hope you chose wisely with your 14 PPs, I know a great DIY area for that amount of PPs with huge bulls too.