WY NR Elk Draw Results

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

Jim, you are correct and sounds like you have had good guides. Here is an example. I have a buddy that went on an expensive guided elk hunt in Montana several years back. The guide service had good reviews at the time they booked. It appears the area had a big decline in the elk herd. My friend had requested the combo elk / deer tag which was allowed. The guide required him to let them purchase the tag. When they gave him the license and tag it was just the elk tag. They were to go in on horse back. The hunt was for 7 days which required 2 days for pack in and out. So they had 5 days to hunt. Three of the 5 hunt days it was raining and the guide would not leave camp. So my friend went out on his own. He did not see a elk. He did have the chance to kill a exceptional mule deer, but no tag. Out of 10 guys and 2 camps one 3 x 4 bull was killed. So the guide knew the elk numbers were really bad. I figure that is why he didn't give any effort. Funny he didn't have any problem taking the money and still expected a tip. My buddy was on a 3 year wait list for the hunt.

 

[mallardsx2]

Jim, you are correct and sounds like you have had good guides. Here is an example. I have a buddy that went on an expensive guided elk hunt in Montana several years back. The guide service had good reviews at the time they booked. It appears the area had a big decline in the elk herd. My friend had requested the combo elk / deer tag which was allowed. The guide required him to let them purchase the tag. When they gave him the license and tag it was just the elk tag. They were to go in on horse back. The hunt was for 7 days which required 2 days for pack in and out. So they had 5 days to hunt. Three of the 5 hunt days it was raining and the guide would not leave camp. So my friend went out on his own. He did not see a elk. He did have the chance to kill a exceptional mule deer, but no tag. Out of 10 guys and 2 camps one 3 x 4 bull was killed. So the guide knew the elk numbers were really bad. I figure that is why he didn't give any effort. Funny he didn't have any problem taking the money and still expected a tip. My buddy was on a 3 year wait list for the hunt.

Ouch.

 

[ScottR]

Ouch.

This is a prime example of really doing your research, lots of questions you can ask. It is part of the reason we have launched the referral service. We can help guys who have been saving points for years find the right outfitter because over the years we have had MANY opportunities to use them. It's also a little easier for us to vet them as we know the tells.

 

[JimP]

It can be a problem vetting outfitters and their guides and it does take time and effort on our part. I booked a outfitter for a Wyoming pronghorn hunt this coming fall, and while the draw results are not out I am 99% sure that I'll draw with 11 points. Could I do this hunt on my own, the answer is yes but if I don't get a opportunity to pull the trigger when I am on my own I may never get 11 points again and be physically able to hunt. I had 14 pronghorn points here in Colorado years ago and went on a DIY hunt and never pulled the trigger.

The big thing that I have found is to do your homework, ask friends if they have gone on a guided hunt. Talk to the references that a outfitter will supply to you, ask them the bad along with the good. On my grizzly hunt I talked to a dozen different people along with a known TV hunting personality that had used my outfitter before I booked with him. In 10 days it rained on us 9 of those days and we only saw a single grizzly towards the end of the hunt, but we were seeing tracks in the mornings on our ride into the hunting areas. As for the rain, we were out in it every day. Turns out we should of stayed where I had parked my truck. A large bore grizzly had been terrorizing the camps around the lake and the authorities were looking for someone who had a tag to take care of it, instead they did the job their selves.

Sometimes that the way that the ball bounces.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I am very cautious with the references an outfitter gives you, they well probably only give ones that give them a positive review. I know from experience and I leave it at that.

 

[ScottR]

I am very cautious with the references an outfitter gives you, they well probably only give ones that give them a positive review. I know from experience and I leave it at that.

Ask for successful and unsuccessful references from multiple years. Also ask for a one time client who was doing it as a trip of a lifetime. That usually gets you a really good feel.

 

[RICMIC]

Ref. point creep. I did not apply for a WY elk tag this year and figured that I would be one year out (when bundled with my partner). I expected some change in the creep with the "Special" tag $$ increase. For the NR GEN West draw, it is running about a half point a year for 100% draw. That puts me out to 2027. We could risk the odds for next year, but have debated to just burn our Colorado points in 26 and with my hunt partner retiring in 27 we can take as much time as we want.

 

[gonhunting247]

Tim and Jim both of you make a good point. I have to confess. It just means more to me to do it on my own. Of course I would like to kill the biggest bull that ever walked those mountains. But the truth is I would rather kill an average bull or nothing and do it on my own. It just means more and I do not have to fill my tag to enjoy a hunt. Right now I plan to spend up to 3 weeks chasing elk. I am fortunate to have found a local that has helped me a lot to decide the when and where's of the hunt. Who knows I have had pretty good success in the past. Also my past 3 guided hunts over the years have not been very successful.

I feel the same way, good luck and post some pics of your success !