Wyoming area 54/65

J

jjh

Member
Mar 11, 2011
58
0
Gunnison, CO
I have max points for WY and have been looking through the MRS. The 54/65 hunt sounds right up my alley, big bulls and tough country.

I have read some places online that private land can be an issue?
Is this a good early season hunt or better to go late, the season is 10/1-11/30. I can't go archery and return for rifle due to family and work commitments. I'm going to get 7 days to hunt and that's it.

May or may not have time to do my homework via maps and google earth. Thinking about going with an outfitter, anyone know a good one in the area?
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
60
North Umpqua, Oregon
You will need to look at the new 2014 Wyoming regs. That whole NW corner of Wyoming has been reorganized into three new elk units with new boundaries. Since there is not history with these new units, the season dates and tag numbers are not clear.
 
T

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
Unit 65 no longer exists. Unit 54 is huge and has been divided into Type 1 and 2 tags with them being good for south of the Clark's Fork River and north of it, respectively. Both open on 10/1, but the closing dates will not be known until the Final Regulations come out late this coming Spring.
 
J

jjh

Member
Mar 11, 2011
58
0
Gunnison, CO
Thanks for all the help so far. I looked at the regs and the new maps. Any ideas on what would be the preferred tag, north or south or the Clark's Fork River?
 
hubba20

hubba20

Active Member
Mar 9, 2011
184
0
Southern Nevada
So correct me if I'm wrong... Just reading the 2014 WY elk info in the Dec/Jan Eastman's and I'm reading about the type 9 hunt in what used to be 54/65 but it appears to be only 54 now, correct?

I read that it says 54 has a GOOD chance to find some 380+ bulls. That's talking about the type 1 hunt, but there would still be 380" bulls during the type 9 hunt too I'm assuming...

It's also saying that the odds with 4 points (my bro and I have 4 NR points) are pretty much GUARANTEED to draw the type 9 hunt... Am I reading all of this correct? I just find it hard to believe that we can draw a unit that has 380" bulls, with just four points and like 34% success rates...

What's the catch here? Or if everything is right, I know what unit I'm going to be putting in for for archery elk :)
 
T

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
hubba20 said:
So correct me if I'm wrong... Just reading the 2014 WY elk info in the Dec/Jan Eastman's and I'm reading about the type 9 hunt in what used to be 54/65 but it appears to be only 54 now, correct?

***Correct---54 was a very small unit nw of Cody. Now they combined it with 65 and the area goes way over east toward the BigHorns.

I read that it says 54 has a GOOD chance to find some 380+ bulls. That's talking about the type 1 hunt, but there would still be 380" bulls during the type 9 hunt too I'm assuming...

***That is probably still the case, but now that 54 is a huge area it's probably limited to a small area in the rugged country to rhe west side of the unit in what was the old 54 area.

It's also saying that the odds with 4 points (my bro and I have 4 NR points) are pretty much GUARANTEED to draw the type 9 hunt... Am I reading all of this correct? I just find it hard to believe that we can draw a unit that has 380" bulls, with just four points and like 34% success rates...

***Nothing is guaranteed but death and taxes! Going on last years odds for 54, that would be true. However, now that it's a huge combined unit we have no idea how many tags will be issued or what the season closing date will be. All we know right now is that Type 9 A/O opens on 8/15.

Or if everything is right, I know what unit I'm going to be putting in for for archery elk :)
Click to expand...
***See my comments above. The only way you can find out when big changes like this are made is to apply and hope you draw the tag.
 
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W

WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,385
58
Bend, Orygun
54 and 65 were combined before. The area to the East (65) is nothing new, it's the area they pulled from the units to the West that has the attention of some hunters. Lots more high country in the national Forest. Because of the country and the way rifle hunters in WY hunt, it could be assumed most of the bigger bulls are killed after the snow hits.
My guess, Based on last years odds you should be a lock. The new country will attract some new apps but Grizzly country will continue to temper the enthusiasm of most...
 
G

GOAT

New Member
Jan 3, 2013
11
0
Colorado
With the unit 54 tag being split between north or south of the Clarks Fork, it is really not a whole lot different than last year.

Guys choosing to hunt the north area would basically be hunting the east half of the old unit 50.

It appears on the new map that 54 now takes in the Rattlesnake Mountain area which was part of 121 previously so the south portion did get a bit larger.

With Eastmans write up on 54/65 the odds might be tougher this year. Just a guess though.
 
hubba20

hubba20

Active Member
Mar 9, 2011
184
0
Southern Nevada
I am planning on doing a type 9 hunt, WapitiBob (if you were talking to me?) But that's very interesting... all of these changes... I messaged Guy on Facebook and he thinks the draw odds will get even better for 54 because the unit is soooo much bigger than it was before... but who knows...?

Also, is there ANY way to know of when the season close date will be? I think that's pretty dumb of WY to not tell anyone what time the season will close until 3 months after we've already submitted our applications... doesn't seem too fair to me?? But if you guys had to GUESS, what dates do you think that season would end? As long as it ends after mid-September that's fine with me... Just want to hunt some big bulls in the rut... BUT I don't want to spend my 4 points and then find out that the season closes Sept. 1 before the rut even starts... Do you guys think there is any chance that would happen?

And none of what is now unit 54 is wilderness, correct? I don't want to hire a guide. I do NOT like bears at all, especially grizzlies, but if there are 380" bulls running around, I'll take my chances with the bears :)
 
J

jjh

Member
Mar 11, 2011
58
0
Gunnison, CO
My intent was to rifle hunt early and hunt high. So my questions now are:
1. Did the loss of the country to the west create a situation where the good hunting will be later and on private ground?
2. Should I be looking at area 51 instead?
3. Still looking for an outfitter that hunts this country if anyone can suggest one. Life may not allow me to hunt it DIY like I would like to, it's an 8 hour drive from my house.
 
G

gocougs

Banned
Feb 4, 2014
6
0
Good luck hope some on gets drawn for it. I am in for these units so we will see. Did you ever get an answer about hunting type 9 for this unit? I was wondering the same thing about if the bulls are in the unit this early or if they move in with the weather?
 
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