WYOMING ELK HUNTING (Sept 26-Oct 1st)
- Thread starter Bnunley1
- Start date
ssliger
Very Active Member
Where will you be hunting? Weather is different all around the state. Last year on the 27th of Sept we got a foot of snow out in the mountains I hunt.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Bnunley,
I am guessing you are as excited as I am for this falls hunt. I don't think you will find much additional information than you received in May unless you can ask more specific questions. To reiterate, the weather could be anything from a blizzard to short sleeve weather. The wind will blow 90% of the time. Bulls will still be with harems for the most part. If your elk are not pressured, they will still be bugling and rutting hard. If the elk have been pressured, you may not hear a bugle at all. IMO you need to spend your remaining 6 weeks getting in the best shape possible as well as practicing shooting as much as possible.
The bottom line- expect to enjoy the mountains, the camp, and the experience. Don't let your mind get completely wrapped around the kill... If you allow it, your experience will be one of the best in your life regardless of whether or not you harvest a bull.
I am guessing you are as excited as I am for this falls hunt. I don't think you will find much additional information than you received in May unless you can ask more specific questions. To reiterate, the weather could be anything from a blizzard to short sleeve weather. The wind will blow 90% of the time. Bulls will still be with harems for the most part. If your elk are not pressured, they will still be bugling and rutting hard. If the elk have been pressured, you may not hear a bugle at all. IMO you need to spend your remaining 6 weeks getting in the best shape possible as well as practicing shooting as much as possible.
The bottom line- expect to enjoy the mountains, the camp, and the experience. Don't let your mind get completely wrapped around the kill... If you allow it, your experience will be one of the best in your life regardless of whether or not you harvest a bull.
wileywapiti
New Member
Bnunley,
Just like ssliger asked..."where will you be hunting"? Are you in the deserts of the SW, the mountains in the north/central or grassland in the east? Ive hunted all the western part of the state for the last 29 years. I've seen high temps in the 80's-70's and sunny to highs in the 30's-40's with feet of snow, just all depends on the weather that week. IT'S Wyoming, there is NOT an average weather forecast. Is this area archery until Oct. 1st or does rifle start around the Sept. 20th? Are you hunting a hard to draw area or is it a general area? Are you going into the wilderness or hunting National forrest/BLM or even private land? Is this a DIY hunt or a guided hunt?
Give us a little info. and us residents would be able to help a little more. You don't have to give away your "honey hole" (sarcasm), but at least give us some description of the area.
Just like ssliger asked..."where will you be hunting"? Are you in the deserts of the SW, the mountains in the north/central or grassland in the east? Ive hunted all the western part of the state for the last 29 years. I've seen high temps in the 80's-70's and sunny to highs in the 30's-40's with feet of snow, just all depends on the weather that week. IT'S Wyoming, there is NOT an average weather forecast. Is this area archery until Oct. 1st or does rifle start around the Sept. 20th? Are you hunting a hard to draw area or is it a general area? Are you going into the wilderness or hunting National forrest/BLM or even private land? Is this a DIY hunt or a guided hunt?
Give us a little info. and us residents would be able to help a little more. You don't have to give away your "honey hole" (sarcasm), but at least give us some description of the area.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I will be hunting with Swift Creek Outfitters in their pack in camp. The area is the Teton National Forest. My hunt starts September 25.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
I would hope your outfitter would have told you the proper clothing and boots to bring for your guided hunt there, as well as what kind of sleeping arrangements to prepare for as far as sleeping bag, etc. You're paying a big bunch of money for the hunt, so ask questions ASAP so you can do your part to have an enjoyable, safe hunt out there. One thing besides physical conditioning that you ahould have been working on for some time is to make sure any boots you'll be wearing out there are broken in well and take some moleskin, tape, etc, in case you have any blisters that start. One quick way to ruin a hunt in the mountains is to have foot problems!
okielite
Banned
Bnun-
Congrats on your first western hunt. Some good advice above. Good well broken in boots are probably the most important next to being in very good physical shape. Definitely bring the mole skin and duct tape for back up as stated above, you can not be too prepared with respect to your feet. Your are hunting in a great area and should do well, just keep grinding and be persistent. I have seen alot of men flat out quit over the years while elk hunting. Most likely your guides will hit the ground running hard right out of the gate, so hopefully you are getting in great shape. I killed my best bull last year on day 8 after 7 days of hell thanks to non stop rain and many many miles of grinding through steep country. Good luck on your hunt. Post some pics !
WillPower
Congrats on your first western hunt. Some good advice above. Good well broken in boots are probably the most important next to being in very good physical shape. Definitely bring the mole skin and duct tape for back up as stated above, you can not be too prepared with respect to your feet. Your are hunting in a great area and should do well, just keep grinding and be persistent. I have seen alot of men flat out quit over the years while elk hunting. Most likely your guides will hit the ground running hard right out of the gate, so hopefully you are getting in great shape. I killed my best bull last year on day 8 after 7 days of hell thanks to non stop rain and many many miles of grinding through steep country. Good luck on your hunt. Post some pics !
WillPower
Bnunley,
Read Teddy Roosevelt's story; An Elk Hunt at Two Ocean Pass.
Link provided
http://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Research/Digital-Library/Record.aspx?libID=o286523
Pretty fair assessment of what you have to look forward to only with game laws and Grizzlies instead of "Indians"
Have FUN!
Read Teddy Roosevelt's story; An Elk Hunt at Two Ocean Pass.
Link provided
http://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Research/Digital-Library/Record.aspx?libID=o286523
Pretty fair assessment of what you have to look forward to only with game laws and Grizzlies instead of "Indians"
Have FUN!
Hilltop
Veteran member
Tough reading so I scrolled down the google page to the PDF version. This was my first time reading this- can't believe how much meat was wasted. Very good read though- It was very interesting. Thanks for posting.
The hunt will be whatever you want it to be. If you tell yer guides you want to hunt hard from sun up to sun down, expect to hunt yer azz off. If you want to take it easy, most guides will accommodate you. I was on a guided elk hunt and we had a an elderly guy in camp with his son from back east. The elderly guy told his guide right from the get go, we don't get off the horses except to shoot or glass. They both ended up with decent 5 pt's. Another guy in his 70's on a Thorofare hunt sat on a rock with his guide for 3 - 4 days. He eventually shot a small 5 pt. You'll probably be asked about your expectations and how hard you want to hunt. Be prepared to give an answer...
2rocky
Active Member
- Sep 10, 2012
- 290
- 0
Bnunley, prepare to see just how different hunting in Wyoming is. Expect big temp swings. I've had 25 degrees in the morning and 75 degrees in the same afternoon. Unless you are hunting with the owner/outfitter, the guide will probably either be more of a cowboy/horseman or an outdoorsman. Seldom will they be both.
Get good at mounting and un mounting your horse and getting the rifle out of the scabbard. Don't put the rifle in the scabbard with a shell in the chamber EVER. Don't wrap the reins or lead rope around your hand. Respect the hind leg reach of pack mules and horses. Tighten your cinch before you mount. Ask your guide if you don't know what that means.
You should be out of camp before Grey light unless elk are bugling right out of camp.
Hunting elk is two parts Finding elk and then Killing elk. Your guide should be finding elk and then you need to be ready to kill. Don't expect the elk to hang around in range while you weigh the pros and cons. It is Shoot or no shoot...Know what a minimum shooter is in your mind before you leave camp and be sure your guide does as well.
Nap at midday. The days are long.
Get good at mounting and un mounting your horse and getting the rifle out of the scabbard. Don't put the rifle in the scabbard with a shell in the chamber EVER. Don't wrap the reins or lead rope around your hand. Respect the hind leg reach of pack mules and horses. Tighten your cinch before you mount. Ask your guide if you don't know what that means.
You should be out of camp before Grey light unless elk are bugling right out of camp.
Hunting elk is two parts Finding elk and then Killing elk. Your guide should be finding elk and then you need to be ready to kill. Don't expect the elk to hang around in range while you weigh the pros and cons. It is Shoot or no shoot...Know what a minimum shooter is in your mind before you leave camp and be sure your guide does as well.
Nap at midday. The days are long.
mattdeere
Active Member
2rocky, That's a great response to the question. Lots of wisdom given in a quick answer...nice job!
OregonJim
Very Active Member
Perfect advice, That pretty much sums it up……. If I could add only one thing……. try not to change your diet too much!
Bnunley,
I am from Mississippi too, and have hunted in Wyoming several times. Last year I hunted in Unit 100 and was unable to access the area from Oct. 14-16 due to heavy snow. It was fairly mild in Rock Springs, but the temperature drops fast as you gain altitude.
The Tetons may be cold. You will definitely get a wide range of weather. So pack it all and sort out what you need once you get there.
I was hunting DIY and had plenty of time to wait out the weather. You will have to hunt no matter what. So, take what you need.
By the way, I totally agree with the others on the boots and moleskin thing. Wear a pair of liner socks under your main socks and keep the moleskin handy.
I am from Mississippi too, and have hunted in Wyoming several times. Last year I hunted in Unit 100 and was unable to access the area from Oct. 14-16 due to heavy snow. It was fairly mild in Rock Springs, but the temperature drops fast as you gain altitude.
The Tetons may be cold. You will definitely get a wide range of weather. So pack it all and sort out what you need once you get there.
I was hunting DIY and had plenty of time to wait out the weather. You will have to hunt no matter what. So, take what you need.
By the way, I totally agree with the others on the boots and moleskin thing. Wear a pair of liner socks under your main socks and keep the moleskin handy.