Just found out I was successful in drawing a Unit 40 type 9 archery tag. Has anyone hunted the area before. Don't know whether to stay up on top by Burgess Junction or down in Shell. Thinking about going the last 10 days of September but that is not set in stone. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This will be my first time in the Bighorns, normally hunt down in the Greys River area but wanted to try something different.
Wyoming Elk Unit 40
- Thread starter dkw1959
- Start date
JEandAsGuide
Active Member
Yes, a good friend of mine only had 3 points so our average was only 6. Didn't think we could draw 45.
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JEandAsGuide
Active Member
I see. I know the feeling, my hunting partner missed the PP deadline one year so he has one less than me. He was upset when I told him that 1/2 point was the reason we didn't draw out first choice. Luckily we drew 2nd choice. We really kicked around the idea of area 40 type 1. I actually modified our app then changed it back last minute. If I wouldn't have, we would be hunting the same unit.
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
Are you camping? The only place I know of in Shell is a guest ranch to stay at. I think there are more places to camp around Burgess Junction and there it would be less driving to get to the elk. The lodge at Burgess Junction has a motel. Greybull has some motels that are probably a lot cheaper, but it is more driving. Camping around Shell Creek in the forest would mean an uphill hike out of the canyon. There are places to go, but I am not sure where the elk are. Burgess Junction is more at the top where it is flatter for awhile and there are more roads to get into more of the forest. Not sure if that helps. Good luck, I wouldn't mind going around there at all.
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/bighcmp.htm
I think the Bear Lodge Resort is pretty busy that time of year, so maybe get on the reservations pretty quickly. I don't know of any camping site with electric up there, but the improved ones like Bald MT. have water spigots. Slim23, I think that there is a 14 day limit on NF, so you might have to move once for that amount of time. I think that you can move just to a different spot and its all good. Its pretty varied terrain there. You go from the ranches and creek bottoms around Shell up the canyons and then around Bald Mt. you are above tree line within like 30 miles or something like that including the switchbacks. Chewing gum helps with the ear popping as you go up and down the mountain, lol. Some heavy timber areas, some open parks, west side of the divide is drier. Just general stuff like on the map I guess.
I think the Bear Lodge Resort is pretty busy that time of year, so maybe get on the reservations pretty quickly. I don't know of any camping site with electric up there, but the improved ones like Bald MT. have water spigots. Slim23, I think that there is a 14 day limit on NF, so you might have to move once for that amount of time. I think that you can move just to a different spot and its all good. Its pretty varied terrain there. You go from the ranches and creek bottoms around Shell up the canyons and then around Bald Mt. you are above tree line within like 30 miles or something like that including the switchbacks. Chewing gum helps with the ear popping as you go up and down the mountain, lol. Some heavy timber areas, some open parks, west side of the divide is drier. Just general stuff like on the map I guess.
jenbickel
Veteran member
Check out wyoming high country lodge. They're right next to area 40. You will be closer than staying at bear lodge (burgess junction)
thanks. i have a lot more to figure out about the laws and such. are there any laws regarding utv use on the trails? Thinking of bringing one to check out the trails/roads to save some wear and tear on the truck. hoping to use the first week to learn the unit and decided where to focus our efforts. we are typically backpack guys but with the length of stay and the amount of roads we are going to bring the wall tent for a base.
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
http://wyotrails.state.wy.us/pdf/09ORV_Info_Trifold.pdf
I think this goes through the ATV rules ok. They are usually pretty well marked with the white arrows on the brown sign deal. Roads that are closed say on the brown post deal that it is a closed area. You sure can cover a lot of country with those ATV's. That sounds like a good plan scoting about and learning the area.
kiddwinner
Active Member
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
Elkoholic307
Banned
bighornram
New Member
Area 40 is best accessed from hunt mountain road, either from the hwy 14a side west of burgess or from the granite pass area off hwy 14. This is a good gravel road but can get bad if much snow. Be sure to bring 4 tire chains and shovel. Any of the access roads coming south off Hunt Mt road can lead you to elk. Many hunters park teir rv's at each end of this road and drive from there. Atv's are very useful in this unit but get an atv map from Bighorn National Forest and stay on the roads. Skip the opener as Labor day weekend can be very busy. Last minute campers and the opening of blue grouse season is Sept.1. Any land north of Hunt Mt road is area 38. The bulls will really be sceaming the last 2 weeks of the season. Hunt Mt road runs across the upper elevation parts of the unit and everything is down hill from there. Look for the elk to hold close to the canyons and away from the roads. Have a great hunt.