Wyoming Elk Unit 45

[IowaRes]

I didn't see a thread yet on unit 45 so here it is!

My dad and I both sent for Unit 45 type 1 tags with 8 points, and sent for the tag w/ preference point option.
I drew a tag and he did not, leaving him with 9 points now. Before we sent, I thought we both had 100% draw chance but it must be creeping. I guess we'll just go together next year too!

That being said, any information you guys want to provide on where to start DIY would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm no CEO, so paying Seven J is probably out of the question.

Obviously everyone wants a 370" bull, but I'm not that picky. I'm hoping the Bighorns will give me a high opportunity rate at 300"+.

For those of you that are close to drawing, I would be happy to map and chronicle what I experience to report back! Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[buckbull]

bummer. sounds like you should have entered the draw as a group.

 

[Reflex]

I will have 7 points going into next years draw and unit 45 was one of the units I was looking at. I thought I would be in the mix for drawing, but maybe I am too far behind. Good luck with your planning. Hopefully it works out for you!

 

[NE69]

I wouldn't have felt 8 points this year was a sure deal in 45 in regular draw. Probably 9 in 2017 won't be a sure deal either. Too much publicity.

 

[minn elk chaser]

Unit 45 along with 7 seems to get all the hype. Do some research if you don't have max points unless you are willing to wait for awhile and go somewhere else.

 

[IowaRes]

I wouldn't have felt 8 points this year was a sure deal in 45 in regular draw. Probably 9 in 2017 won't be a sure deal either. Too much publicity.

NE69, I'd love to use this as a learning experience then. Below are the draw results for 2015 that I was looking at. Maybe I need to adjust my thinking, but I looked at those draw odds and thought 8 points would be a sure deal this year. Explain to me where I went wrong.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Hilltop]

NE69, I'd love to use this as a learning experience then. Below are the draw results for 2015 that I was looking at. Maybe I need to adjust my thinking, but I looked at those draw odds and thought 8 points would be a sure deal this year. Explain to me where I went wrong.
Thanks in advance!
View attachment 15992

In 2015, applicants with 7 points only had an 11.43% chance to draw (regular draw). The special draw odds with 7 points was 38%. This is the point class pool you are in. All of the unsuccessful 7 point applicants were likely to apply in this years draw with 8 points. To add to these applicants, the publicity that this area has received has added new applicants with preference points waiting for an area to apply. Thus your chances only increased to 12% for 2016. Perfect example of point creep. I agree with NE69 for your 2017 odds. My guess is regular draw with 9 points will be under or at 50% next year. Your best chance at a tag next year is likely in the special draw. 8 points was 100% draw this year in the special so you will likely draw in the special next year with 9.

 

[NE69]

Hilltop is exactly right. If I was in your position, I would think it worked out perfect. Enjoy your hunt this year and enjoy your dad's next year helping each other. You get two great hunts to enjoy together and not as much pressure to fill two tags at the same time. It might be 15 plus years before you can draw that area again so make the most of it. Even though it's a great unit, it's still hunting and good bulls don't come easy when you aren't guided and 1000 miles from home.

 

[Kevin W]

Hilltop is exactly right. If I was in your position, I would think it worked out perfect. Enjoy your hunt this year and enjoy your dad's next year helping each other. You get two great hunts to enjoy together and not as much pressure to fill two tags at the same time. It might be 15 plus years before you can draw that area again so make the most of it. Even though it's a great unit, it's still hunting and good bulls don't come easy when you aren't guided and 1000 miles from home.

Very well said, looking for the like button!!!!

 

[Redbowman]

You guys nailed it I drew as an example, I had 9 points and switch from trying to pull the ultra high demand units like 22 and 16 and decided I wanted to hunt and applied for the unit 45 type 9 tag. Some might say I had to many points and wasted 1 or 2 because I didn't need that many points, maybe but then I used a couple of $50 yearly points to draw a regular tag and saved hundreds not buying a special tag and felt confident I would be hunting this year. I think everyone is reconsidering there old strategies considering what is going.

 

[Redman76]

I am also putting in for 45 but archery only. I live in Wyoming but have never hunted 45. Going to be a learning curve for us both. I plan on doing ALOT of scouting, maybe we can share info we learn so w are both successful!!

 

[robiland]

You will be glad it went the way it did. In 2014, I drew with 7 and a friend drew random with 0. But I killed a good 6 point 3 days in. My friend never was able to connect. It was hard enough to get 1 tag filled, but 2 is even more hard. After killing 1, packing them out, and getting the energy to go for #2 is very very hard. Even harder if AGE is a factor. I was 36, and day 3 at night is when I killed, packed him out that next morning, and night 4 was a slow moving night for me. However, the screaming bulls kept me alive. Enjoy 1 tag a year. Learn this year and do better next year. Good luck!