Wyoming hunt codes confusing so I have a question

[Roughwater]

Hi,

I live in NC and at this late date thinking to maybe go Elk hunting again this year. Looked hard at Colorado and some at NM and somewhere along the way I thought to check out Wyoming. I missed the Draw so I went online to the Wyoming wildlife website and found the left over tags.

The codes were a bit confusing though. After checking a few available unit possibilites (all were cow/calf hunts). I noticed the units came with a dash after them such as 35-6 but the six or 7 or whatever at the end of the number did not have the same meaning in every unit. I had to bring up a Wy wildlife map of every unit to see what the dash 6 or 7 meant each and every unit. I had to scroll beneath the map where it would show the meaning of the 6, 7, 9 or whatever followed the dash and the date of the hunt for that unit.

This brings me to my stupid Question. A couple of the unit maps stated the following: " Valid for: Area 35
Limitations: Cow or calf valid off national forest". It was the word "off" that seemed a little confusing. I assume it means the tag is good everywhere in the unit except the National Forest. But I've heard the term "off" used in exactly the opposite way such as "I was fishing off my boat or hunting off my treestand" etc. Or maybe that's just a southern thing? Please educate me. Thanks.

 

[NEWHunter]

Your assumption is correct

 

[wy-tex]

Off National Forest means any other lands are open to hunting except NF lands. Areas will list the license types available and their restrictions.

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks New hunter and Tex!
I had considered getting a rifle cow tag in Wy but went through the list one by one and only one unit seemed to have some available National Forest outside of a wilderness area. So seeing what's available in Utah at the moment. They seem to have lots of Non-res OTC permits available both for bull or either spike/cow tags. Utah has 2720 any bull permits available at this moment and looks like unlimited Archery tags. Looks like archery tags are good for any elk. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[wy-tex]

Apply for those cow tags next year in the regular draw, no PP needed. Some tags are valid on NF and some areas have great late season hunting via HMA'a and walk in areas for cow elk, Wyoming that is. Look at the public access page for an idea which areas have more access in late seasons. You do have top pay attention to the various types listed as some have restrictions on private land only, private in certain areas only , season date restrictions etc..
You can also buy an archery license and hunt on that tag in both seasons provided there are no type 9 tags or restrictions on archery hunting. The regs on special archery seasons list each area and the restrictions on the areas.
It would be much easier to pick an area of the state you would like to hunt then study the tags for it, looking at all the licenses and types across the board can be very confusing for NR .

 

[Roughwater]

WY-Tex,

Hunting elk this year was kind of a last minute decision but if my health holds up (I'm 68) I'm already thinking about next year and you got me thinking to put in for a cow tag in next years Wy draw.

 

[wy-tex]

You can apply for, and or buy up to 2 additional cow tags. That's two cow elk for the price of one bull.
I would pay attention to harvest success rates this year on cow tags then talk with a GW or Biologist about the areas you're interested in for access and type of hunting for cows, i.e. late season only or are they huntable earlier in the season.
They are a hot commodity in some areas so drawing is not a given, but everyone has the same odds.

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks Wy-Tex.

I'm trying to figure out at the moment whether I want a Utah Any weapon OTC Bull, spike or pick up a Colorado left over 1st rifle hunt for this year. I understand that the Utah OTC permit areas can be crowded but the success rates don't seem any worse in general than the OTC Colorado units. But the spike hunts take place in the limited units. I was looking at the success rates in though units for Bulls and most range from 70-100%. I woulnd't be for sure to get a spike but if I can't find some Elk in one of those units it's time to retire from Elk hunting. Some of those limited spike units also are for the most part not much farther to drive than the Colorado units. I've elk hunted 4 times now, 2 times with bow in the 90's in Colorado and again in colorado in 2012 1st Rifle unit 43 and last year in Idaho (LOLO) Archery. All were bull hunts and I'm at the point now where it would feel good to bring anything home.