Wyoming "Limited Public Access" Leftover licenses

[ashridge]

I've been planning since last Fall to possibly take my 12 year old son out to Wyoming in October of this year to hunt antelope for the first time (his first time, not mine). Because of the nature of my business, I couldn't commit to the dates that far in advance to justify putting in the regular draw. And I still may not know for sure until August or maybe even September whether the schedule would work out for us to be there in early October when the season opens in the units we're looking at. Because of that, the units I've been looking at most heavily are the ones between Sheridan/Casper/Gillette because of all the leftovers. Because those units are all listed as "Limited Public Access", I wanted to see what the access actually was and if it looked like good lope country, so I took my son out there on a quick trip in late April (combined it with a turkey hunt in Nebraska) and we put a lot of miles on the truck checking out public lands in several units for a few days. Units 15, 16, 22, 21, 23 and parts of one or two others that all have a lot of leftover tags. We saw a few lopes and found some public that has access (even if not that large of tracts).

So, after all that explanation, my question is, how long can we expect there to be Leftover tags available for those units, generally speaking? Both buck and doe/fawn, as we were planning to get at least one buck tag each and a few doe/fawn tags to try to load up on meat. Are there likely to still be some leftover tags available in most of those units just a few weeks before the season opens in October, or are they likely to be gone by then? I'm pretty sure we won't be able to buy our tags right when they come available in the next few weeks.

Any input would be appreciated, either here or on PM.

Thanks!

 

[Hilltop]

Any answers would honestly be a guess. The worst public access areas sometimes have tags left over right up until season but there is no guarantee. Your best bet would be to try to locate some private land that allows access for a fee and hope there are tags left when you make your decision. Anything that has tags left over that late will have them for a reason- the public opportunities are very limited or non-existent. The antelope are definitely in these areas but they are usually tough to find on public land. Any decent public access tags/areas will sell out quickly as a general rule.

 

[bdan68]

There were tags left last year for 10, 15 and 109 in October when we were in Sheridan hunting. We hunted 15 but I really wouldn't recommend that area unless you pay a trespass fee for private land. Area 16 has more public land but I'd still plan on hunting private if you hunt that unit. You may have better luck getting access if you buy doe tags and hunt after October 14th when the buck season has ended.

 

[ashridge]

Any answers would honestly be a guess. The worst public access areas sometimes have tags left over right up until season but there is no guarantee. Your best bet would be to try to locate some private land that allows access for a fee and hope there are tags left when you make your decision. Anything that has tags left over that late will have them for a reason- the public opportunities are very limited or non-existent. The antelope are definitely in these areas but they are usually tough to find on public land. Any decent public access tags/areas will sell out quickly as a general rule.

I found enough public access land and enough lopes when I went out there in April to make me comfortable hunting one of those units, just curious as to how long the tags will last. It took a lot of driving and map work to find the areas, which I love but I'm sure some people aren't so keen on, so I can understand why there would be a lot of tags left over. I called and talked to one of the biologists up there today and asked him this question and his answer was that he'd be surprised if there weren't still some tags left in September.

 

[ashridge]

There were tags left last year for 10, 15 and 109 in October when we were in Sheridan hunting. We hunted 15 but I really wouldn't recommend that area unless you pay a trespass fee for private land. Area 16 has more public land but I'd still plan on hunting private if you hunt that unit. You may have better luck getting access if you buy doe tags and hunt after October 14th when the buck season has ended.

We looked at some areas in 15 in April and saw some lopes on several pieces of public, but there were other units that we liked the looks of better.

 

[Againstthewind]

Yeah agree with the above, but there are some state land sections that are pretty small and maybe overlooked and even the walk-in areas that get hit pretty hard by hunters usually have antelope on them. BLM in some areas looks like it has a lot to offer, but then the roads are blocked off by private drives, so there can be a lot of research that needs to be done. The private would be the best option. You can probably pick up a white-tail doe tag for private on leftovers in the Sheridan, Buffalo area. They are in the unlimited section. I guess I know more about 23, 24 antelope, which have a lot of leftovers. I don't think the doe tags sold out at all last year, but I might be wrong. Even on the grasslands, the access is tricky because of the mines and the leased land to ranchers, but those two areas still have quite a bit of public areas and plenty of antelope. Like Hilltop said, they will also be some of the first to sell out for bucks also, but doe tags you can usually pick up during the season I think.

 

[480/277]

Land without hunters on it in april ain't gonna be the same come opening day. Expect company, and have a plan z ,just sayin'

 

[ashridge]

Land without hunters on it in april ain't gonna be the same come opening day. Expect company, and have a plan z ,just sayin'

I'm not expecting to be alone, and I don't mind competition as long as there are animals around. Having pre-scouted a bunch of different areas, I figure I'm already ahead of the game a bit compared to those who will be seeing it and scouting it for the first time when the season opens. Many of the parcels of public that I looked at are not necessarily easily hunted from the road, and I don't mind at all parking the truck and humping it to find animals beyond the reach of those who want to primarily hunt from their vehicle. I was also able to eliminate some areas that looked promising from aerial photos, but not so much in person.

 

[JEandAsGuide]

I hunted 22 last year on a leftover tag. Went in late August with my bow and bounced around the small sections of BLM and state land. Almost all of them had antelope in August. I had a good time and was basically alone. When I returned in October with my hunting partners it was exactly 1 week after the rifle opener and every one of these small public areas was completely void of antelope. I think we seen less than 5 antelope on BLM or state land all day the first day. Luckily we had arranged to pay a trespass for the next couple days and filled out tags there. I know you don't mind being alone but the pieces of public in these areas are small as far as antelope hunting goes and they are easily shot off of them the first couple days IMHO. Would probably be best to try and line up somewhere to hunt on private, even if it's just for 1 day.

 

[480/277]

I have seen competition get fairly sporty on LAPL .....
When i took my first nephew, i went the last week.
When i took my second nephew, about the same age , i went the opener.
The last week was a better hunt.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I hunted 22 last year on a leftover tag. Went in late August with my bow and bounced around the small sections of BLM and state land. Almost all of them had antelope in August. I had a good time and was basically alone. When I returned in October with my hunting partners it was exactly 1 week after the rifle opener and every one of these small public areas was completely void of antelope. I think we seen less than 5 antelope on BLM or state land all day the first day. Luckily we had arranged to pay a trespass for the next couple days and filled out tags there. I know you don't mind being alone but the pieces of public in these areas are small as far as antelope hunting goes and they are easily shot off of them the first couple days IMHO. Would probably be best to try and line up somewhere to hunt on private, even if it's just for 1 day.

You are correct. The pressure drives the antelope onto the private and for the most part, that's where they stay. Arrange a trespass payment to a rancher. Otherwise. you're screwed.

 

[cntryep3614]

First time Wyoming hunter...I drew Unit 63 which should have no access problems. However my younger brother is in a similar position and is hoping to find an antelope in unit 109 Sheridan... I am accompanying him, and while hoping to increase his odds I have three questions.
1- Does the state mail out licenses, or do we have to pick them up somewhere. (this goes for both of us as I don't know the process and can't find an easy answer anywhere on the website.
2- Is there any other fees or stamps required to hunt out there.
3- My GPS shows lots of "2 Track" roads for the area. Up above it says these roads are often blocked off by driveways. can anyone elaborate?

 

[Againstthewind]

First two are easy, kindof, lol

1. The state mails out licenses purchased on the internet or phone. They are usually pretty fast about it, so should be there pretty quickly. Over the counter ones are printed out right at the store with the tag attached. I think you can get replacement ones the store also.
2. You do need a conservation stamp for any license, fishing, hunting, etc. Archery also has a special tag. Both can be purchased at pretty much any sporting goods stores, and some convience stores.
3. Sometimes the BLM that shows on the map only has access through ranches. The drives up to these ranches are private and not a county or gov't. road, so you need to be sure that you are not trespassing even if you are just passing through. I think the best way to figure that out is to make sure you are on a clearly marked BLM or forest service two track and ask the warden, BLM office, sometimes the county officials know also. I am not always clear about those roads either, so hopefully you can get something cleared up if you pick a road and ask some questions. That part is a pain and partly why some of those kinds of areas have more leftovers. The roads are not always marked as private either, but you can still get in trouble because its your job to know the difference. Don't cross any gates when on public so you know you are still good. Sometimes there will be a sign that says that the road has no access so you can turn around, but that isn't required either, so not always the case.

 

[cntryep3614]

Appreciate the reply against the wind! That's really tough to discern with maps and gps'. We'll contact Sheridan and hope for good timing and some luck!

 

[7mag]

My wife and i hunted area 23 2 times last year with leftover type 1 tags. The only bucks we saw on public land were mature bucks right off the interstate land locked by private and a yearling buck outside of Kaycee. Finally found a landowner right before sundown that would let us shoot does but no bucks. We didnt make the 3.5 hr drive to eat tag soup but a little more effort could have made the hunt alot more fun.

 

[cntryep3614]

FYI I phoned the Sheridan Wyoming Chamber of Commerce today. The lady there said she has had a lot of requests for the Landowner list and although its helpful that many of the Ranchers are starting to get angry with the callers. I know my brothers after a buck only. were driving over 20 hrs from Ohio to hunt antelope. are there any ideas on what to say when we call the ranchers. how to approach it. there are 6 names on the list for his unit.

 

[bdan68]

I don't blame the landowners if they're getting tired of the phone calls. But I'd guess they ought to be able to have their name and number taken off the list if they so choose. I know the WGFD office in Sheridan is no longer giving out the landowner list. I got it last year but when I asked this year I was told they don't do that anymore.

I suppose the first thing to say when calling a rancher is "I'm willing to pay whatever you charge."

 

[Big_Pudge]

I've only been to Wyoming once and I bought over the counter tags for unit 16. That was 2 years ago. There were antelope all over the area but there were also hunters all over. Everyone was road hunting and people were driving vehicles where they shouldn't have.

In the end I was successful and it was still fairly easy. All I wanted was a buck so I was happy with whatever I got.

Things I learned. Not all "public" roads are public. Just because it has a name doesn't make it public and some public roads will end and become private.

Most counties have websites with a map and list of public roads. Go to those websites and look at the maps. Take that information and look at a public land map and make sure the roads you want to travel are actually public. And that you can get to the public land.

Antelope are all over. Just be prepared to compete on the public land with all the other hunters.

I drove from michigan and will be driving back again this fall with a leftover license.

 

[cntryep3614]

that's a big help. I will look for those public roads later today!

 

[shootbrownelk]

I've only been to Wyoming once and I bought over the counter tags for unit 16. That was 2 years ago. There were antelope all over the area but there were also hunters all over. Everyone was road hunting and people were driving vehicles where they shouldn't have.

In the end I was successful and it was still fairly easy. All I wanted was a buck so I was happy with whatever I got.

Things I learned. Not all "public" roads are public. Just because it has a name doesn't make it public and some public roads will end and become private.

Most counties have websites with a map and list of public roads. Go to those websites and look at the maps. Take that information and look at a public land map and make sure the roads you want to travel are actually public. And that you can get to the public land.

Antelope are all over. Just be prepared to compete on the public land with all the other hunters.

I drove from michigan and will be driving back again this fall with a leftover license.

Pudge, here's another tip. Not all private roads are private. Some landowners will try to B.S. hunters. telling them roads and land beyond are private...when in fact some are BLM. A fella for sure needs a GPS with a land status chip in these areas.