Wyoming Mosse in Area 1 and 34

[DH56]

Wyoming Mosse in Area 1,38,42 and 34

Hello:

New to this Forum. Wasn't aware Eastman's had one here after reading their magazines for many years.

I am looking to put together a Bull Moose hunt in either area 1,38,42 or 34. I have looked over a lot of information and have applied for Preference points for years now. Fortunately I got several of them when they were only $7.00.

I have hunted the Eastern side of the Big Horns by Sheridan for Mule deer quite a few times and know a little about the area. I know it is difficult to draw in these particular areas and have been told it is a very good, but want to hear from anyone that has some input, and any information would be a great help.

Have the Wolves become an issue? Are there any areas that are just as good or better? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[ssliger]

Wolves shouldn't be a problem, its outside the trophy zone so it's shoot on sight. I don't know about quality though. How many points do you have?

 

[DH56]

I have accumulated 11 so far.

 

[PointsHunter]

Wolves won't be an issue in the four areas you list... But at 11 points you're many years away from drawing. If you're open to other areas then you're on the cusp (2-3 years out) from drawing.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Hello:

New to this Forum. Wasn't aware Eastman's had one here after reading their magazines for many years.

I am looking to put together a Bull Moose hunt in either area 1 or 34. I have looked over a lot of information and have applied for Preference points for years now. Fortunately I got several of them when they were only $7.00.

I have hunted the Eastern side of the Big Horns by Sheridan for Mule deer quite a few times and know a little about the area. I know it is difficult to draw in these two particular areas and have been told it is a very good, but want to hear from anyone that has some input, and any information would be a great help.

Have the Wolves become an issue? Are there any areas that are just as good or better? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

John

From what I see on the G&F website drawing odds, you'll need at least 15 points to draw.

 

[Alabama]

It looks like you could draw 22. Maybe 6 or 35 if you're lucky. Units 1, 34, 38, and 42 no chance unless in the random draws.

 

[DH56]

The four I mentioned, I know I'll need at least 15 and most likely 16 to even have a chance. The draw stats indicate that. The issue is that I am getting older and it will become harder several years down the line, so looking at other options is being be considered. I want my best option with this once in a lifetime opportunity. If I was younger and in my 30's or 40's I would wait it out, but time is against me in a way.

6 and 35 are in the Pinedale and Lander Region, and my only concern is the wolf impact on the moose population. Based on what I am hearing here and from a friend of mine on the Sheridan area, the Big Horns really haven't been impacted at this point so the population is relatively stable.

 

[30Hart]

You could get lucky maybe next year with with an area 27 tag...just hunt the first two weeks of November on the border of Utah on the NF and you should have a good hunt.

 

[kiddwinner]

Big Horns and the snowy are by far the best areas in the state for trophy quality. If you have questions about the Sheridan area or cody area let me know in a pm, I grew up in Sheridan and still hunt the big horns and cody area for elk... I personally apply for area 1 even though itll be 10 years before I draw since I have 15 points as a resident.

 

[Guy]

Hello John,

I think area 1 is the best moose area in the state. Area 34 is also very good, but a bit tougher of a hunt, but has the potential also for a record book bull. I have personally seen groups of bulls between 12 and 20 strong in the summer in area 1. The only other areas I would look into would be the areas down in the Snowy Range near Colorado which would be areas 38 and 41. The Game and Fish honestly believes that the biggest moose in the state are down in those units. Those moose where transplanted from the Moosehead Ranch north of Jackson in Colorado back in the late seventies and have moved back north into Wyoming. Those genetics are the genes that have rewritten the record's book for Shiras moose back in the day, pre wolves. Either way, you will need 15 or 16 points for any of these tags, but all of the above are very, very good hunts. Area 1 is the easiest hunt for big bulls and the best bowhunt. I would say areas 38/41 has the best potential for a true giant. My two cents. Either way, good luck on the hunt. -G

 

[DH56]

Thanks to all that replied-

Guy, I have watched the units over the years and I would agree that Unit #1 is a very good area. I am still debating in my mind on holding out. I know this will be a once in a lifetime hunt, it just comes down to whether my body can continue to handle the Big Horns in my 60's, if I continue to wait another 5-6 years.

Hunting Mulies and Antelope at the base of the Big horns as well as in lower elevation when I was younger was fun, but as we age, the body will revolt if not able to handle the riggors of a mountain hunt. If I am to be successful, I will have to be able to handle any condition, and that will be the challenge.

Kiddwinner-thanks for the help and I will contact you as I get closer to having this hunt.

30hart-thanks for the info on 27.

 

[kentuckyhunter]

Dh
This is a pretty good representation of what I saw in 38 oct 2013

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Thanks to all that replied-

Guy, I have watched the units over the years and I would agree that Unit #1 is a very good area. I am still debating in my mind on holding out. I know this will be a once in a lifetime hunt, it just comes down to whether my body can continue to handle the Big Horns in my 60's, if I continue to wait another 5-6 years.

Hunting Mulies and Antelope at the base of the Big horns as well as in lower elevation when I was younger was fun, but as we age, the body will revolt if not able to handle the riggors of a mountain hunt. If I am to be successful, I will have to be able to handle any condition, and that will be the challenge.

Kiddwinner-thanks for the help and I will contact you as I get closer to having this hunt.

30hart-thanks for the info on 27.

Hi DH56, I understand you want to make an informed decision on whether to hold out for Unit 1 or Unit 34. I'd like to help you. Unit 1 and 34 and no doubt excellent units, but the more important issue, is where you are positioned to actually draw one of those units in the preference point pool.

The following link will show the number of applicants ahead of you applying for Wyoming moose:

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Hunting/pdfs/TOTAL_PREF_POINTS_MS_130004710.pdf

Since you are at 11 points, there are 1776 non-resident applicants with more points than you. As you can see from the linked report, there is a MASSIVE bubble of applicants with 12, 13 and 14 points, with over 400 applicants in each of those point pools. That "bubble" has not even begun to be gnawed away at. Last year 63 non-resident tags were drawn in the preference point pool. At that rate (assuming no attrition) you are 27 years before you will be in the draw pool for the top units. Clearly that is not the case (since there is attrition) but realistically you are likely 15+ years from drawing one of the top units in the state barring a major change in the number of tags issued, or a change to the draw system. It will be a very long time before you will be in the max point draw pool for Unit 1 or 34 since those two units are among of the most desired tags in the state.

I believe if you want to draw in the next 10 years, you will need to be very strategic with your applications, and applying for some of the less popular units.

I just had this conversation today with one of my best friends who has 12 points for moose.

 

[DH56]

I know my odds seem overwhelming, but over the years, I have had a tendency to go for broke. But- I was much younger and had time to re-group if it failed.

One of my dreams many years ago was to do a Shiras Moose hunt in the Wilderness of the Big Horns. A friend that I hunted with years ago had a cabin there where he did some elk hunting and it was about a days ride by horseback from Story to get to his cabin-just gorgeous. When I hunted in the area several times, Wyoming and the Big Horns just completely amazed me. Coming from Ohio, my 1st trip out West in the early 90's just completely changed my life. There was something about the West and the Wilderness that just took my love for the outdoors to another level and" made me" visit several more times over the years.

I always tell my friends that trapping when I was a youngster made me a better hunter, and hunting made me a better person. It prepared me for adulthood and taught me to respect all animals and life. I owe that to my myself and the respect I have for Wildlife to make the most of it. I really want to accomplish my goal, but my struggles start with the time left to accomplish that.

I think am going to continue to apply for points this year and try to make a solid decision on my direction over the year on what to do going forward. I appreciate your input that all of you provided and will always listen to any additional input as well.

Good Hunting-