Wyoming NR Elk 2022

[ACD]

With the upcoming application deadline, I'm looking for advise or suggestions for non-resident Wyoming elk. I have max points (16) and am considering burning them this year in Area 16, as the next few years I'll have more opportunity to hunt in my state (as well as Wyoming moose, 19 points currently). My brother (max as well) and I have been looking at 22 & 124, but with the draw odds, unlikely we will draw as a group for quite some time (or separately for that matter).

In the hopes of breaking up our draw years, and having the opportunity to hunt Wyoming elk for a few years as a family, I'm considering burning my points with a 16-1 tag. We have several friends and family around the area that have hunted this area and are familiar, and I plan to hunt the archery season as well. My other thought is my husband has 5 points, and after I draw, we plan to start applying for general elk and hunt the area he grew up hunting.

Am I crazy for thinking about burning points now, or do I keep holding out for one of the top units? I plan to DIY, no guide, so not interested in the western part of the state at this time. I understand the Q Creek's large land position in Area 16. Does that limit/restrict the available hunting area in the Shirley's? Any suggestions or past experience is greatly appreciated.

 

[bux4brainz]

Hello ACD & welcome aboard. I hunted unit 16 about 10 years ago & had an enjoyable experience & harvested a nice bull. Yes, the Q creek has tied up a lot of land in 16 but there is enough public to have a good hunt. There are some landowners in the unit who do not like the elk & offer access.

 

[Hilltop]

With the upcoming application deadline, I'm looking for advise or suggestions for non-resident Wyoming elk. I have max points (16) and am considering burning them this year in Area 16, as the next few years I'll have more opportunity to hunt in my state (as well as Wyoming moose, 19 points currently). My brother (max as well) and I have been looking at 22 & 124, but with the draw odds, unlikely we will draw as a group for quite some time (or separately for that matter).

In the hopes of breaking up our draw years, and having the opportunity to hunt Wyoming elk for a few years as a family, I'm considering burning my points with a 16-1 tag. We have several friends and family around the area that have hunted this area and are familiar, and I plan to hunt the archery season as well. My other thought is my husband has 5 points, and after I draw, we plan to start applying for general elk and hunt the area he grew up hunting.

Am I crazy for thinking about burning points now, or do I keep holding out for one of the top units? I plan to DIY, no guide, so not interested in the western part of the state at this time. I understand the Q Creek's large land position in Area 16. Does that limit/restrict the available hunting area in the Shirley's? Any suggestions or past experience is greatly appreciated.

If no new applicants jump in, you would have better than 50% chance to draw area 100. That would be my vote. It's a very unique tag to have. I personally think 16 is a bit over valued simply due to the limits on available area to hunt. If you don't get it done during archery, it can get challenging to kill a big one.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yep....If I was in your shoes it would be 100 first.

 

[tim]

stupid question, but what is the general season dates?

 

[Hilltop]

stupid question, but what is the general season dates?

It's different for some areas. Many of them have archery from September 1st-30th and rifle from October 15th-30th. There are exceptions to this so it is best to review the regulations when they come out this spring.

 

[ACD]

If no new applicants jump in, you would have better than 50% chance to draw area 100. That would be my vote. It's a very unique tag to have. I personally think 16 is a bit over valued simply due to the limits on available area to hunt. If you don't get it done during archery, it can get challenging to kill a big one.

Thank you! I've looked at 100 as well, and like you said, it's definitely unique. The struggle I have is I'd prefer not to hunt the desert, as it's very similar to where I hunt in Utah. But, 16 has quite a bit of desert/plains as well. Definitely one to consider.

 

[Hilltop]

Thank you! I've looked at 100 as well, and like you said, it's definitely unique. The struggle I have is I'd prefer not to hunt the desert, as it's very similar to where I hunt in Utah. But, 16 has quite a bit of desert/plains as well. Definitely one to consider.

I understand - tough to decide where to spend the points. Really hope you will continue posting. Most of us here will never have max points so it would be great to follow along if you are willing to share. Thanks!

 

[jimss]

16 is a decent hunt but it's a royal pain in the rear dealing with all the private/Q Ranch. Archery may be ok but even during archery the elk tend to know the Q boundary. There actually are several cow rifle hunts open during archery season in 16. Take a look at how many cow tags are issued and their dates. Believe me, having all the cow hunters running up and down roads is definitely not fun. Most of 16 is relatively open country with roads so guess where the elk end up? There are a very few but not many isolated spots to get away from hunters. Even in the most isolated spots you likely will be watching bulls for hours on the wrong side of the fence! 16 has type 1 and 2 tags. The type 1 gets first dibs on bulls but the elk tend to know exactly where the Q Ranch boundaries are by the time even the first bull season opens. By the 2nd season it can be a crap shoot finding bulls on public. The elk often migrate once it snows. If there is deep snow many elk migrate completely off Shirley Mtn...and often onto the Q. Some may migrate completely out of the area with no public land available. Each year is a little different with snow.

If you have the $ the Q would be a great option in 16 but public can be tough. If I had the choice of tags I think 100 would be a lot more fun with all the public land available.

 

[buckbull]

Nobody has mentioned it but there was a bill being discussed about limiting the percent of tags to non residents. Im not sure of the status. I think anybody with points needs to consider using them sooner rather than later.

 

[Bullcan]

Nobody has mentioned it but there was a bill being discussed about limiting the percent of tags to non residents. Im not sure of the status. I think anybody with points needs to consider using them sooner rather than later.

I thought this was rejected, but even so it is always a possibility.

 

[Hilltop]

I thought this was rejected, but even so it is always a possibility.

It appears likely to pass for the Big 5 but antelope, deer, and elk distributions are safe for another year or two.

 

[mallardsx2]

The crybabies didnt get their way yet. Meanwhile they flaunt how many tags they can get as residents all over the internet.

 

[ScottR]

If I were in your shoes 100 would be on my short list.

 

[lukew]

Good luck in the draw!

 

[wy-tex]

The crybabies didnt get their way yet. Meanwhile they flaunt how many tags they can get as residents all over the internet.

Wow, you could move here and have great hunting as well.

 

[BuzzH]

Wow, you could move here and have great hunting as well.

My NR buddies do pretty well here, they just apply and draw tags every year.

 

[Bonecollector]

My NR buddies do pretty well here, they just apply and draw tags every year.

that’s a tough pill to swallow for a NR elk tag - year over year over year,,,,,
Even cow tag success has been ruined the past 3-4 years.
Heck it’s 50/50 on drawing a doe speed-goat when they used to be a dime a dozen.
Don’t get me wrong there are a few slim areas but they are usually private land or irrigated areas but even those are drying up.

 

[Bonecollector]

Wow, you could move here and have great hunting as well.

Id love too. Can’t talk the wife into it as family would be too spread out for her liking. Kinda worked for mine!

 

[BuzzH]

that’s a tough pill to swallow for a NR elk tag - year over year over year,,,,,
Even cow tag success has been ruined the past 3-4 years.
Heck it’s 50/50 on drawing a doe speed-goat when they used to be a dime a dozen.
Don’t get me wrong there are a few slim areas but they are usually private land or irrigated areas but even those are drying up.

There's advantages to being in the know and having a friend in Wyoming...my buddies have drawn 5 elk tags each in the past 4 years...2 bull tags and 3 cow tags each.

They savvy elk hunting, all I have to do is get them into elk and let them know where to apply. They're exceptional shots, dedicated, and aren't afraid to work for it. I usually spend a day or two scouting for them before they get here, so we aren't out there looking for elk, when we should be killing elk...probably why they have gone 14/15 with their tags. The only tag they left on the table was by choice this past fall. My buddy that didn't fill his cow tag, did so by choice...he figured 3 bulls and 2 cows in a day between the 3 of them was enough. Probably right, but I wish he would have shot his cow to go along with the bull he killed earlier, not like he didn't have tons of opportunity to do it. I enjoy hosting them, a high school buddy and his 2 cousins...non-stop fun.

Full game bags from this past fall:

They enjoy slumming it in the basement of the double-wide...

Usually a cocktail or two after they fill their tags:

I about half starve them too...barely 3/4 of a pound of the best halibut each, from my yearly AK fishing trip, with some wild rice and a cerveza.

I'm surprised they keep showing back up year after year...