wyoming unit 23 elk

[olbignuts]

Im looking into the access with this unit.Has anyone hunted this unit ?
I took a scouting trip this past year during rifle season and it looked good.
Just wondering if there was any access issues or landowner problems that we didn't run into while scouting..
Thanks for any info

 

[Topgun 30-06]

There is a great amount of public land in 23, especially in the southern half of the unit. Just make sure you have a GPS with landownership chip and know what roads are public to get to them.

 

[shootbrownelk]

There is a big ranch bordering #23, the Diamond Ring. After opening day, most of the elk vamoose onto it, and for the most part, they stay there. The ranch is patrolled. And there are quite a few trespassing tickets issued by G&F. Take TopGun's advise, a GPS with a landowner chip will be indespensable. Sometimes the "Ring's Elk & Deer Police" try to B.S. you about what's private & what's public.
Also, be prepared for lots of company. Due to it's location it's popular with Casper hunters.

 

[laxwyo]

BS'ing someone off of public land should be a ticket the same as trespassing

Hard to enforce, I'm just making a point

 

[Topgun 30-06]

BS'ing someone off of public land should be a ticket the same as trespassing

Hard to enforce, I'm just making a point

The easiest way to handle something like that if you're sure you're legal is to just take out your cell phone and offer to call the G&F and tell them you'll wait for the GW to show up and settle it. 9 times out of 10 they'll be on their way because it is considered hunter harassment under the law and they know they're just bluffing. I filed a written complaint with the local G&F GW against what is now the biggest outfitter in Wyoming about 10 years ago for that type of baloney and he took care of it with a visit to the owner of the company. Before I even got back to MI I got a call from him and he told me I wouldn't be having any more problems because he warned the guy if he got any more complaints that could be verified that the guy might lose his outfitters license. He was right, as I have had no further problems any time I've hunted there.

 

[olbignuts]

Thanks guys

 

[jimss]

I hunted 23 a few years ago and it was somewhat of a nightmare! I started off archery hunting. Several mornings and evenings a guy dressed up in camo carrying a bow took large loops spooking elk from public back onto the large ranch mentioned above. I wish I would have had access to a cell phone back then but didn't. The evening before rifle season opened the same guy took another giant loop through the area (again w/bow in hand) and spooked around 100 head of elk back onto the ranch. I have video footage of the guy doing this....and still kick myself for not taking time and driving into Casper to report what was going on. 23 has the same issue as other units in Central Wyo (units 7, 9, 16, 19, 108, 118, 120...to name a few) with large private ranches where elk tend to find sheltor when pressured off smaller parcels of public.

 

[laxwyo]

Anything to assure a trophy for their client.

 

[olbignuts]

Jimss was this in the northern or southern part of the unit ? I'm not applying here this year but I'm gonna be sure to take a peek again this year about midway through rifle season to see whats going on.im not willing to burn the points for a pain in the a@@..

 

[MWScott72]

I was looking at 23 a couple years back, and after talking to the G&F folks opted to forget about it...for much the same reasons as those listed above. After the guns go off, the elk high tail it to the private ranch. It takes too many points (for me) to want to risk that, and I'd rather find a different place to hunt with my valuable points.

 

[Dark Mavis]

I was just wondering how this years hunt went on this unit, if anyone had the tag. It can't all be gloom and doom according to the success rates. Unless the majority of the elk are being killed on private or by outfitters.

Good luck in the WY elk draw guys!

 

[NDHunter]

I was just wondering how this years hunt went on this unit, if anyone had the tag. It can't all be gloom and doom according to the success rates. Unless the majority of the elk are being killed on private or by outfitters.

Good luck in the WY elk draw guys!

I've also wondered how the success rate is so high there? I was considering that unit as well until I called the bio a few years ago and he basically said "I really try to steer people away from that unit. The elk take refuge on said ranch and rarely come out." Everything I've heard since then has confirmed that.

 

[88man]

ND Hunter, I agree. I always wondered the same about a few units like 23 with high kill rates. Thats why I love to see hunter satisfaction ratings. Or hunt quality ratings.