Wyoming unit 24 elk

[Casper]

Hi as the Wyoming elk draw is ready to roll for all of us I have been pouring over all the data. I have 10 points Max this year and am really looking hard at applying for unit 24. I am planning 2 full weeks in sept DIY archery hunt a type 1 tag. I was wondering if anyone may have been there in the past few years and could relay the experience they had.

I am from Arizona and have elk hunting experience there, I am looking for a good chance at a 300 class 6x6 and would like the chance at a few that are bigger. I have good equipment a good pair of boots and a trailer for a camp.

Do all the units have archery deer that starts at the same time, bear, grouse ect. I was wondering how many people are going to be there in sept? The elk hunting pressure should be low being most would wait for the rifle tag. Thanks for any info Dan. If someone may have a better suggestion I would be open. My Dad and Son will be along for the extra help.

 

[ScottR]

Take a look at the Wyoming MRS and read Guy's analysis of 124. Personally, if an archery hunt is what you are after I would look for hunts with higher resident elk populations.

 

[WapitiBob]

You can hunt 24, you won't be hunting 124 for a very long time. I would take 20" off your goal for 24.

 

[Hilltop]

I think 24 would be a great hunt but if I were in the max point pool, I would apply for areas 30,31,32,100 or 124 until I drew a tag. 100 or 124 would be my top choice. You will never be in this position again so I would carefully consider what you want. The experience of hunting elk in the desert is pretty cool... And the size of bulls your looking for are realistic for these areas.

 

[laxwyo]

Take a look at the Wyoming MRS and read Guy's analysis of 124. Personally, if an archery hunt is what you are after I would look for hunts with higher resident elk populations.

I would personally disagree with this. I think it's the greatest archery hunt ever. You definitely need to find the elk and skip the first 10-12 days of September. 100 is also a great archery hunt and it's rumored that there's a 400" bull still running around. 30,31,32 are all great. Coworker shot a 370" in 31 couple years ago.

 

[Hilltop]

I would personally disagree with this. I think it's the greatest archery hunt ever. You definitely need to find the elk and skip the first 10-12 days of September. 100 is also a great archery hunt and it's rumored that there's a 400" bull still running around. 30,31,32 are all great. Coworker shot a 370" in 31 couple years ago.

Lax, Scott is encouraging 124 and discouraging area 24. Think you misunderstood him unless Scott thought the OP was meaning 124?.

 

[ScottR]

Lax, Scott is encouraging 124 and discouraging area 24. Think you misunderstood him unless Scott thought the OP was meaning 124?.

Bingo, was a quick read and got a little confused. LAX, not saying you can't kill a big bull with archery tackle there, but the data shows the majority of the big bulls are killed later in the season there. But, the whole discussion is all for not since I accidentally added the 1 to 24.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I think 24 would be a great hunt but if I were in the max point pool, I would apply for areas 30,31,32,100 or 124 until I drew a tag. 100 or 124 would be my top choice. You will never be in this position again so I would carefully consider what you want. The experience of hunting elk in the desert is pretty cool... And the size of bulls your looking for are realistic for these areas.

I think this is pretty sound advice. Sure the odds aren't great for these areas but they're not going to get any better with the amount of max point holders out there and I think the top end bull quality in these areas are healthier right now than 24. That being said, I think 300" is still doable in 24 but definitely shouldn't be an expectation like in some other areas.

 

[Casper]

Yes I was talking about 24 not 124 . Ok thanks for the replies guys ok 280 to 300 bulls here. hmmm I'm still interested for sure but the unit 62 sure has my interest also big bulls but loaded with big Grizz also. Anyone try to hunt in a thick bear area like that? not sure if i want to deal with all the extras Grizzlys would add to the hunt.

 

[WapitiBob]

I haven't talked to a single person that's seen a bear in 62 other than a dept employee. Tracks yes, live bear, no. They do seem to be getting braver.

 

[Triple BB]

Definitely better areas in the state than 24 for max points. I hunted 24 including the archery season several years ago and counted 54 different bulls. I thought the bulls were easier to call in the first two weeks of Sept as they weren't herded up. Quality wasn't that impressive. The G&F is managing this area strictly for opportunity. You might also look at the most recent harvest stats. Not that great for taking a bull. 100 and some of the 30's areas would be better choices.

 

[ScottR]

I haven't talked to a single person that's seen a bear in 62 other than a dept employee. Tracks yes, live bear, no. They do seem to be getting braver.

I've seen them...

 

[WapitiBob]

Well that's not what I wanted to hear.

 

[boiler]

I saw one in there also. Had another (maybe same one) walk into camp one night.

 

[Maxhunter]

Some very good advice so far. Definitely don't waste your 10 points on a sub par area. I would apply for 124, 62, or the low 30 areas. Good luck!

 

[boiler]

I hunted 62 two yrs ago, but only hunted the last two days of bow season and then hunted the rifle season. Wish i would have hunted earlier with the bow and forgot about rifle season! We were on bugling bulls both days with the bows, got about 6 in. of snow opening morning of rifle, and only heard 1 more bugle the rest of the hunt! That bugle was a little rag horn I passed on the fourth day. My brother did kill a nice 330 that was bugling on the 8th or 9th day. We had a grizz walk within about 50 yards of our tent the very first night as we were about asleep. We heard him outside huffing and growling and spooked him down the creek bank in front of camp with some loud yelling. That was a little nerve racking on the first night! Saw quite a few tracks during the hunt, and a big grizz cruising a ridge a long way off. That one was a lot more enjoyable! Beautiful country, probably a great archery unit, but the bears did take some of the fun out of nights in camp, and made the long walks in the dark much more challenging at least mentally!

 

[Casper]

Thanks guys for all the info i just don't want to buck the odds of the 30 31 32 100 124 111 units so 280 to 300 bulls in 24 or big bulls in 62 hmmm . in 62 are most of the bulls in the mountains or in the lower rolling stuff in sept? tough decision but the bigger bulls are tough to not want to hunt. and the way it sounds 24 just isn't the same quality in general. The tough part is 24 probably has some really good bulls in there also its just a matter of finding them am i right on that? thanks

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

Unit 16? Good bulls, lots of them, and it will be a max point tag for years to come.

 

[WapitiBob]

Have you looked at 62 yet? You can turn on the pictures in the Google Earth Layers side bar and look around. I was told the Elk tend to move in 62 from year to year. Some years in the forest, some years in the back end by the river.