Wyoming Elk help

Pulverizer · Jan 7, 2009

Hey fellers, trying to get some help on where to put in for Elk in Wyoming this year. I have max points and have put in for 7 & 24 in years past but have been hearing a little bad news on 7 lately. I hunt archery mostly but will hunt with rifle as a last hurrah. Any good ideas? PM me if you like. I have hunted many years in Utah on most all species, including limited entry elk in Fish Lake Plateau. Will trade what I know for here in Utah if interested.

Thanks,

Steve

gil_wy · Jan 8, 2009

Steve,
Nothing wrong with area 7 as far as the elk go... lots of good bulls... The problem lies in the limited public land available... I've been fortunate enough to draw area 7 for 8 consecutive years. With each successive year, pressure during archery season has increased. Last year might have been the last straw for me. Seemed like it was nearly impossible to get away from other hunters...

IF you really want to see a zoo, hunt area 7 on opening morning of rifle season... you wouldn't believe it!

Now with that said, if you can afford a trespass fee, you would be hard pressed to find better elk hunting in the west!

Pulverizer · Jan 8, 2009

Do you know anyone who would sell me a trespass permit? It would have to be fairly reasonable as I am just a workin' stiff you know. That's the unsettling news I have been hearing about in regards to 7. It would also be a fairly long drive to scout it as much as I would like and the tag deserves so as not to waste it. What do you think about the areas north of Rawlings?

Thanks Gil_Wy

Steve

rugarm77 · Jan 11, 2009

How big of a bull do you want. Have you considered a general area for a second choice?

Elkcrzy1 · Jan 11, 2009

After spending some time in unit 7 I think I can honestly say it isnt for everyone. It is an area that takes alot of scouting and figuring out which isnt easy. If you cant spend a bunch of weekends scouting there you may consider a general season area like was mentioned. Trespass fees were too high for this working stiff also. There is some awesome bulls but the Wagonhound wants 7500.00 and I cant do it. The areas I scouted before season and found elk that I thought were great had the elk pushed off and gone after the first day so I was lost.

Ram187 · Jan 11, 2009

Wagonhound wants $8500 for a 5 day hunt.

elknut1 · Jan 11, 2009

http:www.elknut.com
Vortex Optics Dealer

8500.00---WOW!! We've must have taken a million dollars worth of elk over the years! (grin)

ElkNut1

Pulverizer · Jan 11, 2009

Yeah I have considered a General tag but not sure if I want to give my points away that easy. Was considering the Greys River drainage but only because I have hunted deer there several times and have seen some pretty decent elk on most of those hunts. What was funny is that there were archery hunters in there at that time and they were all down about mid-mountain looking for the elk and they were always clear up at treeline where we were looking for deer. It has been a few years ago though so not sure what it's like now. I know the last time I hunted deer there it seemed like there were more people then I had ever seen before. I have heard from others that the numbers of large bucks has dropped a smidge as of late also. Do not know about the elk though. I'm not looking necessarily for a monster book bull but a chance at a decent branch antlered bull would suffice with maybe the possibility of something in the high 200's or low 300's for the lucky hardworking hunter. I am not afraid to hike. I own no four wheelers or horses and that has never held me back. I just plan accordingly and have grown very fond of my Cabelas Freighter Frame over the years.

For 8500 bucks the elk would have to be big for me to justify it. I do not worry so much about the size of the animal as I do the experience I have in the field. I missed a tremendous deer this last year on the Wasatch extended hunt but it made for some good excitement and will be remembered as one of the funnest hunts I have been on lately. I think too many people get caught up with size and success. I admire the guy who draws a tag, or better yet gets a 340 bull off from public ground, by himself or with a buddy or two than someone who has half the country looking for him a elk and then shows up and shoots it in an afternoon. That is not hunting that is shooting. To me the smaller elk killed in this manner is more of a trophy than the latter will ever be. My opinion only.

Thanks for the help so far guys.

Steve

Rem308 · Jan 11, 2009

The elk has not been born thats worth $8500

Elkcrzy1 · Jan 13, 2009

Worth alot more than that to some people, just a matter of how bad ya want it and how much money ya have. $8500.00 to some is like $100.00 to others.

whitetailaddict · Jan 15, 2009

I also am trying to finalize my options. Spent 8 days in #7 this fall. Of which 1 was opening day of rifle season. Absolutely nuts. On the other hand, before rifle opened, I saw some great bulls, although most were on private land...