wy unit 45 type 1

muleymagnet · Feb 23, 2011

Would it be better to hunt this area during the rifle season (Oct. 15-Nov. 4) or during the special archery season (Sept. 15-30). Can't afford to go guided in the wilderness areas.

mulecreek · Feb 24, 2011

I have not hunted it myself but I have friends that have. The only comments they made was that weather and pressure can move the elk to private land pretty quickly during the rifle hunt. They hunt both and have far more encounters with big bulls during the archery hunt. If it was me I would plan on the archery hunt and then try to hunt a few days during rifle season if you are unsucessful.

CWeeks · Feb 24, 2011

Don't worry about needing to hunt the wilderness, as for archery or gun, depends on alot of factors only you can answer. Good luck.

muleymagnet · Feb 24, 2011

I was wondering if the elk are at lower elevations outside the wilderness area during the archery season or does it take snow to move them down.

TOPGUN · Feb 24, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Feb-24-11 AT 06:14PM (MST)[p]If I could only hunt one season, I would do the archery hunt. Otherwise, do as suggested in the other post. The National Forest itself goes from an elevation of around 7,000' all the way up to over 9,000' and higher in a number of spots before the Wilderness boundary starts. There is also a lot of BLM land below the Forest at lower elevations, so there is plenty of huntable land to kill a good bull on.

muleymagnet · Feb 27, 2011

Thanks for the input! If anyone has hunted this unit before and would be generous enough to offer additional advice I would greatly appreciate it. Good luck hunting this year everyone.

Packmule · Feb 28, 2011

My dad and I both drew this unit this year also. We plan on hunting both seasons. Where are you traveling from? If our scouts prove to be positive, I have no problem sharing some info with you. PM me your contact info. We will be coming from NV. I intend on scouting late august, hunting mid September archery, and returning for rifle opener if we need to.

Mike

Packmule · Feb 28, 2011

Anyone know if area 45 or just the bighorns in general has Grizzlies or Wolves??

TOPGUN · Feb 28, 2011

There are no grizzlies within 100 or more miles of the BigHorns where you guys will be, but there is an occasional wolf sighting. Don't worry about either of those critters! Just go hunt hard and kill a big bull as they are there!!!

MAT · Mar 2, 2011

I also drew a 45 tag and will be bowhunting late sept because I have no interest in a rifle hunt, but I have a buddy in Sheridan and he knows an outfitter and 45 is not like some other units where the elk go to private land (like 37). There isn't any place for them to go so they stay on public (NF or BLM) all thru the rifle season. If it snows a few inches they have a killer migration out of the wilderness areas, therefore rifle might be better if you are a nonresident. Unless you are good with a bow you have better odds at getting a bull with a gun. Especially if it snows.

TOPGUN · Mar 2, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Mar-02-11 AT 12:28PM (MST)[p]MAT---You are absolutely right on that private land comment. I saw a comment about them going to private land if pressured and I didn't want to say anything, but now that you have I will agree and say that there is very little private down below the NF. It is mostly BLM, as well as the Renner Ranch the G&F bought a long time ago and made part of it a winter refuge area. There is some limited private property at the lower elevations, but not enough to worry about and not where you should be elk hunting in September and October for the most part anyway.