wyoming unit 31 or 24?

hunteraj44 · Jan 5, 2012

i've seen a million of these questions posted on here so i thought i would give it a whirl myself. me and my huntin buddy have max elk points for wyoming(i've also got max deer points but thats another post altogether)and we both have limited experience with elk, though we're very accomplished hunters. he's been elk hunting 3 times to colorado and i've been with him once and never connected;close but no cigar. we're mostly interested in an opputunity to bowhunt. and i hate crowded hunting areas. a chance at a 260- 300 inch bull is our goal though my buddy says he would settle for something smaller. we also want to cow hunt our choice this year and do some summer camping and scouting. which unit does everybody think would be the best bowhunt? or maybe another unit. i have a little experience in the shirleys and unit 19 and would'nt mind hunting there either. i've done alot of research and poured over maps for years, and respect the opinions of some on here. i appreciate all the good info i've got off MM! so 31,24 or somewhere else?

hunteraj44 · Jan 6, 2012

wrong time of year to ask questions like this or do i have to wait to draw to get any help?

TOPGUN · Jan 6, 2012

You might get a few responses if you put your post in the Wyoming Forum!

Utah400Elk · Jan 6, 2012

Both units would work for 300 class bulls. I think 31 would be a harder draw but it is a great hunt. PM me if you want a little bit more info.

hunteraj44 · Jan 6, 2012

thanks. i know they dont have reduced price cow/calf tags but can i be garanteed a regular priced cow tag without putting in for a type 1 any elk tag? just want to cow hunt it at least once before we hunt for antlers.

WapitiBob · Jan 6, 2012

Yea, if you put the type 4 down as 1st choice.

TOPGUN · Jan 6, 2012

Unit 24 has a type 4 cow tag that opens on 10/1 and a type 5 cow tag that opens on 11/1.
Unit 31 has a type 4 cow tag that opens on 10/6

hunteraj44 · Jan 7, 2012

thanks for all the info

goofyelk · Jan 7, 2012

The problem with a type 4 1st choice is, BYE,BYE points..
I've studied this to death, I have max elk points.
Been in both units, the areas are totally different from
one to the other. 31 being lower cedar tree country to
24 more aspen type....I too am interested in archery first.
I do believe 31 has better quality bulls, but harder to draw.
I think 24 would be a fun archery hunt and easier to draw..

DECISIONs ,DECISIONs,,,,what to do?

hunteraj44 · Jan 7, 2012

thanks goofyelk.so there is no way to apply for a cow tag only without losing our points. i would have to apply for say a 31 type 1 as my first choice then a 31 type 4 as my second and hope i don't draw the type 1? i would really prefer to cow hunt/scout to get to know the area before commiting to a bull tag but i guess i would'nt be too heartbroken if i drew first time applying either. my other option is just buy another point this year and do alot of summer/early fall scouting without a tag to learn my way around. im only about 5 hours away from either unit,so i plan on scouting alot this year whether i have a tag or not, but i sure do like elk meat!!

TOPGUN · Jan 7, 2012

There appears to be one way to do what you wnat in area 24. There were 10 tags in the Type 5 NR Random Draw last year. There were no first choice applicants for those tags, 1 second choice applicant, and 3 third choice applicants. So it appears you could buy a PP and put in for a tough unit as your number 1 choice and then draw one of those Type 5 tags as a second choice and not lose your PPs. That's the only way in 24 or 31 that I see you could hunt without losing your PPs.

hunteraj44 · Jan 7, 2012

thats kinda what i thought. thanks

WapitiBob · Jan 7, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-12 AT 10:56AM (MST)[p]You can draw a type 4 Cow tag as 2nd choice in either unit, in the Special price draw, provided the odds stay as they were in 2011.

TOPGUN · Jan 7, 2012

That is probably true based on what I saw in the reg draw, but I didn't even look at the high priced draws as I can't even see paying the regular price just to shoot a cow! $300+ for a reduced cow tag is about as much as I'd want to pay for an anterless animal tag, but that's just me.

goofyelk · Jan 7, 2012

Yes , just looked, $ 1,071.00 will buy you a cow tag in 31..

WapitiBob · Jan 7, 2012

I will pay regular price if it's a lock as 2nd choice and I want to hunt that unit for bulls in a year or two. You can't come from out of state and scout for the difference.

Willy_P · Jan 9, 2012

watch the prairie rattlers in 24 !

Pat C.

J_C · Jan 17, 2012

Topgun, can you bow hunt in sept. on a type 4 cow tag in unit 24? Thanks J.C.

TOPGUN · Jan 17, 2012

J_C---Yes! The Type 4 LE Cow Tag season last year in Unit 24 was 10/1-10/14 and unit 24 is listed under the Special Archery Season as having a Bow Season the entire month of September if you buy the $30 NR Archery Permit.

bggmhtr · Jan 23, 2012

I have a buddy who stuck a 340 bull in 30 and I saw plenty of bulls in 31 with one over 350. Let me know if you need any info.

hunteraj44 · Jan 27, 2012

i do most of the planning for us and alot of the leg work. i think i'm gonna do some serious scouting in both these units this year;time permitting and make our desicion based on what i see. i think quantity over quality would be best especially with a bow and 24 is an easier draw. any bull is a good bull with a bow! does anyone have pics of their unit 30/31/32 or 24 bulls. i need to get my buddy fired up alittle.