information on area 7

14873 · Jan 1, 2013

Going into 2013, I have max points for Wyoming..Have been doing research on area 7 talking with the game biologist for the area as well as lots of map time. I have been discussing some tresspass options with several ranches, but would really rather find some public land provided the crowds are not too bad.. Does anybody have any information or tips on access or areas you would recommend?

Thanks..Jess

WapitiBob · Jan 1, 2013

Go easy on him fellas, he's only got 2 posts....

thebroker · Jan 2, 2013

As you know unit 7 is tough to find public land. My father before his stroke was a Manager on The Wagon Hound Land and Livestock ranch. So I am very familiar with Unit 7. The best way to harvest a good bull is to contact Wyoming Fish and Game in Casper or Douglas and ask about there Special Ranch Draw. It is a program similar to Utah's CWMU with few differences. First it doesn't cost much to put in for the Ranch draw 40 or 50 bucks. Second you have a better than 50% chance of drawing it. Third they restrict the number of hunters at a time that can be on the property. 4th there is actually some good bulls on it and finally they don't charge big bucks or try to get you to buy a guide package. You can also put in for as many Ranches that are available. Most of them are walk in only but in Wyoming a mile or so is typical. The Ranches and Fish and game have some kind of deal worked out so the Ranchers actually like to offer the program. My brother in Law has harvested two nice 6 points doing this the lat couple of years. He lives in Casper. If I had a Unit 7 tag this is what I would look for. It actually works

WapitiBob · Jan 2, 2013

The only "ranch draw" any of those offices know about is the HMA program, which is no cost. If you don't draw a few of those HMA's you're pretty much relegated to hunting with the masses.

goofyelk · Jan 2, 2013

I'm thinking that with the elk permit cost rising signifcanty
in 2014, the non-res max point guys will bee scrambling this year.

Unit 7 draw odds in the max pool will double ,Wink ;-)

thebroker · Jan 2, 2013

Ya those HMAS are pretty good I have been told much better than Utah

Triple_BB · Jan 2, 2013

Since yer at max points and won't likely be again, I'd ask how special do you want this hunt to be. Ain't no guarantee you'll get to hunt some of those draw only hunter mgmt areas. If you have some insight on some trespass options, I'd consider them first and also apply for the mgmt areas so you have a few choices when the season rolls around. I hunted 7 a number of years ago and spent some time in a few of those public areas. Never again...

30Hart · Jan 3, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Jan-03-13 AT 08:37AM (MST)[p]Research area 7 in the archive here, plenty and plenty of info on 7. The key w/ 7 is you need to have you hunting area secured before you apply...could be the difference between getting a trophy or a spike. I've hunted it 3 times DIY.

Califelkslayer · Jan 19, 2013

I hunted 7 this last year and lucked onto a great piece of property. My Dad and I did ride into public via a trailhead one day. After a short, 4 mile ride, I took off. I saw elk, and even bulls, but I saw boot tracks a half dozen times even though I was hunting away from the trailhead. I probably got 7 miles from the trailhead at one point and still saw boot tracks. And only one bull bugling all day.

The private was off the hook IMO.

And the female biologist for 7, I think outta Casper, misled me last year. I talked to her as the application deadline was approaching. She told me that if I got a tag she's point me to a spot or 2 where I could use my horses to get away from people and into elk. As I remember, the quote went like this, "If you get drawn, I'll point out a few places on public where you won't see anyone else and will be into elk. Others I sent there said they didn't see any other hunters."

3-4 days after the draw, the quote was more like this, "This is my first year on the unit. I did fly it twice this winter and can tell you where I saw elk."

Thankfully my Dad was able to come up with a couple of good ranches, reasonable and we had a good hunt. Thus I applied for 7 again this year, someone has to draw.