Wyoming elk unit 45

Redbowman

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I have had a hard time this year picking my Wyoming choice. Since archery is my passion, I don't mined long hikes and I have 3 weeks in September I think the Type 9 unit 45 tag will be my top pick. Does any one think this is a bad idea. I have 9 pts.
 
It was good to me in 2014. But my friend had the tag this last year, 2015. IT WAS very TOUGH. Not much of any rut activity. BUT when i had the tag, there was plenty and it was alot of fun. I dont think you could go wrong. Its hard to predict mother nature.
 
Are you a non-resident? If so, 45 can be good with a guide. Not nearly as good without a guide.
 
Did you decide on 45? I sent in for the type 1 in 45. I should draw. Talked to some outfitters out there and they made it sound promising. I don't know if I'll spend the money on one though.
 
Yes unit 45 type 9 was my first choice. With the constant changes going on with point creep and various States changing NR tags I want to draw and hunt WYOMING in 2016. As a nonresident and a DIY hunter, I need to do tons of research, I have never stepped foot in this unit. Hoping to find some private access I am willing to pay trespass fees. Any help will be welcomed.
 
The problem with not going with an outfitter in 45 is that you can't hunt in the wilderness section. IMO, 45 isn't worth the points as a DIY hunt.
 
You don't need a guide to be successful in 45, but your chances at a higher quality bull will be lower. much of this depends on the weather and how many are held up in the Scapegoat.

I would wait until late in the season if your time is limited. the deer hunters will be gone and the elk hunters will be thinned out. and the elk should be moving down as well.

















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
I've never been in the unit either. I'm hoping to get a scouting trip in before the hunt if I draw. See what it looks like, where the wilderness is exactly. It would suck to get out there and not be able to get to where the elk are hanging out.
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-16 AT 08:32AM (MST)[p]There won't be a time when there aren't elk to be found outside the wilderness it's not large. but it's big enough to hold the bull you wish you could find.













Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
So I applied for 45 as well. I don't have the points to draw so I'd be hoping for a random tag. But my question is, why is 45 considered a much better hunt than the other bighorn units? More public land, migration patterns, better access, etc. I'll have 4 points next yr and I'm tired of banking points. So I would like to find an area I can draw every 2-5 yrs and have a decent hunt. 40 and 41 seem to fit that and they have similar success rates as 45. I kinda want to stay out of the grizz units so that's why I'm interested in bighorns
 
Less hunters. and I think more public land . other than the Scapegoat easy to hunt.

45 has lots of elk. but in my 3 times hunting elk and moose there I didn't see the quality bulls some people say they see lots of. either I was unlucky or they don't know what a big bull looks like I'm not sure. a 350+ bull can be found in 45, but they're few and far between.






Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
One of the hunting shows Michael Waddell does had him archery elk hunting 45 in 2014. He smoked a big bull the first day or so. He was hunting with 7J Outfitters. The episode was on quite a few times a month or two ago. I think it was David Blanton who had the tag the year before and shot a nice bull with the same outfitter. Some of you might've seen it.
 
In Unit 41 as a NR you only have narrow strip along the road running just below the wilderness boundary which btw is where most hunters camp (inc residents). It gets crowded outside the wilderness (and inside in places too). There's a reason why it takes more points to draw 45. I'm hoping to go back there myself, it's a huge unit and great for NR hunters.

38, 39 and 40 has no wilderness and also type 1 tags are not allowed after 9/15 like 41 (and 45).
 
Yea I saw 41 is kinda narrow. But 40 looks good? Is 45 that much better than say 39,40? I know it has a higher population and bigger unit but is there something else I'm missing as to why it seems to get all the press?
 
Looks like 9 points will definitely get you the tag this year. The point creep for this tag seems to be growing by at least 1/2 point per year. After looking at it again, I wouldn't be surprised to see 7 points get kicked down into the random draw this year. Very frustrating.
1774pointcreep.jpg
 
My dad and I sent in 9 points with the preference point option and were unsuccessful. My brother sent in 9 and special and drew the tag. Maybe next year haha
 
My dad and I both sent for Unit 45 type 1 tags with 8 points, and sent for the tag w/ preference point option.
I drew a tag and he did not, leaving him with 9 points now. Before we sent, I thought we both had 100% draw chance but it must be creeping. I guess we'll just go together next year too!

That being said, any information you guys want to provide on where to start DIY would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm no CEO, so paying Seven J is probably out of the question.

Obviously everyone wants a 370" bull, but I'm not that picky. I'm hoping 45 will give me a high opportunity rate at 300"+.

For those of you that are close to drawing, I would be happy to map and chronicle what I experience to report back! Thanks in advance for the help!
 

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