WY Unit 23

1sttimer · Mar 7, 2004

Hey all,

A group of friends and I just got our first ever elk tags. We drew in unit 23 for Wyoming. I know many suggest sleeping with the elk, however we just don't have that kind of gear. I'm hoping to get out there over Memorial Day weekend to do some scouting of the area. None of us have ever been there, so it should be a learning experience. Anyone here ever hunt this area?

Any suggestions you can provide a bunch of rookies?? We are open to all suggestions.

Later

John

MartinHunter · Mar 7, 2004

What is the area? I might be able to help some, but I am a resident and don't now the non res units.
Michael

Chesterwyo · Mar 7, 2004

The unit numbers are all the same for resident and non resident, I'm not familiar with the area either.

1sttimer · Mar 7, 2004

This unit is west of Casper, south of Hwy 20(I think, I haven't had time to really study my maps yet).

The Rattlesnake mountain HMA is where we figure we'll be spending most of out time. It's appears to be the "roughest" part of that region. I've got to do some playing around with the terra server maps to see if I can get a handle for the lay of the land if you will.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

John

MartinHunter · Mar 7, 2004

The rattlesnakes is a good area, many of my dads friends and a few of mine hunt out their. In fact a guy I work withs family owns a small ranch out their so he geta alnd owners tag. Howver, that area is pretty close to Rawlins were they are having some major elk die offs the past few weeks (like 28o head or more) and they can not find the reason. I know that I yote' hunt up on dry creek rd were a lot of people camp and hunt the open prarie, I have yet to see an elk, but I did see a moose once so that was cool. I know they are their because i have scene some big bulls come into town from out that way many times.
Michael

1sttimer · Mar 8, 2004

So, what can I expect in the Rattlesnake area?? Large hills, heavy cover?? I looked on the terra server maps, but I can't tell how steep the terrain is. I got my BLM maps, I'm starting to study those.

What class of elk can a person expect to see in this area if we work our tails off and get back in deep? We are planning on leasing horses. You got any suggestions for a place to lease 6 head of horses?? We don't have the equipment to sleep with the elk, so it's going to be a challenge managing horses and sleeping in a motel. It may not be possible, some of us may have to stay in a camper.

We are in the infant stages of planning, so we are looking for any and all suggestions.

Thanks for you help!!!

John

MartinHunter · Mar 8, 2004

Steep rocky cliffs and low rolling sage coverd hills. Not much heavy cover. I have scene some nice elk come out of their.
Michael

Triple_BB · Mar 8, 2004

I'd say bring a GPS when you start scouting and study your maps well. Most of the large bulls in 23 are on private ground. Spano's ranch has the largest concentration of animals and its off limts to hunting. Public ground is broken up and not easily accessible from the main roads. It seems like most ranchers in that area would just as well shoot you for trespassing as give you the time of day. I know of several 350 plus class animals taken in the last three years. All of them came off private ground. Given all the fences out there, horses may be more of a hinderance than a help. I also doubt you could find anyone who would lease you the animals, tack, and gear. The country is broken sagebrush to timber pockets and rocky hillsides. If I were you, I'd track down the warden and biologist that handles that area and phone them about which places they would recommend scouting and hunting. The Dumbell is one ranch that allows hunting. But it gets lots of pressure because its about 60% public ground.

1sttimer · Mar 9, 2004

Since we are non-residents, we figure we'll end up huddling with the masses to some extent. We are willing to pay for private access, but not the astronomical prices most places seem to want. We do have some awesome pheasant hunting to offer up in trade, plus some cash so we are hoping to sweet talk our way on to some private land. I know I'm dreaming, but wouldn't life be boring without dreams.

Sounds like we picked a poor unit. I guess that's what happens when you have never been to the country or know the area very well. Unfortunately I've heard this very same info from a couple different places now. Kind of putting a damper on what was going to be a very exciting and fun hunt.

I guess I'll wait until we get out there on Memorial day weekend to do some scouting and knocking on doors. Hopefully we'll find someone who will receive us nicely.

Thanks for your input!!

John