Wyoming Unit 39 for elk

DidIDraw · Mar 21, 2006

My step dad and I finally drew Wyoming elk tags for unit 39. I put in without much information on the unit other than the tag numbers are pretty low and the success ratios are pretty high. Can anyone give me a little information about this unit to get me started?

Thanks a bunch.

sheepeater · Mar 21, 2006

39 is a pretty good archery unit, it is made up of some deep canyons and the NW side of the Big horns, so most of your hunting is going to be hunting down into canyons or off the face of the mountain. It is a fairly rugged unit and the top of it is intersected with roads, you will need a four wheel drive. Come early if you are rifle hunting it, because if it snows your are going to be in trouble, it is pretty high and open on top and can drift in real bad. You need an alternate plan to hunt if it does snow, the elk like to dump off into either private land, into montana or into unit 38 if it snows enough. There will be some big bulls that will stay up on top in the deep canyons though, but you better be in shape and be tough. Snowshoes are a very good idea in 39 during rifle season. I havent ever heard much about the face of the mountain on the Lovell side, but it might be a good idea for you to do a little research into that area, all I know is that it is very steep. There is also some gagger mule deer in 39 but they are super cagey and live in those big canyons. There is big bulls their too, you just need to start your exercise training now. Hope this helps.

DidIDraw · Mar 22, 2006

Sheepeater:

Thanks for all of the information. How common is it to have significant snow by mid October? From the maps I've looked at it appears that the most remote areas (the places elk seem to like best) are the cookstove basin and the canyons south and west of sheep mountain. Are these the canyons you mentioned?

Are there grizzly bears in this country?

Thanks again.

sheepeater · Mar 22, 2006

I have seen three feet of snow, or none at all, I think a normal year would be a foot of snow on top. Cookstove is a good place to be, as is deer creek and if your burly enough porcupine creek. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesnt snow, the big issue being that it shoves the elk out of 39, usually into Montana. If It were me I would come from the bottom and hunt the BLM, Forest Boundry if the snow is heavy. And hunt the heads of canyons if it is not.

DidIDraw · Mar 24, 2006

Sheepeater:

Thanks again for your help. If you have any interest in hunting Utah I'd be happy to share what I know about hunting here.

Sounds like it's time to start getting in shape.

kurtski25 · Mar 24, 2006

There are no grizzlies in the Bighorns, so you don't need to worry. There are black bears and maybe an errant wolf.
Kurt

DidIDraw · Mar 27, 2006

I had a really interesting experience with black bears near Lander Peak in Wyoming last year during the deer hunt. It was warm so the deer were back into cover just after sunrise so I decided to pick a likely canyon and still hunt down through the pines. The ground was a bit damp and the wind was good so I was able to move quietly - maybe a bit too quietly. I heard a commotion ahead of me and saw a black bear go up a tree. It was a 100+ pound bear and I thought it would be cool to get a picture so I moved a little closer. As I got to within about 40 yards a smaller bear went up a different tree and it hit me that these were probably cubs and sure enough here came momma steaming mad. She charged me to within about 50 feet them stood there bouncing up and down on her front paws clicking her teeth and grunting. I started to back off and she climbed a tree to the first branch and sat there growling and grunting at me as I backed off.

I saw some sign of a big bear(s) in the area and confirmed with the game warden and some local hunters that a grizzly was living in the area. I felt fortunate that I didn't chase grizzly cubs up a tree because a grizzly momma may have kept coming. A .270 suddenly doesn't seem like enough gun.

I was amazed at how much more wild Wyoming is than Utah. One evening I stayed up on a hill until after dark. As the full moon crested the mountains the coyotes started going wild and I'm pretty certain some wolves were howling as well. During just three days of hunting I saw deer, elk, moose, bears, and antelope and heard the coyotes and wolves. I'm envious of you folks that live there - what an incredible place.