Unit 7 Wyo DIY ?

[Elkcrzy1]

I was wondering if anyone has experience in unit 7 ? My 12 year old son and I drew and would like to go self guided but have no clue whats available or pressure or anything else in this area. I cant afford a guided hunt for both of us. Any help would be awesome. Thanks, Gary

 

[Me2Hunter]

Wow, you chose an area that has alot of private property. My advice to you is to contact Ranch owners as soon as you can and you might have to pay to hunt on their land. Good luck, I know there are elk in that country but getting access is going to be the hard part.




Nothing like guttin' a 6x6 elk at 7:30 in the morning.

 

[cmiddleton]

register on the hunter management area. and bowhunt

 

[gil_wy]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-08 AT 01:47PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-08 AT 01:39?PM (MST)

Lots of pressure on the public land, archery or rifle...it's been worse every year since I started hunting it in 2000...bad enough last year that if I can't find a ranch to hunt, I'm switching areas...I would start trying to find a ranch to pay a trespass fee... too many people on too little public land...take cmiddleton's advice and try to draw the Deer Creek HMA... Sorry for the mini rant but this area just ain't what it use to be for the DIY, public land guy...but it's one of the best in the west if you can afford an outfitter or a trespass fee....

 

[cmiddleton]

i agree with gil they just opened 19 to to many hunter in a 5 lb bag too hunting is going to suffer. to many hunters not enough public land

 

[WyomingMan]

Great tag to draw, if you have permission to access private land. Not much public and alot of it is landlocked and not accessible. I hunted last year and most elk are driven off the few public areas by the end of archery and beginning of rifle season. Area is very, I mean VERY rugged and you must be in great shape. I hate to give you such bad news, but if I were you, I would have put in for a different tag with better access, ecspecially hunting with a 12 year old. There are a few hunter management areas which consist of private racnhes opening there land to the public but you must draw an access pass, ususally held in July or August. Most of these ranches allow 200 or so people to access so they also get very crowded. Most ranchers lease to outfitters with prices upwards of $7500. Some offer cow hunts. Check out Wagonhound Ranch or Dodge Ranch or Triple Creek.

GO POKES!

 

[Triple_BB]

Sounds like you didn't put much research into this before you mailed in yer application? Tough area to hunt without some serious scouting and knowledge of the area. Yer best bet is to call the G & F and get some names from the wardens on ranchers who might let you hunt for a fee or what public grounds have the best access.

 

[Elkcrzy1]

I didnt mean to come across as a no brainer rookie who's never elk hunted before, sorry. I was talking elk hunting here and I already know it wont be easy, I like it that way too !! I already have landowner lists and numbers on there way, list of people who have hunted it in the past, talked with laramie and casper offices and have a call in for the bioligist in the area and maps on the way. What I was actually asking is if anyone can offer any advice, like have you hunted it before and maybe a little direction or which landowners to call ? Thanks very much to those who gave good advice. Gary

 

[gil_wy]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-08 AT 10:13AM (MST)[p]A word of advice on talking to the WGFD people... Their default recommendation appears to be Black Mountain/Ashenfeldter or the Laramie Peak HMA... At least that is what the 14-15 hunters we saw on Black Mountain opening day said (we were deer hunting)...They were told there wouldn't be much hunting pressure and lots of elk... They were pi$$ed...I just recommend you don't put too much faith in what the WGFD people say without researching a little...

 

[gil_wy]

I was impressed with the diversity of liscence plates on the vehicles at the trail head though... Wisonsin, Oregon, California (with llamas in tow no less), New Mexico, Utah, Nebraska, Colorado and a scattering of Wyoming vehicles... Looked like a Wal-mart parking lot!

 

[Elkcrzy1]

Ahh thanks thats the kind of stuff I was hoping to learn. Learning places to stay away from is just as important as anything when your dealing with an area that big Ive found that process of elimination works well usually. If you guys think of anything else I can use Id appreciate it. Gary