Wyoming Archery Elk

Rx

Member
Messages
32
Hello Gents

Asking for some advice for non resident Archery elk hunting..
I'm a novice hunter, never shot an elk, but have been hunting for elk past several years. I can't afford a guide and asking for some advice.

2 years ago I hunted the Hoback with a general tag and realized relatively quickly that I needed horses and I was at a distinct disadvantage among my fellow hunters..Got some bad advice..Big mistake on my part... didn't do my homework..

I really don't want to deal with guides, grizzly or Horses, so my question are as follows:

1. Are there general units that a guy can go out and just hunt and have a chance at a bull?

2. What would be your approach?

On a side note, Am I better waiting and applying for a limited archery unit?

Thanks

Kris
 
There are many areas in Wyoming where a guy could have a chance for a good bull on a general tag. You can hunt the medicine bow in southeast WY and there are no grizzlies. It can be crowded in places but I have hunted it and had no trouble finding bulls. Good luck.
 
LAST EDITED ON May-19-17 AT 08:18AM (MST)[p]Yes! The Hoback area being a great one. There is not a single general area in Wyo that a person on foot, leaving from a trailhead each morning cannot have an almost 100% chance of getting into elk. I hunt the Hoback every year and have never used, or felt the need to have, a horse. The Hoback would be about the southernmost border of where you have a good chance of encountering grizz. Outfitters are everywhere so learn to deal with them. I have never seen an outfitter and hunter more than 5 feet from a horse trail.

If you hunted the Hoback then you were in great elk country from the moment you left the truck. There is not a trailhead, turnout or wide spot in the road in the Hoback that is not in great elk country.

Should you wait for a LE area? Depends, do you want to hunt the same area every couple of years or are you fine waiting 5-20 years between hunts? I am a res of Wyo and most years I don't even bother putting in for LE areas. Gen areas are great hunting. As close to a sure thing as I have found in any State.

If you were not finding elk then I assume it has more to do with how you are hunting rather than where you are hunting. Don't give up. Keep getting those Gen tags every couple of years and learn your area and the elk. Good luck.
 
There are many places along the Grey's and out of Star Valley where a 1 hour morning hike would put you in areas where elk are. You've just got to hit different areas until you find them. There are some good bulls around too.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com
on Facebook!
 
Thank you MuleCreek

Good to know.. I agree it may be the way I'm hunting rather than where I was hunting..

Kris
 
Everything that mulecreek wrote above is dead on. I know this for sure... If I lived anywhere but Wyoming I would be hunting it every couple of years on a Gen. elk tag instead of playing the point game with out a doubt! If you were anywhere in the Hoback area and at least not hearing elk during the bow hunt, I would have to think either you were not more than a mile from your truck, or you were there way to early in Sept.
 
Thank you Tknez

I was in pretty deep every day...but I think I know what I did wrong...you know when you're unsuccessful you always second guess yourself once your away from the scene..you're thinking you're going about it the right way at the time, but on hind sight you could have done it differently..

Just a rookie learning

Kris
 
Mulecreek is dead on. I hunt the same area but with horses. We camp from where everyone parks their trucks at the trailhead, to 8 miles in. We've been woke up to bulls bugling from every camp we use.

There are more and more grizz in the area every year so keep a clean camp and let others know where you are if you hunt alone.

I personally think you'd be crazy to wait for a premium Wyo tag over the general unit every other year. We see and have plenty of opportunity every year at 320+ bulls. If you in it for 300 and below its almost a slam dunk.

Traditional >>>------->
 
And on the years that you don't draw a WY tag, hunt over the counter units in CO. Pick one with lots of public land and elk and learn it well!! You can kill elk there too!
 
Thank you Easyelk13.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't even know where to begin in Colorado, but the Idea is awesome

thanks

Kris
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom