Wyoming elk with 13 points

PAhunter1970 · Dec 8, 2018

Hello, I'm new to this forum but was looking for input on a rifle elk hunt this fall.
I have 13 points and my brother has 12.
Looking for a guided lodge hunt vs the more common wall tent hunt.
Looking for at least a 330 type bull but focus on something better.
I know the Park migration bulls are what everyone says to focus on but I'm not looking for remote tent camp ( work limits our time off). Unless there are cabin/lodge hunts in those areas.
Looked also more southern in 16 and 7 and some others also.
Any pointers would be appreciated.
Thank you

brdhuntr · Dec 8, 2018

Unit- 7 Wagonhound Ranch and unit-16 The Q Ranch. Should be a great chance of killing at least a 330 bull, both outfits are known for the lodging and big bulls !!

PAhunter1970 · Dec 8, 2018

Thank you I actually looked at but and Q creek is on my list. Wagon hound is getting a bit steep on my bank account funds.
Cross C ranch was another caught my interest.

WapitiBob · Dec 8, 2018

You could shoot a 330 bull off the Q's front porch if they let you.

heywouldya · Dec 9, 2018

Area 16- Q Creek
Area 7- Triple Creek Hunts, if they aren't filled up already.
I'd say you'll get a 330 bull with either of those outfitters.

HWY

PAhunter1970 · Dec 9, 2018

Appreciate all the input so far guys .

Triple_BB · Dec 9, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Dec-09-18 AT 06:26PM (MST)[p].

Triple_BB · Dec 9, 2018

Gene Carrico - Out West Safaris. 330 plus is realistic and a chunk cheaper than Wagonhound. If I ever draw a tag I'll be hunting elk with him...

YukonDall · Dec 9, 2018

OUT WEST........WILL BE MY FIRST CHOICE IN 1-2 MORE YEARS.I HAVE WITNESSED SOME OF THE TROPHY HEADS (ELK) THAT THEY PRODUCE..............YD.

OchocoKid · Dec 9, 2018

You need to cut your brother loose , with 13 you're in a whole different world he can't enter with 12.

I would only look at 2 hunts if I had max points. 59-1 and 56-1. period.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

osu92 · Dec 10, 2018

>
>
> I would only look at
>2 hunts if I had
>max points. 59-1 and
>56-1. period.
>
>
>

Would this still be your answer if you were going unguided?

OchocoKid · Dec 10, 2018

That would be a no. there just isn't enough non wilderness for a NR and the access is tough.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

mntnguide · Dec 10, 2018

56 and 59 are definitely not the lodge type hunt you seem to be seeking. They can be very long days in the saddle with very cold weather. It can be downright miserable, but harvesting a giant is very possible. But i would say this is not what you are looking for, and even with max you are not guaranteed drawing those tags

PAhunter1970 · Dec 10, 2018

Appreciate all the ideas but as mentioned a cabin /lodge to return to each night is desired.

Now 13 years ago when I started a wall tent in the mountains was the desire !

Mountain hunt combo would go nicely with my 13 Wyoming deer points .....

OchocoKid · Dec 10, 2018

56 can be hunted from town. but you're going to have to spend a lot of hours in a saddle. possibly the best elk hunt in WY.

59 is a pack in hunt. but the camps can be very nice if you go with a good outfitter. packed back into the largest roadless area in the lower 48 and the only hunter in the camp. it gets no better than that I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've taken B&C bulls in other states but this was BY FAR the best elk hunt I've ever experienced in every aspect. and the only way to get it without max points is a commissioners tag which I'll probably do . I know you say you want a gentleman's hunt but seriously, consider it. and there is no guarantee you'll draw that's correct it could take years. same as 56. and worth it.

I can't recommend it because I don't know enough about it. but the High Island Ranch NW of Thermop produced a couple nice bulls for a couple guys I talked to. they had a great time but I've heard a few things that would prompt me to do my homework.

I know of no deer tags worth 13 points for an elk combination hunt.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

bingo · Dec 11, 2018

You may want to look into Wood River Ranch if lodge style is what you are looking for. I have no past experience with them but came across it and if one can afford, may be a good option for you.

PAhunter1970 · Dec 11, 2018

Actually Woodriver I emailed a week ago. Amazing looking place to say the least.
Up there in price but probably worth it.
Trying to stay in that Q creek price range.
Thanks for looking appreciate the information

PLK · Dec 11, 2018

PA Hunter,
I am also from PA and have maximum points for elk. I've been trying to draw 59-1 for many years now without success. It sounds like you want to use your points and go elk hunting in the near future. If that is the case, you should pick an area where you are certain to draw. I wish I could be of more help but I have not researched many lodge type hunts.

PAhunter1970 · Dec 11, 2018

Yes my brother and I are also at like 22 points in AZ where we have been gaining points and were told last year and most likely this year to build the points vs trying to draw the top 3 or so units as the moisture has been so low for antler growth.

But while we gain points so are the others.....

I'm 49 and not getting any younger so I need start cashing or trying to cash in on some points .

PLK · Dec 11, 2018

PAHunter,

Have you ever heard of Zero Hunt Fees or Zero Guide Fees in Arizona? With the amount of points that you have you could save a bunch of money on your guided hunt.

My advice would be to not worry about the antler growth and just go have a great hunt. You and your brother could apply separately and then potentially go to Arizona 2 years in a row. I've been on hunts with my brother when he had a tag and I did not and I still had a great time. The outfitters will likely charge you a small fee as a non-hunter to cover your meals etc. (probably less than $200 per day and some considerably less). Perhaps the prospect of poor antler growth will keep some of the folks with more points than you from applying and make your odds even better.

Just my 2 cents..

Foreverwest · Dec 14, 2018

PM Sent - Backcountry Hunting Logistics BG 272. Small operation that runs quality hunts for quality animals.

fullcurl74 · Dec 14, 2018

>
>56 can be hunted from town.
> but you're going to
>have to spend a lot
>of hours in a
>saddle. possibly the best elk
>hunt in WY.
>
>
>
>59 is a pack in hunt.
> but the camps can
>be very nice if you
>go with a good outfitter.
> packed back into
>the largest roadless area in
>the lower 48 and the
>only hunter in the camp.
>it gets no better than
>that I'd do it again
>in a heartbeat. I've taken
>B&C bulls in other states
>but this was BY FAR
> the best elk hunt
>I've ever experienced in every
>aspect. and the only
>way to get it without
>max points is a commissioners
>tag which I'll probably do
>
>
>
>Stay Thirsty My Friends

So that being said, which outfitter do you think is the best for big bulls in 56 or 59?

OchocoKid · Dec 15, 2018

JJ ( Wapati Ridge ) in 59 or in 56. I'm not sure if JJ has a website anymore just Facebook. booking isn't a problem for him he doesn't need one.

I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with Meade Dominick either but I don't know if he hunts 56. I know he doesn't hunt 59.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

PLK · Dec 16, 2018

Meade Dominick would be a great choice but I think he mainly guides in 54 and 58. He is the exclusive outfitter in 58 on the Hoodoo Ranch. Not sure of the price to hunt the Hoodoo but pretty sure that if you draw you will have a great hunt. Drawing odds for 58 are approximately 25% in both the regular price and special draw with maximum preference points.

Skeet · Dec 16, 2018

Josh Martoglio, Trails West Outfitters, he hunts 56 and does a great job. I hunted with him in 2017 in unit 62.

OchocoKid · Dec 16, 2018

The Hoodoo with Meade might be the best gentleman's type hunt in WY. that's a good point.

Meade is a great guy and a top notch outfitter.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

DanMan · Dec 16, 2018

I have heard that JJ has sold out, but have not verified it directly with JJ himself. I really hated to hear that because I have been thinking about hunting with him again in the future (would be a 4th time for me).
I'd also 2nd a hunt with Josh Martiglio. I hunted with him last year and had a great time.

OchocoKid · Dec 17, 2018

I was wondering if something was up with JJ, but he took hunters in 59 last year and sheep hunters I know. I haven't talked to him in a while.

I know the deal with his son ( JR Vezain ) had to hit him like a ton of bricks. I saw at the finals he would likely never walk again. I thought about calling but I mean, what can you say. awful deal.

Anyway he's a great guy and a great outfitter if he's still running.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

DonVathome · Dec 17, 2018

62 is great - griz but great. Hunted it twice and can help if you draw.

mntnguide · Dec 17, 2018

>I was wondering if something was
>up with JJ, but he
>took hunters in 59 last
>year and sheep hunters
>I know. I haven't
>talked to him in a
>while.
>
>I know the deal with his
>son ( JR Vezain
>) had to hit
>him like a ton of
>bricks. I saw at
>the finals he would
>likely never walk again. I
>thought about calling but I
>mean, what can you say.
>awful deal.
>
>Anyway he's a great guy and
>a great outfitter if he's
>still running.

It is my understanding he has sold to one of his longtime guides. As anyone who have ever been around JJ know, he is as top notch a person as you will find, and one hell of a great and respected outfitter for the 20 years hes been doing it. Definitely hope the best for him and the family.

OchocoKid · Dec 17, 2018

Absolutely.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

nfh · Dec 18, 2018

For 56 josh works for trails west and Shoshone lodge outfitters.

Fishhawk creek outfitters

Ishoowa outfitters

Boulder Basin outfitters [59]

But be prepared for saddle time which is the part I love. When I had the 56-1 tag I passed on 35-37 bulls in the first 1 1/2 hours of the hunt and was only in 3 miles... Then you have others with tags that are old and road hunt. I have seen some big ones be taken that way and have seen others fail. All weather depending on that hunt.

DanMan · Dec 18, 2018

>
>>I was wondering if something was
>>up with JJ, but he
>>took hunters in 59 last
>>year and sheep hunters
>>I know. I haven't
>>talked to him in a
>>while.
>>
>>I know the deal with his
>>son ( JR Vezain
>>) had to hit
>>him like a ton of
>>bricks. I saw at
>>the finals he would
>>likely never walk again. I
>>thought about calling but I
>>mean, what can you say.
>>awful deal.
>>
>>Anyway he's a great guy and
>>a great outfitter if he's
>>still running.
>
>
>It is my understanding he has
>sold to one of his
>longtime guides. As anyone who
>have ever been around JJ
>know, he is as top
>notch a person as you
>will find, and one hell
>of a great and respected
>outfitter for the 20 years
>hes been doing it. Definitely
>hope the best for him
>and the family.

I have nothing but good things to say about JJ. My 1st hunt with him was out of his old Cut Coulie camp in 56 (grizz central). Then twice more in the 59 camp. He always showed earnest desire for everyone to get their bull and have a good time. We usually did well on both counts.
I wish the best for his future, but dang it I sure was wanting to make one more hunt with him!!