Wyoming unit 63-1 Elk draw success

Jeffpg · Feb 25, 2016

Well, I finally got my Wyoming elk tag so now it's time to plan my hunt. I want to go unguided, but I have much to learn about the area, as I know very little about it.

I'm 55 years old and in pretty good shape and I have plenty of gear, but I don't have a big tent.

If you have info to share on the unit I'm all ears and open to any and all suggestions. If you also have the tag and wish to team up I'll certainly consider that as well. I will likely have plenty of free time to devote to the hunt.

thanks!
Jeff

WYGoatchaser · Mar 2, 2016

Bring the bear spray

Jeffpg · Mar 3, 2016

>Bring the bear spray

No doubt! A friend who's been in the area before saw 8 griz in one day.

I'm researching to find the best available.

Any suggestions?

mntnguide · Mar 3, 2016

.44 mag with bird shot is my preferred spray....but in terms of the actual stuff, Counter Assault is pretty much to go to brand out here. They also make a backpackable bear fence that would be worth your look if you plan on camping deep in the unit.

SureShot · Mar 3, 2016

Did you see my PM?

Jeffpg · Mar 3, 2016

>Did you see my PM?

I did now, lol. I had somehow overlooked it, but you have a reply now sir.

Thank you,
Jeff

Jeffpg · Mar 3, 2016

>.44 mag with bird shot is
>my preferred spray....but in terms
>of the actual stuff, Counter
>Assault is pretty much to
>go to brand out here.
>They also make a backpackable
>bear fence that would be
>worth your look if you
>plan on camping deep in
>the unit.

Thank you sir, I will look at the Counter Assault.

I have a Ruger Alaskan 454 Casull that is tailor made for such, and I can't see myself going in without it stoked with Buffalo Bore's 360 grain hard cast loads but from what I hear from guys who know guys who've had to shoot an aggressive grizzly, you'd be about as well off to shoot yourself as the bear since the game department will run ya through the ringer no matter what. I guess that's better than turning into bear crap though.

I also have some 45 Long Colt shot shell ammo that's loaded with 150 grains of #9 shot but I'd be afraid that would really piss off a big grizzly bear and it's effective range is closer than I want to be to one anyway.

This will be my first hunt in a griz infested area, but I had always figured that I would go armed with spray and the 454 just to be on the safe side.

mntnguide · Mar 3, 2016

Ya I wouldnt leave home without a gun on top of the bear spray just in case...One of my good friends had to shoot a charging griz a few falls ago in the Teton Wilderness while guiding...He carried a Marlin .45-70 guide gun, and she made 4 separate charges at them. When she finally expired, they found 3 of his shots were all dead on kill shots in the shoulder/lungs/and heart area. . She was basically dead but still charging. Even if you hit them with a gun made to do it, they are a pretty impressive animal and have a crazy will to live. . I prefer to be on my horse personally! haha. . they had the game department come in and investigate that incident because they wanted to do it right and legal, and they concluded it was a definite fair shooting while protecting themselves. But that being said, You almost have to have claw marks on you for them to not write a ticket with how crazy the bear issue is out here. The later in the season you go, the more I would worry about a problem bear. When the snow flies and it gets cold, thats when i have always found them to be very persistent and potentially more dangerous. Good luck and have a great hunt!

Jeffpg · Jun 12, 2016

I'm thinking of making a scouting trip soon to check out some of the areas that a few guys have shared with me, as well as to simply drive the country and get familiar with the area in general.

I'm still trying to find horses to rent for the fall hunt and I may want one for the summer scouting trip if I can find a source in time. Otherwise I'll just backpack in to a couple of places that I want to get a close look at, prepared to camp for a few days.

I plan to wait at least a couple more weeks for the warm up to make the mountains more accessible. I'll be coming out from Mississippi, so any updates on the weather and conditions are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

mntnguide · Jun 13, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Jun-13-16 AT 07:56PM (MST)[p]http://www.wyominghorses.net ...Based out of Pavilion, WY which is right by Riverton and just south of your unit..They will deliver or I think they will rent a trailer as well possibly. Ive never used them, but know people who rent from them every year and have had great things to say about their stock. . I have personally dealt with yellowstone horse rentals and the Madsens, and they are great, but more located close to jackson so I would go with the one in Pavilion in your case. . . Still plenty of snow up high around western WY, not sure about 63 as I havent been that way in a while, but it might be beneficial for you to wait a few weeks and let the elk get settled into their summer zones, because that is where you will find them in early season most likely, instead of hiking in there to find elk, only to find out they are far from that spot come fall.

TOPGUN · Jun 13, 2016

The Mantles in Pavilion have been around for decades and I rented horses, tack, and a trailer from them in 1997 and 1999. Their rates for 5-14 days now is $500 for one horse with the tack included, but they also require a $1400 refundable deposit when you pick it up. I could not find a price for their trailer rentals. If you can afford the price, they would be the ones to rent from to hunt 63 seeing as how Yellowstone is on the other side of the mountains near Afton.

Wyohunter1 · Jun 14, 2016

This guy rents horses in the fall in Cody. They ride trails all summer long and in shape. 307-527-4966 307-899-1909

ralphie · Jun 14, 2016

There is dang little snow here.

Jeffpg · Jun 18, 2016

Great info guys!
I appreciate it!

Wyohunter1 · Jun 20, 2016

>Great info guys!
>I appreciate it!

There is also a Llama ranch in Burlington, Wy that rents pack Llamas if you want to go that route. Wayfaring Traveling Ranch
307-762-3536 or 307-271-5482

Jeffpg · Jul 12, 2016

>>Great info guys!
>>I appreciate it!
>
>
>There is also a Llama ranch
>in Burlington, Wy that rents
>pack Llamas if you want
>to go that route. Wayfaring
>Traveling Ranch
>307-762-3536 or 307-271-5482

I had pretty much settled on using horses only, but after fracturing my tailbone in a freak boating accident recently I have realized that I may or may not be healed up well enough to ride by September. I remembered this post with the heads up about the llama rental so I got in touch with the folks at Wayfaring but they have closed the business unfortunately. I'm still planning on utilizing horses at some point, but I wouldn't mind getting llamas for the early portion of September. It's looking like my hunting partner and I will likely have the whole month of September off to enjoy this hunt, so we are planning to get out there early and make the most of it. We will definitely bring our fly rods with us. He has a cow elk tag and we may pick up a couple of leftover antelope tags to use early if we can find a decent spot to hunt over in one of the mostly private land units. We don't intend to put too much focus on the goats though as we want to get into elk country well before the middle of the month with our bows. We'll put forth a good effort with the archery equipment but will be fully prepared to pull out the rifle come October is necessary.

Thanks again to all of you guys who have helped me out with the generous sharing of information here. It has given me a good starting point to go on and I am truly looking forward to a great trip this fall in Wyoming.