splitting my max elk points

sheep97 · Nov 30, 2016

I have decided to cash in my max points and split them with my hunting buddy. I think it would be more fun to harvest a bull with a friend, than get a big bull by myself.

So i'm going into the draw now with 5 pts. we are looking for a hunt focusing more to quantity of elk rather than quality. Looking to get a couple branched bulls. My research has led me to these units: 39, 41, 51, 54, 55, 98. I'm leaning towards 98 and 54-2 north. This will be for the NR Reg PP draw.

I have done some research but if anyone has any info to help make this decision easier it would be helpful.

TOPGUN · Nov 30, 2016

Max points for 2017 is 11, so if that's what you have and your buddy has 0 you'll go into the draw with 5.5PPs. That 1/2 point could be big in getting drawn depending on what unit you decide to put in for.

crcountry · Nov 30, 2016

As a buddy of mine recently said: "you better have your mountain legs/lungs ready for 54-2 if your doing it with boot leather"....it's straight up. Your a good friend to split your max points. Most max-point units still offer pretty low odds of drawing the tag anyway. Mind as well pick a decent unit and go hunt hard with a buddy. The 39 archery tag is great hunt during the rut on private land (and the public land archery hunt is pretty good too from what I hear). The 39 rifle hunt is pretty packed with 100's of resident hunters and plenty of roads!...but there are rugged canyons you can get into and away from people. Look into the 78 migration hunt? I don't think that requires max....just a lot of time and spontaneous travel arrangements when the weather hits around jackson.
Good luck
crcountry

crcountry · Nov 30, 2016

meant 38-9 btw

Wyohunter1 · Dec 1, 2016

51 and 55 have a lot of wilderness where the elk are.

mulecreek · Dec 1, 2016

What is drawing you to 98?

I have never hunted 98 but I do spend time there during the summer. Of those that I know that have hunted 98 I would say at least 1/2 have left empty handed. There are certainly elk there and I am sure you could find a bull but the vast majority of 98 is not elk country during the hunting season. Of the units you listed I would pick others over 98. If is was a NR I would hunt a general tag over 98 particularly with the wilderness limitations. Good luck to you wherever you decide to hunt.

HalfAce · Dec 1, 2016

Your a damn good friend for wanting to split max points with a friend. That's a LONG wait, and you'll never be at max again, ever...

sheep97 · Dec 1, 2016

thanks everyone for the input. That's kinda what I thought on 54-2. I've hunted the Snake river unit in OR and that's a boot breaker. I was just trying to see if 54 is do able at all without stock.

I was looking at 98 because of maybe some easier access with a fair success rate. I know there is some wilderness, but my feet can only cover so much ground anyway maybe there is a chance of some pockets of elk around there. .Maybe I will have to start looking into the general hunt more.

sheep97 · Dec 1, 2016

>Your a damn good friend for
>wanting to split max points
>with a friend. That's a
>LONG wait, and you'll never
>be at max again, ever...
>

I'm getting out the point business. I was in the military and had points in numerous states so when I got stationed somewhere I could do a limited entry hunt somewhere that would be worth the time and money. Just tired of hunting by myself or trying to get someone to tag along, so i'm using up my points.

mulecreek · Dec 1, 2016

One plan to consider if your long term plan is to hunt Wyo a lot and you are not a 350" or nothing hunter. Use your max points on yourself next year on a top end unit. Have your friend just accumulate a point but come along with you or possibly get a reduced price cow tag for the unit you draw. Then the year after you both put in for a general tag. You can realistically hunt a gen tag every other year. Once you really get to know a gen area you can be consistently successful on some very good bulls. Just a thought if you are looking to hunt Wyo elk year after year rather than chasing the top end units.

sheep97 · Dec 1, 2016

was able to talk to WY game and fish. very helpful and honest. Looks like 98 would be hard to do without stock. Not there suggestion, but maybe 95 or 93?

Togwotee · Dec 1, 2016

I would look at some of the bulls they took in the late Cody hunts this year before I blew max points on an average tag. seriously.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

nripepi · Dec 2, 2016

I have contemplated the same on deer and antelope and have decided against it. I think I would reconsider splitting and just as MuleCreek said have your friend tag a long with a cow tag. He shoots a cow and you shoot a nice bull. The odds are better for that to happen than for both of you to shoot 2 medium size bulls because on the hunts you can draw by splitting your points the success rate is probably less than 50%. So in all reality, I think you are weighing 1 medium size bull vs. 1 nice bull and probably a cow. I would much rather go on a hunt for a big bull and shoot a cow for the meat.

TX_Diver · Dec 3, 2016

I hunted 98 as a NR 2 years ago.

It's pretty easy to cover all the non-wilderness area there and there's really only one good access point to it.

Between 5 of us we took one cow (just had cow tags) and we were hunting the beginning of November in hopes that the weather would have started pushing them down

What was recommended above about you drawing a max points unit and your buddy picking up a cow tag for the same area is the best suggestion so far. Especially if you don't mind waiting one more year for him to have a point.

excavator · Dec 4, 2016

You do not need horses to hunt 54-2. However, depending on where you kill your bull, a packer to get your meat out may be desirable.

ducksbucksandbulls · Dec 7, 2016

Pick a good unit use your points and have your friend get a cow tag and both of you enjoy your bull hunt...

tracker12 · Dec 13, 2016

I split my Antelope points with a friend a few years ago and it was a great hunt. Plan on doing the same with my max deer points in the next year or two. You are missing some good hunting opportunities thou with 11 PP.

sheep97 · Dec 13, 2016

all of you have brought up some good ideas. Not sure what I'm going to do. None of the units I have looked at have me really excited. Still looking at it.
We may do a August cast and blast in Kodiak or I have 14 pts for moose, maybe try that. I think I can draw a tag. Haven't really looked at it yet.

nripepi · Dec 14, 2016

You could draw 24 and he would have a chance at a cow tag. If he had a point or two he could get the cow and you the bull tag. I am sure there are other options as well.

Buckhunter1 · Dec 16, 2016

24 is a great hunt. Buddies and me spent maxpp a few years ago. Bow hunt it, lots of fun...one more thing...I had max points in a whole bunch of states and started burning em 5 or 6 yrs ago.. Don't stress over em, split em with buddies, kids whatever.It's the whole experience that counts...not just the trophies. BH1