I have 5 Elk points...

chevy_dog · Dec 10, 2016

This forum is awesome- thanks to everyone for fueling my fire when it comes to hunting.

I have NEVER hunted Elk. Some years ago, I decided to start building points in a number of states, and now I am in a position to draw a decent tag each year for about 5 years in different states. My intent was to build up about 5 points in each state, then start drawing tags. I am now there, and ready to cash in.

I just don't know where to start with Wyoming Elk. Looking to cash in these points in the next 2 years. I am 33, mostly backpack hunter, non resident. Looking for a decent bull (it would be awesome to have a chance at a 300" bull), but I think quantity (opportunity) trumps quality in my case.

I would appreciate any suggestions on decent zones that can be had with 5 to 7 points. Not really interested in guided, but may consider a drop camp. Thank you guys!

-Ryan Farrell.

shootem · Dec 10, 2016

Unfortunately there are thousands of people in the same boat as you with 5-7 points with no realistic chance at drawing any good tags. I hate to be straight forward with you but the reality of it is that 5 points is in no mans land when it comes to getting a decent elk tag. It's too many to burn on a general tag and not enough to get a decent unit with ample public land. You may need to continue building points for the next decade with point creep and all. Good luck!!

TOPGUN · Dec 10, 2016

I hate to say it, but I pretty much have to agree with the previous post unless you go for the special tag that can cut some points off your wait.

jm77 · Dec 10, 2016

Neither of the two previous posts here has is giving a realistic portrayal of what can be drawn with 5-7 points. My suggestion is to do some research, because there are LQ areas out there you can draw with 5-7and have a very real chance at 300+ bulls.

Sometimes I don't get some of the advise given here.

Wapitiwilly · Dec 10, 2016

Most general units produce 300 inch bulls ever year. Shouldn't be an issue to draw one of them.
Good luck!!!

jm77 · Dec 10, 2016

>Most general units produce 300 inch
>bulls ever year. Shouldn't be
>an issue to draw one
>of them.
>Good luck!!!

Do not go general with 5 pts...

TOPGUN · Dec 10, 2016

>Neither of the two previous posts
>here has is giving a
>realistic portrayal of what can
>be drawn with 5-7 points.
>My suggestion is to do
>some research, because there are
>LQ areas out there you
>can draw with 5-7and have
>a very real chance at
>300+ bulls.
>
>Sometimes I don't get some of
>the advise given here.

I will say I did not take everything the OP stated into consideration in making my first post. After rereading his post I see that he thinks a 300" bull would light his fire and, as you stated, any unit in the state can do that and a number of units that he could get a tag with 5-7 points would more than met his goal. Therefore, shame on me for my initial response!

chevy_dog · Dec 10, 2016

That's a bummer to hear I am in no mans point land, but I understand as I am there with Colorado too. I have a buddy that has that new gohunt insider thing, so I could probably ask him for advice with 5-7 points.

Sounds like the general tags could be had with a couple of points, is that why you would not waste five points on it?

As stated, I am not looking for a trophy, but rather looking for an adventure hunt with enough animals where I could potentially pass on some smaller bulls and hang my tag on a nice 5x5 or better. I would be tickled!

WapitiBob · Dec 10, 2016

>Neither of the two previous posts
>here is giving a
>realistic portrayal of what can
>be drawn with 5-7 points.
>My suggestion is to do
>some research, because there are
>LQ areas out there you
>can draw with 5-7and have
>a very real chance at
>300+ bulls.

I don't think he believed you.

chevy_dog · Dec 11, 2016

I am going to look into the draw statistics further, but I am wonder if the best unit for what I am expecting takes less points than what I have saved up. I have a feeling that's the case. However, if I wait a few years to build a few more points, will I get into a unit that is significantly better, or should I just go and hunt? I'm leaning towards the latter. Thanks for the input.

-Ryan Farrell

TOPGUN · Dec 11, 2016

>I am going to look into
>the draw statistics further, but
>I am wonder if the
>best unit for what I
>am expecting takes less points
>than what I have saved
>up. I have a
>feeling that's the case.
>However, if I wait a
>few years to build a
>few more points, will I
>get into a unit that
>is significantly better, or should
>I just go and hunt?
> I'm leaning towards the
>latter. Thanks for the
>input.
>
>-Ryan Farrell

IMHO any hunt is a good hunt when you're talking elk the way they are increasing in so many areas in Wyoming. Waiting and building points in your case doesn't seem to be the way to go if a 300" bull will suit you. Just remember that if you do wait to go that in Wyoming you have to buy a point or apply for the tag at least every other year because if you don't do one or the other in two consecutive years you lose all your accumulated PPs.

wytex · Dec 11, 2016

Points are going to creep in Wyoming so waiting may not play into a better unit. Lots of great elk hunting all over the state. If you decide on a general unit put it as second choice and if you draw you'll keep your points. A special tag might get you a good LQ unit but you'll have to pay for it.There are some areas that drew with 5 pts in the special that are great elk areas. Won't mention them here but do the research on the G&F web site.

jm77 · Dec 12, 2016

>>Neither of the two previous posts
>>here is giving a
>>realistic portrayal of what can
>>be drawn with 5-7 points.
>>My suggestion is to do
>>some research, because there are
>>LQ areas out there you
>>can draw with 5-7and have
>>a very real chance at
>>300+ bulls.
>
>I don't think he believed you.
>

That's funny Bob!

chipc · Dec 12, 2016

If you're a backpacker as you say and you're willing to work at it there are some 5 point units that will give you a quality hunt - especially if you're willing to go with the Special draw. My advice would be to go on on the WGF webiste, pick several of those units that can be drawn with 5 in the Special draw, Look at harvest statistics, do a search for posts about those units on this forum and others, then start asking more specific questions on here and by other methods (phone - Wardens, Bio , etc...). There are simply too many variables to get the info you're looking for with such a broad based question. I don't blame ya for trying. I've been in the same boat. Just trying to help. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

TOPGUN · Dec 12, 2016

+1 chipc

chevy_dog · Dec 12, 2016

Thanks chipc! I will give it a go.

Largebull · Dec 12, 2016

I have 8 points. Any better than 7 or am I in the same boat. Just curious. Not putting in this year, but next when I will have 9. Thanks in advance............BULL!

SPAZ · Dec 13, 2016

I have 11 points, and I'm a trophy snob. 350++ or bust, preferably 370+. Archery and rifle would be my preference, if no dice with arrows, back with bullets.

Obviously want lots of elk, action, few hunters, public land, and I don't want to get too far from my beer cooler if I don't have to. Help. Please.

jm77 · Dec 13, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-16 AT 08:44PM (MST)[p]>I have 11 points, and I'm
>a trophy snob. 350++
>or bust, preferably 370+.
>Archery and rifle would be
>my preference, if no dice
>with arrows, back with bullets.
>
>
>Obviously want lots of elk, action,
>few hunters, public land, and
>I don't want to get
>too far from my beer
>cooler if I don't have
>to. Help. Please.

I would go general if I were you SPAZ.

chipc · Dec 14, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you too Spaz

Outdoordan · Dec 14, 2016

Here is a chart I made for my website last spring for the 2016 draw period. It features 4 point areas with good success rates. Compare this to most Colorado units, and I believe you have enough points for a good hunt, and if you draw now, you can hunt again in another 5 or 6 years.

4 Preference point units (regular draw) with a 34% or higher success rate on bulls:
Unit 25 (Type 1) bull harvest in 2014 of 41%. 2 points special draw, potential access problems.
Unit 38 (Type 1) bull harvest in 2014 of 34%. 0 points special draw.
Unit 93 (Type 1) bull harvest in 2014 of 36%. 2 points special draw.
Unit 106 (Type 1) bull success in 2014 of 50%. 0 points special draw, 45% public lands, potential property issues.

Deer · Dec 18, 2016

Hopefully I'm not being rude here but a 300 inch bull is a pretty tall order being unguided and going by yourself without elk hunting experience. Hunted elk all my life and I'll say it's tough being seasoned but really tough just walking into it. A lot of things primos videos aren't telling you and a lot different and more difficult hunting private versus public like adding a bunch of public land hunters to the equation. Good luck to ya though

jm77 · Dec 18, 2016

> Hopefully I'm not being rude
>here but a 300 inch
>bull is a pretty tall
>order being unguided and going
>by yourself without elk hunting
>experience. Hunted elk all my
>life and I'll say it's
>tough being seasoned but really
>tough just walking into it.
>A lot of things primos
>videos aren't telling you and
>a lot different and more
>difficult hunting private versus public
>like adding a bunch of
>public land hunters to the
>equation. Good luck to ya
>though

" Looking for a decent bull (it would be awesome to have a chance at a 300" bull), but I think quantity (opportunity) trumps quality in my case."

What's your point Deer?

Deer · Dec 19, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Dec-19-16 AT 11:56AM (MST)[p]>> Hopefully I'm not being rude
>>here but a 300 inch
>>bull is a pretty tall
>>order being unguided and going
>>by yourself without elk hunting
>>experience. Hunted elk all my
>>life and I'll say it's
>>tough being seasoned but really
>>tough just walking into it.
>>A lot of things primos
>>videos aren't telling you and
>>a lot different and more
>>difficult hunting private versus public
>>like adding a bunch of
>>public land hunters to the
>>equation. Good luck to ya
>>though
>
>" Looking for a decent bull
>(it would be awesome to
>have a chance at a
>300" bull), but I think
>quantity (opportunity) trumps quality in
>my case."
>
>What's your point Deer?

Just want you to have realistic expectations that's all elk hunting is tough even in great draw areas I do wish you luck though

jm77 · Dec 19, 2016

> Just want you to have
>realistic expectations that's all
>elk hunting is tough even
>in great draw areas I
>do wish you luck though

" Looking for a decent bull (it would be awesome to have a chance at a 300" bull), but I think quantity (opportunity) trumps quality in my case."

This is what the OP wrote not me and with those points, I think he is being completely reasonable with his expectations.

As far as elk hunting being tough in great draw areas in Wyoming, I would only gauge that on how big a bull you want. But then again, the old saying goes that 20% of the elk hunters account for more than 50% of the harvest. So true...

Teepee · Dec 20, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Dec-20-16 AT 04:31PM (MST)[p]You might want to re-check Area 38-1. You can't draw that with 0 points, even special. Decent area though, but expect lots of company. (in reference to Outdoordan's post on 12-14.)

TOPGUN · Dec 20, 2016

>You might want to re-check Area
>38-1. You can't draw
>that with 0 points, even
>special. Decent area though,
>but expect lots of company.
> (in reference to
>Outdoordan's post on 12-14.)

I have no idea how he came up with that stat since it took 3PPs for a 100% chance last year for that Special Draw tag and 2PPs wasn't even in the running.

dillon · Dec 20, 2016

Toprut.com will help you zoom in on the tags that you can draw with 5 points. The 2016 draw data will be up so you can look it over by early January.

Dillon
Www.dillonhoyt.com

TOPGUN · Dec 21, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Dec-21-16 AT 09:16AM (MST)[p]>Toprut.com will help you zoom in
>on the tags that you
>can draw with 5 points.
>The 2016 draw data will
>be up so you can
>look it over by early
>January.
>
>Dillon
>Www.dillonhoyt.com

The draw odds have been up on the G&F website since right after the draw last year and that's all I ever use, rather than these other sites like you mention. However, being retired I have a lot more time than working stiffs to delve into stuff and I guess some of these other sites let you pick and choose what you want to look for to save time.

Outdoordan · Dec 23, 2016

Sorry, not sure where I screwed up on that 38 info. Must have been a late night. :0)

tracker12 · Jan 7, 2017

>LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-16
>AT 08:44?PM (MST)
>
>>I have 11 points, and I'm
>>a trophy snob. 350++
>>or bust, preferably 370+.
>>Archery and rifle would be
>>my preference, if no dice
>>with arrows, back with bullets.
>>
>>
>>Obviously want lots of elk, action,
>>few hunters, public land, and
>>I don't want to get
>>too far from my beer
>>cooler if I don't have
>>to. Help. Please.
>
>I would go general if I
>were you SPAZ.

Or average your points with 4 guys and go general.

tracker12 · Jan 7, 2017

>Here is a chart I made
>for my website last spring
>for the 2016 draw period.
> It features 4 point
>areas with good success rates.
> Compare this to most
>Colorado units, and I believe
>you have enough points for
>a good hunt, and if
>you draw now, you can
>hunt again in another 5
>or 6 years.
>
>
>4 Preference point units (regular draw)
>with a 34% or higher
>success rate on bulls:
>Unit 25 (Type 1) bull harvest
>in 2014 of 41%. 2
>points special draw, potential access
>problems.
>Unit 38 (Type 1) bull harvest
>in 2014 of 34%. 0
>points special draw.
>Unit 93 (Type 1) bull harvest
>in 2014 of 36%.
>2 points special draw.
>Unit 106 (Type 1) bull success
>in 2014 of 50%. 0
>points special draw, 45% public
>lands, potential property issues.

I would be in 38-1 every year if I could draw with 0 points.