Wyoming Wilderness or Adventure Type Hunt Elk Hunt with a Bow

LAST EDITED ON Dec-26-17 AT 05:09PM (MST)[p]I have 5 NR points for Elk and 3 points for deer.

I would like to hunt Wyoming elk , archery, either 2018 or 2019 and deer region G in 2-3 years.

I'm 35 years old and have killed a 389" bull and a 330", both with my bow, both on public land non-guided.

I am looking for an adventure type hunt for above average bulls. Horseback in if necessary and during early to mid sept. Big gorgeous Wyoming elk tracked country with a quality outfitter is where I would like to spend my points.

Ideas?

If you are looking for a good deer in Region G and the PPs keep going up to draw that tag, you may have to go into the Special Draw with the points you would have then and that may not even be 100% draw. I guess that is no big deal though if you have the money to go on an outfitted hunt. I'll let the elk experts here help you on your elk question because if you've already taken a 389" bull DIY with a bow you're way out of my league! I can tell you who I would go with for the Region G deer hunt, but only by a PM or email if you want to PM or email me about that hunt.

I guess what's your definition of above average? Take a pen and draw a line down the continental divide through Wyoming. To the west, that 330 is going to be considered a big bull in most areas except for possibly the areas directly south of Yellowstone. To the east, your 389 is about as big as they usually come except for the occasional anomaly in the areas west of Cody and Meeteetse and the areas in the Laramie Range west of Wheatland south of Casper. Plenty of adventure for the guy that wants a horseback hunt in wilderness around the Cody area. Those outfitters will take you in deep, 25 to 30 miles just to camp, to play amongst the elk and grizzly bears. But don't expect +330 bulls to be running everywhere, enjoy the scenery and experience that comes with it hunting the Yellowstone and Thorofare country. I'm not too familiar with the Laramie Range, but there are outfitters that can access the range through big private ranches where bulls have some refuge, are managed and get big.

If you want to hunt deer in G, just keep gathering points. In 2 to 3 years you may want to keep acquiring points for another 2 or 3 years. Your going to have to keep track on how the deer are doing in the region.

Thank you for your comments. I would define above average as 320"+ or better, that's just me... I looked into the Thorofare and although the adventure factor is a 10, the bears and wolves have rumored to really make an impact on the elk herd. I'm sure that's for a lot of western WY. I've done 22 miles before on a wilderness elk hunt, that's about as far as I want to go on a horse one way. Are there any bow hunts that are a couple points out (like 6-7) that may I should wait for?

Does the area around Cody hold larger bulls than the Bighorns, again, these are all opinion related questions for the most part, not looking for exact science here, just experiences and opinions.

5 points should get a region G deer tag now yes? So maybe in 2-3 years I'll draw. I should have 5 now (I have 5 elk) but for some reason I missed a couple years worth of deer points. Maybe with point creep it will be 3-4 years, regardless, I will hold out until I have enough points to draw one.

My dad has a place in Pinedale and I have spent some time when I was younger going to school there. We don't get up there much anymore which is a shame.

>Thank you for your comments. I
>would define above average as
>320"+ or better, that's just
>me... I looked into the
>Thorofare and although the adventure
>factor is a 10, the
>bears and wolves have rumored
>to really make an impact
>on the elk herd. I'm
>sure that's for a lot
>of western WY. I've done
>22 miles before on a
>wilderness elk hunt, that's about
>as far as I want
>to go on a horse
>one way. Are there any
>bow hunts that are a
>couple points out (like 6-7)
>that may I should wait
>for?
>
>Does the area around Cody hold
>larger bulls than the Bighorns,
>again, these are all opinion
>related questions for the most
>part, not looking for exact
>science here, just experiences and
>opinions.
>
>5 points should get a region
>G deer tag now yes?
>So maybe in 2-3 years
>I'll draw. I should have
>5 now (I have 5
>elk) but for some reason
>I missed a couple years
>worth of deer points. Maybe
>with point creep it will
>be 3-4 years, regardless, I
>will hold out until I
>have enough points to draw
>one.
>
>My dad has a place in
>Pinedale and I have spent
>some time when I was
>younger going to school there.
>We don't get up there
>much anymore which is a
>shame.

Get on the Wyoming Game & Fish website and you'll find the draw odds for areas your interested in.

I have some friends that hunt the bighorns as they live over there. Usually there are good bulls, but seems the bowhunting pressure is extreme on National Forest. Maybe someone else can chime in on outfitters.

There are some Type 9 bowhunt only tags for the areas around Dubois. These are actually general areas, the Type 9 just allows you to start hunting Sept. 1. The general tags will open later in September. I don't know the odds on these Type 9 tags, but they are bowhunting only tags. Once rifle season starts your tag is done. Those areas might be worth checking out. Some good bulls come out of that country every year. East or west of Dubois, your in thick grizz and wolf country. Just how it is these days.

The Wind River Range wilderness around Pinedale holds a lot of elk, but again, your 320 to 340 bull is going to look really good. Your going to be in 10 to 15 miles to camp from the trailheads, and then your going to ride in different directions from there. Can be a really fun hunt depending on resident pressure from year to year. There are wolves and a few grizzly's but not as many as the Yellowstone/Dubois country. There's always a chance a big bruiser could be found, usually a few show up on the feedgrounds. The country is big and rugged enough for bulls to hide. Its just our spring grass comes later and winter comes early here in Sublette County and even though we feed the elk all winter it affects growth. Check out Mule Shoe Outfitters for Area 96, Bald Mountain Outfitters for Area 97, and Thompson Outfitters for Area 98 & 95.

The Gros Ventre Wilderness areas are worth checking out too. Good bulls early. There has been a spike excluded reg on those areas now for a few years do to wolf predation.

If you want a outfitted wilderness hunt and don't mind being in grizz country and want to hunt the biggest bulls possible, I'd look at the areas east and north of Dubois and south and west of Cody. If you don't want to be around any of the big fury predators, the Laramie Range areas is probably your best bet for big bulls.

That's very helpful Rocky2track, thanks!

I'll take a look at those areas and do some research on some outfitters. If anyone has outfitter recommendations, those would be handy!

Any other hunt/unit/outfitter recommendations?