Wyoming elk unit 108

[goforbroke]

I find that I use forums often for general info on different units. I appreciate honest post about units so I have expectations in line. Here is my info on 108

My brother and I drew this unit blind in 2013. One outfitter controls most of the private and I did lots of calling and looking (bought land ownership maps, conservation officer etc.) and found no one that allowed access on to decent property. The largest piece of private doesn't allow hunting at all this year. (Land owner and about 4 people from what I gathered hunt, but not enough to move elk off.) We went out on the bow hunt and had a ball. had a shot opportunity every day. Saw a 350 bull, but hung close to private, missed a 320, lots of 260-280 six points. we only had 4 days and we should have had two 300 class bulls and should have hunted a week. Lots of fun. very few other hunters. biggest bulls on private but would pull out. took a bit to find legal access to lands but doable.

Went back the day before opening of rifle. Opening morning elk were pushed and ran like mad to private land. brother missed a 320, after seeing 150 elk the first 2 hours and nothing for a few hours he shot a small 5 point. I was wanting that 350 bull. He didn't come off private . quite a few hunters and very few elk on public ground after those first few hours. We had an early snow that year, but able to get around still. I could have shot a few 5 points, the fourth day an average 280 6 point, but I was 4 miles and not worth the pack out. It was frustrating to look down at the private and see 300 plus elk, several 320 plus bulls and no one was able to push or move them off. I didn't go back as conservation officer said that they occasionally moved off, but one shot they ran back to private.

In short, would I burn 6 points, no. where there big elk yes, but mostly on private. is the bow hunt fun - very much so!! this was DIY, outfitter has good land to hunt is my understanding.

Good luck

 

[bowhunt]

that is an awesome report, and certainly very kind of you to share with with the MM gang!

Thank you for such a great post!

 

[elkchaser60]

It sounds like you did better than we did.
My brother drew this tag blind also except we hunted the last 5 days of the season.
The elk were virtually non-existent on huntable private land.
We saw 5 or so cows and 1 small 6 point that were doing their best Carl Lewis impersonation headed for private ground.
There is no way I would recommend this hunt to anyone unless they planned on hiring an outfitter.
The local conservation officer was very helpful and one heck of a nice guy.

 

[goforbroke]

I said blind, but applied as Eastman's upgraded to blue chip last year. I think they screwed up and they didn't have it as a blue chip this year. That is the bad thing about going off magazine recommendations. In fairness, if they allowed trespass fee to Miller Hill like they had until 2011, that would probably push the elk off the private enough to make it a hunt. 2012 only the guide had access and in 2013 almost no one hunted that ranch. With no one hunting the 15 square miles with good elk habitat, all the elk were in the private safe land. My understanding is that no one will be hunting in the near future as putting in a windmill project.

 

[Zeke]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-27-14 AT 11:34AM (MST)[p]...and therein lies the conflist with private land v public resource.
Thanks for the report. You're nice to share.
The bow hunters might do pretty well, based on your report, but the rifle hunters get hosed a little because the elk have it figured out.
Zeke