Wyoming Unit 7 Elk

[BBHunter6]

I drew Unit 7 Bull Elk Tag in Wyoming for this 2014 season. I've done a little research, and I've had family hunt there in the past. I'm just wondering if some of you who have been on the unit before, had any tips or advice they would be willing to share, or at least what to expect. I realize there is a lot of private land, but I do not plan on hunting any of it, nor do I plan on paying for private access. And also, what size of bull is realistic to harvest during the archery hunt? Is there a lot of water?... etc I will be hunting it during the archery hunt the whole month of September. Any advice/tips/information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

I Live For This

 

[bowhunt]

I am not familiar with it.
However most people feel that is about the best archery elk hunt in the state.

 

[darter]

Can't help you all I have ever heard it can be a tough hunt if you hunt the public land you might want to ask on bowsite.com, I sure think there are quite few people out there who have hunted the public that could chime in. I was looking at unit 7 until I saw some of the prices the ranches are charging I used my points 2 years ago on a different unit.

 

[fiveptbill]

I will give you all the help I can. It has been a few years since I drew this tag. I know all of the magazines and websites still call this a trophy area but in the past 5 or 6 years the trophy quality has dropped dramaticly. They put out over 1500 bull tags. It is a big area but if you take that many bulls out the age class will drop. The people that I know that have hunted it in the past couple of years have been having to hunt real hard to find 320" bulls on public ground. There are bigger there but you will have to hunt hard for them. If you email me I will give you some specific areas to check out.

Bill Bershinsky
Firefighter (Lucky SOB)

 

[Califelkslayer]

Get on some private......now!!

Wyoming has reslurces to locate landownrs that allow hunting, and it can be very reasonable.

 

[Califelkslayer]

resources and landowners, I must have been drunk....but the thought was right.

 

[gil_wy]

Answered you on the WY forum... Bottom line, used to be a world class archery hunt but pressure has made it hit or miss at best especially without significant time to scout.

 

[hornhole]

Not to be a total downer on your tag, but I had that tag a few years ago, and it was very tough!!! I spent a lot of time in and around the Private land Walk in Access areas with little to no Elk encounters. I actually had one awesome morning with two different bulls coming into set up, only to have a Cowboy ride right through my setup with out a care in the world. There was also way to much pressure, even for the Archery season. I also spent some time in the roadless areas around Laramie Peak. I would look at that country real close, but if cattle are present leave!! Make sure you have a good GPS with Hunt Maps!! Good Luck

 

[MTStiller]

I drew the tag 3 years ago and paid a trespass fee to archery hunt. If I draw it again, I will do the same. It was absolutely one of the best hunts I have experienced. I was allowed to camp on the property and each night I had bulls bugling within 200 yards of my camp. Hunting solo, on day one I had four different bulls within 25 yards and passed on all of them, thinking I could do better. A hunter who had been on the property previously had shot a bull with his crossbow that was close to 400 inches so I was holding out. Anyway, on the third day I decided to take a heavy bull that didn't score great but still was my best archery bull to date. Earlier in the hunt on one occasion I had hiked off the property onto public land. To give some perspective, during that hike, which was probably 3 miles, I heard or saw 3 bulls but also saw 4 different hunters.

To summarize, from my limited experience, for a tag that takes several years to draw I would definitely pay the trespass fee again to hunt the private land. Best of luck to you.

 

[Broomer]

Hunted the unit in 08' been a few years I know but elk are elk and the country hasn't changed. I hunted privet, paid $60 and rented a little cabin for $30 a night it was the more fun hunt I've had. I hunted the last 5 days in September. Bulls were bugling like crazy and running all over. It was real timbered so glassing up big bulls was a bit tough. I saw lots of 280" bulls but always found a 300" in the rut fest. The day I killed I was classing a 330 class bull and this 295" wide 5x5 with dark almost black antlers with white tips was bugling my way and I just cow called as I sat and glassed. He got close and was way to cool of an experience to pass on so I smoked him at 50 yards. Ended my hunt September 29th.

I learned that the hunter management area (HMA) are a real good resource. Apply for these area mid summer (check website ) if you draw hunt privet for free. If not find landowners within these area and contact them independently to gain access. I was the 60th hunter to gain access on this area and one of a few that killed. Landowner said all others were there real early in the month and just wanted to ride the roads

I wouldn't pass up hunting the HMA's unlimited areas too. Do research on these they may lead you to a great hunt.

 

[Califelkslayer]

My experience was like Stiller and Broomer.

I hunted a ranch that charged $150.00 for 5 days ($30.00 a day) We hunted for 12 days and were into bugling bulls every hunt. Best in the 330" class with many, many 300 type bulls. But we hunted the year of the 100 year drought. I felt horn growth was sub standard because of the drought.

My Dad and I did trailer the horses to a near by trail head in the middle of the week and hunted one day. There was one rig at the trailhead. I saw 3 small bulls, heard another and about 8 elk total for the day. We rode in about 3 miles and I hunted away from the trailhead another 3 miles yet I saw boot prints several times. We never went back and don't know why we didn't just stay on the ranch and adjoining landlocked public, just wanted to see new country I guess.