Elk units 56 / 59 Type 1

SDBugler

Very Active Member
Messages
1,054
Looking for some advice regarding the 56 or 59 late Type 1 elk hunts. My oldest son has max points and this would be his only chance to ever draw a late season migration hunt. Can either of these hunts be done DIY without horses? I know most of the area within these units is Wilderness and requires a guide for NR. Can the better quality bulls be found in these non-wilderness areas or do you need to get back deep into the wilderness to find them? Can these units realistically be hunted late season without horses? (one of my other sons and I would be accompanying him on his hunt). I know guided with horses is the "best" way to hunt these units but he just graduated from college a year ago and a $7k to $10k hunt is not in his budget. We would maybe consider guided day hunts from town at a lower cost if there are any guides out of Cody that provide that service.

He is a resident of Montana and has shot bulls each of the past three years scoring 300 - 340 in general units while he was going to college. I have hunted the late hunt in unit 54 solo several years ago so I'm somewhat familiar with the logistics of the late hunts.

I know the drawing odds are pretty tough even with max points, but like I told him, this is his ONLY chance to ever get to hunt elk late during the migration. We have done a lot of backpack elk hunts during the rut with archery but would like to experience the late migration hunt.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.
 
Im sure nfh gave you some good info as he knows the country well...I have hunted 1 of the units..bull in my avatar..and have friends who have drawn the other. 100% none of the bulls could have been killed without horses and wilderness access. As residents, this wasnt a problem for us. But as a NR, these 2 units in my opinion should be nowhere on your radar to put in for if you arent going guided, or dont have access and knowledge of horses with a resident. Both units are very rough country, and can be downright dangerous still with horses. . and many years, the bulls are deep in the mountains to get to still. These units get plenty of hype, but there is no "easy" part to hunting either of them even with a string of good mountain horses. People eat these tags every year, because they dont know what it truly entails to be successful in either unit
 

Wyoming Hunting Guides & Outfitters

Badger Creek Outfitters

Offering elk, deer and pronghorn hunts on several privately owned ranches.

Urge 2 Hunt

We focus on trophy elk, mule deer, antelope and moose hunts and take B&C bucks most years.

J & J Outfitters

Offering quality fair-chase hunts for trophy mule deer, elk, and moose in Wyoming.


Yellowstone Horse Rentals - Western Wyoming Horses
Back
Top Bottom