Wyoming

[elkflunky]

I am looking at trying a different state for my adventures. Does anyone have any suggestions/expectations of elk hunting in Wy? I am used to hunting western MT where it is heavily timbered. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I am starting from scratch here. Thanks!

[Indian Summer]

Where to begin! First, the deadline for apps was the last day of January so you missed that BUT... there will be leftover elk tags in some darn good areas so you could still hunt it this year if you want. Also.. you don't have to get a degree in the details of all the units trying to pick one. Do what you did on the west wide in Montana. Get a general license, while accumulating points for other areas. They have a better draw system so for just a few more bucks you can buy a point... and still hunt that general license. Just like Montana this could mean hunting the west side. It's the same as Montana with lots of flatland in the east and more mountainous terrain on the west side. There is alot of timber but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the higher % of open country. If you haven't been using your binos you will now. As a matter of fact spotting scope may even be a consideration depending on where you go.

My advice for you is very simple... do exactly what you did in Montana. One difference I'll mention is that you don't see many guys actually using horses in western Montana but those guys in the cowboy state all seem to have one or two. No big deal, especially in bow. Another noteworthy subject: griz. North of jackson the bears are a consideration. You need to camp appropriately. Hang food etc. South of Jackson you won't have that problem. Keep in mind that in Wyoming a non-resident can't hunt a wilderness area without a guide.

The bull in my avatar is a western Wyo bull out of a general license unit from last year.

Oh yeah... you can buy a point for next year later this year from July to September. Make sure you do that.

[elkflunky]

Ok thanks Indian Summer! Do you have a suggestion on the best time to go? Are the bulls fairly vocal and how are the elk numbers/wolves from your point of view? I also hear a lot about the Grizzlies in WY which are a concern but are they that abundent or do I just hear about the worst cases? Any help is great help at this point! Once again thanks!

[Indian Summer]

The griz are abundant enough to be a real concern anywhere north of Jackson over to Cody and anywhere around the park. Also east of Jackson in the Gros Ventre but that's wilderness so you wouldn't be in there anyway. South of Jackson another story. No griz and way less wolves. As far as vocal... same as anywhere that they are doing what elk do. Not silent by any means like some places can be. In the right place at the right time they'll blow your hair back. Same dates apply as anywhere else. Bow or gun?

The gun seasons vary by unit as do the bow. Bow seasons are fairly long but gun seasons in some areas can be 2 weeks. Some 5 weeks. Most of it is either sex bow or gun. Take the plunge. With your experience you'll do well. You know the deal.... the first year you'll be a pilgrim there but year 2 will be a whole other ballgame. There is lots of hunting in general units other than the west side too. All with no bears or wolves.