2020 Cow Hunt

[Windlaker]

We are planning an Elk hunt for Fall of 2020. We've (from Wisconsin) been archery Mule Deer hunting in SD for the past 8 years or so, with decent success. So we have a bit of experience in hunting "Out West".

Going to do a cow hunt, rifle. We are considering Zone 21 in Wyoming. Mostly because I have a cousin that's hunted there a couple times and has been successful.

I'm looking at the 2019 regs, and I see that "Any Elk" is from Oct. 23 thru the 31st. And nothing in the "Quota" column. Then there is the "Limited Quota" with a quota of 200, Oct. 15 thru Nov. 17. Couple questions...

1. Would I be better off taking the "Any Elk" season, success-wise?
2. What exactly is the Limited Quota? I think it means Leftover, right?
3. I believe we can buy a Preference Point. Would it be worth it, or would a cow tag be easy enough without?

Thanks in advance,

WindLaker

[Tigger]

Here are some thoughts.

1. There will be a lot of hunters there. I know this area gets hit really hard during those times. Snow/weather might also be an issue.
2. Limited quota means they only give out that many permits.
3. Dunno on the availability of cow tags.

a good part of that unit is Wilderness Area and a nonresident cannot hunt in there without a guide, so that concentrates the nonresident hunters in the non-Wilderness areas. Expect a lot of hunters! It is a really pretty area, that is for sure!

[saddlesore]

As I understand it, hunting with a resident in WY qualifies as having a guide. So are you hunting with your cousin or?

[Tigger]

The resident has to go get a license, then he can go with him.

[Indian Summer]

And the “resident guide” must accompany the non res hunter at all times.

I wouldn’t buy a unit specific license. Buy a point and apply for the general license which gives you options for various season dates in 53 units.

[Wyo67]

With regards area 21, you're going to be in for a challenge.

1) Area 21 is a General area. Meaning residents can by a General tag OTC and hunt that area from 10/15 - 10/31 (plus the youth hunt that starts 10/13). It will get a ton of pressure. Been there done that. For a non-resident, you will have to enter the draw. All applicants are entered in the random draw. This year there was a 14% success rate in the random draw. Most non-residents build preference points in order to draw a WY elk tag. This year, it took 3 points to be guaranteed a tag for a General. Two points only had a 27% success rate. Note: Those rates are for the regular draw. Odds go up if you're will to pay more for the Special draw.
2) For Area 21 the Limited Quota Type 6 is a cow/calf only tag. In this case, there are only 200 of these licenses available for the entire draw (includes both non-resident and residents). Type 6 licenses in Wyoming are only drawn on a random basis (no preference points). This year there was only a 9% success rate for non-residents for a 21 type 6 tag. Over 500 residents applied for this tag, so there will be no leftover tags available for Area 21 Type 6. There haven't been any leftovers for that particular tag for several years.
3) You can purchase a preference point from 7/1 through 10/31. Using the info above, only you can decide whether it would be worth it. The advantage to building points and going for the any elk tag is if a bull walks in front of you, you can take it. The advantages (negligible in my opinion) to the limited quota aka type 6 tag are they cost less and you can hunt an additional few days until 11/17.

As the other guys have stated, area 21 has a substantial wilderness area which will require a guide if you want to hunt in the wilderness area. If you know a Wyoming resident, and decide to go the resident guide route they also must have the same tag as you and go to the Game and Fish to fill out the resident guide application. It's free, I've done it a couple of times - the challenge especially with the low draw rates for type 6 tags is that both the resident and non-resident must draw the same tag on the same year. In Wyoming, non-resident and residents cannot do a party application.

[Windlaker]

Thanks so much for the advise, guys.

I assumed based on what my cousin told me, it was an easy tag to get. WRONG.

Will buy a preference point, but will be looking for different areas, most likely.

Thanks again.