Wyoming Hunters . . . Sound Off

[LckyTylr]

If you are a Wyoming Res or have hunted Wyoming before . . . I need your help.

I drew a General tag and was looking at the following units, 84, 89, 90 and 92. I can only scout twice this summer, so other than internet scouting, I can't accomplish much.

Any direction or tips would be greatly appreciated. Really hoping to kill my first elk this year.

[elk-n-walleye]

what are your target dates for your hunt?

[LckyTylr]

I'll be there for opening weekend or archery (just 3 days), then again for 6 days in the 3rd week of archery, then again the first week of Rifle.

[Wyo67]

I'm a resident but I've only hunted the central and south-central parts of the state.

I would start off by identifying elk habitat in your areas using on-line maps tools such as Caltopo, Google Earth and FlashEarth.

Next I'd get the motor vehicle maps for your national forest areas here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/btnf/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5293653 and use those to compare the areas you want to hunt to the roads/ATV trails that run through them to help determine where you want to set up base camp and determine ease of access (ie. other hunters).

Keep in mind the northern portion of 84 has wilderness area. Which means you'd need a resident guide...

[Indian Summer]

Bow, gun? I've hunted all of those units. Make sure you pay attention to changes in regulations this year. They have eliminated cow hunting in some units in that area.

You're luckier than most to be able to do not 1 but 2 scouting missions before you hunt. 2 things you can't learn from that are where other hunters will be come season and if there are any sheepherders where you'll be hunting. Those guys will sweep a mountain clean of elk. If you run into anyone on your pre-scout you may want to ask if that's something to think about where you'll be hunting.

Good luck, Wyoming is awesome!

[ST52V]

Just hunt with IS and share a camp with him. I'm sure you will do better than the guy he took last year. I just talked to another friend from PA the other day and they hunted in that region last year. I don't know what unit exactly but they moved after a few days. Deer with rifles started early and were over run with those hunters. They hunted the medicine bow area and had a great hunt.

[LckyTylr]

Thanks everyone, some really good information above, I appreciate it.

I knew about the Wilderness area in Northern 84, so I was planning on staying below the highway that cuts it in half. Good advice on the sheep . . . something I forgot about. I haven't been burned by sheep yet, but I can imagine how quickly it would kill an area mid season. I won't be looking for a cow, I can try for a Cow in Idaho on my weekends that I don't travel to hunt Wyoming, so that's not a concern either.

I'll be reading, re-reading and memorizing the regs once they ship them to me.

Of those units that I listed and you have hunted, what are the pros and cons in your opinion? I have read and heard different things about some of the units, but frankly, I don't trust anything that I've read or heard if it didn't come from Elknutforums.

Thanks again guys, I really am thankful for the information. If any of you have NOT hunted Wyoming, but have done some of your own research, feel free to chime in.

[swmoelk]

How did the hunt go? Which unit did you end up in?

[Indian Summer]

How did the hunt go? Which unit did you end up in?

^^^ What he said?

[LckyTylr]

It went well, i killed my first ever bull on our first trip over. I hunted 84 for 2 days and then moved to 92 where i killed my bull that next morning (my avatar pic). Here's the long winded story with pics.



viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5239

[swmoelk]

Congrats! Great write up.