2024 Wyoming Elk

[prhunter]

I'm sure you had a great time...Congrats!

 

[rogerthat]

See any grizzlies?

 

[Buzzy]

Congrats. I’m glad it worked out well for ya. That unit you were in with warm weather is a tough unit to turn up a good bull.

 

[3855WIN]

Congrats on a great hunt. Every serious big game hunter needs to do at least one pack string hunt during their career.

 

[Baerman]

See any grizzlies?

Unfortunately, I was the only one in camp that did not see a griz. One day, there were seven grizzlies seen and three were a sow and two cubs strolling right through camp while I was on a hike. Another day after my harvest, I hiked from camp to grab those sheds and one of the guides who rode down the same trail later that night said griz tracks were over my tracks. Oh well, guess it gives me good reason to go explore that country more. While I definitely have a respect for griz, I learned they are not there looking for trouble.

 

[Baerman]

Congrats on a great hunt. Every serious big game hunter needs to do at least one pack string hunt during their career.

I went for the hunt but the experience with horses was every bit as exciting and enjoyable. I too highly recommend every DIY hunter give it a try at some point.

 

[fmyth]

Congratulations on a successful hunt!

 

[MaybelNellie]

Congrats on the awesome bull and sounds like you had a solid outfitter and experience. Is Corey Fischer still the owner at Crandall? I'm 2 below max points and put 51 on my list along with the 61/62/62 group. Done with point creep.

 

[Buzzy]

Congrats on the awesome bull and sounds like you had a solid outfitter and experience. Is Corey Fischer still the owner at Crandall? I'm 2 below max points and put 51 on my list along with the 61/62/62 group. Done with point creep.

I’d check out Josh with Shoshone lodge outfitters as it’s a few weeks later in those units that he hunts. 51 is really weather dependent and there is one big named outfitter in that unit you should stay away from.

 

[MaybelNellie]

Appreciate that. Heard same on 51. It's a dice roll, but you can really hit when it dumps in the park. I have a call into Josh Mart already and good to know he is a thumbs up. Always that risk with some outfitters no doubt and tough to pay for but want that late season wilderness option if needed. My thumbs up is Meade at 7D (but hunts a max draw elk unit). Can't recommend more.

 

[Baerman]

Congrats on the awesome bull and sounds like you had a solid outfitter and experience. Is Corey Fischer still the owner at Crandall? I'm 2 below max points and put 51 on my list along with the 61/62/62 group. Done with point creep.

Yes, Corey was my outfitter and guide. He did a phenomenal job and I can't say enough good about his outfit. This hunt is somewhat migration dependent though. I was the only one of three in my group that shot a bull. There was another 320 bull or two and a funky bull that I would have considered but you really need the weather for real hopes of a 350+. The experience is one I'll never forget though, even had I not harvested.

 

[Baerman]

I’d check out Josh with Shoshone lodge outfitters as it’s a few weeks later in those units that he hunts. 51 is really weather dependent and there is one big named outfitter in that unit you should stay away from.

I agree, if you have 16 points or more, you might call Josh. In my research, he has the best area and he even picked up one or two other outfits and has increased the area he hunts now. I think all outfitters in this general area had a rough time this year. Just saves more elk for next year. All this said, Corey and his team were exceptional. Buzzy is referring to Porter. He is old, crotchity but knows the area. Porter does not do the wilderness camp either. You stay in his lodge and go to different areas daily. If you want a wall tent in the middle of nowhere, he's not your guy anyhow.

 

[MaybelNellie]

Thanks again to all. Met John years ago. Nice enough guy, but understand. Have an email to Corey. Talked to a new outfit in 51 that thinks best odds are hunting last week in Oct and hoping for the best if willing to "under-apply" by 2-3 points in my case.

For Gen hunts and outfitters that actually have openings, been hearing the Wyo Range and Gros Ventre outfits are doing well in any weather, and not as impacted by predators.

Hope this conservation is helpful. If you're in that no man's land of pts in any state and in your 50's or 60's, I say get on with it so you can come back and do a general type hunt or two. Can't buy time.

 

[Baerman]

Thanks again to all. Met John years ago. Nice enough guy, but understand. Have an email to Corey. Talked to a new outfit in 51 that thinks best odds are hunting last week in Oct and hoping for the best if willing to "under-apply" by 2-3 points in my case.

For Gen hunts and outfitters that actually have openings, been hearing the Wyo Range and Gros Ventre outfits are doing well in any weather, and not as impacted by predators.

Hope this conservation is helpful. If you're in that no man's land of pts in any state and in your 50's or 60's, I say get on with it so you can come back and do a general type hunt or two. Can't buy time.

In general, the later the better because 51 is a migration hunt. Good luck in the draws!

 

[kep7790]

I am sitting on 16 points and like the OP want the wilderness camp experience. I looked at Grey's river outfitters, Gene Moses, and a couple others. But at this stage in my life I would like to harvest a trophy bull, and would eat the tag for part of the experience. Hunted the Kaibab this year and would have had that late tag there.

 

[NateW45]

Congrats on an awesome elk! Glad you had an enjoyable hunt, I am accumulating points and hope to hunt Wyoming in the next couple years.

 

[YellowCreek]

dandy!!!! Congratulations

 

[packsaddle]

I am sitting on 16 points and like the OP want the wilderness camp experience. I looked at Grey's river outfitters, Gene Moses, and a couple others. But at this stage in my life I would like to harvest a trophy bull, and would eat the tag for part of the experience. Hunted the Kaibab this year and would have had that late tag there.

Neither of those outfits should even be a consideration for you. Both arent wilderness outfits, they have drive to camps in general areas. With those points, you should be able to draw a great unit and have a great hunt. Look at Meade Dominick, 7D Ranch Outfitting; Trails West Outfitters, Josh Martoglio; Wood River Ranch; Any of those would be worth your time to look into. You should not use 16 points to hunt a general area. Meade would be a private land hunt though, but he takes great bulls. Josh you could draw either of the 2 units his backcountry camp hunts, and you will get the full horse/wall tent/grizzly backcountry experience along with seeing a lot of elk. Wood River has a good area to hunt and offers both backcountry and lodge style hunts.

 

[MaybelNellie]

Packsaddle, with my 17 points can you comment on the far northwest Park County group of units? The ones that are below max need draw and weather dependent? Worth the risk in your mind if you’re over applying there in my or kep’s case?

Do you speak with wood river though. My discussions with him is that he is more up on doing the ranch hunts because the wilderness areas are being hit too hard of late.

 

[packsaddle]

Packsaddle, with my 17 points can you comment on the far northwest Park County group of units? The ones that are below max need draw and weather dependent? Worth the risk in your mind if you’re over applying there in my or kep’s case?

Do you speak with wood river though. My discussions with him is that he is more up on doing the ranch hunts because the wilderness areas are being hit too hard of late.

Ive never spent time much north of the cody area. So I'm not familiar enough to really recommend anything aside from calling the few outfits up there and getting references from past hunters... the migration hunts are far from easy and fun usually. Ive hunted one of the best, and also had friends draw tags the last 4-5 years.. just because it's a migration hunt doesn't mean you will get to see the migration. . As for wood river..I was just throwing those names out there for possible outfits, don't know much about them specifically aside that they own all the permits in that drainage.. but the previous ranch manager/outfitter left with the new ownership I believe.. id believe more that they don't have the knowledge and ability to run those camps than the hunting is worse. Much easier financially to run lodge hunts i would guess