About 10 years ago you guys REALLY helped me with my WY speedgoat, now I have questions about elk.

[bigdonniebrasco]

I started buying elk points in WY REALLY late in life, and even though I am only at 7 points, I think I should probably burn them while I can still hike!

I think in 2025 I should plan an elk and/or Mulie trip to WY from Kansas. I have never hunted either and would be delighted with anything. I have 7 elk points and 4 Deer points, so I could always hunt elk in 2025, then mulies in 2026.

Anyway, I'm just trying to pick your collective brains regarding what areas/units I might want to apply for with my 7 points (I'd pay for a special if that helps). I am NOT looking for specific hunting spots or anything, I will try and figure that out on my own. I figure just asking for unit suggestions isn't as bad as asking for a specific hunting spot.

I would LOVE to shoot a bull with my bow, but I would shoot one with my rifle if that improves my odds.

Thanks for ANY advice!!

Don

 

[NEWHunter]

I’ve not hunted either species in WY, but I’m in a similar situation point wise. Seems like elk is more of a priority for you based on the location of this post. Maybe go for deer first and use that hunt/trip as an opportunity to scout your prospective elk unit for the following year. Good luck!

 

[Dsnow9]

I think a little more information is necessary. What kind of shape are you in, what kind of hunt do you want to do, what type of terrain do you want to hunt them in, how much time are you going to commit to the hunt, solo or with help, what kind of mileage, spike camp or base camp…

Asking what unit people would recommend with none of that info is like asking what kind of lady to look for at the bar… different strokes for different folks.

I know what I would do with 7 but I would bet I couldn’t talk 5 percent of hunt talk into doing the same thing.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the input!!
I know that if I hunt deer first, I'll see a monster elk and vise-versa lol. As for my condition, I'm 57 but I can probably outwork 95% of people regardless of age (not bragging, I've just always stayed in shape).
As for the type of elk hunt, There's the dream of shooting a bull with a bow from the ground, but I doubt that's a reality when I likely only have a single trip to dedicate to the hunt. I'd be happy with a 300 yard shot across a field under a pivot! LOL

As for the type of lady at the bar.... old, rich, and weak ticker!

Thanks again!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I am not sure if anyone will bite, but if you have Kansas ground you might consider a trade hunt - WY mule deer for KS whitetail.
I've met a lot of western hunters dying to shoot a whitetail and turns out Kansas deer arent small

As for elk - are you able to break away and scout at all leading into the season? Depending on who you are asking, WY isnt that far from KS and a few scouting trips will help you learn your unit much better verse going in cold. A few trips will really cut down on the learning curve and increase odds.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

I am not sure if anyone will bite, but if you have Kansas ground you might consider a trade hunt - WY mule deer for KS whitetail.
I've met a lot of western hunters dying to shoot a whitetail and turns out Kansas deer arent small

As for elk - are you able to break away and scout at all leading into the season? Depending on who you are asking, WY isnt that far from KS and a few scouting trips will help you learn your unit much better verse going in cold. A few trips will really cut down on the learning curve and increase odds.

Kansas deer are ok if you like this sort of thing.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d deer hunt the area you want to elk hunt. Go in 25 and scout for a 26 elk hunt.

 

[TOGIE]

not a ton of great to be had at 7 points. maybe a few in the special draw that beat out general by a decent a bit.

dig into what LE you can draw with 7 points, regular and special and research them. see if any fit the bill and seem decent enough. there is always general; you should have no problem getting a general tag.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

Thanks guys, I truly appreciate the ideas!!!

 

[cgasner1]

Now about these dink white tails you got

 

[WYelker]

So if you have just one trip and want to try bow, there are options where you can archery hunt the end of September and then Oct. 1 the rifle season opens. So depending on how long your one trip might be, I would think a person could find a unit where they had a week of archery and like 4 days of rifle. The week of archery would likely let you figure out the spot to be sitting for the rifle opener.

The other thing to consider is use one tag as a scout for the other tag. Look at lower demand/general units and use the deer tag to hunt but also scout for elk or vice versus. At 7 points you are kind of no mans land right now. Too many for general(regionals) but not enough to really step up in hunt quality on the more limited units. If I were you I would look for a low point tag closer to home, hunt it now and then use the trip to hunt but to also set myself up for another hunt in a couple years. Hunting the same area a couple times will exponentially increase your odds of success.

 

[npaden]

With a growing elk population, Wyoming has quite a few cow tags in units that have good bulls. One common way people scout for a future bull elk hunt and also get their feet wet with the whole elk hunting process is drawing a cow tag as a second choice or leftover tag in the unit they want to hunt a bull in the future.

 

[cgasner1]

With a growing elk population, Wyoming has quite a few cow tags in units that have good bulls. One common way people scout for a future bull elk hunt and also get their feet wet with the whole elk hunting process is drawing a cow tag as a second choice or leftover tag in the unit they want to hunt a bull in the future.

This would also be a great idea

 

[OverlordBear]

With a growing elk population, Wyoming has quite a few cow tags in units that have good bulls. One common way people scout for a future bull elk hunt and also get their feet wet with the whole elk hunting process is drawing a cow tag as a second choice or leftover tag in the unit they want to hunt a bull in the future.

That is exactly how I have been scouting in Wyoming. 2/3 years I have gotten cows with this method.

 

[bigdonniebrasco]

That is exactly how I have been scouting in Wyoming. 2/3 years I have gotten cows with this method.

That's awesome! Lots-o-meat !

 

[Flatrock]

I would highly recommend to not burn points on WY elk until you spend some time hunting elk. That could be on a cow hunt like others have said or a low point hunt in CO or general MT. You will learn a TON the first 10-15 days of elk hunting. Get some elk hunting experience before you burn those points.

 

[NERedlegz]

I’m pushing 30 and feel as though I’m behind in the point game already (0 points) hoping to learn a thing or two from these forums..

 

[nrpate05]

With a growing elk population, Wyoming has quite a few cow tags in units that have good bulls. One common way people scout for a future bull elk hunt and also get their feet wet with the whole elk hunting process is drawing a cow tag as a second choice or leftover tag in the unit they want to hunt a bull in the future.

You can also get a cow tag as your first choice without burning points!

 

[soonerdg]

You can also get a cow tag as your first choice without burning points!

I'm looking for my first elk hunt and a cow tag seems like just the ticket. So, if I only put in for a cow tag will I earn a point that year?

 

[nrpate05]

I'm looking for my first elk hunt and a cow tag seems like just the ticket. So, if I only put in for a cow tag will I earn a point that year?

In Wyoming, you have to buy preference points and it is separate from the draw. So, you can draw a tag in the spring and then you can buy a preference point in the fall.