The unit we drew jumped 1.63 points from last year in the special draw. We had no cushion as 5 applicants were drawing for 4 tags. It will be my first ( I hope not my last ) antelope hunt.
Good luck to all who drew.
Drew Wyoming general tag last week which got me motivated to add P 90 X to my daily hikes with pack.
Its old school I know but whadya expect from a 56 yr old.?
Drew it last year archery. Can see a big difference in grass between opening day and last week. So much that it can change your plans. Lots of access and recreation going on. No problem getting into elk.
Seek Outside Beyond Timberline 2 with stove jack and trecking pole extender. Spent 4 nights but never used the stove jack. Like new.
The extender makes any trecking pole the correct height for pitching. I bought it from Seek Outside when I ordered the tent. Does not include tent stakes...
"0 for 3" is not bad at all, average is 10 - 15% and if you succeed this year, that would be 25% (1 for 4).
But that is not what you asked about.
Persistence, Wind, and covering enough ground so that you are giving yourself opportunities.
A drop camp is fine IF elk are there. If not, you are stuck. I'd stay mobile, keeping my options open.
Even though you want a packer to help get one out, you and your buddy(s) can usually get one out.
I've hunted 53 for 20+ years. Plenty of water. In fairness, he said he wanted to pack in water and 85 lbs to see what it would be like to pack out an elk 1/4.
He was right about conditoning, both mental and physical. But that's old news. Its an epiphany for him because he is new to it all...