2025 Wyoming Elk Draw/Questions

[ThorM465]

I hunted a couple of hill sides where this would have been an improvement. Assuming it was followed with over seeding it a few times.

 

[Blackcats06]

We had some locals tell us exactly this and tell us that it was just a weird year. I believe there is a lot of truth to this. However, it should be noted that we were told this from locals who had also been hunting for an elk in that unit for over a week. We talked to several people in the area and our story wasn't unique this year.


North Alabama. I often wondered if that wasn't the case as we were hunting lands void of wildlife. I'm currently pondering the question which one is normal, do we have an usual level of wildlife per sq mile in the southeast or is there something seriously wrong with the ecosystem in that area?

I wouldnt say you have an unusual level of wildlife, you have what the ecosystem supports. Same with western states. I would guess the west has about 2 elk per square mile, so when you have a group of 8 elk, that's 4 square miles which is a lot of country in the west.

 

[Blackcats06]

Honest question. When was the last time y'all asked yourselves should it be part of western hunting? With the money coming in from nonresident hunters you should be able to set up programs to remove the deadfall to some degree and bring in vegetation that would facilitate a better ecosystem with the goal of larger healthier herds.

Wildlife is managed by the state. Federal lands are not. Some states work with the federal government to fix the issue and some dont. Even if the state tries doesnt mean the federal government will do it.

 

[fngTony]

I hunted a couple of hill sides where this would have been an improvement. Assuming it was followed with over seeding it a few times.

It’s just not as easy to do in the undeveloped west plus the soil isn’t very fertile until that blowdown burns. Not saying that it doesn’t happen but where I’ve seen blowdown collected was near a very wide well graded forest road. That area burned really well about six years ago and you can see how much healthier the forest is where it burned. So removing the blowdown is removing the fertilizer.

 

[RufusB.Marion]

Honest question. When was the last time y'all asked yourselves should it be part of western hunting? With the money coming in from nonresident hunters you should be able to set up programs to remove the deadfall to some degree and bring in vegetation that would facilitate a better ecosystem with the goal of larger healthier herds.

You know I've never thought to myself that we should fundamentally change the ecology of the west so I didn't have to step over deadfall, but we absolutely should. Has anyone ever told you you're a genius? Your opinions and hard earned info is a true treasure. I look forward to what else is kicking around in that big brain of yours.

 

[LA Hunter]

Can Understand if nobody helps or responds, I get it! I DO not want your spots or a handout.
I will be sitting on 4 points and contemplating trying to draw a tag in the special next yr. Or i may wait until 26. I have never been elk hunting in wyoming ...

I'm from lower Alabama and just finished up my fourth tag out west and finally filled a tag in General W. I went up to WY twice this year (2024). On the first trip, we rented a train of 6 llamas and went all over the place in this unit; tag soup. On the second time up there, I was fortunate to take a detour while driving my son to school cross country and added only two days to get it done. I have an excellent spot/honey hole that afforded us a sweet opportunity and will likely produce often in the future. We hiked six miles back and got it done the first day with a regular pack-out on our backs.

I've spent hours e-scouting, untold costs (gear-subscription-trip-tag soups-training courses) that I am too embarrassed to disclose. All of my friends at the park and church are eager to know my secret sauce. I tried to help my hunting partner learn how to scout and stalk elk, but he needed me to put him on the spot so he could pull the trigger kind of like whitetail in the southeast. After the first 2024 hunt, I changed my mapping password and won't give out my intel unless they want to share points or go with me the next time.

I know that if I disclose the unit number or the areas we marked off and those we found elk, all of that is lost- it burns a spot or a unit. I too started a few threads like this one and got roasted much the same way you did. It is part of the process; western hunting is exactly that- western.

Does that make them or me selfish for not disclosing specifics? You could ask my kids that question for the time and money I spent towards preparing for each of their tag-soup hunts we went on over the years. They would consider me foolish for toasting this investment I put towards understanding the great public lands we have out west. This type of intel is precious and took so much to earn the hard way.

If you've hung on for this long to read this, great. It is so satisfying to get it myself and thrilling to know the mountain I've chosen to hunt. I will probably never get an outfitter knowing what I know now.

The marrow of this forum and the people who started it is they are willing to tell you how to get the information you need. The HOW is so much more valuable than a unit number or a spot. The process of weeding out the people who want it quick and easy is necessary. Spend time listening to the free content R. Denning and so many others deliver from their podcasts.

After you consume the free material, invest in GoHunt or OnX elite to peruse the vast amounts of data available. I've found ways to go beyond the data even the paid services provide. Scan the harvest numbers and JCR's given by Wyoming GF. After reading the results and job completion reports (JCR's) for the unit(s) you are interested in, then give a call to the biologist for the unit you've already researched.

Even then, don't just ask the biologist for the spot; ask him about the elk behavior, hunter density, key vegetation in drainages that you think are promising, reliable water, outfitter presence, etc. in certain areas that you've highlighted, etc.

Then, go hunt. Boots on the ground out west is nothing like the walk from the truck to the deer stand over a green plot. Some people get it done diy on their first try. It took me four trips and I finally got it done. R. Newberg ate tag soup seven times before he got his first elk. He fires his staff when they give out spots.

If this is just too much, stop now and spend the money on an outfitter who has done all of this and more. For example- they live in the area year after year and even at camp setting up just a few days to a month before you get there. For perspective, a $6-$10,000 hunt isn't such a bad deal for an outfitter who gives you an opportunity to put your crosshairs on an elk. It may seem like it costs you an arm and a leg for them to put you on the spot, but it really doesn't when you compare that to the alternative- diy. Hope this helps.