Still have bull tag, rifle outfitter?

[KHNC]

Hey, So me and my hunting partner just got back last thursday from DIY archery in Wyoming. I called in a really nice 5x5 that came in screaming at 10 yds. He made a great heart shot. Dropped in 35 yds. Rough and long pack out. Otherwise, not a lot of action where we were at. Lots of hunters. Wanting to find a private land rifle hunt last minute in the Southern GEN region. Called a few outfitters, no replies yet. Anyone have any ideas of who i could call to get a rifle bull hunt 10/25-10/31 or thereabouts? Hate to waste this tag, as it will probably take 5-7 years to draw again. Im not interested in going back to public with a GEN rifle tag. Cant even imagine the crowds. lol. PM me if needed. Thanks !

 

[Elkoholic87]

All of the quality outfitters have been booked up years in advance and SHOULD be busy with helping clients on their hunts right now. There’s a chance that you could find an opening due to a last minute cancellation. I would start calling right now until you have been told no from everyone.

 

[KHNC]

All of the quality outfitters have been booked up years in advance and SHOULD be busy with helping clients on their hunts right now. There’s a chance that you could find an opening due to a last minute cancellation. I would start calling right now until you have been told no from everyone.

I have been calling outfitters. This is exactly what i expect to be the case.

 

[dtrkyman]

Keep at it. someone will cancel or someone will find you a spot.

 

[The Guide]

This late in the game, your best bet might be to find a property that you can pay a trespass fee. There are a couple of website where you can get on private land with a short term lease for hunting rights. Some even come with lodging for your lease dates.

Jay

 

[KHNC]

This late in the game, your best bet might be to find a property that you can pay a trespass fee. There are a couple of website where you can get on private land with a short term lease for hunting rights. Some even come with lodging for your lease dates.

Jay

That would be ideal actually. I have elk hunted 24 years. Havent used an outfitter in quite a few years for elk. Except for that one time in Montana

 

[wytx]

Good luck but your chances are slim at this point.
Have you called the outfits over by Saratoga?

It can be done general , on the forest with a rifle but it can be frustrating.
Not many archery hunters where we were, maybe because they were not talking, lol.

pm sent

 

[KHNC]

Good luck but your chances are slim at this point.
Have you called the outfits over by Saratoga?

It can be done general , on the forest with a rifle but it can be frustrating.
Not many archery hunters where we were, maybe because they were not talking, lol.

pm sent

Yes, called multiple outfitters up that way. Replied to your PM.

 

[LongWayAround]

I have no personal experiences with them but I know of Spur Outfitters in Encampment.

I've seen their guys bring some bulls into a local meat locker.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

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[jrowl2282]

Why not just take a rifle back to the unit you just left?

 

[KHNC]

I have no personal experiences with them but I know of Spur Outfitters in Encampment.

I've seen their guys bring some bulls into a local meat locker.

Thx, they are full and EXPENSIVE. lol

 

[KHNC]

Why not just take a rifle back to the unit you just left?

Well, i explained that in my original post. I have zero interest in DIY during a GEN rifle season on public. Elk arent worth that to me nowadays.

 

[jrowl2282]

Yes I saw that and I understand not wanting to but that's alot of money to fork out and it sounds like you guys must've either been very lucky or you know the unit well? And if you fall into either of those it would make the guided deal even harder

 

[Indian Summer]

There is nothing at all wrong with public land hunting in general units. We do extremely well.

 

[rookieforever33]

You can try a huntbroker like hunt nation or wta. They work with multiple outfitters and might have some insight. Usually the outfitter pays the fees so you dont pay extra. Expect to pay a lot anyway using an outfitter

 

[Doc Holliday]

I would call Epic Outdoors and ask if they have anybody in Wyoming they can connect you with in the southern GEN region

 

[KHNC]

Yes I saw that and I understand not wanting to but that's alot of money to fork out and it sounds like you guys must've either been very lucky or you know the unit well? And if you fall into either of those it would make the guided deal even harder

I didnt find an outfitter with an opening. My bull tag is still in my pack unfilled, unfortunately.

 

[KHNC]

There is nothing at all wrong with public land hunting in general units. We do extremely well.

My GEN tag is in the Southern Region. The deadfall and crowds were so bad in September that i can only imagine what it would be like during rifle. If my GEN tag was for a region that had more open country hunting with less deadfall, i would be all about it. Also, i live in NC. I think you live in the West. Big difference. It is 26-27 hour drive for me to come back out and hunt. Not worth it to me to deal with all of that BS for a rifle hunt in the Southern Region. We hunted dark timber most all the time. Not very conducive to finding a bull without bugles or glassing. As for our success in September, we have many years of archery elk experience in multiple states. We always find the elk eventually that time of year.

Hopefully i can get a decent tag again for archery elk before i get too old to do it.

 

[Indian Summer]

My GEN tag is in the Southern Region. The deadfall and crowds were so bad in September that i can only imagine what it would be like during rifle. If my GEN tag was for a region that had more open country hunting with less deadfall, i would be all about it. Also, i live in NC. I think you live in the West. Big difference. It is 26-27 hour drive for me to come back out and hunt. Not worth it to me to deal with all of that BS for a rifle hunt in the Southern Region. We hunted dark timber most all the time. Not very conducive to finding a bull without bugles or glassing. As for our success in September, we have many years of archery elk experience in multiple states. We always find the elk eventually that time of year.

Hopefully i can get a decent tag again for archery elk before i get too old to do it.

I live in western Pennsylvania. 24 hours of driving to western Wyoming. The southern region has more open country than the west. As far as blow downs, that’s just something you can only avoid by having some experience in a particular area.

I agree about looking for at least semi open country. That’s what I hunt. I’m definitely not a timber hunter. Locating elk is more than half the battle and I do that from vantage points. When the pressure is on, though, I still have to, do a little timber hunting. But not much.

I don’t know what the pressure is like in the south but I’m sure it’s not much different than anywhere else. Just have to put on a few miles to leave that behind.

I have gone out in the summer and scouted. I have gone out in archery and then driven back in rifle season. Whatever it takes. I can’t stand an inpunched elk tag.