The Bighorns and DIY

[eleaf]

I'm looking at trying a DIY hunt in the Bighorns this season and have a few questions.

I'm not looking for a monster buck, but a good representative of the species and a good time. I've been hunting in NE Wyoming the past three seasons and am looking for some bigger and taller country. I had the outfitter that I've been using (who's considering hunting with me - as opposed to guiding for me - and he knows that I'm not using him no matter the Bighorn status) make a few calls to some family that hunts the area he has in Sheridan and the info he got doesn't really sound right.

What he's being told is that access to the National Forest is extremely limited because of the need to cross private land to get in there, which doesn't sound right. I've run in to small blocks of state land or BLM land where access can be dicey, but BNF is over a million acres and it seems like it should have plenty of access. Is his info stream simply too limited (guys upset because one or two access points they'd like to use are blocked), or is there legitimate access issues to the national forest on a larger scale?

Assuming his info is correct, how difficult is it to gain access to someone's property solely for the sake of passing through? I've never had to deal directly with securing access before for any reason, and so I'm not sure.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I can ask my buddy who hunts up there and see. I dont think it is correct though. If you go to the Wyoming Game and Fish website they have some new maps up that show private/public boundaries. If your going to be in National Forest you will need to have a guide, per wyomings laws, assuming your a NR. As for access, I don't have any experience up there but I do know it is very hard. I sat and watched 500 head of elk this year on public land. The problem was there was a piece of private less than 100 ft wide seperating us. The land owner will not give permission to cross for any reason at all. I have heard of stories of outfitters up by Sheridan and most of them have the private so wrapped up that you can't even go to the landowner. If you could find a piece that isn't outfitter ran you may have a good shot at getting permission. Good luck! I am looking at hunting up there as well.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Here is the link to that map.

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/WGFD14_LANDSTATUS_SUMMAP.pdf

 

[DWarcher]

If your going to be in National Forest you will need to have a guide, per wyomings laws, assuming your a NR.

That law only pertains to Wilderness Areas not National Forest land.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Thanks for the catch. That is what I meant. Work got in the way and I got distracted. My apologies.

 

[eleaf]

Here is the link to that map.

http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/WGFD14_LANDSTATUS_SUMMAP.pdf

Thanks for the map.

Do you have a link to the key? I have no idea what represents what except for green = national forest. Specifically, what's yellow land and white land?

I found a link to a very similar map, but I'm not sure if the key matches (though I suspect it is pretty close).

From what I'm able to gather, I *think* the yellow is BLM land, and the white is private.

So if I'm reading the map correctly, the Eastern side of BNF is almost completely bordered by private land, while the Western side is bordered largely by BLM land which should theoretically make access reasonably easy on that side.

 

[eleaf]

Thanks for the catch. That is what I meant. Work got in the way and I got distracted. My apologies.

How DARE work get in the way!!!

 

[huntwest]

White will be private, yellow is blm, and green will be national Forrest.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Haha yeah. Darn work. You are correct in your key. Huntwest got it for you though.Just remember to stay away from the white haha.

 

[eleaf]

Haha yeah. Darn work. You are correct in your key. Huntwest got it for you though.Just remember to stay away from the white haha.

Awesome.

Thanks.

And yes, stay away from white! Fortunately the western slope is bordered by mostly yellow.

 

[jags]

I guess it depends where you are trying to hunt. Access to some areas on the eastern or western face can be limited due to private property in some locations. Drive up on the highway and you can access all you want.

 

[Jordan guyer]

I live here in Sheridan there is no problem with accses to the national Forest. If you plan to hunt wilderness you will need to have a registered guide

 

[eleaf]

I live here in Sheridan there is no problem with accses to the national Forest. If you plan to hunt wilderness you will need to have a registered guide

Hypothetical . . .

My hunting buddy is also a registered outfitter in WY, though not a resident, nor does he have the National Forest permit.

Would it still be kosher to hunt with him in the Wilderness Area even though I wouldn't technically be using his guide services and he doesn't have a permit even if I were using them?

My guess is no, but it seems there may be a legitimate loophole in this particular law.

 

[bobhunts]

Call them and ask. I doubt it though. Better to be safe. Bob.

 

[Bambistew]

If I remember right, you don't need a "registered" guide to hunt wilderness, only a resident who is willing to be your "guide" and must hunt with you. I think the resident has to fill out some paperwork, but its all pretty easy from what I understand.

The west side of the Bighorns is some sweet country. Good luck if you go.

 

[jags]

You need a licensed/registered guide or a licensed resident for the wilderness areas. Not sure if your friend would qualify or not probably have to call and check.

A licensed resident can "guide" up to two hunters and just need to get the license from G & F, no requirements and limited cost as I recall. I did it a few years ago for friends that come out to hunt. Pretty much any resident can get this limited license.

 

[MAT]

Do your homework. I hunted elk on the west side of the bighorns two years ago and the only deer I saw where the 4 semi-tame does by the road. This was in the NF near the wilderness boundary. I think the east side might be better, or maybe lower elevation BLM land?

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Do your homework. I hunted elk on the west side of the bighorns two years ago and the only deer I saw where the 4 semi-tame does by the road. This was in the NF near the wilderness boundary. I think the east side might be better, or maybe lower elevation BLM land?

There are deer all over up in the BigHorns on both sides even though it's noted more for elk and moose. You just have to know where to look and have the time to find them.

 

[BackCountryMulies]

What region of the big horns are you considering? R I can help you with Y and M I can point you in the right direction but have spent little time hunting these two areas

 

[Forestryguy]

Not to rattle any cages, I am new to big game hunting in the West and do not know all the regs. and what not. Why do you have to have a registered guide or resident "guide" in the first place? The land is Federal land and as US citizens and tax payers we pay for the management, etc. Makes no sense to me why someone would have to have a "guide" to hunt Federal land.