Wyoming conundrum

[TimberDoodle]

My dad has 13 elk & deer preference points in Wyoming. We've always put off Wyoming because we've been going on other hunts, but he's into his mid 70s now, so I'm thinking he should burn his points while he's still fairly fit and mobile. He's been on a number of elk hunts, but still probably defaults to whitetail mode a little too often to consistently put himself in opportunities for success with full rut pandemonium with a bow, but he's happy to sit a blind over a wallow for days on end and see what comes in. While he prefers bow hunting, his archery skills are getting a bit shaky beyond 50 yards, and he's getting more ok using a rifle. I think quality of experience is most important to him than absolute size of animal, so combat hunting for a chance at a 350 bull would rank lower than a less pressured hunt with more 280-300" bulls acting more naturally.

With the points he has, I was thinking I could probably force a draw in a few of the limited entry elk units that have a bow hunt followed by a rifle hunt, and try to help him get an elk with a bow for a week, then take out the boom stick if necessary, with my brother & I acting as sherpas/scouts.

Another option I've been considering is to have him split his elk points with my brother (who has zero preference points) and try for a general draw unit to have a maybe slightly more meaningful experience between my brother & dad, with me acting as a scout/sherpa for the other two.

With the condition of many of the deer herds in the state, I was thinking that I would just have him split his deer points with my brother (who has zero points), to try for an opportunity muley hunt to hopefully find a nice 4pt buck, probably following the elk hunt (unless I could find a unit where we could do both). What say you, internet? What would you do in my position? Any particular options that stand out as winners?

 

[LFC911]

Is a guided hunt an option? If so I would call some guides and see if they have any openings for rifle elk/deer in 2025. In his 70's I'm guessing this will be one of his last hunts and worth the extra cost to have someone worry about the logistics and camp life while he enjoys the hunt.

 

[WI Shedhead]

Good advice. I’m taking my 76 year old dad on his last elk hunt this year. It’s alot of extra extras

 

[High Climber]

My vote would be to put him in for a limited entry tag. Not sure if you're aware, but your Dad could use a crossbow during archery season, and there is good chance he would have an opportunity at a mature herd bull at some point if you guys found a good spot with lots of sign to post up for a few days. Good luck I hope it works out for you guys

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I wouldn't split points, I'd go with your brother and put 100% of your effort into getting your dad on game in the best LE unit he can get with his points. He'll appreciate y'all busting ass for him more than paying for an outfitter. I hope my son's do that for me one day because I've done that for them all their lives.

 

[bz_711]

As mentioned...get him the best elk tag he can get and make it a family camp...do whatever it takes to tag a bull...great memories for sure. Good Luck!

 

[cnelk]

Dont hunt two species at the same time.

Get the elk tag and the following year get the deer tag

 

[ElkArcher918]

I would focus on filling your dad's elk tag. Having a concurrent deer tag is just a "distraction" an "easy way" out if the elk hunting gets tough. Go all in and work your tail off to get your dad his elk. Since this is likely dad's last premium elk hunt, consider a reputable outfitter and do a rifle hunt if you can afford it.

 

[Caseknife]

Go here and find a hunt he can potentially draw, going to take at least 1 more point than listed, and go for it. The majority of the LE hunts can be hunted archery the month prior with the purchase of the archery permit. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/HuntPlanner

 

[TaperPin]

Oh my gosh - the stories that have been told over the years of being caught without a tag in overlapping elk/deer seasons. I’ve always prepared for it and one year it paid off. See elk first thing in the morning - bang bang. Get it boned out, look up the ridge and a nice mulie had walked over the top 700 yards away looking for a place to bed - closed the gap to to 450 - bang bang.

Some of the best animals we’ve taken were in low success areas after bad winters - I almost don’t listen to that information anymore. It only takes one older animal tucked away in a pocket others walk by to make me happy.

 

[LongWayAround]

From my limited view, type 1 tags offering both archery and rifle are diminishing. If that's your plan, the options are fewer than they were.

I would say to get him a limited elk tag, but account for the number of cow tags and general deer hunters in the field.

 

[TheCoyote]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say split the points.

Get a general tag on west side of the state and pay an outfitter to take the three of you into a backcountry wilderness camp. You could have 2 elk tags and 3 deer tags with that many points and have a unforgettable experience.
You'll be as far from a road as you can possibly be in the lower 48.
You will not see any other hunters for days!
You will see bears, deer, wolves, and ELK!
Imagine riding into camp after dark to see that illuminated wall tent...
Imagine getting up in the middle of the night to throw a log in the stove, and go pee under those ancient stars!
Trust me on this it is the best hunting experience the state has to offer.

 

[Mojave]

I am in my 50's my father is in his 80s.

here is my take.

1. Your Dad's points are your Dad's points. If your brother had his crap together he would have points. Don't guilt or coerce your dad into giving away his points.

2. Your Dad has his entire life to figure out a guided elk hunt. Don't do that. It will take away from the family experience I believe I hear in your voice. Unless you can all go as a group.

3. The crossbow option is tops. It will cut your distance, but increase accuracy. I made the switch years ago, and I really enjoy how it works.

4. Water may or may not be a big option for putting an elk down. When I think about the units that I hunt Wyoming elk, water has zero play in where elk are. There is too much of it to make a difference. In New Mexico and Arizona water is everything.

5. Water might play into a Wyoming deer hunt. I can think of several units where sitting water wouldn't be a bad idea. Just slow.

6. Play around with the last years draw/point results for both Special and General. You should be able to find an elk and deer unit reasonably close to one another in the 9-12 point range. There is no way to predict the future and even if you pay for Hunting Fool or Go Hunt you will just get a best guess.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/media/30442/download?inline

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/media/30130/download?inline

7. I would target units at the 11-12 point range last year for 100% draw. If you went special, you could probably do a 14-15 points as a target, and you might squeak in.

 

[Indian Summer]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say split the points.

Get a general tag on west side of the state and pay an outfitter to take the three of you into a backcountry wilderness camp. You could have 2 elk tags and 3 deer tags with that many points and have a unforgettable experience.
You'll be as far from a road as you can possibly be in the lower 48.
You will not see any other hunters for days!
You will see bears, deer, wolves, and ELK!
Imagine riding into camp after dark to see that illuminated wall tent...
Imagine getting up in the middle of the night to throw a log in the stove, and go pee under those ancient stars!
Trust me on this it is the best hunting experience the state has to offer.

In Wyoming… western anyway with few exceptions most areas don’t have mule deer seasons that overlap rifle elk. Deer hunting is in September during archery elk.

Other than that, your post is a very good suggestion. I know a great outfit for an experience like that. True blue, hard-working, cowboy, and a great area with lots of elk. The regional deer tag takes lots of points though.

Like Cnelk said…. Don’t hunt two species at the same time. For the most part, I wouldn’t hunt deer where my best elk hunting is.

 

[mpb21]

I personally wouldnt split the points either. If I was in your shoes I'd do a hunt all about your old man and focus on making that a good hunt. Then at some other point later on if you wanted to split with your brother you guys could do that and take dad along?

Im not big on multi species unless one or both is over the counter and you dont care if you dont fill one. Its a lot to worry about and WY tags are fairly precious in my opinion.

 

[Mojave]

He needs to do the hunts himself is he is physically able. My dad has max points for sheep and can't walk 50 yards. Treat every hunt at that age, like it is your last.