Wyoming Elk Hunts - Regions/Guides

[Pietrasewsr]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to start playing the Wyoming Elk Lottery game now that I am comfortable with the amount I will need to set a side for a decent guided hunt (preferably on private land).

I am a non-resident from the east coast with experience hunting moose + white tail but have no experience with elk or the West.

What are some one the general rules I should follow when applying each year assuming I wont get drawn unless very lucky. Is there a specific region that I should avoid and ones to pick? Should I work with an outfitter WELL in advance incase I do get picked so I have the right zones? If so I would greatly appreciate general advice and recommendations.

 

[realunlucky]

Yes pick an outfitter many times they can pair with another hunter with more points and help you draw sooner.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[3325]

I worked for two Wyoming outfitters years ago. This was the ‘90-‘92 time frame. When booking hunters, they would often book two or three for every slot they had, knowing that most wouldn’t draw. If they booked one hunter per slot, they might end up with only a few hunters for the season and in business trouble.

However, the opposite occurred occasionally. Three hunters booked in the same slot and all drew. Then some shuffling had to occur. Can you come a week earlier? A week later? My buddy is also an outfitter in the same area and he has a spot available. Wanna hunt with him? He’s good.

That sort of thing.

What I’ve mentioned didn’t always come up, but it came up. I have no idea if that sort of thing still goes on. But it was sort of a necessary evil, so to speak, to make it in the outfitting business. I had a buddy who outfitted only a couple of years before his business went under. His first year he booked one hunter per available slot and ended up with only one hunter for the entire season.

 

[LostArra]

I worked for two Wyoming outfitters years ago. This was the ‘90-‘92 time frame. When booking hunters, they would often book two or three for every slot they had, knowing that most wouldn’t draw. If they booked one hunter per slot, they might end up with only a few hunters for the season and in business trouble.

However, the opposite occurred occasionally. Three hunters booked in the same slot and all drew. Then some shuffling had to occur. Can you come a week earlier? A week later? My buddy is also an outfitter in the same area and he has a spot available. Wanna hunt with him? He’s good.

That sort of thing.

What I’ve mentioned didn’t always come up, but it came up. I have no idea if that sort of thing still goes on. But it was sort of a necessary evil, so to speak, to make it in the outfitting business. I had a buddy who outfitted only a couple of years before his business went under. His first year he booked one hunter per available slot and ended up with only one hunter for the entire season.

I have a friend who got pawned off to another outfitter. Kind of a low key, soft spoken guy. It ended up being a blessing and started a long term hunting friendship. The original outfitter was an ass.

 

[Pietrasewsr]

Sounds good! Any specific regions better than others and outfitters to look for?

 

[Tman24]

Sounds good! Any specific regions better than others and outfitters to look for?

What’s your budget? Archery or rifle?

 

[Pietrasewsr]

What’s your budget? Archery or rifle?

Roughly $6,500-$9,000 and a rifle hunt. It may be more money by the time I get enough preference points but thats fine.

 

[3325]

Sounds good! Any specific regions better than others and outfitters to look for?

I don’t know any of the current outfitters, so I can’t recommend anyone.

As far as areas, the best bulls in Wyoming usually come from the areas adjacent to Yellowstone Park. So think the Cody side or the Jackson side. There are exceptions, of course, and some people don’t like hunting those areas because they’re Grizzly thick and can be hard hunting.

There’s said to be more and more good bulls in the Red Desert area. Not what you usually think of as elk country.

 

[LongWayAround]

If you want a tag in the near future and want to go guided, I would be looking at the general east region.

The other generals are 5ish points. Probably more by the time you get there.

Wyoming issues most tags to high preference points and a small portion randomly. Don't apply for something you don't want because you always have a chance of drawing and they don't do refunds.

 

[Pietrasewsr]

If you want a tag in the near future and want to go guided, I would be looking at the general east region.

The other generals are 5ish points. Probably more by the time you get there.

Wyoming issues most tags to high preference points and a small portion randomly. Don't apply for something you don't want because you always have a chance of drawing and they don't do refunds.

Yeh that's the complicated and why some direction of zone is helpful, if I do get drawn by small chance with low points, I would have a hard time finding a good outfitter last minute.

 

[wytx]

What kind of hunt do you want?
Horseback, backcountry or just the chance at a nice bull?
We have big bulls all over the state, some outfitters will have private ground and some do public land hunts, both can be great.
Not all but some private land hunts- ranch hunts, will not be a true back country experience. You may drive out to the meadows and find a bull to take. Some have high ground and will be more of a camp type hunt.
National forest type hunts will mostly be from camps and pack in, some have drive to camps and horseback in to hunt.

 

[Pietrasewsr]

What kind of hunt do you want?
Horseback, backcountry or just the chance at a nice bull?
We have big bulls all over the state, some outfitters will have private ground and some do public land hunts, both can be great.
Not all but some private land hunts- ranch hunts, will not be a true back country experience. You may drive out to the meadows and find a bull to take. Some have high ground and will be more of a camp type hunt.
National forest type hunts will mostly be from camps and pack in, some have drive to camps and horseback in to hunt.

I'm open to all types, whatever gets me the best odds at taking home at least an okay bull. I would prefer something at least a little adventurous as I am in good shape.

 

[Tman24]

Roughly $6,500-$9,000 and a rifle hunt. It may be more money by the time I get enough preference points but thats fine.

East would be the easiest to draw. Mostly private. Might need a higher budget though.

 

[LFC911]

If you're looking for a little adventure I would recommend contacting outfitters in the W region that offer hunts in the Thoroughfare. For example Yellowstone and Triangle X. Most of them have a waiting list and it will realistically take you 4-6 points to draw unless you put in with a higher point holder. If you luck out and draw sooner, contact them the day of the draw to see if they have any open spots. Price is probably going to be ~$7-10k plus tip.

 

[Indian Summer]

I'm open to all types, whatever gets me the best odds at taking home at least an okay bull. I would prefer something at least a little adventurous as I am in good shape.

You need to read his question a little better. If you want to shell out the money from for a pricey private land hunt, your odds can definitely be better than on a public land hunt. But they are not the same experience. You have to weigh out what’s most important. There are also public land hunts that have better odds than other public land hunts. The price will reflect that. So will their waiting list.

So to me the first question is how much are you willing to spend? Next question would be what is an OK bull? If you have never shot an elk before a five point bull on public land would probably make you pretty happy. Couple that with a great mountain experience and you would probably be satisfied. Or are you looking for an OK mature six point bull? The kind you’ve been seeing on TV. That’s different.

If you give more specifics, you’ll get better answers. If you were to say, I would like a good representative six point bull on an adventurous hunt. You will get the answers you’re looking for.

Some people will say killing an elk is more important than the experience. Others will say killing is just a bonus. Killing an elk on a ranch won’t give you the same experience or memories as a mountain hunt. A mountain hunt will give you more campfire stories in the future. If you don’t kill anything in the mountains you will still have had an adventure. If you don’t kill anything on a private ranch there’s not much to talk about or take pictures of.

Remember even private land or a high price doesn’t guarantee a bull elk. At least on a public land hunt you will learn some things about elk hunting that will apply to a do it yourself hunt if that’s something you are thinking about in the future.

 

[cole96]

If you're looking for a little adventure I would recommend contacting outfitters in the W region that offer hunts in the Thoroughfare. For example Yellowstone and Triangle X. Most of them have a waiting list and it will realistically take you 4-6 points to draw unless you put in with a higher point holder. If you luck out and draw sooner, contact them the day of the draw to see if they have any open spots. Price is probably going to be ~$7-10k plus tip.

I know last year Yellowstone’s first opening was 2030 and constant quest 2029. I booked with constant quest…these are for bugle hunts. I’m sure other seasons can get you in sooner

 

[LFC911]

The reality is that not everyone draws a tag that has a reservation/booking. Other people fall off the list over the course of time. This is why i recommended calling the outfitter the day of the draw if not before to get on an alternate list in case you draw and they have an opening.

 

[DeadSound]

This is just my opinion, but I would go for Colorado. There's a ton of available tags and you don't have to deal with the grizzlies. You can still buy points for Wyoming, so someday you'll get that tag. But with Colorado you'll have a better chance of getting out west and getting your feet wet sooner.

 

[Pietrasewsr]

This is just my opinion, but I would go for Colorado. There's a ton of available tags and you don't have to deal with the grizzlies. You can still buy points for Wyoming, so someday you'll get that tag. But with Colorado you'll have a better chance of getting out west and getting your feet wet sooner.

Thats super helpful, I am open to CO, is there specific zones I should try to get that are better than others even if they are harder to get? Assuming Ill be using a guide, just want to get best odds to shoot at something.

 

[Kw168504]

If you want adventure now then do Colorado. If you want a Wyoming elk soon do private land general region e. Obviously if you hire someone they are in control and might let you down.