Archery wyoming elk

[scrotcaster]

I think iam going to apply for elk this year in Wyoming. If i get drawn the first year Great! but am going in with the mindset that i am applying to start getting preference points and get the ball rolling on a elk hunt. Iam am a little confused as to my percentage and how the whole process work for preference point with purchasing them. If there is any seasoned who could give me a few pointers i would be much appreciative Where I thinking about applying is for unit 38, type 9 tag.. It is my understanding is that during rifle season it can be quite busy but is a good option for archery for the September season. Anyone have any experience in that area? heard/maps show lots of Forest service land ... I am looking at putting on the pack and hiking till i find elk and keep after them till i kill something or have to return.

Thanks in advance for any advice..

 

[Account Deleted]

If I remember right, that is tough tag to draw. You may be waiting awhile (7+ years).

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Yep. For 2015 you needed a minimum 7 points in the points draw to get a tag and it was only a 7% chance. Those with 8 points or more were guaranteed a Type 9.

 

[scrotcaster]

Yikes !!!!
Might have to keep doing research

 

[Account Deleted]

You can put in for the random draw (no points required) but very few tags are allotted for it. You can put in for the special draw which about doubles the cost of your tag if I remember right but increases your odds. Personally, I think the units that require a ton of points are a bit of a suckers bet if you only apply to one state. I don't want to wait 7-8 years between elk hunts. Every other or every third suits me a lot better. I may not be putting down the biggest bulls but I spend more time in the mountains which means more to me.

Another note, DIY SUCCESSFUL elk hunting is borderline work. Fun work, but still work. If you aren't prepared to put in the effort and its easier said than done, go through an outfitter. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[scrotcaster]

You can put in for the random draw (no points required) but very few tags are allotted for it. You can put in for the special draw which about doubles the cost of your tag if I remember right but increases your odds. Personally, I think the units that require a ton of points are a bit of a suckers bet if you only apply to one state. I don't want to wait 7-8 years between elk hunts. Every other or every third suits me a lot better. I may not be putting down the biggest bulls but I spend more time in the mountains which means more to me.

Another note, DIY SUCCESSFUL elk hunting is borderline work. Fun work, but still work. If you aren't prepared to put in the effort and its easier said than done, go through an outfitter. You'll be happier in the long run.

Thanks you! i was reading about the special draw to but was unsure if it would be worth it or if id be better just spending the extra $ and going to montana general unit tag and getting a bonus deer tag with it. A outfitter would be easier but goes against my personal beliefs and values of what i consider a successful hunt. Work is expected, hopefully i can get a tag and get to go before i get to fat and old.

 

[5575]

38 used to be a great archery unit. Unfortunately magazines and the internet "bowsite" have ruined a good thing. And yes it will take 7 pp even 6 in the special to draw it. You can have as good or better elk hunts in allot of other units with not nearly the pp.
I would draw a general tag for your first hunt and keep building pp for better units in the future.
If your just getting into the pp game I'd start applying for several states this year and not just one.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Another note, DIY SUCCESSFUL elk hunting is borderline work. Fun work, but still work. If you aren't prepared to put in the effort and its easier said than done, go through an outfitter. You'll be happier in the long run.

What he meant to say was, if you're fat and lazy, get an outfitter. If you're young and have the drive and determination to learn and work hard, then go the DIY route. It is much more satisfying knowing that you did it yourself, and learned something along the way. Saving the money that you would have spent on a guide can buy tags for a few years to go chase them yourself.

 

[Account Deleted]

I was trying to be a little more polite about it.

 

[Trapper62]

I have never looked into elk in Wyoming but am assuming the draw system is the same as for antelope and here is the best description that I can find on how the lottery works in Wyoming. Not sure if this really answers any of your questions though?

For the draw, Wyoming uses a preference point system. Preference points can be accumulated through the annual draw process or Wyoming allows hunters to purchase a preference point for antelope between July 1st and September 30th. This means you can accumulate points without applying for a license in any calendar year. Or, if you have been applying and have a year where you can’t actually hunt, this system allows you to stay in the game and continue to add to your points total. Another great part of their system: If you are not drawn for your first choice hunt unit, but are drawn for your second or third choice unit, Wyoming does not take away your accumulated points. Why is this so important? With careful planning, you can hunt antelope in Wyoming every year on second choice units or leftover tags while accumulating the points you will need to eventually draw a trophy unit in the state. An antelope preference point cost $30.
For each draw in a unit, WY allocates 75% of the available tags in that unit to max point holders and 25% to a random draw for all point holders who chose the unit as first choice. For this example let’s say hunt area 20 has a quota of 100 non-resident tags, so 75 will go to max point holders. In addition there are 25 people applying with five points, 30 with four points, 50 with three points and 100 people with two or less points. The 25 people with five points will all get drawn, leaving 50 available tags. Next, the 30 people with four points will all get drawn, leaving 20 tags remaining. Then 20 of the folks with three points will be randomly drawn from the 50 that applied. At this time, all 75 max points tags have been allocated. That leaves 30 people with 3 pts plus the 100 people with 2 pts or less.. or 130 total that have not been drawn. Their names all go into a hat for 25 random draw tags for hunt area.

 

[scrotcaster]

I was trying to be a little more polite about it.

lol.. I appreciate your input ghost !

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38 used to be a great archery unit. Unfortunately magazines and the internet "bowsite" have ruined a good thing. And yes it will take 7 pp even 6 in the special to draw it. You can have as good or better elk hunts in allot of other units with not nearly the pp.
I would draw a general tag for your first hunt and keep building pp for better units in the future.
If your just getting into the pp game I'd start applying for several states this year and not just one.

General tag in Montana? or with a later round choice in Wyoming?

 

[5575]

Wy, screw mt. Wy has been good to me thou so I may be a tad bias. :;:cheers

 

[scrotcaster]

Wy, screw mt. Wy has been good to me thou so I may be a tad bias. :;:cheers

Holy !! Id say!! how do you usually hunt? spot and stalk, sit and wait, call ?

 

[5575]

Just depends on what the elk are doing.

 

[scrotcaster]

Iam kinda thinking that a general tag might be the right avenue to look at.. but my god its a big state.. lol.. so i can put my first choice for a hard to get unit and second for a general unit bull tag,, and still hunt(general unit) and build pp the same time?.....am i understanding that right?