Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Wyoming General License - suggestions?

Wondering if anyone had any thoughts to get me in the right direction for this falls general season in Wyoming. I originally put in with a friend at the suggestion of an outfitter I met in Sacremento but after we drew he was now full. We will be traveling from POW in AK but will have access to a 4X4 if needed. Anyone have an outfitter suggestion? Lease options they may be willing to share? Public land? I am researching now but there are lots of options and I would like to narrow it down. Any help is appreciated, looking forward to seeing Wyoming!

Gooch

Call WY game and Fish main office. Nice folks you can point you once you define your hunt goals and limitations.

One of best outfitters up our way:
http://www.wyoming-elk-hunting.net/

Elk country in WY varies from this to this and your budget, age, heath and experience are very important.

Harold Turner, Triangle X Ranch and Outfitters, Moose WY 307 733-2183

You drew a tag already?

The WY elk draw results are already posted. Deadline was Jan 31

I wish Colorado was like that.

I've already gotten my check back.

Yea we got our tags already, we were kind of hoping to not get them this year and build a point (heading to Alberta for mulies) but it is a pleasant surprise.

After posting the question i realized that under the general tag, getting info would be like asking for someones secret spot so I apologize for that. I guess I was kind of relying on the outfitter's recommendation and now that he's full I was a bit of a quandry.

I do appreciate the responses though, as for what we're looking for, I truly hate horses (after my last elk) but would use one if needed. We're both 35, guide here in AK for moose/bear but I am not in sheep shape.... In shape enough to walk all day. Budget $5000 or less per dude. Expectations are large 5 PT or 6 PT, would be totally fine not shooting an elk as well if we didn't find one. Looking for a good hunt, in new beautiful country, with a good friend. If we use an outfitter we are looking for one that puts fun first and actually knows elk. Area must have potential to produce a 5 PT or bigger. Too much to ask?

About the only thing you need do, is steer clear of any elk areas with large designated wilderness unless you have a guide. I'ld also recommend you not waste your time in either of the areas in the Big Horns that are open for general license hunting.
Other than that take a look at the game and fish website at the hunter success tables, and pick an area with good success numbers.
You can expect a large 5 or 6 pt, but you'll eat more elk steak if you shoot the first legal elk you get a shot at...

One can also wait a couple of weeks and outfitters and guides will begin mailing you invitations.

tru dat...

then the research, e-mails and phone calls on your part begin.

Also, It depends on where you want to hunt and what type of hunt you are after.

I'd say Thorofare but with the wolves the way they are that's a roll of the dice too...

If you're serious about an outfitter, get on the website for the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association and start making contacts around Cody, Jackson, Pinedale, Dubois, Big Piney, Kemmerer, and Alpine. Or, do what 1minute suggests, as outfitters will begin mailings soon.
If it's a bugle hunt you're looking for, Gene Linn(Linn Brothers Outfitting in WYOGA directory) hunts the west side of the Tetons, where the season opens on Sept. 20. I've got some good feedback on him, and in the past have referred nonresident elk, moose, and sheep hunters to him, but as always, check references. I'm afraid most of the outfitters use horses, and many may want more money than your budget allows.
If you want to do it yourself, avoid the areas with lots of wilderness, as Ranch13 advised, and the areas in the Bighorns with too much pressure. If you call the Game and Fish offices in Cody, Jackson, Pinedale, and Lander and ask to talk to a biologist you might get some advice on a good spot to hunt with your general license. I can tell you some down here in southern WY, if you send me a PM, but it's not typical elk habitat like NW WY. Of course, we don't have grizzlies, either

Shoal Creek outfitters in Jackson Hole. 307-733-1310 Scott has 4 different camps and he'll treat you right. Tell him Larry sent you.

How's are his camps fairing the wolf situation?

I know the guys in the Thorofare are having some issues.

His camps out of Pilgrim creek are more affected than the ones down in Shoal Creek. The good thing for him is that his camps are seperated enough that they usually aren't hit all at the same time so he can move folks around as needed.

Good Deal.. flexibility for the clients are a good thing.