Well results posted today and after thinking an elk tag was a long shot but a deer was a better bet, WYGFD said other wise. I drew an elk tag but no deer tag. I'll take it. To bad I have been spending time on a deer load...and I need to get off the couch the rest of summer.

Who else got lucky...with the Wyo draw?

I wouldn't say I got lucky, i was really hoping for an area 7 type 1 this year, but wound up drawing a type 4 and a type 6 instead. I also didn't draw a low probability Muley tag I put in for, but that was expected. Luckily deer area 64 overlaps much of elk area 7 so I can just get a general deer tag and keep my eye open for either in September.

Drew lots, no doe mulie tag for me, and no special unit buck for the wife.. We can both pick up generals later.. I will, doubt she does..

Wife and I got the 34-1 tags we wanted, Maybe this year I can only elk hunt one day instead of 3.........

We drew region J deer tags.we hunt in area 64. We might put in for area 7 elk tags next year.

I didn't get the deer tag I wanted, but I got the elk and antelope tags.

General hunts and my 3rd choice antelope tag for me...again...

Son and I drew buck antelope but no antlerless. Son-in-law and Granddaughter both drew buck antelope and two antlerless tags. It will be my Granddaughters first out of state hunt and her first not using a blind for deer on their home place. Lots to learn there.

A Gen elk tag here.

Glad to here I may run into to a Campfire friends in the field. Now I just need to narrow which rifles to take. I always take just in case I drop a rifle and don't trust the scopes zero. And get of the couch and and get some miles walked/hiked.

Blueranger,
The wife and I drew a late season, any Elk in Area 64. Struck out on everything else! memtb

Congrats, Todd! That should be a great hunt. I drew a 78 antelope doe tag, so I will be up to visit this fall. I may try for another left-over doe in your area.

Thanks Sid, We got lucky!!! Congrats on your "goat" tag! I had to look to see where 78 was. Stop by the house.... We won't be antelope hunting! memtb

I will.

Gen tag, plus a couple of cow tags.

So I have unit 6 tag. This includes Medicine Bow NF, a ton of roads and I'm assuming everyone will hit it hard and drive elk to private. When I put in for this tag I was and still am focused on clumps of BLM and state within the unit. However, I went to drive these areas this weekend and every perceivable road to the public lands I want to hunt is marked as private roads, no trespassing, etc. Some of these roads actually have to be county road right? And ranchers are just trying to keep people away right? First elk tag in Wy and have only lived here 3 years. How the heck do you deal with this...do you just ignore what should be great elk habitat on public land cuz it surrounded by private?

Often there is access through public land to reach those semi-isolated parcels of public land. And generally we have to walk. Which is a good thing..........


Casey

That is part of the homework that has to be done prior to applying. Most of those roads are probably private. If it is not maintained by the county, then they are allowed to shut off the access. This is not good, but it is the way the law is written in Wyoming. There are lots of nice areas that landowners have locked access to and in many instances, have leased the rights to access, to outfitters. It makes some areas pretty tough.

That's just it, I looked at maps before applying, and assumed when a road was identified as Co Rd XX, that it would have public access. Apparently there are county roads that the counties only maintain portions of the road, allowing for private maintenance (and apparently ownership) of other portions of that same county road...who does that? Guess its time to find a helicopter pilot and fly in to public lands, still cheaper than paying the $5000 per person per day trespass fees some ranchers want. It is funny how different regions of the country view public lands, roads & access, and courtesy/responsibility to your neighbor/fellow hunter. Time hunt the small pockets.

Good luck guys, I hope to make it out there again next year!

Next time you are in town we have to get together........

" I hope to make it out there again next year"


Hey Kimber; Does that mean your not showing in Oct? Had a good time..

So is about 6 weeks from my hunt. I want to use my 338 Fed. My rifle loves 200 gr Fusions, I can keep 9/10 shots at 200 yards inside 2 inches and 9/10 shots at 300 yards inside of 4 inches, all shots will group inside 6 inches. I don't plan to shoot at anything more than 350 yards, in great conditions. With six weeks left, should I try to shoot the Trophy tipped bullet through my rifle, a tougher more "premium" bullet, or stick with the Fusion, "bonded deer bullet", and assume accuracy kills. I know the Trophy tipped has a better rep, but I am I handicapping myself with the Fusion? At hunting elevation, either bullet should deliver over 2,000 ft/lbs on an elk at 300 yards.

Thanks for your thought and shoot straight everyone.

62 cow elk tag, 23 buck goat and general deer.........On alot of the roads you will see a cattle guard or fence right up to the edge of the road with "no tresspassing" signs hanging on both sides. It makes you think the road is private and you cannot continue...... some of the time it is, but alot of the time it isn't. The road may still be public but the land on either side is private. Scares alot of people off and requires alot of research to figure out and can be very frustrating. Call the local warden and deputy for advise. Cross reference plot maps, road maps and your GPS/hunt chip.

I'm a A-frame/Partition guy for elk. Personally I would upgrade and find out if the Trophy tipped shoots straight. ... if it does go with it, if not the 200grn of the 338 will help you out and the fusion will get the job done.. Put it behind the shoulder and as I tell all elk hunters I know, If able, always use follow up shots until your elk is down. Even if it drops on the first shot, secure it with a well placed second shot.

Magnum44270, Well Best of Luck!! Looks like we'll be hunt'n pretty close to ya. We've got 64 late season (any elk). We're look'n forward to it! memtb

Magnum, thanks for the input. I tracked down a couple of the road through county data, and sure enough Platte County calls all of the roads that I was looking at private in some portion. Got a couple of other roads in other counties where the info isn't as easy to find. Think a call/email to wardens might be the next option. I did find a pocket or two other public land with next to no vehicular tracks and appear to be used lightly by people, but several good trails, rubs, beds, feed, and water. With 2 weeks of any elk (aka bull) and then 3 months of cow, I should be able to fill my tag. As for bullets, I have tried the 210 gr Partitions but could not get the groups that I want, 2-3X larger that Fusions.My last elk hunt in AZ, I loaded 200 gr Accubonds that shot amazing, sub inch at 200 yard, but with a 4 yo at home, a control environment to reload is not possible. And I am a fan of Bigfin (aka Randy), so I intend to keep shooting until the elk is down or outta sight, too. Someday I hope to have little more time off where I can travel and hunt a little further away from home in a little better elk country. Thanks for your insight and good luck this fall. We just had a clean out the freezer dinner this weekend with, elk (friend's that I help pack out), mule deer and pronghorn, good times. You got the makings of an overly full freezer on your hands.

Family of 4 with another on the way! Bought a third of beef 3 years ago when I moved up here and haven't bought red meat since, strictly wild game in my house. I got lucky and have a wife who loves the taste of wild game and my kids have grown up on it and know no difference!.. Wife has a cow/calf tags as well for this year so yes, we will be full up if we tag out!.....Didn't draw elk last year and struck out with a general elk tag, but filled two goat tags and a general deer and wife filled her general deer.......................Been in Wyo for 3 years now and I'm still learning. Its a whole different set of rules out here. I thought AZ was confusing compared to AR and WI, but Wyo is something else. Many times I turned around on roads that had "No trespassing" signs hung on both sides facing the road, only to find out its just land owners trying to keep people out. Also you will come across no trespassing signs on "state" land, where you cannot hunt the tilled portion of the leased crop land. Pull up the state land site/maps and look closely. a lot of the time there are still areas you can legally hunt in those areas, i.e drainage, streams, wooded areas....Put in the time, study hard and don't let land owners/lease trick you out of legal hunting areas!

Magnum, we sound a lot alike in some ways. Growing in PA, moving to MD, then back to PA, then to AZ and now in WY (3 years). Same great country but completely different view on hunting and land, public and private. Live and learn I guess, and I'm still learning this elk thing. I know I should have studied things harder, but I did that thing you are not suppose to do...assume, that the road I was looking at would be open. In any event, I like my chances. Thanks again, and if our paths cross, I'll buy ya beer, or maybe a box of ammo, whatever you need more at the time. Good luck.

Took my bull two years ago with a 180 Swift Scirocco out of my RUM. About 150yd shot through the top of the shoulders and spine, dropped him and followed up with a second shot to seal the deal. Bullet held together nicely and was found under the hide on opposite side...

...For access also check out the HMA's (Hunter Management Areas) a lot of nice ranches open up a lot of land!, some are limited by first come first served sign ups and some are unlimited!