Non Res Elk 9 Points.. No Man's Land!

BMosh · Jan 14, 2022

Looks like there's a few limited quota units I can draw, or possibly draw. I feel like I'm pissin' in the wind by continuing to accumulate points. I've been eyeballing a couple, but with point creep I'm chasing. Anyone been in the same boat and cashed in on some of these "middle of the road" units that don't take max points? How'd your hunt go? I realize there's some decent general units that don't take a decade of point accumulation, but I am where I am. Any advice on some of these units? Cash in or keep banking points? Not looking for a guided hunt.

highfastflyer · Jan 14, 2022

BMosh said:
Looks like there's a few limited quota units I can draw, or possibly draw. I feel like I'm pissin' in the wind by continuing to accumulate points. I've been eyeballing a couple, but with point creep I'm chasing. Anyone been in the same boat and cashed in on some of these "middle of the road" units that don't take max points? How'd your hunt go? I realize there's some decent general units that don't take a decade of point accumulation, but I am where I am. Any advice on some of these units? Cash in or keep banking points? Not looking for a guided hunt.

You are close but a few years out on an area 7 using the Special Draw. If you’ve waited 9 years, a few years more isn’t much. The alternative is find a buddy and go General now and share with him.

tmbr_hntr · Jan 15, 2022

Plenty of good hunting you could have. You could hunt where these bulls came from if you wanted. Don't ask where. Do more research. A WY "middle of the road" unit is pretty damn good.

Savage110 · Jan 15, 2022

elkocd said:
Plenty of good hunting you could have. You could hunt where these bulls came from if you wanted. Don't ask where. Do more research. A WY "middle of the road" unit is pretty damn good.
View attachment 65159

Just throw out a random unit number. This guy is not going to stop until someone tells him what unit to apply for. Next post in May will be for secret spot advise...

Put in for unit 24. Or is it 42? Maybe apply for both. Or either. There, did that help?

schoolhousegrizz · Jan 15, 2022

BMosh said:
Looks like there's a few limited quota units I can draw, or possibly draw. I feel like I'm pissin' in the wind by continuing to accumulate points. I've been eyeballing a couple, but with point creep I'm chasing. Anyone been in the same boat and cashed in on some of these "middle of the road" units that don't take max points? How'd your hunt go? I realize there's some decent general units that don't take a decade of point accumulation, but I am where I am. Any advice on some of these units? Cash in or keep banking points? Not looking for a guided hunt.

Pm sent

SDBugler · Jan 15, 2022

I wish I had 9! Lots of great unit options with 9 points. I'm at 7 as I burned my max points 8 years ago on a max point unit. I have several options I'm considering this year with my points, but 2 more points would open up many more/better options.

My son has max elk points and he is planning to burn them next year. Our family has several other "guaranteed" hunts planned over the next 5 years so I need to burn my WY elk points this year.

brdhuntr · Jan 15, 2022

SDBugler said:
I wish I had 9! Lots of great unit options with 9 points. I'm at 7 as I burned my max points 8 years ago on a max point unit. I have several options I'm considering this year with my points, but 2 more points would open up many more/better options.

My son has max elk points and he is planning to burn them next year. Our family has several other "guaranteed" hunts planned over the next 5 years so I need to burn my WY elk points this year.

I have 13, that i'll split with you if you have a place to hunt. I'm 2 points behind max, and at 75,and still in good shape, area 16 is a long ways out.

jm77 · Jan 16, 2022

brdhuntr said:
I have 13, that i'll split with you if you have a place to hunt. I'm 2 points behind max, and at 75,and still in good shape, area 16 is a long ways out.

Don't do that, you could draw some great units with 13 points.

BMosh · Jan 16, 2022

brdhuntr said:
I have 13, that i'll split with you if you have a place to hunt. I'm 2 points behind max, and at 75,and still in good shape, area 16 is a long ways out.

That's a pretty awesome offer, but I don't think I'd be doing you any favors.. you're in a much better position than I am.

BMosh · Jan 16, 2022

Savage110 said:
Just throw out a random unit number. This guy is not going to stop until someone tells him what unit to apply for. Next post in May will be for secret spot advise...

Put in for unit 24. Or is it 42? Maybe apply for both. Or either. There, did that help?

SDBugler · Jan 16, 2022

brdhuntr said:
I have 13, that i'll split with you if you have a place to hunt. I'm 2 points behind max, and at 75,and still in good shape, area 16 is a long ways out.

brdhunter
That is a pretty nice offer!!!! What kind of hunting are you looking for? Archery and/or rifle? Early or late? Grizz or non-grizz units? Lower elevation or more traditional high country experience? Base camp or backpack? Wyoming has a pretty wide selection.

brdhuntr · Jan 16, 2022

SDBugler said:
brdhunter
That is a pretty nice offer!!!! What kind of hunting are you looking for? Archery and/or rifle? Early or late? Grizz or non-grizz units? Lower elevation or more traditional high country experience? Base camp or backpack? Wyoming has a pretty . wide selection.

I'm a rifle hunter. i don't have horses, but can ride but would rather hike. If i had horses, i would look at unit 61 or some of the 30 units. but i would need to go with a resident for 61. I can hunt unit 7, but don't have access to private. I can always wait a year or maybe 2, and try for unit 16. Thanks.

BuzzH · Jan 17, 2022

What do you think you need horses in the 30's units?

SDBugler · Jan 17, 2022

brdhuntr said:
I'm a rifle hunter. i don't have horses, but can ride but would rather hike. If i had horses, i would look at unit 61 or some of the 30 units. but i would need to go with a resident for 61. I can hunt unit 7, but don't have access to private. I can always wait a year or maybe 2, and try for unit 16. Thanks.

Being a rifle only hunter limits your options a little more. As BuzzH said, you don't need horses in the 30's and 40's bighorn units. If you are really want to hunt in 61 but don't have a resident friend to go with, then why not hold out for 62 or 63 right next door to 61? They have a little more elbow room outside the wilderness than 61. You might have to wait a year or two and hope the point creep goes down a point though.

blueman · Jan 17, 2022

I have 7 NR points and I feel the same way. Bighorns seems like a shitshow everything else seems like a challenge to get to

brdhuntr · Jan 17, 2022

SDBugler said:
Being a rifle only hunter limits your options a little more. As BuzzH said, you don't need horses in the 30's and 40's bighorn units. If you are really want to hunt in 61 but don't have a resident friend to go with, then why not hold out for 62 or 63 right next door to 61? They have a little more elbow room outside the wilderness than 61. You might have to wait a year or two and hope the point creep goes down a point though.

Thanks for the advise,

baerman · Jan 18, 2022

Same boat. I have 10 points and it seems that with all the talk of going 90/10, everyone is choosing to hunt now. Many of the units I'm tracking actually saw a point increase of more than one point. Meaning I'm going backwards. I've considered grabbing someone who knows a general unit to share points with to gain first hand knowledge of some areas and just hunt.

BuzzH · Jan 18, 2022

baerman said:
Same boat. I have 10 points and it seems that with all the talk of going 90/10, everyone is choosing to hunt now. Many of the units I'm tracking actually saw a point increase of more than one point. Meaning I'm going backwards. I've considered grabbing someone who knows a general unit to share points with to gain first hand knowledge of some areas and just hunt.

Its more than 90/10 phobia that is driving this. Travel restrictions have people waiting on other hunts they would normally do and forgoing hunts in the US. With other plans on hold, they're burning points to hunt in the States.

I think a smart play might be to keep your powder dry, and points in your pocket, for a couple years and see what happens.

I bet there may be a reversal in point creep for some areas.

Thomas11 · Jan 19, 2022

BuzzH said:
Its more than 90/10 phobia that is driving this. Travel restrictions have people waiting on other hunts they would normally do and forgoing hunts in the US. With other plans on hold, they're burning points to hunt in the States.

I think a smart play might be to keep your powder dry, and points in your pocket, for a couple years and see what happens.

I bet there may be a reversal in point creep for some areas.

U think so? I hope your right! I have 9 pts as well and really don’t see anything I’m dying to draw

dvolmer · Jan 27, 2022

With 9 points, you will never get a better unit in the future that you can’t draw now. So many people sitting on so many points. Some guy above mentioned waiting a few years until you can draw unit 7. Bad advice. You will never get to unit 7. It will just dangle 2 to 4 points out of reach year after year. Hunt now. Then you can start building points to draw a general tag every 3-4 years after that. I’d look at unit 23 if I was you and was sitting on 9 points.

highfastflyer · Jan 28, 2022

dvolmer said:
With 9 points, you will never get a better unit in the future that you can’t draw now. So many people sitting on so many points. Some guy above mentioned waiting a few years until you can draw unit 7. Bad advice. You will never get to unit 7. It will just dangle 2 to 4 points out of reach year after year. Hunt now. Then you can start building points to draw a general tag every 3-4 years after that. I’d look at unit 23 if I was you and was sitting on 9 points.

You’re not accounting for the dramatic increases in elk licenses and the herds continue to expand. Ever increasing herds far above objective with ever expanding numbers of elk licenses are the one bright spot we have currently in Wyoming hunting. These are the good ole days when it comes to elk hunting. I think you’ll be just fine with an area 7 license in 3 to 4 years. Many of those top point holders are sitting on them for when they retire and have a whole month they can go hunt, Many are in their 50s and will wait another decade for that OIL opportunity and won’t look at the areas now requiring 11 points. Time will tell. This article sums up that growth. https://wyofile.com/wyo-game-and-fish-issues-2k-new-elk-tags-as-herds-exceed-goals/

HiMtnHntr · Jan 28, 2022

Despite that article, area 7 type 1 quota continues to hold steady at 1500 and will most likely be the same this year.

highfastflyer · Jan 28, 2022

HiMtnHntr said:
Despite that article, area 7 type 1 quota continues to hold steady at 1500 and will most likely be the same this year.

They also added 350 Type 2 permits. Lots of youth hunters shot some very nice bulls with those permits and they were quite easy to obtain as it went undersubscribed in the initial draw. Cow tag numbers also increased and some guys burned points on Type 4 licenses. It all adds up.

tracker12 · Jan 28, 2022

I would pick a unit and hunt now. I cashed in for a Bighorn archery elk hunt 5 years ago so I now have 4 points. At 70 in SEP I am in truly in "no mans land". I'm not taking any chances and am going unit 37 archery this year so I can elk hunt. I love it in the mountains in SEP and will enjoy it anywhere except and OTC in CO. loI I have elk antlers in the basement, garage and shed. What I don't have is a lot of years left to elk hunt.

To be honest at 75 I would either look for a guide or find a guy with knowledge and experience to share a hunt with.

dvolmer · Jan 28, 2022

Unit 7-1 took 9 points in 2017, <10 points in 2018, <11 points in 2019, <11 in 2020, and <12 in 2021. If you have 9 points now for 2022, it will be many many years before you ever catch up and draw and if you want to be realistic about it, you probably never will. Look for the best unit you can find now that took 8 points last year. Adjust for the one point point creep per year and apply for it. In general, units that took 8 points last year will take 9 this year. Yes, there are always exceptions if you want to try and play that game but good luck at that.

dvolmer · Jan 28, 2022

Reverse point creep is about the wildest wishful thinking I could imagine. If that is in your plans for a future Wyoming limited entry elk tag, you are in for an eternal wait.

tracker12 · Jan 28, 2022

I heard from a reliable source that WY has recognized the crazy point creep and are looking at making a change to the current point system. One option discussed is going 50/50 Radom/points and also averaging current point holders.

brushcreek · Jan 28, 2022

What does "averaging current point holders" mean?

dvolmer · Jan 28, 2022

This is how many points are in the system and why point creep will get nothing but worse

highfastflyer · Jan 28, 2022

brushcreek said:
What does "averaging current point holders" mean?

Your buddy has 10 points, you have zero, you apply together so your average is 5.

highfastflyer · Jan 28, 2022

dvolmer said:
This is how many points are in the system and why point creep will get nothing but worse

It depends upon whether or not the resource is growing. If the area has 10% more licenses being offered every other year or so as we have in many Elk areas it won’t be as drastic of a point creep increase. Many of those point holders are treating their points like a OIL time hunt and have no intention of using their points for a decade or more. There are some people who also recognize this and apply in areas which aren’t publicly broadcast and find hidden gems and nuggets. Go ask the guy who drew a NR moose license last year with 7 PP. With certain species like Moose and Sheep we‘re in a continuous downward spiral but Elk is the one bright spot in Wyoming and the resource is growing, unfortunately popular areas get broadcast by social media and hunt magazines and hunter services are just exacerbating the problem.

tracker12 · Jan 28, 2022

brushcreek said:
What does "averaging current point holders" mean?

If the question is to my post I'm not sure. He was saying it was how NV does it. He was not referring to two hunters averaging there points.

SDBugler · Jan 29, 2022

highfastflyer said:
Your buddy has 10 points, you have zero, you apply together so your average is 5.

Wyoming already does this.

highfastflyer · Jan 29, 2022

SDBugler said:
Wyoming already does this.

That’s why I explained it as he asked what it was…….

brushcreek · Jan 31, 2022

tracker12 said:
If the question is to my post I'm not sure. He was saying it was how NV does it. He was not referring to two hunters averaging there points.

yes Wyoming already does this that is why I asked for clarification

Iowan · Jan 31, 2022

9 points in Wyoming as a non-resident for elk is anything but no man's land. I am 51 and burned my elk points in Wyoming last year. Thank goodness I have points for many species in many states - I am using them over the next 10 years. If you have other hunting options for the next two to three years I would keep building WY elk but not much longer than that if it were me and depending on what other hunting options you have. 9 points is far superior to my 14 elk points in Utah or 14 elk points in CO. I would give you my 14 CO elk points in one second for your 9 elk points in WY. I will say that it is hard to imagine WY elk hunting will get any better than it is right now - things can change so do not assume it will last forever. Good luck.

Largebull · Jan 31, 2022

I have 12 and holding off till next year for financial reasons. will have 13 at age 66 next year and entertain offers

hatchetjack · Jan 31, 2022

I’m in with 9 for area 7 , all I can do is try for the random

Pooner · Feb 16, 2022

I have 10 points this year and am in the same boat as you. I ended up applying and burning some points this year. I hopefully picked the right unit. The units I have been dreaming of drawing I don't think will ever happen with point creep.

desperatehills · Feb 22, 2022

Speaking of point creep, I wonder if Wyoming has considered splitting the bow seasons out of the rifle season. They have done this in the bighorns and around Cody. I wonder if they would consider doing it in the 30's, 100, 124, etc. I am one under max and would burn my points on a archery only tag in a unit that currently takes max points if I had the option. Just food for thought.

jm77 · Feb 22, 2022

desperatehills said:
Speaking of point creep, I wonder if Wyoming has considered splitting the bow seasons out of the rifle season. They have done this in the bighorns and around Cody. I wonder if they would consider doing it in the 30's, 100, 124, etc. I am one under max and would burn my points on a archery only tag in a unit that currently takes max points if I had the option. Just food for thought.

When this idea came up at the Task Force a famous MM member agreed with the "choose your weapon" type elk seasons if every other year rifle hunters were allowed to rut hunt and archers got the later season.

Haven't heard this idea brought up since.

Thanks BuzzH

Bookhead · Feb 22, 2022

I like type 9's wish there were more of em if they did it right there would be less hunters in the woods in rifle season too. There are several rifle elk seasons that open oct 1st that's a rut hunt. Also all the rifle cow seasons open in the middle of bow season is a joke

jm77 · Feb 22, 2022

Bookhead said:
I like type 9's wish there were more of em if they did it right there would be less hunters in the woods in rifle season too. There are several rifle elk seasons that open oct 1st that's a rut hunt. Also all the rifle cow seasons open in the middle of bow season is a joke

They won't do it right. They will just leave type 1 the same and add the archery tags. That not only puts more pressure on the bull elk, it causes higher density of hunters in rifle season.

Sometimes we need to just leave well enough alone and not push to be more like Utah or Arizona when it comes to season structures. We have some pretty awesome general tag hunts that many don't take advantage of. Some big bulls being killed every year.

Bookhead · Feb 22, 2022

jm77 said:
They won't do it right. They will just leave type 1 the same and add the archery tags. That not only puts more pressure on the bull elk, it causes higher density of hunters in rifle season.

Sometimes we need to just leave well enough alone and not push to be more like Utah or Arizona when it comes to season structures. We have some pretty awesome general tag hunts that many don't take advantage of. Some big bulls being killed every year.

I will say you know better then me about what they would likely do and I'm fine with the way it is but it would be nice to get a good tag easier with a type 9 is all I thought.

wweaver79 · Feb 22, 2022

Bookhead said:
I like type 9's wish there were more of em if they did it right there would be less hunters in the woods in rifle season too. There are several rifle elk seasons that open oct 1st that's a rut hunt. Also all the rifle cow seasons open in the middle of bow season is a joke

Put for a type 9 in the NW with rifle cow on private during same time, not thrilled about that at all. We will see I guess.

Zim · Mar 3, 2022

BMosh said:
Looks like there's a few limited quota units I can draw, or possibly draw. I feel like I'm pissin' in the wind by continuing to accumulate points. I've been eyeballing a couple, but with point creep I'm chasing. Anyone been in the same boat and cashed in on some of these "middle of the road" units that don't take max points? How'd your hunt go? I realize there's some decent general units that don't take a decade of point accumulation, but I am where I am. Any advice on some of these units? Cash in or keep banking points? Not looking for a guided hunt.

I’m in the same boat with 8. After drawing 38-9 some years ago had been trying to talk my hunting buddy into switching to generals since then. But my main rational was establishing a “go to” state for a dependable cycle where I could have a decent hunt on a regular basis. Also, tired of getting my points watered down in so many states. I think NR point holders in WY are just sitting ducks with their NR quotas. And I’m not interested in getting left holding the bag yet again. We both have sons in nearby CO now so formulated a point splitting plan. He will split his points with his son this year and go general. (I’ll burn my CO points) Then next year we’ll split my points and do general. He has unit tips from a friend who did very well last year on a general. So I’ll have some intel next year.

This is the strategy I picked. But I’ve been on a lot of hunts and already taken many big ones. I like the idea of learning an area I can return to, and visiting my son & granddaughters sooner rather than who knows when. My job affords me a lot of time & freedom to extend hunts and learn areas. On top of all this, I like challenges and have done very well in the past in low to mid tier units. I just need a place where they don’t totally clam up due to over-pressure, and I’m good.

BuzzH · Mar 3, 2022

Zim said:
I’m in the same boat with 8. After drawing 38-9 some years ago had been trying to talk my hunting buddy into switching to generals since then. But my main rational was establishing a “go to” state for a dependable cycle where I could have a decent hunt on a regular basis. Also, tired of getting my points watered down in so many states. I think NR point holders in WY are just sitting ducks with their NR quotas. And I’m not interested in getting left holding the bag yet again. We both have sons in nearby CO now so formulated a point splitting plan. He will split his points with his son this year and go general. (I’ll burn my CO points) Then next year we’ll split my points and do general. He has unit tips from a friend who did very well last year on a general. So I’ll have some intel next year.

This is the strategy I picked. But I’ve been on a lot of hunts and already taken many big ones. I like the idea of learning an area I can return to, and visiting my son & granddaughters sooner rather than who knows when. My job affords me a lot of time & freedom to extend hunts and learn areas. On top of all this, I like challenges and have done very well in the past in low to mid tier units. I just need a place where they don’t totally clam up due to over-pressure, and I’m good.

How did you like the challenge of hunting Montana general elk?

Zim · Mar 3, 2022

BuzzH said:
How did you like the challenge of hunting Montana general elk?

Godawful, that’s exactly the degree of challenge I want to avoid. Besides that way overpriced. One day there were no less than 6 trucks parked at our first TH. Elk cleared out of the entire drainage. However, it was a good learning experience that made it easy to steer clear of their point system and avoid what has now become a NR joke fiasco. ? So I don’t regret it.

wytex · Mar 3, 2022

Take those NR Type 9s from their quota that that would be fine with many residents. No added licenses and you get your Type 9s for an easier NR archery draw.
Residents do not want choose your weapon, for the most part. I'm sure some would be for it.

elks96 · Mar 8, 2022

wytex said:
Take those NR Type 9s from their quota that that would be fine with many residents. No added licenses and you get your Type 9s for an easier NR archery draw.
Residents do not want choose your weapon, for the most part. I'm sure some would be for it.

It will be a long time coming before I and most everyone I know would support a choose your weapon set up in WY. I do see a time in the future when we might have to go that way, but I hope it will be the very last resort. There is a ton of other things we can change before we reach that point.