3 choices which to pick for elk, 24, 38-9 or 45

callsalot

callsalot

Active Member
Messages
740
I'm newer to the site not because I don't like to share info but just not a big internet guy. Get enough of it at work so I'm not looking for anyone's top spot but looking for an opinion. I thought I had max point but learned this year that I spaced it in 2014 and now have one less than max which is ten. After researching my options I've come down with unit's 24, 38-9 and 45. I primarily am an archery hunter but don't mind going back with a rifle if need be. Here is what I gather, if you are willing please give me your 2 cents.
24 big advantage is the rifle season starts Oct 1st when bulls are still bugling and you've had great scooting with your bow the last week of Sept and can go right in with rifle.
38-9 less archery hunters since rifle can't bow hunt the unit.
45 great unit but rifle doesn't start until Oct 15 and rifle tags can bow hunt last two weeks of sept. possibly putting a lot of hunters in the field at that point.

OK am I right? and which one do you feel puts a guy in the best position to kill a 300+ bull?
 
I've been in 45 two of the last three season helping guys on their Type 9 tag. That's the unit I would draw with 10PPs and hunt as much in September as you can, especially the second week before Type 1 tags can hunt the last two weeks of the month. A 300"+ bull is very doable there and both the guys I was with missed bulls that were better than 300". If you have no more than two weeks to hunt it, I would go the middle two weeks of September.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-09-17 AT 09:52AM (MST)[p]Topgun,

Really appreciate your insight. The fact that you've been there that much recently really says a lot. Do you know if a person can buy an over the counter deer tag there? Even if the deer hunting isn't great I always like a deer tag in my pocket when I'm hunting elk if possible. If I go 45 I will let you know and would plan to hunt 10 to 14 days mid season there.
 
Since you have the points a type 1 tag is a no brainer if you want to hunt 45. do your archery thing if you want and if you don't find what you're after hunt the rifle season.

I'm not sure but I don't think you can get a deer tag until October. the deer hunting isn't great but I did see a few decent bucks after deer season.











Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
Togwotee, Thanks for your opinion on the tag 45-1 vs. 45-9. Out of those three units do you think 45 is the correct pick? it seems to get a lot of press and Topgun seems to think so also. Do you have a different take with ten points?
 
WapitiBob,

I subscribe to several of the magazines that list draw odds. From what I read last year people with nine points "which is what I had last year" that were willing to pay the special tag price drew 100%, with the regular priced tag 20%. I'm willing to pay the higher tag fee for a good hunt. I know people can switch units each year ect. but from those number and being willing to pay the extra amount it looks like I would stand a good chance at drawing 24. What do you think?
 
>Topgun,
>
>Really appreciate your insight. The fact
>that you've been there that
>much recently really says a
>lot. Do you know if
>a person can buy an
>over the counter deer tag
>there? Even if the deer
>hunting isn't great I always
>like a deer tag in
>my pocket when I'm hunting
>elk if possible. If I
>go 45 I will let
>you know and would plan
>to hunt 10 to 14
>days mid season there.

The Type 1 tag takes less PPs to draw, but with your 10PPs if you're mainly an archery enthusiast I would go with the Type 9 tag since that's really a lock too. That gives you the entire month with the first two weeks devoid of any Type 1 tag holders that buy the archery permit for the last two weeks of September. The deer tag you would need is a Region R tag and they usually take at least 1PP for a 100% draw, but even with no PPs there is a decent chance to draw it. The archery season for deer in unit 46 where you would be elk hunting is also the entire month of September. The rifle season for deer is 10/15-10/24 and the tag is only good for a buck.
 
Top Gun,

If 45 is the unit then I agree with you, The deer tag I was looking to obtain would be just be for the archery season in case I run into a buck while elk hunting. Thanks, either way I'll try to obtain one as an over the counter or 2nd choice. I have 10 points for deer to so can burn those up on this.

Appreciate the feedback.
 
I don't know which magazines you're paying for but last year in the Special draw, with 9 points, (which we both had), you had ZERO percent chance of drawing a 24 type 1 tag in the PP side. The upside is they cleaned out the pools above us so in theory we have a chance.
You need to look at the demand reports from the Dept for good info with the exception of Gen Elk and antlerless Deer/Antelope.
 
>Top Gun,
>
>If 45 is the unit then
>I agree with you, The
>deer tag I was looking
>to obtain would be just
>be for the archery season
>in case I run into
>a buck while elk hunting.
>Thanks, either way I'll try
>to obtain one as an
>over the counter or 2nd
>choice. I have 10 points
>for deer to so can
>burn those up on this.
>
>
>Appreciate the feedback.

Good God, please don't use all those PPs for Region R!!! There is no OTC tag in Wyoming and you won't get that R tag as a second choice or a leftover since there aren't any after the draws. The thought of using 10PPs for R is both frightening and sickening, LOL! Please just go with the elk tag and save your deer PPs for another time and maybe at worst think about another hunt next year by averaging your PPs with someone or applying for a top unit that takes that many PPs to draw!
 
Good to know, with a thought we have a chance to draw would you do 24-1 over unit 45? Since you were applying for that one I'm assuming you would.
 
OK, no deer tag for me but still good information. I may be able to get one of my friends with no deer points or 1 point to go with me on my elk hunt because at least they could hunt deer at the same time. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Callsalot,

Take this for what it is worth.

I had the tag on '14. I drew type 1 and went in and hunted the archery from the 15-22 of September. I arrived on the 13th. I did scout for 3 days in Aug too. When I arrived, there was about 15" of snow and COLD. Morning 1 of scouting and there were bulls and elk everywhere and bugling like crazy. Day 1 of hunting, same thing. Lots of close calls. We had 2 tags to fill too. I killed my bull on day 3, a 310 bull, and my friend missed a great 330+ bull at 10 yards, (I know crazy) but a dang root tip got the arrow. Anyways, he came home empty, but not for lack of effort and close calls.

Another friend had the tag in '15, Completely different. Void of elk and bugling. He hardly saw a thing. Nothing like the year before in 14. He went home with SOUP, tag soup. He hunted 3 weeks if I remember right.

Another friend drew last year in 16. He said the same thing, not very many elk. He didnt kill any thing on the archery but went back on the rifle and killed a 6x5 if I remember right. So I am not sure, but it may be slipping a bit as of late. I might look else where if I were you.

Also, I only saw 1 buck in the 2 weeks while I was there. Saw several does, but only 1 buck, and he was a medium sized, 22" 4x4.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-09-17 AT 02:20PM (MST)[p]Yes, 2014 and 2015 were completely different and I would bet that 2016 was like 2015 too, but I was hunting another unit up there last year. The weather was very warm in 2015 and even worse last year and the rut was real late and I'm sure why the guy didn't do much good if he hunted the first 2 or 3 weeks of September. Nobody did! Last year the bulls didn't even get started until late September and were still chasing cows and bugling their heads off at the start of our rifle season and in 20 years out there I have never seen them that hot that late. I don't think the elk numbers are down at all throughout all of the Big Horns units, but weather can definitely play a big part in success or lack of it. The two bulls we killed this past season were bugling nonstop and the bigger of the two damn near trampled us before John shot him.
 
Robiland,

Thanks for your input. I'm assuming your are talking unit 45 since I'm trying to decide between three units with my ten points. Nobody has mentioned anything about unit 38 so I'm kind of ruling that one out. So it's unit 24 and 45. Seems like there might be more info/direction on unit 45 however. Anyway any information is very much appreciated. I also talked to another guy who hunted it in 15' he said it was pretty slow up to about the Sept 21 and then they lit up and they ended up filling he and his partners tages with smaller six points.
 
Why those choices. 11 is a great archery hunt, type 9 tag. The rifle season also opens Oct. 1 if archery is not successful on the type 1 tag. Mostly forest land and no grizz or wolves.
 
Wytex,

The reason for the three units listed is I'm from Oregon and don't have the opportunity to scoot typically when hunting out of state. Growing up in elk country I've killed many bulls with my bow all but one was a DIY public land hunt. My substitute for scouting is the Huntin Fool magazine and Eastmans Magazine, and the New Epic Outdoors magazine that give a summary of these unit. Unit 11 wasn't mentioned in either as a top pick and since I can't afford a guide or private land they said that public land access was Ok but not great. Now I've found these mags fairly accurate but they have been off at times but for an Oregon guy it's what I've got to work with.

If you don't agree fill me in on the bull quality and public land in your opinion. Rifle starting on Oct 1 is a bonus.
 
Wapiti Bob,

Hey I owe you an apology, I went back and checked the draw odds for 24 and you were correct. Thanks for setting me straight.
 
>Robiland,
>
>Thanks for your input. I'm assuming
>your are talking unit 45
>since I'm trying to decide
>between three units with my
>ten points. Nobody has mentioned
>anything about unit 38 so
>I'm kind of ruling that
>one out. So it's unit
>24 and 45. Seems like
>there might be more info/direction
>on unit 45 however. Anyway
>any information is very much
>appreciated. I also talked to
>another guy who hunted it
>in 15' he said it
>was pretty slow up to
>about the Sept 21 and
>then they lit up and
>they ended up filling he
>and his partners tages with
>smaller six points.



You are right, sorry, I didnt mention I was in 45. However, after talking to another friend with 10 points this year, he wants to apply for 45. So who knows, it may be good, I dont know. Topgun is very helpful and knowledgeable about these areas. If my friend doesnt draw and you do, Id be willing to help out on areas I hunted. Good luck!

Oh, by the way, when I hunted it, they had a very wet late summer and early fall. Locals said they had never seen so much rain in July-Sept. So that may have helped us out a bit too.
 
Callsalot,

Hunted 24 in 2014 w/ 2 others (I believe we drew w/8pts).Had never been to or scouted the area prior to arriving. Hunted the last 12 days of Sept with archery then hunted 3 days w/ rifle with the Oct 1st opener. I called a 6x5 (300 class) in for my brother within the first 2 hours of hunting and he killed first night. It became real warm and I then hunted 3-4 days strictly wallows and passed on multiple raghorns. This unit has decent access overall, but there are a few spots where elk realize they can move into to avoid the hunter activity. Bugling activity clearly subsided as the hunter / atv activity increased as it got closer to the rifle opener. Even though the bull tags are limited there were a decent number of guys out to kill cows with bow & rifle and it clearly affected the elk bugling and there exposure on the open slopes. Ended up killing a bull 6x6 first day of rifle. 3rd member didn't connect, but he was strictly hunting archery. Overall it was a good hunt and enjoyable. Most bulls seen were 280 to 320 bulls. Seen only one 350 class bull in the 2 weeks, in the concentrated area we hunted. Chased him 3 days w/ bow. Another hunter killed him long range opening morning of rifle.
If you are looking for a wilderness hunt, 24 isn't it. But if you're willing to hike to get away from most atv trails you'll find good elk to chase. Hope this helps a bit.
Woosh
 
Woosh, Thanks for the update. I'm really struggling between trying for 24 or going 45 where I know I have enough point to draw. 24 is probably a flip of the coin for me to draw from what I can see. Anyway I appreciate the feedback it's much more than I've gotten on 24 so far and I'll take it into consideration. Sounds like it was a good hunt for sure.
 
Robiland,

Well tell you're friend if he draws to shoot me a message. I'd be happy to swap info and phone numbers. If I was to tag early I always hang around and call for other people if I get the chance plus I'd appreciate any knowledge of the area you have if he doesn't draw and you don't mind sharing.

Thanks again.
 
Never been to 45 so I can't compare. I did as much research from Wisconsin as I could on 24, so I was very much in your same shoes. We met some real great local folks from the area that just happen to camp in the area quite often. They gave us some real good tips and also chatted with the local warden a couple times prior to making the trip and he was spot on with elk advice.
No guarantee on big bulls, but we were into elk everyday. If your main interest is archery, not sure how long you have to hunt. Our hunt was good , but I'd say that our hunting might have even better w/o the influence of increased hunter activity as guys starting scouting for rifle season. Hard to plan, rut is usually best 3rd to 4th week of Sept - but you then get closer to rifle scouting activity. If I had the chance to do it over (most likely never happen)I'd hunt 2nd & 3rd week of Sept. Thinking you'd have considerably less hunter activity.
You should have a real good opportunity at 300 + class bulls if you can hike a bit an avoid a few others on the mountain.
 
Woosh,

If I happen to draw this tag I would probably hunt Sept 24 to the 30th archery and then Oct 1 to 4th rifle or something around those times. Thanks again, once I put in with my 10 points if I draw I'll let you know!!!!! I got this bull on a limited entry tag 2016 in Oregon. Not getting any younger so thought I'd start burning my points. Can't take them with you ya know.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2017/90691willybull1.jpg
 
Very nice bull and I hope whatever unit you apply for that you draw it and get a chance at one that good or better!
 
Thanks Top Gun! Any bull I decide to put the hurt on is a good bull in my opinion. I take each hunt as it comes and if I'm seeing lots of nice bulls I hold out if not I lower my standards. I'm not a 350+ type guy or nothing. I just like to take a bull home and have a great time.

I'll let you all know which unit I go for but I appreciate all the input it has really helped. I think 45 will be the deal since I have enough point to draw for sure and have more resources to go with!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-17 AT 05:23PM (MST)[p]>Thanks Top Gun! Any bull I
>decide to put the hurt
>on is a good bull
>in my opinion. I take
>each hunt as it comes
>and if I'm seeing lots
>of nice bulls I hold
>out if not I lower
>my standards. I'm not a
>350+ type guy or nothing.
>I just like to take
>a bull home and have
>a great time.
>
>I'll let you all know which
>unit I go for but
>I appreciate all the input
>it has really helped. I
>think 45 will be the
>deal since I have enough
>point to draw for sure
>and have more resources to
>go with!

Definitely send me a PM if you draw 45 and I'll give you a few coordinates of where we camped and hunted and where you might want to at least start your hunt. Heck, if neither of my buddies draw their bull tag and I have some free time if/when you are up there you might just be able to get me to help you IF you want any.
 
I heard 11 is going to have an early rifle cow hunt starting August 15 and ending right before archery. Could be wrong though.
 
Great bull William.

I will interested in what you decide and how your hunt ends up. I will be burning points next year in Wy, and have the points to draw these hunts, so please keep us posted on your journey.
 
Thanks earlyriser, always good to know what is going on in a unit before your hunt starts. Appreciate the feedback.
 
cmbbulldog,

I'll keep you informed for sure! By happy to share any information I gather from research and boots on the ground once I get there.
 
Very nice bull !! I agree w/ your approach - holding out for 350+ takes the fun out. Hunt hard & hope for the best.
You'll do well w/ 45 or 24
Your plan for 24 (if you draw) is solid.
If you draw I can provide more details on what we learned
Woosh
 
Thanks, that was Mt. Emily. If you no anyone that draws that tag have them get ahold of me and I'll give them a really good start to their hunt.
 
The Aug. 15 cow hunt is on private land only in 11. It does not affect the elk hunting in Sept.
 
>LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-17
>AT 05:23?PM (MST)
>
>>Thanks Top Gun! Any bull I
>>decide to put the hurt
>>on is a good bull
>>in my opinion. I take
>>each hunt as it comes
>>and if I'm seeing lots
>>of nice bulls I hold
>>out if not I lower
>>my standards. I'm not a
>>350+ type guy or nothing.
>>I just like to take
>>a bull home and have
>>a great time.
>>
>>I'll let you all know which
>>unit I go for but
>>I appreciate all the input
>>it has really helped. I
>>think 45 will be the
>>deal since I have enough
>>point to draw for sure
>>and have more resources to
>>go with!
>
>Definitely send me a PM if
>you draw 45 and I'll
>give you a few coordinates
>of where we camped and
>hunted and where you might
>want to at least start
>your hunt. Heck, if
>neither of my buddies draw
>their bull tag and I
>have some free time if/when
>you are up there you
>might just be able to
>get me to help you
>IF you want any.


What an awesome offer!
 
Good to know, I think I've settled on 45 or 24. I have a friend that has 8 point that could probably do the 45-9 and hunt with me during the archery portion of the hunt. If he decides to do that it will have me putting in for 45-1.
Thanks for your input however!
 
That is an awesome offer, I'm leaning toward 45 at this point pretty heavy just because I have more offers for help from people that have hunted that area before and I think it would save me a lot of time learning my way around.

You'll most likely be hearing from me .
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks, it was a good hunt and of course I have stories of the bigger one that got away. Literally got to warm and took off my release to take of some layers and didn't put my release back on and called in a dang nice 6X7 to twenty yards didn't realize I left my release a half mile back until I reached for an arrow. Hey but that is why we call it hunting right! I'd be happy to help anyone that draws that tag.
 
WapitiBob,

Hey I noticed in some other post in Wyoming units you say split your point and go twice. What do you mean by that? If you draw doesn't it use up all your points?
 
Just an FYI....you could get a deer tag for either area, and keep your points. Region R (45) and Region E (97) can be drawn 2nd choice in the "Special" draw.
I would have a deer tag in my pocket just in case.
 
I was wondering about that, there seemed to be varying opinions on whether you can get a deer tag in either region as a second choice. I would would be willing to go special on either as second choice. If I'm driving that far what's another few dollars. I've had twice where I didn't have a deer tag in my pocket when I could have while hunting elk and couldn't take the opportunity to take real nice bucks. don't want that to happen again.

The worst I can do is not draw right so might as well put in.

Thanks!
 
>I was wondering about that, there
>seemed to be varying opinions
>on whether you can get
>a deer tag in either
>region as a second choice.
>I would would be willing
>to go special on either
>as second choice. If I'm
>driving that far what's another
>few dollars. I've had twice
>where I didn't have a
>deer tag in my pocket
>when I could have while
>hunting elk and couldn't take
>the opportunity to take real
>nice bucks. don't want that
>to happen again.
>
>The worst I can do is
>not draw right so might
>as well put in.
>
>Thanks!


There is only one fallacy with that suggestion. There is always a chance that you could draw your first choice in the Random Draw everyone goes in if they don't get their first choice in the PP Draw. If that were to happen you would lose your PPs and would need to have extra days to do the deer hunt or lose that hunt and all your PPs. A lot of people don't realize that can happen and even though the chance may be very small, it's always a possibility.
 
Very interesting thread everyone. I am in the same predicament and have been going back and forth with these units as well. I will have 10pps going in this year. My dilemma is type 9 or type 1. I live in within a reasonable distance that I can actually do a couple of nice scouting trips. My thinking for 45 is that I have 15 moose pps and am hoping to catch up with the creep someday and hunt this area for moose too.
 
Hey Top Gun, That is a very good point! It looks like unit 128 is the hardest to draw for deer but last year I still would have had 15% with 9 points it looks like so I'm assuming with 10 points this year it probably would be the same. So I either don't put in for deer to go along with my elk hunt or I make sure I have enough time to go back on a deer hunt if I draw 128 and if I don't draw do region R special 2nd choice for my deer tag to go along with me elk hunting. Thanks for the heads up I don't want to throw away 10 years of deer points!
 
605 Hunter, I can't help you there I think I only have 5 moose points so I really haven't done any research to see what it would take to match a unit 45 elk and moose hunt together. However some of the guys on this thread may be of some help. If I hunt 45 before you would be more than happy to share what I find out.
Good luck.
 
Callsalot, I appreciate your generous offer. I would certainly do the same for you. It is nice to see the selflessness of some hunters out there in this day and age. I definitely don't have a problem burning up some boot leather to get away from crowds to have an enjoyable hunt. The moose hunt will most likely be a few years down the road, but never too early to start intel for a once in a lifetime hunt.
 
Tracker12 I won't discount 38 out yet either. That was my original choice a couple of years ago because of the future moose hunt. Area 1 for moose is toward the top or the list in Wyoming. Unit 38 is pretty friendly for non residents with plenty of public land to explore.
 
605Hunter,
If you happen to draw a 1 moose tag look me up! I spent a lot of time in the unit moose scouting and hunting a few years ago. I can likely provide quite a few tips that a lot of guys are unaware about. I know the moose in that area very well!
 
Tracker12, would you mind going into more specifics. What time of Sept did you go, how were the elk numbers. Were you into bugling bulls most hunts? Did you see quite a few bulls that were 300 plus how about 320 plus. In trying to make my decision which unit to spend my 10 points on this inf would be helpful.

If you have time that would be great.

Thanks
 
No problem,

When it comes to 'OTC" over the counter tags you can hunt every year I'm a little more secretive but when it comes to Limited entry I'm an open book since guys have waited so long to get them and there will be the same amount of tags in that unit that year regardless.
Always happy to help when I can.
 
>605Hunter,
>If you happen to draw a
>1 moose tag look me
>up! I spent a
>lot of time in the
>unit moose scouting and hunting
>a few years ago.
>I can likely provide quite
>a few tips that a
>lot of guys are unaware
>about. I know the
>moose in that area very
>well!


jims, that is quite an offer, I will definitely keep you in mind. Not sure if I will ever get ahead of the creep in unit 1. I am open to other units as well if you have any good thoughts on that, shoot me a message. Thanks again
 
Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's input on which unit to apply my 10 points toward. Many of you put up valuable input and I appreciate all of it. I've decided to go with a unit 45-1 tag. Mostly because I've met more people that have actually held the tag and seem to have first hand information. Once I have actually drawn the tag I'll post for more help from those of you that have offered.
Good luck hunting to everyone.
 
>>I was wondering about that, there
>>seemed to be varying opinions
>>on whether you can get
>>a deer tag in either
>>region as a second choice.
>>I would would be willing
>>to go special on either
>>as second choice. If I'm
>>driving that far what's another
>>few dollars. I've had twice
>>where I didn't have a
>>deer tag in my pocket
>>when I could have while
>>hunting elk and couldn't take
>>the opportunity to take real
>>nice bucks. don't want that
>>to happen again.
>>
>>The worst I can do is
>>not draw right so might
>>as well put in.
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>
>There is only one fallacy with
>that suggestion. There is
>always a chance that you
>could draw your first choice
>in the Random Draw everyone
>goes in if they don't
>get their first choice in
>the PP Draw. If
>that were to happen you
>would lose your PPs and
>would need to have extra
>days to do the deer
>hunt or lose that hunt
>and all your PPs.
>A lot of people don't
>realize that can happen and
>even though the chance may
>be very small, it's always
>a possibility.


There are a few deer hunts that issue no random tags, if you place those first your problem is solved.

Rich
 
Just wanted to say thanks again for all the great input that so many of you shared. I ended up drawing 45-1 tag. Like any unit there were pluses and minuses about the unit but I personally know two guys who hunted it two years ago that are close friends plus several of the good guys on this forum offered to help out so it seemed like there was just two much valuable intel to receive on this unit compared to some of the others.

I just got my rugged map of the unit so if anyone wants to enlighten me further on unit 45 I'm ready.

Thanks.
 
Thanks 4 blade, I've already got a fair amount of intel on the unit so getting pretty excited. Good luck to you wherever your hunting this season!
 
Sweet, I can't remember much about 22-1 I'll have to look it up. Sounds like it's good though so Congrad's and best of luck!
 

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