7 NR Points going into WY antelope draw

[wilydawg]

Hey guys,

My nephew and I have 7 NR pts. going into the draw this year.

I've killed a number of good antelope bucks over the years, including a couple right near 80", my nephew has only killed one, it was mid 70s.

We're not jonesing to burn our points but would also like to hunt this year, in a unit with good public access and reasonable odds of knowing that bucks in the 80+" range are in the area.

I've heard both sides from people I've talked to - wait another year, and get after it now or risk a bad winter upcoming.

I've got ideas on where I'd put in but welcome "local expertise".

Your thoughts, and if you chose to hunt this year which unit would you pick?

Thanks in advance!

 

[HONEYBADGER]

61 hands down. There were a few 80+ killed in that unit last year and a few more will be killed this year. That unit is doing well. I would burn the points and hunt it now, you never know what the future holds.....I will be jealous if you get that tag, arguably best goat hunt going right now.

 

[wilydawg]

>61 hands down. There were
>a few 80+ killed in
>that unit last year and
>a few more will be
>killed this year. That
>unit is doing well.
>I would burn the points
>and hunt it now, you
>never know what the future
>holds.....I will be jealous if
>you get that tag, arguably
>best goat hunt going right
>now.

Unfortunately I don't have enough points to draw 61...

 

[TOPGUN]

Look at all the units in the draw stats where it was 100% draw with 6PPs last year to pick a unit to burn your 7PPs on this year if you want to get out of the rat race. Then narrow it down further to those that have decent public access if you want to go DIY without paying an access fee. With several thousand people that have 7 or more PPs you may never be able to draw the top few units you're looking at even by going into the Special Draw. I would not keep building PPs with the hopes of drawing those top few units when there are so many people at and above your PP level and one bad winter could put you in deep dodo. Many units have good bucks that take fewer PPs and you just have to get out there and find them. Good luck!

 

[wilydawg]

>Look at all the units in
>the draw stats where it
>was 100% draw with 6PPs
>last year to pick a
>unit to burn your 7PPs
>on this year if you
>want to get out of
>the rat race. Then
>narrow it down further to
>those that have decent public
>access if you want to
>go DIY without paying an
>access fee. With several
>thousand people that have 7
>or more PPs you may
>never be able to draw
>the top few units you're
>looking at even by going
>into the Special Draw.
>I would not keep building
>PPs with the hopes of
>drawing those top few units
>when there are so many
>people at and above your
>PP level and one bad
>winter could put you in
>deep dodo. Many units
>have good bucks that take
>fewer PPs and you just
>have to get out there
>and find them. Good
>luck!

Good advice Topgun - I'm looking into it now. Any areas you'd recommend?

 

[DESKPOP]

75 or 67. 67 has traditionally been a good unit while 75 has produced some good goats in recent years.

 

[grosventrehunter]

68 is a good unit.