Area 7 Archery Elk

[montyaz]

I was lucky enough to draw an area 7 elk tag. I have gotten a permisson slip to hunt Muddy Mountain and Hermit Rock HMA's. Just wondering if anyone has hunted these and knows anything about them.

Thanks,
Montyaz

 

[cmiddleton]

muddy mountain is area 19

 

[montyaz]

Most of Muddy Mountain is in area 19. The south east corner is area 7

 

[Triple_BB]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-17-07 AT 11:10PM (MST)[p]Not unless they stretched the mountain. The SE corner is part of the Third Range of the Deer Ck Range of the Laramie Mtns...

 

[montyaz]

Muddy Mountain HMA area 7 Elk. Look http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/access/plpw/management/muddy/muddymap.asp

 

[BuzzH]

Montyaz,

You are correct, there are more than a few hunters in WY that cant read a map. Even ran into a rancher last year that didnt know what antelope unit his place was in.

But, there are some that can read maps, count me in that group.

I can tell you what you need to know about the portion of the muddy mountain HMA that ABSOLUTELY IS IN AREA 7.

Its mostly antelope country, but that doesnt mean there isnt elk there from time to time. I've seen some really nice bulls out in the grass/sagebrush in unit 7. Dont be afraid to look there, but I wouldnt suggest banking on even finding an elk there.

Its worth having the permission slip and definately worth a look. I've seen elk enough right out in the wide-open in that country to not count out any portion of the unit. If there happens to be snow when you hunt or you get a storm...I'd at least give it a look. Sometimes elk are pressured out in the open as well.

Unit 7 can be good, but there are lots of private land issues in there. The easily accessible public gets hit pretty hard. From what I've seen while hunting with friends in there, I'd rifle hunt it early...as in have the bull you want dead on opening morning.

Good luck.

 

[montyaz]

Thank You BuzzH,

I will be heading up to scout and get familiar with the unit August 13th. Do you know anything about Hermit Rock or Deer Creek HMA's. By the way I am planning on Archery hunting Sept. 15-25 and then back for rifle if unsuccesful. If you need any help in Arizona let me know. I've hunted it all my life.

Again Thanks,
Montyaz

 

[BuzzH]

Montyaz,

Dont know much about those other areas. Its still good to have the permission slips in hand and to check them out. You have nothing to lose by having the permission.

I also think you're making a great decision to archery hunt it.

My only advice would be to concentrate on the northern half of the unit and get away from the roads.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Montyaz

I think the Area 7 of the Muddy Mtn HMA is about where my truck broke down 2 weekends ago scouting. It is a $350 tow bill to Casper in case you you were wondering

I made 3 trips up there this spring and summer. I am pretty pumped up to get going on it. I will hunt the first 4 days of the season, then be back the same September dates as yourself.

It was pretty dry up there the last trip. I hope they are getting some of this rain we are starting to get in Colorado. Have fun up there in August.

 

[WyomingMan]

I also drew area 7 and have been up there two weekends so far scouting. It is really dry but they have been getting some moisture the past two weeks. We are starting south of the area you are looking at. We have seen some decent bulls, probably around the 300 class but I know there are larger elk to be had there. We have also been seeing some huge mulies, one that I would guess would score 180-190 easily. I will be up there 3 days to open the season and every weekend and proabably 5 days towards the end of September. I can tell you the higher up mouhntains seem to be alot greener and not so drought stricken.

Has anyone hunted around LaBonte Canyon?? We were going to check that area out this weekend.

 

[WyomingMan]

Only 9 more days until the opener and with the number and quality of bulls we have been seeing, I am looking forward to a great hunt. Already starting packing!!!

 

[cmiddleton]

guess we locals call it all by it real names. muddy is the first and second range then deer creek. don't use the hma map because i never hunted past the second range.
only hunted the second range one time.
we call the mountain by the name not the flats and other mountains. Reno hill, ice cave mountain, deer creek, sheep creek, bates hole. all those are places with names its not all muddy mountain

 

[tdoman]

How has everyone done so far in the unit? Archery has now been open for a couple of weeks. I'm heading up again this Friday the 21st and going to stay until the 30th, unless I get a bull! Were heading out on some private land around Laramie Peak, the ranchers says there are elk around, I guess I'll see.

 

[COLOelkman]

I just returned from a short weekend with a buddy who drew area 7 and it was mostly a scouting trip as we'd not hunted there before. Did see a really nice bull in the 370 class and only got to take some video of it. We'll be back for the rifle sometime soon! Good luck to all!

 

[rloudermilk]

How did you end up your hunt, were you happy with the private land?

 

[COLOelkman]

>How did you end up your
>hunt, were you happy with
>the private land?
***********************
We ended up without taking anything. I thought the private land was worth what we paid ($300). I got a lot of good info on private lands via the Region Biologist. fyi, you can call the G&F and they'll send you a list of private landowners that have trespass fees. Hard to tell from the list what's good and what's average. We did see a couple bulls the later part of the rifle season from a distance which was later in the hunt and I was amazed with all the sign we saw and what little elk we saw. I think the area we hunted would have been best opening weekend of rifle per another hunter we talked to who was also real helpful. I'd suggest calling the Bio. then talking to his suggested landowners. You also might try the HMA's like Duncan Ranch on the G&F website as I'd heard they can be good but I don't have personal experience with any. Good Luck!