I was born and raised in Wyoming and I used to fish with my dad in area 26. In 1963 I moved to Utah and have been here since. I won't tell you guys how many Wyoming moose permits I have had through the years (all as a non resident) but more than most of you could even dream about.
After they started points I drew area 26 in 1997. I then waited 5 years and began applying again. After my 7 dollar point fee got lost in the mail and arrived in Cheyenne a few days late and they rejected it, I was about ready to give up as I felt I would never draw again, but I decided to apply one more time in 2007, with 3 points going into the draw, and low and behold I drew unit 26 once again.
I have hunted that unit with at least four other guys with permits through the years (excluding the times I have had permits there) and I watched it surely but steadily go down hill. In the mid 70's and into the early 80's it was a great area, but it is no where near what it once was.
No doubt the wolves have had a big impact on the Wyoming moose herd, but that is not the reason for the decline of big bulls in unit 26. And the big bears have had a inpact too, but again not in 26. I think they just give too many permits anymore and the most of the bulls just don't get a chance to live long enough to get big. I agree there are some nice bulls in the area, but nothing like it used to be.
I am strictly a bowhunter and I spent a good part of the archery season hunting for a nice bull in 2007 in unit 26. I saw bulls almost every day I hunted and multiple bulls most days. I was unsuccessful during the archery hunt, so I gave it a couple weeks and went back the last weeks of the rifle hunt. Again I saw bulls most days and usually more than one.
I ended up killing the bull pictured below on the very last day of the hunt. It was not the largest bull I could have taken during my hunt, but I never did see what I would say was a good bull. I know the area pretty well, and hunted hard every day I was there. I had a great time, as I love Wyoming and I love to hunt there, but getting a great bull in that area will require in all likelihood, a number of days and a lot of luck.
Getting a bull like I got, which was 37 inches, as I recall, should be doable quite easy.
Have a good one. BB
