Out of State Elk- Opinions Please

[luvtohnt]

I have had good luck in Wyoming, all unguided. Generally with 1 point you are guaranteed to draw a General tag (we missed in 2013 because you had to average 1.6 points and we averaged 1.4 points).

2014 Draw odds for general tag in Wyoming (sorry if it is messy I copied and pasted)
Issued        Points       Applicants                success
    2                  7                2                            100.00%
     0             < 7                 0                            100.00%
     9                 6                9                            100.00%
     0               <6               0                            100.00%
     9                 5                9                           100.00%
     7                <5              7                            100.00%
     37               4               37                          100.00%
     28              <4              28                         100.00%
     83               3              83                           100.00%
     114            <3            114                         100.00%
     337              2             337                         100.00%
     311           < 2             311                        100.00%
     800              1             1200                       66.67%
                        0 < 1        2550                          0.00%

We hunt in western Wyoming, and in 2011 (group success was 50%) I took a 300" bull and my buddy took a 310' bull, and in 2014 (group success was 22%)  I took a cow. 2014 was rough 1 guy went down on day 2 with back problems, and one guy suffered from altitude sickness the entire time and his son really did not want to go with anyone else. The neighboring camp shot a 350" bull right behind camp in 2014, so there is potential for the occasional trophy. We also had an elderly gentleman that would hike maybe a mile and sit all day. So in reality we were closer to 40% success in 2014. We saw grizzly tracks, and a couple camps actually saw the bear. It was cold and snowy which made the hunting fun.

Lots of public land in Wyoming, and there are some great places to hunt that don't require a guide. As far as cost I spend roughly $2500 for everything each time I go. This includes processing which is necessary as anything from Wyoming has to be boneless to come into WA. Fuel cost for both directions, hotels during travel, food, camp gas, ect..

All 2014 Non-resident stats
Firearm harvest was 87.9%
Unit I harvested in was 51%
Neighboring unit was 37% (we hunt this unit as well.
Hope this helps

Bonus is Wyoming usually has leftover tags, which allows you to harvest 2 animals or purchase a leftover to guarantee you go every year.

Brandon

[cbond3318]

That does help a ton! So for a first time applicant you go in with one point?

[luvtohnt]

First time applicant I believe you would have 0 points, but you can buy points in Wyoming. Your best bet for 2016 would be apply (most likely not get drawn) then buy leftover tags, and get to know the area you want to hunt (leftover tags are cheaper if I remember correctly), buy a point in summer of 2016 and go into the 2017 drawing with 2 points which should be 100% success rate on drawing. If done this way you will know the area well by the time you are ready to try for a bull. Plus who wouldn't want to hunt  2 years in a row in Wyoming!!!

Brandon

[cbond3318]

First time applicant I believe you would have 0 points, but you can buy points in Wyoming. Your best bet for 2016 would be apply (most likely not get drawn) then buy leftover tags, and get to know the area you want to hunt (leftover tags are cheaper if I remember correctly), buy a point in summer of 2016 and go into the 2017 drawing with 2 points which should be 100% success rate on drawing. If done this way you will know the area well by the time you are ready to try for a bull. Plus who wouldn't want to hunt  2 years in a row in Wyoming!!!

Brandon

Good point.  I assume leftover tags are antlerless?

[ipkus]

How do you get from 0 to 2 points in one year??

[bobcat]

How do you get from 0 to 2 points in one year??

You can't.

[luvtohnt]

How do you get from 0 to 2 points in one year??

You can't.

I thought each unsuccessful application was a point earned, and you can purchase points during the summer?

Brandon

[luvtohnt]

"No person may apply for, or be awarded, more than one (1) preference point per species in the same calendar year."

My bad, I was mis-led by my friend in Wyoming. I usually just buy my points in July and apply every other year.

Sorry for the confusion.

Brandon

[Bob33]

First time applicant I believe you would have 0 points, but you can buy points in Wyoming. Your best bet for 2016 would be apply (most likely not get drawn) then buy leftover tags, and get to know the area you want to hunt (leftover tags are cheaper if I remember correctly), buy a point in summer of 2016 and go into the 2017 drawing with 2 points which should be 100% success rate on drawing. If done this way you will know the area well by the time you are ready to try for a bull. Plus who wouldn't want to hunt  2 years in a row in Wyoming!!!

Brandon

Good point.  I assume leftover tags are antlerless?

There are some of each, but many more antlerless.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/QuotaAvailability/SelectionCriteria.aspx

[theleo]

I'm a southern Idaho fan. I hunt in the "Back country" with nothing motorized allowed on the trails which really limits people there. I know the outfitter in that country normally has several drop camps for various groups. I'm 2 for 2 archery and all totaled 3 for 3 due to one rifle tag. I'm a meat hunter, so the ability to take any elk during archery season is nice. There was a total of 5 guys where I was at this year. I got mine and they ended up wounding 3, so it should have been %80 success.

[cbond3318]

I really need to sit down and go through each states pamphlets , it is like reading Chinese though! 

[Bob33]

You might wish to buy a year's subscription to Huntin' Fool. They carry pretty extensive information on all the western states.

[cbond3318]

You might wish to buy a year's subscription to Huntin' Fool. They carry pretty extensive information on all the western states.

Thanks Bob, I will look into it!

[Branden]

If quantity is your thing I would pick Colorado. I have also seen really good bulls there 340"-350". Buddy killed a 346" in an otc unit there.

Whoever said Colorado isn't otc for elk is wrong. Most of the units are otc for archery, second, and third season. Muzzy is draw along with first and fourth season.

I'm a fan of Colorado because you can buy your tag the day before the season starts. largest elk heard of any state. Lots of different type of terrain. Lots of different seasons. And the best state to hunt deer in. Find a decent elk unit and get a deer tag there occasionally. Or 3 guys get elk tags 2 deer tags etc. it's hard for every hunter to tag out. We have went 4 for 4 on bulls in Colorado, but last time I went we were only 1 for 2. (My dad has bad knees and couldn't get around very well). We saw 13 legal bulls though with the best being 330ish.

[grundy53]

You might wish to buy a year's subscription to Huntin' Fool. They carry pretty extensive information on all the western states.

Or Gohunt.com. They are pretty good too.

http://www.gohunt.com/