Wyoming Elk

[ffbowhunter]

Tis the season, hunting is over and all I do is think of and plan the next hunt. My father in law and I are sitting on three points for Wyoming. Our game plan is to put in for a type 9 license in Wyoming, if we don't draw then we will put in for New Mexico as well as Utah. And if we are unsuccessful, we will hunt OTC out of state. This is the first time we have put in for Wyoming other than buying points. My question is would you keep building points and put in for a difficult to draw tag? Or are there any type 9 units that three points would be worth using? Wyoming has a great website and I use gohunt.com for draw odds and information on units so I have an idea where I would like to go. Thanks!

[cem3434]

Build points 

[trophyhunt]

Put in for a unit you have a chance drawing, I have 1 less than max points for elk, been applying for 11 years. Just go hunt! Your second choice doesn’t zero your points out, type 9 is archery right?  Can you put a type 1 as your first choice and type 9 as a second?  Let me know, I’m curious myself. 

[ffbowhunter]

I archery hunt elk which is why I figured type 9 is for me. I wouldn’t rifle hunt there. I am leaning towards putting in for harder to draw units and praying I get lucky with drawing the Gila in New Mexico!

[trophyhunt]

I archery hunt elk which is why I figured type 9 is for me. I wouldn’t rifle hunt there. I am leaning towards putting in for harder to draw units and praying I get lucky with drawing the Gila in New Mexico!

if you find a good archery unit, I’d love a pm.  I’m looking to Idaho or Wyoming with a couple good buddies for a new bow elk hunt.

[Bigshooter]

I would just draw the general WY tag and go hunt. 

[trophyhunt]

I would just draw the general WY tag and go hunt.

to me the Wyoming regs are confusing as hell, can you hunt unit 62 with archery with a general tag?

[vandeman17]

I would just draw the general WY tag and go hunt.

to me the Wyoming regs are confusing as hell, can you hunt unit 62 with archery with a general tag?

Tag and I agree. Every time I think I get my head wrapped around their regs I read something that throws me for a loop.

[Bob33]

I would just draw the general WY tag and go hunt.

to me the Wyoming regs are confusing as hell, can you hunt unit 62 with archery with a general tag?

You can hunt in September with archery equipment if you purchase an archery license.

[Bigshooter]

Bob, I think you have to have a draw tag to hunt some of those units. Not the general tag.  So if you drew  any of those rifle tags you could buy the archery license and then hunt those units.  For example if you drew a unit 100 tag you could hunt the archery season.   And if you drew the general tag you could hunt the archery season in any of the general rifle units that are listed.  Not all of the units that are list are general season units.

[Bob33]

Bob, I think you have to have a draw tag to hunt some of those units. Not the general tag.  So if you drew  any of those rifle tags you could buy the archery license and then hunt those units.  For example if you drew a unit 100 tag you could hunt the archery season.   And if you drew the general tag you could hunt the archery season in any of the general rifle units that are listed.  Not all of the units that are list are general season units.

Yes, although I thought the question pertained to someone with a unit 62 tag. Thanks for clarifying.

[trophyhunt]

I’m still confused, what are the general units?  62 is permit only.

[Jpmiller]

Glad I'm not the only one confused by Wyoming regs. Trying to hunt with a great uncle this fall and whenever I try to ask him about it he just tells me all he knows is he goes and buys himself a tag lol.

[ffbowhunter]

Wyoming has a couple different tags, full disclosure I’m not an expert. They have limited quota type 1 (rifle), limited quota type 9 (archery), and general tags. All non residents must draw tags unlike residents for a general tag. You can hunt archery in most units with a archery license if you draw a type 1. Whereas a type nine your season starts the 1st and ends the 30th. There are a handful of general tags that are in areas with either a lot of private land or a lot of wilderness. There are a few units general that have decent access. Hope that helps!

[Clearcut]

i will say that Wyoming fish an game is very helpful with explaining the way theory system works and our very honest about what you you can realistically draw.. for any one looking to draw a general tag. There is more than plenty of national forest to hunt that is not wilderness area. But a general tag you will need 1-3 preference points to draw depending on what draw you apply in. ( special or normal ) .. if your a archery hunter an wanna hunt archery you can with a general tag. You just have to buy a archery permit for like 35$ . It still allows you to hunt the rifle season as well if your not successful during archery. I'm by no means a expert but been there twice an this is my best understanding so far of how it works.

[trophyhunt]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points? 

[dscubame]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points?

That's correct you lose your points only by drawing first choice.

[trophyhunt]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points?

That's correct you lose your points only by drawing first choice.

Dang, all these years I've only put in for my one choice!!  Anyone know a good second choice for archery I should be putting in for, doesn't have to be a trophy unit?

[ffbowhunter]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points?

I would double check that you can even draw a type 9 second choice with a regular tag.

[Netminder01]

tag

[trophyhunt]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points?

I would double check that you can even draw a type 9 second choice with a regular tag.

ok, I will call when I can, thanks for the help

[Bob33]

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/WGFD_APPNARRATIVE.pdf

 

For nonresident full price elk, deer and antelope, preference points can be accumulated either by submitting the applicable fee when applying for the initial limited quota drawing for licenses or by purchasing a preference point during the preference point only application period as per the dates on page 3.

If the nonresident applicant wants to accumulate preference points in the initial license drawing, they must select the fee option that includes the preference point fees for full price elk, deer and antelope licenses. The preference point fees that must be remitted are $52 for elk, $41 for deer and $31 for antelope ($10 for youth for each species). These applicants will be awarded a preference point if unsuccessful in drawing their first choice.

For nonresident full price elk, full price deer and full price antelope, an individual’s accumulated preference points are only considered in the initial drawing for the applicant’s first choice in the preference point drawing.

If the applicant submits the appropriate preference point fee with their license application for the initial license drawing and does not draw their first choice, they will be awarded a preference point for the year in which the application was submitted. Drawing a license for your second or third choice does not cause preference points to be deleted and the applicant will still be awarded a preference point for the year.

For nonresident full price elk, full price deer and full price antelope, an applicant will lose all accumulated preference points if they draw their first choice license in the initial limited quota drawing or if they fail to purchase a preference point in the initial drawing or during the appropriate application period for two (2) consecutive years.

For party applications, all of the applicants’ preference point totals will be averaged to determine the preference point ranking used in the initial preference point drawing.

There are no preference points for reduced price cow/calf or reduced price doe/fawn licenses. Applicants for reduced price licenses do not lose their preference points if successful in the reduced price license drawing, nor do they accumulate preference points if they are unsuccessful drawing these license types.

Some suggestions when applying for licenses with the preference point option: to maintain your preference points, do not apply for an easy-to-draw area as your first choice. If you do and are successful, then all of your accumulated points will be deleted and the odds of drawing a license in a hard-to-draw area will be diminished for several years until you build up 14 preference points again. If you desire to hunt more often without sacrificing your preference points, continue to apply for your preferred (hard-to-draw) hunt area as a first choice and apply for easy-to-draw hunt areas as your second choice. By reviewing the random drawing odds from previous years, you can find hunt areas with good odds of drawing a license as a second and possibly a third choice. On the other hand, it is nearly certain you will draw a license in a hunt area with 100% odds listed for the second choice drawing. However, be advised that drawing odds can and do change from year to year as applicants shift their preferences for specific hunt areas. The prior year’s drawing odds are a useful indicator of relative odds, but provide no absolute guarantees.

 

[jmscon]

Don’t forget, you can decide if you want to be special.

[ffbowhunter]

Well my app is in time to roll the dice!

[trophyhunt]

Well my app is in time to roll the dice!

best of luck!

[Mr Mykiss]

My great hope is that sometime in the near future people will start calling em "archery" instead of "type 9". I also hope I draw a archery tag in WY sometime soon...

[Bigshooter]

My great hope is that sometime in the near future people will start calling em "archery" instead of "type 9". I also hope I draw a archery tag in WY sometime soon...

Since almost every type 1 tag has an archery season attached to it what do you call the type 1 tags?  Archery tags, rifle tags or type 1? 

So do you want to draw a type 9 tag sometime soon or a type 1 tag?  Since both most likely will have an archery season.

[Mr Mykiss]

True dat. Maybe "archery only" tag. I'm looking to draw a archery only tag

[Bigshooter]

True dat. Maybe "archery only" tag. I'm looking to draw a archery only tag

 

[Jpmiller]

So if this is dumb I apologize but I'm having a hard time communicating with my family out there to find what unit he typically hunts. If he can buy a general otc elk tag as a resident can I apply for a general elk tag as a nonresident and hunt wherever he is or since I'm non resident I need to specify a unit to apply?

[Bigshooter]

So if this is dumb I apologize but I'm having a hard time communicating with my family out there to find what unit he typically hunts. If he can buy a general otc elk tag as a resident can I apply for a general elk tag as a nonresident and hunt wherever he is or since I'm non resident I need to specify a unit to apply?

The general tag let's residents and nonresidents hunt the same units.  It is the same tag.  But nonresidents have to draw it. 

[Jpmiller]

So if this is dumb I apologize but I'm having a hard time communicating with my family out there to find what unit he typically hunts. If he can buy a general otc elk tag as a resident can I apply for a general elk tag as a nonresident and hunt wherever he is or since I'm non resident I need to specify a unit to apply?

The general tag let's residents and nonresidents hunt the same units.  It is the same tag.  But nonresidents have to draw it.

Thanks. Can I draw a cow/calf tag without drawing a general tag? I'm only going to be able to hunt a few days during a visit to see family and I want the best odds of driving home with meat.

I'm probably going to have to call fish and game at some point these regs confuse the heck out of me still.

[High Climber]

I’ll be in with 8 points... got it narrowed down to 5 or 6 different units. Wyo is tough to figure in my point range.  Good luck to all In the draws 

[DOUBLELUNG]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points? 

Yes

[DOUBLELUNG]

So if this is dumb I apologize but I'm having a hard time communicating with my family out there to find what unit he typically hunts. If he can buy a general otc elk tag as a resident can I apply for a general elk tag as a nonresident and hunt wherever he is or since I'm non resident I need to specify a unit to apply?

Yes, if you draw a nonresident general elk license you can hunt any unit he can as a resident with a general OTC license.

[DOUBLELUNG]

So if this is dumb I apologize but I'm having a hard time communicating with my family out there to find what unit he typically hunts. If he can buy a general otc elk tag as a resident can I apply for a general elk tag as a nonresident and hunt wherever he is or since I'm non resident I need to specify a unit to apply?

The general tag let's residents and nonresidents hunt the same units.  It is the same tag.  But nonresidents have to draw it.

Thanks. Can I draw a cow/calf tag without drawing a general tag? I'm only going to be able to hunt a few days during a visit to see family and I want the best odds of driving home with meat.

I'm probably going to have to call fish and game at some point these regs confuse the heck out of me still.

Yes, you can draw a reduced price cow/calf license without drawing a full price tag.

[Indian Summer]

I would go for the guaranteed General license for a couple reasons. First you have enough points to get it in the Regular draw so it’s roughly half the price. Second it’s versatile. You can hunt over 50 units with plenty of places to get away from other hunters. But the biggest reason is this: Why hunt a unit you can rarely if ever go back to? Instead look at every elk hunt as an investment toward future hunts. Learn an area you can go back to as often as possible. Nothing is more beneficial to consistent success than knowing your area like the back of your hand.

No matter where you go in Wyoming there will be less pressure than in most other states. So draw that tag, go hunt, and start planning your next hunt because you will want to go back as soon as possible. Good luck!

[Skyvalhunter]

The muddy waters are starting to clear up for me, thank you guys.  So can I put in for my hard to draw type 1 unit 62 as my first choice, then do a type 9 easier draw unit as my second? And if drawn for my second choice, keep my 10 points?

I wouldn't call 62 a hard to draw area although the success rate is 64%, 64% & 65% the past 3 years. Has 300-320 bulls in it with an exceptional 340 Last year there was a 100% draw for people with 9 points on special lisc draw for that area. So if you do indeed want to spend all you point on 62 then go for it.

[Indian Summer]

I haven’t looked at the odds but if it took 9 to draw I highly doubt he will draw it with 3!

[Craig]

I will give it a shot this year. Going in with max points. Narrowed down to 3-4 units.

[cem3434]

I have only bought points for WY and never applied for elk.  I have 6 points and want to keep building, so I'm looking at 2nd choice hunts to keep my points. Are all 2nd choice hunts random draws and how do you find those draw odds?

[Bob33]

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Drawing-Odds/2017-Drawing-Odds

[Indian Summer]

No sir not all second choice picks will be drawn by random only. There are units where first choice applications don’t take all of the licenses and they go over to 2nd choice apps. Not so long ago we used to pick a tough draw for a first choice hoping for a random draw tag and get our general license as a second choice guaranteed. I sure miss those days!

[CaNINE]

Can you apply for a general tag as a second choice and still keep your preference points? I'm assuming that isn't allowed.

[trophyhunt]

The Wyoming bio I talked to at the sheep show in Reno said you'll almost never get drawn for the second choice?  Anyone draw second choice often?  He also said I have a 50% chance at drawing my unit 62 elk tag this year, 50% minimum, could be higher. 

[bobcat]

You won't draw the general elk license as a second choice. I think it used to be possible but not anymore. If you look at last year's odds it took 2 points for 100% odds of drawing. With less than 2 points, you only had a 4% chance. That's if you have it as a first choice. So there's no way you'd draw as a second choice. Maybe this year it will be different due to the increased price, but I doubt it.

[Jpmiller]

Well the two point for 100% is cool. I'm going no matter what this year to tag along if nothing else but next year I'll have two and I don't know if I can justify two out of state tag along trips in a row lol.

[Mr Mykiss]

The Wyoming bio I talked to at the sheep show in Reno said you'll almost never get drawn for the second choice?  Anyone draw second choice often?  He also said I have a 50% chance at drawing my unit 62 elk tag this year, 50% minimum, could be higher.

I hope you do. However it's literally impossible to predict the draw odds based on preference points...what with 5-50 tags available for NR's in the higher demand units and THOUSANDS of people with 10/11/12 preference points that have just been sitting on the sidelines forever. Especially impossible to predict this year with the price increase...but you gotta put your name in the hat to get selected