WY Antelope Cash In

[RallyDawg]

My boys (5 and 7) are finally old enough to tag along on a hunt so I have decided to cash in my WY antelope points.  I currently have 5 points and do not have a problem going into the special draw since we are already planning on being in the Grand Tetons the first half of the trip.  I have been looking into Unit 72 since I would have good odds in the regular draw but wanted to know if there are any other unit that one would recommend if they were taking out kids while still having a high potential for success.  I want this to been a great leaning experience for the boys so I am not planning on holding out and burning points waiting for monster. 

Feel free to PM me.

[opdinkslayer]

Look at the odds,tag numbers & amount of public ground in the unit. Killing an antelope in Wyoming is pretty much a guarantee if you can shoot straight & not looking for an 80”er

[Karl Blanchard]

If you try and draw 72 regular with 5pts you won't draw. Id look elsewhere or go special. Even special may creep on you though. Between high demand and big tag cuts, id be looking at 3pt units

[RallyDawg]

If you try and draw 72 regular with 5pts you won't draw. Id look elsewhere or go special. Even special may creep on you though. Between high demand and big tag cuts, id be looking at 3pt units

Thanks for the advise.  I was wondering about points creep this year in combo of the cuts and how similar the 2020 odds stated in their Hunt Planner compared to this year would be.  According to the 2020 odds you drew with 5 points for 72. 

[Ridgerunner]

Look at special, will open up lots of options.  You shouldn't have a problem finding and killing a good antelope in units you can draw with 5 points at all, even with your kids. 

[ShaneTyTrey]

If you try and draw 72 regular with 5pts you won't draw. Id look elsewhere or go special. Even special may creep on you though. Between high demand and big tag cuts, id be looking at 3pt units

100% agree, point creep has been lately on many units and the tags cuts this year are going to really mix things up.  Good luck.

[Bob33]

Here are 2020 draw odds:

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Drawing-Odds/2020-Drawing-Odds

In the 2020 preference points draw five points would have almost certain worked, and in the Special draw it took four points. Add another point for points creep and possibly more, although the proposal for 72 is to increase type 1 licenses from 600 to 700 this year so that helps.

I've hunted that unit before several times and enjoyed it. There is a fair amount of public land interspersed throughout. An ownership chip like onX is essential.  Good luck.

[RallyDawg]

I tried looking for the project 2021 tag allocations for each unit but couldn't find anything on their website.  Where did you see that 72 is getting a tag increase?   

[Bob33]

I tried looking for the project 2021 tag allocations for each unit but couldn't find anything on their website.  Where did you see that 72 is getting a tag increase?

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/April_CH-5_Draft-3-22-2021-4.pdf

[RallyDawg]

Thanks.

[Farmer72]

If you look the regs. are up for 2021 with the current numbers. The commission adopted the proposals but the governor has to do the final sign-off yet.

[Pathfinder101]

Just lurking here.   I'll have 5 points after I buy this summer.  Might cash mine in next year...

[actionshooter]

I'm cashing in my 7 points this year and from everything I have read, I'll probably be putting in for a 4 point unit just so we can avoid the point creep.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm cashing in my 7 points this year and from everything I have read, I'll probably be putting in for a 4 point unit just so we can avoid the point creep.

im in with 7 as well. Can't believe I'm antelope hunting instead of mule deer hunting in WY this year 🤦‍♂️ 

[andrew_in_idaho]

I'm cashing in my 7 points this year and from everything I have read, I'll probably be putting in for a 4 point unit just so we can avoid the point creep.

im in with 7 as well. Can't believe I'm antelope hunting instead of mule deer hunting in WY this year 🤦‍♂️ 

Antelope hunting is better than hunting those big stinky elk at least


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[jamesfromseattle]

I'm in with 6 this year.  Eyeing a unit where most drew with less than 5 last year, but the tag cuts are making me nervous.  Might go even more conservative because I'd really like to go hunting this year.

I did not intend to acquire 6 points but I've gotten burned by point creep the couple previous times I've put in.  And gotten statistically unlucky in addition to the point creep.  My wife, on the other hand, has put in for moonshot random tags and drawn twice.  Go figure.

[go4steelhd]

If you draw 72 you will see lots of bucks every day maybe even a big buck. Your kids will enjoy it. Antelope is one of my favorites to take my son on.( He’s 6 now and I have taken him on three antelope hunts)

[RallyDawg]

Thanks for all the info.  I have decided to go in the special draw for 72.  I have OnX but would like to get map that shows public roads since it is a bit checkerboarded.  What is the best place to get a map with public/county roads? 

[Bob33]

http://www.natrona.net/67/Road-Bridge

You can view a county map there.

There are several public sections off Poison Spider Road.

Good luck.

[actionshooter]

I'm cashing in my 7 points this year and from everything I have read, I'll probably be putting in for a 4 point unit just so we can avoid the point creep.

im in with 7 as well. Can't believe I'm antelope hunting instead of mule deer hunting in WY this year 🤦‍♂️ 

Don't feel right does it?? LOL

[RallyDawg]

I am also considering 73 as a first choice since it has a little better access.  Looking at all that numbers, 72 and 73 seem like very similar units.  73 has a little better access given there is more county roads in the unit but there is 1200 tags compared to the 700 tags for 72 which has fewer public roads for access.  With those who have been in these units would you consider it a coin toss between the two? 

[Karl Blanchard]

Personally if I was ok with going special with 5pts I'd be looking at some better units. 77, 78, 79, or 80. Less hunters, more dirt, better trophy potential 

[Bob33]

I am also considering 73 as a first choice since it has a little better access.  Looking at all that numbers, 72 and 73 seem like very similar units.  73 has a little better access given there is more county roads in the unit but there is 1200 tags compared to the 700 tags for 72 which has fewer public roads for access.  With those who have been in these units would you consider it a coin toss between the two?

Between the two I would choose 73 over 72. There is more public and walk-in access.

[RallyDawg]

Thanks.  I was looking at 77-80 as well early on but our trip has use in the Casper area from the Sept. 14th-20th.  `Since I am introducing the boys to big game I would be happy with an average size buck.

[Bob33]

Thanks.  I was looking at 77-80 as well early on but our trip has use in the Casper area from the Sept. 14th-20th.  `Since I am introducing the boys to big game I would be happy with an average size buck.

I think you will have a lot of fun if you hunt 73. I've killed some nice bucks in it. Good luck.

[actionshooter]

 After way too many hours on Gohunt, I have decided to do 73 also. I'm locked into the last week of September and this is the best looking option in that range.   The questions is should we do the special or roll the dice? I have 7 points and my partner has 6.

[Karl Blanchard]

Id probably be considering special after the world reads about 73 on this forum  first rule of fight club is never talk about fight club 

[actionshooter]

Id probably be considering special after the world reads about 73 on this forum  first rule of fight club is never talk about fight club 

Ya, kinda was thinking that as I was writing, but all the "secret" has been worn off this one..   

[Karl Blanchard]

Well now it is haha. But seriously, 73 got tags cut plus increased participation in all draws across the west.  Id be building in some serious cushion i.e. special or undershoot on points by 2 if my vacation is already on the calendar 

[Bob33]

Unit 73 got quite popular about six or seven years ago when Eastman wrote about it. Before that it was possible to draw just about every year with a Special application and every other year with a standard application. Leftover doe/fawn licenses were also available every year. Times have changed.

[Limhangerslayer]

There are better units that take less points imho.

[vandeman17]

I have been looking at 78 and 79 since we struck out on elk. Both seem like they could be a fun hunt and not too terrible of a drive.

[Pathfinder101]

There are better units that take less points imho.

Hmmm.... That's what I say whenever someone brings up a unit that I want to put in for... 

[Limhangerslayer]

There are better units that take less points imho.

Hmmm.... That's what I say whenever someone brings up a unit that I want to put in for... 

 

[WAcoueshunter]

There are better units that take less points imho.

Hmmm.... That's what I say whenever someone brings up a unit that I want to put in for... 

I hear the Eastmans guys try to downplay all the 80” goats in the 70s units to keep them for themselves and their app clients. Ever notice how much they say they like the red desert units?  Who knows, could just be rumors on the street   

[RallyDawg]

I drew for 73.  Put in for doe tags in some surrounding areas too but were unsuccessful.  Should be a great experience for the boys. 

I have compact Outdoorsman tripod that I use for backpack trips but was thinking of getting a taller tripod for my spotter since its wide open and a lot of scouting will be close to the truck.  I think a taller tripod would be better since its largely flat/rolling county compared to a compact one.  Curious how many of you guys run a tall tripod?   

[Stein]

I usually sit and glass or glass on a side window tripod, not to hard to get above the sagebrush.  I never bought a stand up tripod because I just don't think I would get much use out of it.  I also don't really care to split hairs on 1/2" of horn on an antelope, if you are looking to maximize the buck it may make some sense.

[WAcoueshunter]

I like the tall tripod for antelope since you’re glassing from the truck so much.  I took my medium Outdoorsman last time I hunted speed goats in WY, but quickly switched back to my tall Alta tripod so I could stand.

[carpsniperg2]

If I am running around roads glassing trying to locate goats then I run a full size.

I also carry a smaller tri pod that I toss in my pack when I go on foot .

[Bob33]

If I'm on a road most of my scoping is done from a window mount. One thing to consider in Wyoming is wind. Even in a vehicle the wind can move you around; on a tall tripod you might have difficulty getting a steady image in high winds. While walking I take a Bogpod to steady my optics and to shoot from if necessary.

[Widgeondeke]

Congrats on drawing the tag.  Look forward to the story this fall.

[Wingin it]

Congrats on the tag! It should be a great hunt and experience for your boys. I’m looking forward to hearing the story and hearing about the boys big adventure. Don’t forget to fill us in on the details this fall. Good luck 👍