Wyoming Elk 2023

[finnman]

We are tentatively booked with our outfitter for Nov. 2-6. If others do not draw we may be able to move up a week or so.
Excited to get over there and hunt unit 7 bulls. 

[Skyvalhunter]

I was hoping to draw this year sitting on 13 points but very doubtful. Wanted to hunt the wilderness area near the park  to catch the migration. Since I don't have relatives there and those with horses it looks like I am out. It's a shame that out of state hunting has come to a rich man's sport. By the time you figure all the licenses, point purchases, and to hire a guide ( one wanting 15k) a hunt like that takes me out of the game. The outfitters I talked to want a down payment first even not know if I will draw so the money sits in their bank account. Many of those tags get locked up by the outfitters  throwing their hunters into a pool with 10 plus other guys so it's a one draw all draw scenario. Making an applicant that wants to apply by his self on the shorter end of the stick odds wise. I get it the guides have to look out for their clientele or rich hunters but it's evolved into something I didn't anticipate when I first started.

[dilleytech]

I was hoping to draw this year sitting on 13 points but very doubtful. Wanted to hunt the wilderness area near the park  to catch the migration. Since I don't have relatives there and those with horses it looks like I am out. It's a shame that out of state hunting has come to a rich man's sport. By the time you figure all the licenses, point purchases, and to hire a guide ( one wanting 15k) a hunt like that takes me out of the game. The outfitters I talked to want a down payment first even not know if I will draw so the money sits in their bank account. Many of those tags get locked up by the outfitters  throwing their hunters into a pool with 10 plus other guys so it's a one draw all draw scenario. Making an applicant that wants to apply by his self on the shorter end of the stick odds wise. I get it the guides have to look out for their clientele or rich hunters but it's evolved into something I didn't anticipate when I first started.

For you is a guided hunt the only option? Something I never considered when hunting out of state. The hunting is good enough it never seemed necessary. Out of state elk hunts points an all seem like a 3k hunt every 10 years. Not to expensive.

[Buckhunter24]

I think wyoming wilderness requires a guide for non-residents

[Skyvalhunter]

I was hoping to draw this year sitting on 13 points but very doubtful. Wanted to hunt the wilderness area near the park  to catch the migration. Since I don't have relatives there and those with horses it looks like I am out. It's a shame that out of state hunting has come to a rich man's sport. By the time you figure all the licenses, point purchases, and to hire a guide ( one wanting 15k) a hunt like that takes me out of the game. The outfitters I talked to want a down payment first even not know if I will draw so the money sits in their bank account. Many of those tags get locked up by the outfitters  throwing their hunters into a pool with 10 plus other guys so it's a one draw all draw scenario. Making an applicant that wants to apply by his self on the shorter end of the stick odds wise. I get it the guides have to look out for their clientele or rich hunters but it's evolved into something I didn't anticipate when I first started.

For you is a guided hunt the only option? Something I never considered when hunting out of state. The hunting is good enough it never seemed necessary. Out of state elk hunts points an all seem like a 3k hunt every 10 years. Not to expensive.

As stated above to hunt the wilderness a non resident has to hunt with a guide

[dvolmer]

Or a non-resident can hunt the wilderness without a guide if he is accompanied by a resident of the state of Wyoming.

[Skyvalhunter]

What's the chance of that happening unless it's a relative and they have horses. Very slim.

[Alan K]

Plenty of good area in WY that may as well be wilderness without officially being such if its a wilderness feel you're after.

[Ghost Hunter]

 

What's the chance of that happening unless it's a relative and they have horses. Very slim.

If I'm still up for the hike in a general area?   No horses.  Good enough.   

[Jpmiller]

What's the chance of that happening unless it's a relative and they have horses. Very slim.

I fall into this category and understand completely how lucky I am. My aunt also works for the outfitter at the ranch next door which furthers my good fortune.

[Skyvalhunter]

What's the chance of that happening unless it's a relative and they have horses. Very slim.

I fall into this category and understand completely how lucky I am. My aunt also works for the outfitter at the ranch next door which furthers my good fortune.

Yea consider yourself a lucky man. I wish I knew a rancher or hunter that would be willing to take another hunter into their camp. But wishing usually gets you no where.

[buglebrush]

It's not too difficult to find a Wyoming resident if you're the one bringing the stock.  We rented llamas, and had a great young guy jump at the chance to hunt the wilderness.  Plenty of Wyoming residents would love to hunt the Wilderness, but can't because they don't have stock. 

[idaho guy]

I was hoping to draw this year sitting on 13 points but very doubtful. Wanted to hunt the wilderness area near the park  to catch the migration. Since I don't have relatives there and those with horses it looks like I am out. It's a shame that out of state hunting has come to a rich man's sport. By the time you figure all the licenses, point purchases, and to hire a guide ( one wanting 15k) a hunt like that takes me out of the game. The outfitters I talked to want a down payment first even not know if I will draw so the money sits in their bank account. Many of those tags get locked up by the outfitters  throwing their hunters into a pool with 10 plus other guys so it's a one draw all draw scenario. Making an applicant that wants to apply by his self on the shorter end of the stick odds wise. I get it the guides have to look out for their clientele or rich hunters but it's evolved into something I didn't anticipate when I first started.

   

I was watching one of the 100s podcast on how to “fix” western draw systems by Randy newberg. It could have been any of the different hunting personalities as they are all simultaneously promoting to DEATH western draws and hunts and then telling the state how to “fix” the draw systems that these promoters of western hunting have broke themselves. I really like Randy’s stuff(rarely Watch podcasts in general)but I think on your own adventures is one of the best programs, so this is not aimed at him. The industry of tag services (hunting fool etc) social media and things like go hunt have promoted and glorified western hunting to the point of breaking it. Then they all do articles and podcasts on how the states need to fix it lol. Western states draw systems were never designed to have most hunters in all 50 states applying for a limited number of tags. Your last sentence stuck out to me “it’s evolved into something I didn’t anticipate when I first started.” The industry needs to keep us in what feels like a Ponzi scheme especially for premier tags. 20-30 years ago it worked in the beginning but at this point it’s not in reach of your average joe hunter. The industry broke the system, have to keep us invested to stay in business and then wine that the states need to fix it 😂😂😂. There is an article called the go hunt effect that’s really interesting. Shows the actual number of hunters declining at the same time western states apps are skyrocketing. They have to convince us to apply apply apply. The math doesn’t work very well anymore. I’m just hunting my home state a lot more there’s a ton of areas and hunts I have yet to explore. If I try and hunt every otc season in Idaho including predators I am busy year around. Hope everyone can get some tags! Sorry for the derailment of this thread I just related 100 percent to your last sentence. The whole system of western hunting has evolved into something no one anticipated. The only way to fix it is if the majority of hunters start approaching out of state Draws more rationally

[2MANY]

The commercialization of our resources is the problem.
Everyone wants to make a buck doing what they love while they are 100% screwing up the resources.
2Many with 2Much easy info.
Wait till man's greed finally suceeds in screwing up our planet.
Are we gonna sit around and say we didn't see that coming too?
If ya can't see a train coming down the tracks, I guess you might as well just stand between them.

[Dark2Dark]

My group of three is officially in for the draw hoping for a general tag. We shouuuuuld draw. Still trying to nail down exactly where we will be.