2026 Wyoming Cow Elk

[PorterHouse]

I'm still probably a year away from pulling the General Elk tag for Wyoming, so in the meantime my hunting partner and I are looking at doing cow tags for 2026. I don't want to get into specifics on an open forum but if any of the HT brain trust has any insight (Wyoming resident, previous experience, etc.) and are willing to let me run some ideas by you, please shoot me a PM. We would also consider a reasonable trespass fee for access if you or anyone you know allow that. Thanks!

 

[2rocky]

a $100-$200 membership in Hunting Fool or Rolling Bones would get you vetted cow elk outfitters who have established those relationships already. You might even find a semi guided opportunity for when you draw your general tag. They don't advertise all their opportunities...

https://test.rollingbonesoutfitters.com/hunts/1818

Available Hunt Listings | Huntin' Fool Adventures

The Huntin' Fool is your guide to western big game hunting, tag services, and consulting by providing the finest Hunter Services Program in the world.

www.huntinfool.com

 

[Dsnow9]

I’ve got a spot for you sir, I can even send you pins of where to find the elk. You can pick up my cart on the way through Denver!

The elk are only ten miles back and no drinkable water on public…

 

[williaada]

I’ve got a spot for you sir, I can even send you pins of where to find the elk. You can pick up my cart on the way through Denver!

The elk are only ten miles back and no drinkable water on public…

Are you referring to your cart left nearby to help the next person haul the quarters out ? Asking for a friend…

 

[Dsnow9]

Are you referring to your cart left nearby to help the next person haul the quarters out ? Asking for a friend…

I have the cart, and the parts of the abandoned cart I took out of that God forsaken hellscape. I may be using it in a couple weeks though… I think I need to see a therapist or something…. If anyone is interested in taking the cart for a spin I will trade the rental of said cart for photos with way points. PM your plan and I will determine if it is worthy!

 

[Nick87]

I have the cart, and the parts of the abandoned cart I took out of that God forsaken hellscape. I may be using it in a couple weeks though… I think I need to see a therapist or something…. If anyone is interested in taking the cart for a spin I will trade the rental of said cart for photos with way points. PM your plan and I will determine if it is worthy!

Glutton for punisnment?

 

[PorterHouse]

I’ve got a spot for you sir, I can even send you pins of where to find the elk. You can pick up my cart on the way through Denver!

The elk are only ten miles back and no drinkable water on public…

Ha! Don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten the Season of Stupid thread my friend.

Pack another elk out of a hole somewhere in Colorado with you? I’m game.

20 miles round trip for a cow? I think @Nick87 might be right…

 

[Dsnow9]

Ha! Don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten the Season of Stupid thread my friend.

Pack another elk out of a hole somewhere in Colorado with you? I’m game.

20 miles round trip for a cow? I think @Nick87 might be right…

Oh come on!

And it’s only 20 miles if you get them on the first day and pack out camp in one shot!

Oh man this is stupid, just thinking about it makes me question my life choices. Better go do it in December to make sure it’s as stupid as I remember.

 

[Nick87]

20 miles round trip for a cow? I think @Nick87 might be right

Ive done stupider things.

 

[INMT]

Ive done stupider things.

That probably didn’t involve elk hunting.

 

[Nick87]

That probably didn’t involve elk hunting.

Yep

 

[The_Jim]

There’s a few options left but you’re not the only one who’s had that idea. I used to draw reduced price tags in the leftover draw for a unit. That unit had 25% odds for the primary draw last year.

 

[PorterHouse]

That’s what I’m gathering…

 

[Dsnow9]

That’s what I’m gathering…

 

[PorterHouse]

I know, I know. I’m keeping it in my back pocket.

 

[605]

My uncle has 6 preference points and is considering General W or limited areas like 39, 40 or 41. Is the General tag better that smaller limited quota areas?

 

[EastTNHunter]

Welcome to HuntTalk

 

[Six by five]

Welcome! Cow hunting to learn a drawable unit is a great way to do it. Here's my recommendation for what it's worth...

It is literally very hard to learn any unit without putting in the time on the ground

-Pick a handful of units that you might want to hunt for a bull
-See if those same units have type 4 Full price cow tags or easy draw success on type 6
-Apply 1st choice in a unit you won't draw and draw the type 4 Full price cow tag 2nd choice to learn the unit at roughly the same dates that your bull tag will be on the next trip

-Type 6 cow tags are great but you have to check the dates because often they are much later than the bull seasons

Happy hunting

 

[schmej20]

Im doing the same this year !

 

[Xploreum]

I'm still probably a year away from pulling the General Elk tag for Wyoming, so in the meantime my hunting partner and I are looking at doing cow tags for 2026. I don't want to get into specifics on an open forum but if any of the HT brain trust has any insight (Wyoming resident, previous experience, etc.) and are willing to let me run some ideas by you, please shoot me a PM. We would also consider a reasonable trespass fee for access if you or anyone you know allow that. Thanks!

PM sent. But also wanted to mention publicly for anyone else in this thread: if you're still working through the options, we have a guided cow elk hunt listed on Xploreum (xploreum.io) out of Cody Wyoming. 3 days horseback 12 miles into the Washakie Wilderness of Shoshone National Forest. Licensed outfitter with a verifiable special use permit, small group, all meals included, November dates available September 30 through December 20. Non-resident OTC cow tags are easy to draw in that area so no waiting around for points.


I'm one of the co-founders of Xploreum. Happy to answer questions here or via DM.