A wyoming antelope question?

[Deleted member 56225]

I can't wait for this. This has good potential. I will probably not draw the unit I want in Wyoming. I have ten pp's. I am not holding out for a trophy unit, though the area I want to draw is a trophy unit (ironic I know). This is where you all can tear me apart. I really want to hunt this unit for the area and the topography. Its about the whole time and experience . A long while ago (35 years) we always drove through this country from Colorado to the Wind River range to go fishing. And when I started putting in for speed goats I applied in this area. I am pretty sure that you all who know this area I am talking about. I know and understand that shooting a nice goat is attainable in a lot of places in Wyoming (especially with 10 pp). To clarify, I know hunting pronghorn is the easiest hunt. I just want to enjoy the hunt and the area I get to hunt.....THE AREA I GET TO HUNT, is important to me. So I guess the question is, if you really want to hunt a specific area for the whole experience of the hunt and area, do you hold out for more pp's or go next door (unit) ?

 

[johnnybow]

I can't wait for this. This has good potential. I will probably not draw the unit I want in Wyoming. I have ten pp's. I am not holding out for a trophy unit, though the area I want to draw is a trophy unit (ironic I know). This is where you all can tear me apart. I really want to hunt this unit for the area and the topography. Its about the whole time and experience . A long while ago (35 years) we always drove through this country from Colorado to the Wind River range to go fishing. And when I started putting in for speed goats I applied in this area. I am pretty sure that you all who know this area I am talking about. I know and understand that shooting a nice goat is attainable in a lot of places in Wyoming (especially with 10 pp). To clarify, I know hunting pronghorn is the easiest hunt. I just want to enjoy the hunt and the area I get to hunt.....THE AREA I GET TO HUNT, is important to me. So I guess the question is, if you really want to hunt a specific area for the whole experience of the hunt and area, do you hold out for more pp's or go next door (unit) ?

Personally I would go to a different area. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and with 10 points you have some serious options. There is alot of beautiful areas in wyoming

 

[Pucky Freak]

10PP is about 10PP too many. ANY WY unit can be fun if there are lope to chase on accessible land. I’ve had 5 WY antelope tags in 5 years. All public land DIY. These are marginal units, and we are talking 5 or fewer opportunities to shoot a buck. Last I heard, the bag limit was 1, so that is 5 times more than you need. With some planning, persistence, and strategy, you can make it work.

Pick a unit that drew out at 5-6PP last year and go hunting. Don’t overthink it. You probably won’t have more fun hunting a 10PP unit than a 6PP unit. These are meaningless numbers and it is all in your head.

 

[Bullshot]

There’s going to be advice on both sides, none of which is wrong. Pucky saying it’s all in your head is correct. So many units can provide a great hunt. But you saying your head is set on an area is also true. I’ve done both, maybe call it a mixture. I do focus in on an area over just the ability to draw, but I have absolutely floated around 6 or 7 different antelope units based on the realities of odds and pref point needs too. I have never gotten to hunt the same unit twice. That said, I have never had a bad hunt in WY but some areas have been more fun than others and so choices can matter if you are looking for that more than looking to bag a particular animal. One benefit of just trying new spots is that you end up with a portfolio of knowledge and choices over time. Good luck in the draw.

 

[Khunter]

I can't wait for this. This has good potential. I will probably not draw the unit I want in Wyoming. I have ten pp's. I am not holding out for a trophy unit, though the area I want to draw is a trophy unit (ironic I know). This is where you all can tear me apart. I really want to hunt this unit for the area and the topography. Its about the whole time and experience . A long while ago (35 years) we always drove through this country from Colorado to the Wind River range to go fishing. And when I started putting in for speed goats I applied in this area. I am pretty sure that you all who know this area I am talking about. I know and understand that shooting a nice goat is attainable in a lot of places in Wyoming (especially with 10 pp). To clarify, I know hunting pronghorn is the easiest hunt. I just want to enjoy the hunt and the area I get to hunt.....THE AREA I GET TO HUNT, is important to me. So I guess the question is, if you really want to hunt a specific area for the whole experience of the hunt and area, do you hold out for more pp's or go next door (unit) ?

Next door all day long. Can you really say a more drawable area is less scenic etc? Just BC you traveled an area in the way to elswhere as a kid is a POOR reason to hunt less often waiting and waiting to draw.

Go experience the other areas this summer and see for yourself.

 

[Pucky Freak]

I lost the reference, but a few years ago someone crunched WG&F #’s and determined that more trophy bucks are taken off their agency’s designated opportunity units than their designated trophy units.

A 2-yr-old buck can be at its max score, and protecting hundreds of bucks by issuing limited permits doesn’t make for bigger bucks. Essentially, your high point unit just lets you look over tons of animals, and harvest the one of your choosing. Not my cup of tea tea, but some people prefer the grocery aisle experience and are willing to wait 10, 15 years or longer to do it.

 

[Addicting]

I am fortunate to be able to get donated VET tags off the return list every year. I have hunted a handful of different units and have not had a bad experience. The unit I waited 7 years to draw was a lot of fun and I shot my biggest there. But I’ve seen just as big in a lot of other units.

 

[TheTone]

I cashed in 11 last year in an area I think I could have drawn with 8 or so. I wanted scenery and public land and was thrilled with both in my area. My only regrets were due to lack of time and not camping out in the desert. I’m going to keep applying for that area in the future in hopes of pulling a random tag