Is chasing Wyoming permits worth it?

[LCH]

Sheesh this thread took a turn for the worst. I enjoyed trikes perspective. I honestly don’t believe it’s worth it for most.

I also sometimes see new hunters posting here wanting to do a DIY backpack elk hunt, and they never have shot that doe on the back-40. Talk about jumping straight into the deep end.

 

[WildWill]

We need a lot of footage of my feet when the boots come off for the stalk. It’ll be premium content

 

[sneakem]

My perspective... For some people it may not be worth it... But don't kid yourself, Wyoming offers a lot of bang for your $$$. especially if you are not chasing the once in a lifetime units. The option on most hunts to pursue with archery gear, then rifle, also a liberal late antlerless season in most elk units. As a guy that has been saving a couple hundred buck a year from not eating fast food etc. saving a few bucks here and there, it's totally doable with a little sacrifice, just depends on your priorities in life. (hunting is mine of course). While WY does not have the number of elk that CO does, the quality and general hunts are 10X better. I'd pay a little more for a better experience.

The elk hunts are great, fantastic opportunity at better than average bulls in almost all units. Hands down the best pronghorn hunting in the world, and the deer likely in the upper half of the western states... But why spend $$$ for a quality hunt when you can spend much less and have a crappy overcrowded cheap experience....

If you are trying to catch the premier hunts and are behind the ball, this is likely not a good choice. But waiting a few years for a better experience is worth every penny IMO...

 

[Caseknife]

Actually, don't have to chase Wyoming elk points at all if you want to hunt elk in Wyoming as a NR. Could hunt pretty much every year with 0-1 point in quality units for cow elk which are a LOT bigger than doe whitetail.

 

[El Jason]

Actually, don't have to chase Wyoming elk points at all if you want to hunt elk in Wyoming as a NR. Could hunt pretty much every year with 0-1 point in quality units for cow elk which are a LOT bigger than doe whitetail.

 

[270elk]

Developing a plan is key to hunting in Wyoming. It took me 12 points to get a bull of a lifetime. During that timeframe I took 6 cows, 3 antelope, and one nice mule deer. Was the wait worth it? For me yes!

 

[rjthehunter]

rjthehunter is half the age and twice as smart

Hey I'll take compliments where I can get em!

DouglasR. I was quoting rjthehunter.

I had almost forgotten about that, but its definitely how he outs himself!

 

[Trike23]

Actually, don't have to chase Wyoming elk points at all if you want to hunt elk in Wyoming as a NR. Could hunt pretty much every year with 0-1 point in quality units for cow elk which are a LOT bigger than doe whitetail.

That is a very good point. Also one I personally have thought about despite the fact that I Won’t have the easy access in the unit I draw more then likely. Most of the point I was making was just a observation. Not even something I’m perusing personally. Personally I’m sitting on some points and trying to decide if I want to wait or just blow them.
The whitetail doe thing has gotten spun up on here and taken WAY WAY out of context by a few jokers. First off nobody goes anywhere to hunt a doe. Second OTC licenses, and tags in the east come WITH BUCK AND DOE TAGS. Not just a Doe hunt. You get in many cases multipule tags for both sexes all you do is go to ole walmart and buy a license. Also! a cow elk is much bigger then a single doe whitetail. It’s not much bigger then 3 or 4 of them plus you STILL (important.) can kill up to 3 bucks. Agian!! Nothing against elk hunting nothing against western states. PURELY talking about traveling hunters looking to hunt.

 

[Kevin W]

Not so fast there Trike23. Would you mind explaining why you did not list BuzzH on your list of elk gods (page 5 post no 95). We keep receipts here!!!

 

[Trike23]

Not so fast there Trike23. Would you mind explaining why you did not list BuzzH on your list of elk gods (page 5 post no 95). We keep receipts here!!!

This place is better then twitter. I have found a new home during those slow work days .

 

[schmej20]

You might consider cashing them in on a general unit. All of the Montana residents that I've talked to that have hunted general elk units in Wyoming have said its worth it. Based on those conversations, I think the general elk hunting in Wyoming is significantly better than what we have here in Montana.

I agree. I think hunting general west is worth it. Especially if you have someone to take you into wilderness areas.

 

[17remhunter]

As a mid range point holder in Wyoming who has yet to hunt there I have been thinking frequently about if it is even worth chasing deer and elk permits specifically, but even antelope seems to be getting out of control with what I would consider “good tags” taking in the realm of 10 points to draw. I can’t help but notice right now there are multiple threads on here basically discussing the same subject - “Trying to burn 7 elk points, mid range point purgatory”, and others.

Understanding that this conversation is different for everyone based on expectations for what these points will offer, I think the difference in point requirements is fascinating. For deer many of the permitted areas are taking in excess of 14 points to draw while many of the general tags, (excluding G/H) may only take 2 points. The same is true of elk, with the point differentials for general tags being different. In the same vein, random draw applications are generally sub 5% and offer a little hope.

When I started applying in Wyoming my goal was to chase tags that may provide different opportunities than what I can experience on general tags in Montana. As time goes on reality is sinking in that even with going into the special draw it may take me an additional 7-10 years of points just to get into those type of tags. The situation begs the question of if it’s even worth ending up on this mid range point purgatory, or if cashing out every so
Often on general tags would be a more rewarding strategy. But as someone who is fortunate enough to live in a western state with general tags I fail to see the value in that for my situation.

The money is one thing, but I think this subject is one that people evaluating future applications in Wyoming need to seriously consider before they spend years of time buying points. When the day comes that I do finally draw tags, it is hard to Imagine what the draw tag situation will be like then and I seriously doubt it will be worth getting back into the game from a time perspective.

I came to the same conclusion. For me its not worth the $ and waiting to draw a Buck or Bull tag Growing up in Nevada I drew every year. Not anymore so I had to come to grips and ask myself why I enjoy hunting My conclusion is that I enjoy being out and seeing big came. Now I run a trap line for coyotes and bobcats Do a lot of calling and draw a mule deer doe tag and cow elk tag often. Im spending way more time out and Im seeing lots of game

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I came to the same conclusion. For me its not worth the $ and waiting to draw a Buck or Bull tag Growing up in Nevada I drew every year. Not anymore so I had to come to grips and ask myself why I enjoy hunting My conclusion is that I enjoy being out and seeing big came. Now I run a trap line for coyotes and bobcats Do a lot of calling and draw a mule deer doe tag and cow elk tag often. Im spending way more time out and Im seeing lots of game

Who can believe a thing you type? You’re a pathological lying sack of raccoon chit.

 

[Zim]

I'm really disgusted with the high % of trolls on ALL the hunting forums these days whose parents were so awesome they couldn't teach them "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all". I swear, it get's worse every year. These negative comments clutter up every thread and a guy's gotta sift through mountains of them to actually read about the topic. Somehow I've avoided making an unprovoked personal attack on anyone since my first forum post in 1996. I just don't get it. What's so hard about this concept?

This started out as another good thread eleven pages ago. To the OP, the answer to your question is yes in my opinion. As long as the system doesn't change, as they always do. I just would not aim high. Nothing above a general tag these days. Otherwise you are playing bait-n-switch with each state. Unfortunately, I've found you can't make long term plans. Your plans are dictated by which state has a point devaluation scheme brewing. This year it's Colorado. Probably Nevada will be next? That's what you have to go by.



Make HT Great Again.

 

[Trike23]

I'm really disgusted with the high % of trolls on ALL the hunting forums these days whose parents were so awesome they couldn't teach them "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all". I swear, it get's worse every year. These negative comments clutter up every thread and a guy's gotta sift through mountains of them to actually read about the topic. Somehow I've avoided making an unprovoked personal attack on anyone since my first forum post in 1996. I just don't get it. What's so hard about this concept?

Guys are just unhappy in their lives. They have to crap on everyone in a feeble attempt to make them feel as bad as they do. I actually think this is a great debate also. Anybody that is just getting into the western hunting game should know how hard it is. Ron Spomer just did a great video on his podcast channel about this very topic on tags and points and such.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Good to see everyone is getting along in here and there is nothing unusual at all.

That said I’m buying points as long as I have health and it fits the budget.

I was lucky enough to have NM residency for the last 12 years so I was able to stack up a lot of points in WY, CO, and MT. I’m at the point now where I’ll start unloading and cycling around different states and hunts.

The perk of living in Missouri is I can also kill unlimited does.