WY ‘26 Elk Tag Strategy

[EastTNHunter]

First and foremost, I’m not asking for region or unit numbers. If you want to send me info that may be sensitive to burning spots or areas then I’ll take it by PM, but I’m really just trying to get my proverbial ducks in a row for next season’s application period.

I’ll have 6 points going into the draw, and I had always just thought about getting a regional tag, but now that they’ve broken it up into regions for nonresidents I’m wondering if I should be rethinking that. Here are my priorities for an enjoyable hunt:
1) Use my rifle
2) The fewer the hunters the better, but I know that I’ll see other people afield
3) I’d prefer “any elk” if possible, but I’d honestly be happy just to have a good time and shoot a cow OR bull - I’m not a trophy hunter and value experience and meat over antlers - I’ve seriously considered using my points on a good cow tag if it gives me a good hunt with my son
4) Cool country - that could be any type of experience, from mountain to desert and in-between

Should I be considering a limited entry unit, or sticking to a regional tag because I’m in “no man’s land?” Should I consider a reduced price or leftover cow tag and continue building my points? This style of drawing is so different than what I have in the east that I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around it, especially not having much opportunity to “ground check” locations.

 

[Nick87]

First and foremost, I’m not asking for region or unit numbers. If you want to send me info that may be sensitive to burning spots or areas then I’ll take it by PM, but I’m really just trying to get my proverbial ducks in a row for next season’s application period.

I’ll have 6 points going into the draw, and I had always just thought about getting a regional tag, but now that they’ve broken it up into regions for nonresidents I’m wondering if I should be rethinking that. Here are my priorities for an enjoyable hunt:
1) Use my rifle
2) The fewer the hunters the better, but I know that I’ll see other people afield
3) I’d prefer “any elk” if possible, but I’d honestly be happy just to have a good time and shoot a cow OR bull - I’m not a trophy hunter and value experience and meat over antlers - I’ve seriously considered using my points on a good cow tag if it gives me a good hunt with my son
4) Cool country - that could be any type of experience, from mountain to desert and in-between

Should I be considering a limited entry unit, or sticking to a regional tag because I’m in “no man’s land?” Should I consider a reduced price or leftover cow tag and continue building my points? This style of drawing is so different than what I have in the east that I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around it, especially not having much opportunity to “ground check” locations.

For those points go with the general tag. It will check all those boxes you described depending on which region you choose imo. Good luck!

 

[WapitiBob]

Have you hunted Elk before?

 

[EastTNHunter]

Have you hunted Elk before?

Once… I went with my dad to Colorado about 7 years ago. Used an outfitter with horses. Killed a 5x5 bull the first day. The horses were super nice for getting in pretty far and getting out the elk. I have no idea where I would put another euro mount

 

[kwyeewyk]

Either like Nick said, just go general, or go reduced price cow and keep building. I definitely wouldn't burn 6 on a full price cow tag.

 

[Dan-06]

Ya maybe wait 10 more years or so then try for a better tag .

 

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but general or limited?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[nrpate05]

Sounds like a general tag should do the trick.

 

[jvanhoy]

General tag is a great tag if you do some research. You could always try to draw a reduced price cow tag for the unit you want to burn points on first. Then you will know if you want to go back there for a bull or pick somewhere else.

 

[wytex]

General tag is a great tag if you do some research. You could always try to draw a reduced price cow tag for the unit you want to burn points on first. Then you will know if you want to go back there for a bull or pick somewhere else.

This right here.

 

[2rocky]

General tag is a great tag if you do some research. You could always try to draw a reduced price cow tag for the unit you want to burn points on first. Then you will know if you want to go back there for a bull or pick somewhere else.

Probably the best advice going. I'll add, don't wait for the draw, go check out some units in the summer and make it a family vacation. Nearly every outfitter has a summer program where you can ride or get gear packed into the unit.

 

[WapitiBob]

How old is your son?

 

[EastTNHunter]

Son is currently 10, will be 11 then.

I will stick with the general tag. Just need to decide which region now. Outside shot that I may put in for a cow tag first and hold a year

Thanks all for the input

 

[WapitiBob]

I would sit down and think about future hunts, with and without available points, and a 12 year old that may want to hunt. If I knew you personally, and read the priorities you've laid out, I wouldn't advise you to burn those points in 2026 on a GEN license.

 

[gwhunter]

I would sit down and think about future hunts, with and without available points, and a 12 year old that may want to hunt. If I knew you personally, and read the priorities you've laid out, I wouldn't advise you to burn those points in 2026 on a GEN license.

I agree 100% with this. Ill also be the 4th or 5th person to say getting a type 6 cow tag in one of the general areas you are looking to hunt would be an ideal way to get you and your son exposure to DIY elk hunting while still banking those points to be able to guarantee a general bull tag/any elk tag in an area you have experience in once you have it figured out. You may find out your son doesn't enjoy/isn't ready to hike 2 miles uphill in the dark to get to where the elk are, and that is good info to have prior to feeling like you HAVE to still hunt because you've got 6 years of points tied into a tag.

My kids are younger than yours (6&8), but that's what ive been doing with pronghorn tags until they are old enough to start that same process with elk. We get doe tags or easy to draw unit 700 tags and then get to go at the pace and enjoyment of my kids. Don't want to wakeup while its still dark and you'd rather go eat breakfast at a diner instead of eating out of the cooler? SURE! I want this to be just as enjoyable for you as it is for me and if im stressing about a tag I spent 10 years of points on, I know that's going to spill over into how I 'push' my kids to be able to fill my tag with the best buck, bull, etc. possible instead of the one "they pick".

 

[kwyeewyk]

I didn't catch the part about hunting with your son, assuming he doesn't have any points and will just be accompanying you? Cow tag makes more sense in that case, and a strategy for your points like WapitiBob said. If you burn them now and start over with your son could be 8-10 years or more before you could draw a general together. If you save yours and hunt cows with your son, you could pool your points with him and shave that time down, and get experience for both of you in the meantime. Then if he isn't into it you can burn your points on an LE area or general.

 

[WapitiBob]

One option would be to party app for Cows with the son, full price tag, on a really good unit. Points will be gone, which will only leave a few options going forward, ie Cows, and you could probably do that every year, but it'll get expensive. Eventually you'll need to go special price at $2k.
I think you are a long way from a GEN license if you party app with your son. Waiting is always an option, just not one I advocate; been there, done that, and all it did was make sure I wasn't hunting that state. You could use the points yourself, but the second that hunt is over, I believe you would regret not waiting for him. It sucks, but that's the situation you are in with only 6 points, a young son with no points, and it probably won't get better.
That's the route I have taken; points are gone and at 69, I'll never have enough to draw bull tags from the PP side. I can hunt cows every year, in sagebrush units, good weather, easy country, lots of Elk, and filling the tag isn't really a problem. There are enough bugling bulls around to keep things fun too.
The type 6 reduced price tags are also an option but they aren't easy to draw in the areas I want to hunt. Lots to think about for sure.

I post all that based on your criteria. "My hunting dream is to shoot a Bull Elk" wasn't on the list. To be honest, your criteria is almost a mirror of mine at this point in my life with regards to WY Elk hunting.

1) Use my rifle
2) The fewer the hunters the better, but I know that I’ll see other people afield
3) I’d prefer “any elk” if possible, but I’d honestly be happy just to have a good time and shoot a cow OR bull - I’m not a trophy hunter and value experience and meat over antlers - I’ve seriously considered using my points on a good cow tag if it gives me a good hunt with my son
4) Cool country - that could be any type of experience, from mountain to desert and in-between

 

[EastTNHunter]

I tried the western natural vacation with the fam one year and it went over like a fart in church… and I had to sit in my own pew. My son and I may go back next year to stomp around and look at the flora and fauna, but the girls made it clear that they were not happy with the wide open natural spaces. Apparently I failed somewhere along the way

 

[EastTNHunter]

My son and I will be chasing pronghorn and mule deer in WY this October.

I’ll be thrilled to get a cow tag and save my points till later, but there are SO MANY variables on those tags to wade through that are not intuitive to an NR.

 

[brymoore]

I tried the western natural vacation with the fam one year and it went over like a fart in church… and I had to sit in my own pew. My son and I may go back next year to stomp around and look at the flora and fauna, but the girls made it clear that they were not happy with the wide open natural spaces. Apparently I failed somewhere along the way

I might disown the girls.