Wyoming 40-1 elk

[weatherbow21]

I realize this is really bad juju to make your first post one that is asking for help on a unit you drew, but that is where I'm at. I drew a wyoming 40-1 elk tag and scouted the unit this past weekend, I'm in washington state so drawing a tag in a unit I've never stepped foot in that is 3 states away has really been stressing me out. Seeing the unit in person helped me a ton, I've been doing as much scouting as I can online but its just been tough for me to get a good feeling for a lay of the land. I also had no idea how accessible my potential camping spots where, knowing the area is prone to early snow it was nice to see all of the bumpy un-maintained roads in person. I don't have too much worry on finding elk, I'm just hoping to find someone who has past experience or local knowledge of this unit so I can ask some elk behavior and weather questions.

 

[375H&H]

When are you planning on hunting and do you have a tracked ATV?

 

[weatherbow21]

When are you planning on hunting and do you have a tracked ATV?

We will be there for the opener with plans to hunt 7 days, no tracks on our ATVs no. Those roads would be hell with a tracked machine and no snow

 

[weatherbow21]

One of the things I was really surprised with on this area was how difficult it seemed like it is to get away from roads. It was pretty obvious what parts of the unit has elk country, but it seemed almost every ridge has a road or two track on it, I'd glass a nice looking meadow or mesa and check my map, almost all these spots had really easy access into them. Anyone have input on this? I've got such a big mix of opinions on what hunting this unit is like, its difficult for me to formulate a strategy.

 

[weatherbow21]

Well we were able to get 2 bulls and 2 bucks. My wife killed a really great buck we rough scored at 185 on opening day, I got just a decent 6 point and my dad got a great old 6x7. My father in law filled his deer tag on the last day with a smaller 3 point, the weather warmed up after a couple days and the deer hunting got really tough especially at the end of the week. First couple days I was thinking we should have all just been deer hunting. I suppose a tracked machine would have been nice to get to camp the first day but really would have been a waste. Elk were very plentiful, although we ran into people saying they don't know where all the elk are? This was a tough hunt because we are from Washington and it seemed no one wanted to share info, thats fine I can figure elk out they aren't that tough to find but if I had it to do over I would have done things much different. I'm not a good trophy hunter but I could have been on this hunt knowing what I learned after a couple days in the unit.

 

[Bowhuntrben]

Congrats! Any pics!

 

[fishing4sanity]

Congratulations! I'd love to see pics if you don't mind sharing them, sounds like you guys had a great hunt.