wyoming elk unit 56 succses

[Jchristians]

Good day, This fall my father and i went on an elk hunt in unit 56 archery hunt. we had never hunt that unit before. we got a couple bulls to bugle and got into some fresh elk sign but dident see an elk. we know its a big unit to hunt during the migration. but just wondering about other peoples sucsess. beatiful veiws though!!!!

 

[ccc23454]

The archery hunt-9 is a NR trap tag (outfitter welfare tag) that shouldnt be purchased unless you have access or outfitter but the migration -1 tag is probably the best elk tag in wyoming for a trophy bull but theres only 10 even issued. Total different end of spectrum not to mention its a general unit in between. Unit is loaded with elk but most NRs are better served elsewhere between wilderness, topography and bears. I am willing to bet you learned this lesson this fall. If a tag is easier to draw than a general theres a reason...

 

[Jchristians]

The archery hunt-9 is a NR trap tag (outfitter welfare tag) that shouldnt be purchased unless you have access or outfitter but the migration -1 tag is probably the best elk tag in wyoming for a trophy bull but theres only 10 even issued. Total different end of spectrum not to mention its a general unit in between. Unit is loaded with elk but most NRs are better served elsewhere between wilderness, topography and bears. I am willing to bet you learned this lesson this fall. If a tag is easier to draw than a general theres a reason...

suprisingly we never saw a bear

 

[kwyeewyk]

suprisingly we never saw a bear

I think his comment is more related to the small amount of public land outside the wilderness available to the average DIY hunter who can't afford a guide. There are a handful of tags like this one that have leftovers every year because of this or similar issues. While they can be viewed as "trap tags" because a lot of people don't realize what they're getting when they buy it, they can also be a decent way to get your feet wet and get out and hunt, if you're willing to accept low probability of success.

There's other ways to measure success than just killing an elk though. I'm guessing you had a great hunt with your dad and made some great memories and maybe learned a bit about elk and WY. I'd call that a success.

 

[JAG]

Mercy, that looks like a very hard unit for a DIY nonresident hunt. The only decent burn that is accessible outside DWA has private land blocking roaded access into the area. Hearing bugles is a great thing indeed. Then there's a little bit of a burn to the west of Elk Fork Creek. Is that about where you guys hunted?

 

[Jchristians]

I think his comment is more related to the small amount of public land outside the wilderness available to the average DIY hunter who can't afford a guide. There are a handful of tags like this one that have leftovers every year because of this or similar issues. While they can be viewed as "trap tags" because a lot of people don't realize what they're getting when they buy it, they can also be a decent way to get your feet wet and get out and hunt, if you're willing to accept low probability of success.

There's other ways to measure success than just killing an elk though. I'm guessing you had a great hunt with your dad and made some great memories and maybe learned a bit about elk and WY. I'd call that a success.

Yeah we kind encountered it all out there we saw a monster muley buck (of course with no mule deer tag) and the views were amazing. But the views are always amazing when you don’t have building in the way to block them. The first day we went out we got to 12000 feet and at about 10000 we seen two huge bull moose the points coming of the back of there paddles.

 

[ccc23454]

This tag was created strictly for NRs with hopes of outfitter bookings (outfitter welfare) There is 30 tags issued and all 30 go to NRs if they sell out why? Because residents or even NRs can hunt same dates 1-30 sep on a general tag as the -9 guys. If a NR wants to be sucessful in that area he needs some combination of following: private access, incredible vertical hiking ability, horses, outfitter or resident guide (access wilderness) and luck. Do same trip next year and book a outfitter it will blow your mind the difference in hunt you get once you ridge out and then report back, or save points draw a general and walk into many of the great units and do it yourself.

 

[JAG]

I got curious and looked up the alternatives to Area 56 DIY:

Elk – Lost Creek Outfitters

www.lostcreekoutfitters.com

https://elkforkoutfitters.net/hunting

https://boulderbasinoutfitters.com/rates-elk-mule-deer-sheep-wyoming-hunting-trips.html

Not a bad deal if you have the money. Doing the DIY helps you appreciate how much goes into planning these hunts both during the season and off.