Woohooo!!! Got an elk tag for WY

I just found out on Saturday that myself and five of my friends from back home all drew tags for elk in Wyoming. This will be my first elk hunt ever. I’ve come across quite few in the woods hunting in the Black Hills, but never had a chance to bring down one of these awesome creatures.

So, has anyone here ever elk hunted in Wy??? Our unit is just west of Casper. Got lots of research to do, plus buy a bunch of goodies. I put a 300 win mag on layaway last night. I’m thinking of putting a 4.5 – 14 Leupold Vari-X III on this gun.

Anyone know of a rifle range in the west metro??

All I can tell you is, you will have a blast . I spent a lot of time in Gillette, WY. Around Casper you can count on the wind blowing all the time, and you can see a loooooooooong ways. I have not heard of how the elk population is around that area. I am trying to remember, I think Casper is in Natrona County. That is pretty much all canyon country and no mountains. But, elk can survive anywhere out there. Are you being guided or a do=it-yourself hunt?

All I can tell you is, you will have a blast . I spent a lot of time in Gillette, WY. Around Casper you can count on the wind blowing all the time, and you can see a loooooooooong ways. I have not heard of how the elk population is around that area. I am trying to remember, I think Casper is in Natrona County. That is pretty much all canyon country and no mountains. But, elk can survive anywhere out there. Are you being guided or a do=it-yourself hunt?

Your correct, it’s the Natrona County area. I’ve looked at the terra server maps, it looks steep out there. We are going to attempt this year on our own. I’ve got a distant cousin out there, so I’m hoping to pull as much info as I can from him. I can’t wait. I ordered some BLM maps today. Any suggestions for gathering info would be greatly appreciated.

Your correct, it’s the Natrona County area. I’ve looked at the terra server maps, it looks steep out there. We are going to attempt this year on our own. I’ve got a distant cousin out there, so I’m hoping to pull as much info as I can from him. I can’t wait. I ordered some BLM maps today. Any suggestions for gathering info would be greatly appreciated.

That country is steep, but it is much different from the WI and MN steep . You will more than likely be glassing and stalking. The canyon country there is kind of an advantage, but it can hurt you too . The problem you will have is when you guys down an elk, they will go to the bottom of the steepest and nastiest draw around -Murphy’s Law. I am not sure if the Wyoming Dept. of Wildlife has publications out that tells how the harvest in each unit was in previous years. If so, it would be on their home page. Going on your own in that part of the country is not a bad way to go. You may end up just watching from the road or a distance the first day or so. After that you will more than likely have an idea on elk holding areas. The bad part is they can be in any draw at anytime.

That country is steep, but it is much different from the WI and MN steep . You will more than likely be glassing and stalking. The canyon country there is kind of an advantage, but it can hurt you too . The problem you will have is when you guys down an elk, they will go to the bottom of the steepest and nastiest draw around -Murphy’s Law. I am not sure if the Wyoming Dept. of Wildlife has publications out that tells how the harvest in each unit was in previous years. If so, it would be on their home page. Going on your own in that part of the country is not a bad way to go. You may end up just watching from the road or a distance the first day or so. After that you will more than likely have an idea on elk holding areas. The bad part is they can be in any draw at anytime.

Well, if there is anyone out there who can test Murphy’s law, it will be me and my buddies.

We are going to be taking some spotting scopes and good optics so that should help us bunch. I may ping you as we come up with more questions if you don’t mind??

Well, if there is anyone out there who can test Murphy’s law, it will be me and my buddies.

We are going to be taking some spotting scopes and good optics so that should help us bunch. I may ping you as we come up with more questions if you don’t mind??

Congratulations and good luck. I’ve bow hunted elk in Colorado and just sent in my app. for Montana for this year. I hope my luck is as good as yours. Harvest records a always good to look at and it never hurts to talk to the locals when you get out there.
Drop the hammer on one.

Congratulations and good luck. I’ve bow hunted elk in Colorado and just sent in my app. for Montana for this year. I hope my luck is as good as yours. Harvest records a always good to look at and it never hurts to talk to the locals when you get out there.
Drop the hammer on one.

Congrats on the tag! I used to hunt Mulies out there. One thing I can say is do a LOT of walking and excersise before you go out there. Jogging is a must! Walk a lot IN YOUR BOOTS! I have had buddies go out there with me, only to sit two days with blisters! You should have a blast!
Tuck

Congrats on the tag! I used to hunt Mulies out there. One thing I can say is do a LOT of walking and excersise before you go out there. Jogging is a must! Walk a lot IN YOUR BOOTS! I have had buddies go out there with me, only to sit two days with blisters! You should have a blast!
Tuck

I’ve got a couple things that I’m using this trip to motivate me for:

1. lose some weight/be able to tie my shoes without getting winded
2. quit smoking. So far, I haven’t had a smoke for 18 hours.

I’ve got a couple things that I’m using this trip to motivate me for:

1. lose some weight/be able to tie my shoes without getting winded
2. quit smoking. So far, I haven’t had a smoke for 18 hours.

One more word of advice: That is RATTLE SNAKE country . I lived around those critters for too long. When you are down to your socks on the big stalk, watch were you put your hands and feet. They don’t always “buzz”, trust me. But you might get lucky and never see one . Other than that go with a positive attitude and have fun, don’t make it a job.

One more word of advice: That is RATTLE SNAKE country . I lived around those critters for too long. When you are down to your socks on the big stalk, watch were you put your hands and feet. They don’t always “buzz”, trust me. But you might get lucky and never see one . Other than that go with a positive attitude and have fun, don’t make it a job.

Thanks Am,

I grew up archery hunting the Missouri River breaks in SD, so I’m somewhat familiar with the snakes. Doesn’t mean I’m any less scared of them though. I get that phobia from my mother, she about dies everytime she see a snake.

I think it’s going to be fun planning everything out over the next few months, then I can truely enjoy my time in the country when I’m there. I get pretty giddy, just sitting here thinking about it.

Thanks Am,

I grew up archery hunting the Missouri River breaks in SD, so I’m somewhat familiar with the snakes. Doesn’t mean I’m any less scared of them though. I get that phobia from my mother, she about dies everytime she see a snake.

I think it’s going to be fun planning everything out over the next few months, then I can truely enjoy my time in the country when I’m there. I get pretty giddy, just sitting here thinking about it.

Oh yeah, it will definitely be fun. It is so much different there than here. The scenery is beautiful it its own special way. To the locals, it is nothing more than a dry god forsaken land. But to me the wide open expanse of it is awesome. The sky at night seems like you can reach right up and grab a star. Then it is so dark you can see the heavens for eternity. The air is so much cleaner and drier. I truly love the west. I feel the same way about the snakes, not really scared of them but do respect them . When all the planning is done yourself, it makes the hunt more enjoyable-even if you come home empty. Make sure you take a camera just to “capture” the scenery. All of it will stick in your mind for awhile, but pictures can bring it all back in a flash. Someday I hope to get back out to the plains of Colorado to hunt the mulies. Elk are too big too drag out. I packed a few elk out by horseback around Gillette, that was an experience. The horse I was using had never been used to pack before . By the time I got her down to the bottom of the draw where the elk was, I was pretty beat up. But it was still a blast.

Oh yeah, it will definitely be fun. It is so much different there than here. The scenery is beautiful it its own special way. To the locals, it is nothing more than a dry god forsaken land. But to me the wide open expanse of it is awesome. The sky at night seems like you can reach right up and grab a star. Then it is so dark you can see the heavens for eternity. The air is so much cleaner and drier. I truly love the west. I feel the same way about the snakes, not really scared of them but do respect them . When all the planning is done yourself, it makes the hunt more enjoyable-even if you come home empty. Make sure you take a camera just to “capture” the scenery. All of it will stick in your mind for awhile, but pictures can bring it all back in a flash. Someday I hope to get back out to the plains of Colorado to hunt the mulies. Elk are too big too drag out. I packed a few elk out by horseback around Gillette, that was an experience. The horse I was using had never been used to pack before . By the time I got her down to the bottom of the draw where the elk was, I was pretty beat up. But it was still a blast.

Am,

I can take 192 digital pics on my new camera. I promise, elk or no elk, I’ll have lots of pics to share with everyone here. There is a group of six very good friends going. Only one of us has ever elk hunted, so like I said, we’re gonna test Murphy’s law like nobodies business. We are gonna have fun though.

We are thinking about renting horses when we get out there. I’m the only “city” boy, so I’m sure I may have some stories to tell when I get back. Anyway, I could ramble about this stuff all night. I thought fishing got me pumped up!!!!

Am,

I can take 192 digital pics on my new camera. I promise, elk or no elk, I’ll have lots of pics to share with everyone here. There is a group of six very good friends going. Only one of us has ever elk hunted, so like I said, we’re gonna test Murphy’s law like nobodies business. We are gonna have fun though.

We are thinking about renting horses when we get out there. I’m the only “city” boy, so I’m sure I may have some stories to tell when I get back. Anyway, I could ramble about this stuff all night. I thought fishing got me pumped up!!!!

From experience, I can tell you there is nothing better than saddle sores . It is a tough call deciding which is better, hunting or fishing.

From experience, I can tell you there is nothing better than saddle sores . It is a tough call deciding which is better, hunting or fishing.