Contributors to this thread:
I could apply, and draw this tag but I would have to pay for 2 special elk tags. I have been putting in someone since points started that no longer wants to elk hunt. I can apply with them and draw but it will cost $4k for the tag. I now LO tags sell for a lot more in other states. I am debating applying for this hunt. I have hunted the area in November for deer. I know the lay of land, private property issues etc.
What are your thoughts? This will cost a lot, and loose a max point chance down the road................
Resident draw odds near 100%..................
I’m not following, you both have the same amount of points or not, what’s the need to buy 2 tags
I re read your post I think I’m following you your gonna average your points with a max holder and get into a good LE unit
Curious why draw attention to a unit you are trying to draw ?
Good point Willieboat, I debated it, I would rather get the input. There is so much info online now there are not many secrets left, and I do not think 54 is a secret. It is highly unlikely I am dropping $4k so not a huge deal. Murph, your 2nd post was correct.
My dad contacted an outfitter last year about a rifle hunt going into this fall with 13 nonresident elk points, the outfitter stated his hunt area only takes about 4 to draw he offered a half price discount to use my dads points to piggy back with a couple other clients that must have had little to no points, he didn’t do it
Don, How many points do you have by yourself?
Don,
I think the point is that you are nuking a spot to some extent, regardless of what you think. I don't even like to discuss the private land I hunt for whitetails with friends I can trust just in case they were to mention it in passing to someone I can't trust. My bet is you know quite a few people on Bowsite that you could have contacted by PM for input. if they didn't know they would know who to tell you to contact.
Agree Bowfreak. Hopefully anyone that decides to discuss it with Don has the courtesy to do it with a PM.
So who knew, back when WY went to points, that down the road, a max point holder could probably hunt free, just by sharing his points?
If anyone is looking to use 15pts or more to draw a primo area, I can offer some input. I personally saw 30-35 branch antler bulls in one evening this past november, along with a crazy number of cows and spikes. At least 6 of these bulls were 330+ 6pts. This area would be a phenomenal hunt, especially with an outfitter. It was just one evening on BLM for me DIY.
I did...and so did anyone else that saw what was going on in other states that already had point systems. Exactly why I don't like point systems and in particular point averaging.
I've been offered having my tags paid for, cash, private access etc. for sharing points. Never have done it.
i would ask myself what other hunt(s) can i do for my $4K +/- budget that i would be satisfied with as i build more pp's.
if nothing satisfies, since you know the lay of the land and feel pretty good about killing an elk, i'd execute the plan and not look back.
How is saying your thinking about applying LE unit 54 that takes 9-10 preference points for type 9 ruining the unit
So from your post above, if you’re “highly unlikely” to do this why are you soliciting opinions? Curious.
Scorched earth policy for everyone I guess Charlie...."I'm just curious so I'll post an exact area and tag type. Screw all you guys that have been applying there."
The exact question could have been asked without listing an area or tag type.
If I had the points I’d be looking at 126, 6, or 3 units. Sleeper units that most guys drive through to hunt elk.
^^^How to ruin sleeper units and screw the guys that "had the points"^^^
Lol..I wouldn't call them sleeper units. General units for 2 of them and all 3 can wadd your panties when the elk run to the private ranches!
This topic just added 100 applicants to that area.
There is a big hunting forum that will nuke any thread that lists units or areas
What a concept.
I will side with Don. Not sure how saying you might apply for a unit makes 100 others apply. DonV is a good hunter but doesn't have the name recognition of Chuck Adams or Fred Eichler or something. He didn't name a drainage or specific town. I cant imagine someone with 6-8 points reading the above and saying ”thats it, I am applying to unit 54.
$4000 to kill a good bull these days is cheap and it is a hunt you can do this year. I have a friend that has aged out of his elk hunts and I plan on doing the same things as you. WY is only going to get worse with the increase in the Special Draw tag fee. Also 300+ bulls are getting more difficult to kill each year and having a good hunt and killing a 280 might be "The great hunt" going forward. I hunted 38 Type 9 6 years ago and it was an amazing hunt. Last year hunted with friends only one of 3 tagged out and that was with a reputable guide. I have 17 NR deer points in WY and will not hesitate to share them with an Outfitter for a good hunt in return.
"There is a big hunting forum that will nuke any thread that lists units or areas." Whether this has had an effect is not measurable but safe to say it is doubtful based on the data and field reports. Numerous other hunting forums and companies are in business that allow it and promote it.
"This topic just added 100 applicants to that area." If true that's good for those that are applying elsewhere. Maybe it is a strategy because after all, you can't believe everything you read especially on hunting forums.
“ Whether this has had an effect is not measurable but safe to say it is doubtful based on the data and field reports. Numerous other hunting forums and companies are in business that allow it (posting of unit numbers) and promote it.”
RonP - Go ahead and post your areas and unit numbers you hunt then. ;)
So all the guys on here that ruined WY in general are okay? What BS.
If I am going to burn $4k on an elk tag I am going to do my research. I was not able to find a lot of CURRENT info on 54 type 9. I looked on MM, Rokslide, hunt talk, google etc. Almost nothing. I reached out to several hard core WY hunters and still no new data so I posted here. Yes I could have attracted a few new apps, I am sorry if that hurts anyone but I learned over a decade ago there are almost no more well kept secrets.
It is rare that I post what unit I apply for before I draw. This time I did. I usually post after my hunt so I can help out future hunters - unless I plan to return then I might not.
If asking about a specific unit, before I burn 19 points and $4k tag fees, $1.5k past point fees, airfare, rental truck etc, is all it takes to get other hunters attacking me then I feel sorry for what we have come to as hunters.
"RonP - Go ahead and post your areas and unit numbers you hunt then. ;)"
B K - in wyoming units 110 and 10. in oregon it is mainly the grizzly, ochoco, maury, and silvies units. now that corner hopping is legal in wyoming, the hunting has gotten even better. all public land, have at it.
thanks for being an admirer and follower. ;)
Good on you Don. Make sure you get yours. Once you burn your points it won’t matter anymore, right?
Good grief, good luck Don. I would contact an outfitter and see what deal they would make with you to share your PPs. Tons of folks do this, and some even share with total strangers imagine that !
If he posts areas and that makes it harder for NRs to draw that is a good thing for us residents, lol. Spreads them out from general areas. When did this forum turn into Rokslide?
54 has had a boundary change for '24, and a new hunt area 64.
Rokslide has properly addressed this type of thing. No info on a certain unit is very good. It shows progress is being made on spot burning and hopefully point creep. And yes Wyotex, you are correct , it does help the residents more. We know how Wy residents feel about NR's coming to their state to hunt their elk and deer.
Don has been posting hunt unit numbers for years on this site. Most recently with a sheep thread. I asked (very respectfully I thought) on that thread why he would post a unit number, and he ignored my question entirely. Frankly, I don't get it.
If you google "[don's sheep unit] sheep montana", Don's Bowsite post is the 4th result. So anyone looking at harvest numbers or doing research who google's the unit, has that resource right there, with lots of pictures. So it's no doubt going to raise the applications for that unit. Yet the post doesn't share any details about where in the unit sheep were found, etc. So I question how it "helps other hunters"
Now I'm all for sharing information. Let's just be a little mindful of how it's done.
So,
You have been building points in someone else’s name and now plan on using their points to draw a tag without them hunting. I would be willing to bet Wyoming Game and Fish would be interested in this thread. My guess, this would not be legal and is a terrible idea to post on the internet…but what do I know.
100% legal....he's not using the other guy's tag. Many guys are buying points for their wives, kids, friends, etc. so they can use them to average with their own down the road.
How many points does Buddy have now Nick? :)
400 Elk- nothing wrong with combining points it’s been going on for years. He’d have his tag allocated to him and have to “burn” the other.
My group has been doing this for years in Wyoming for elk. We just apply for NR general units and go hunt elk most years. Point creep is finally ending the fun of us going every year now. No way I would wait 15 years to go hunt elk there.
KHNC I've been helping NR come hunt Wyoming for years, not all Rs look at NR as the plague. They have tags allocated why not help them fill those licenses? Lots of us feel this way. All this info is out there online now, no taking it all back. Does no good to chastise folks for posting area numbers, they have all been posted.
"How many points does Buddy have now Nick? :)"
The bastard won't share them, Justin! He says he wants a primo unit for himself!
Don, I support what you're doing so long as you clear your units with me before posting :)
Thread hijacking here. As a NR is there really much sense in starting to build points in WY. The first time I went elk hunting in Colorado OTC 12yrs or so ago. I thought it was going to be a one and done trip. Now I am hooked. Would love to hunt other states if there is a reasonable chance of actually drawing. Currently hunting Co limited entry low point units. Having a blast doing it but wouldn't mind trying other states.
I’m the guy who’s always giving out information at my camp. You stop by my camp and I’ll give ya all kinds of intel where they’re bugling and stuff. Sometimes it works great to see trucks parked where you want them instead of in your spot. The old reverse physiology works on hunters just like it does kids.
How many guys you talk to that aren’t seeing or hearing anything. I’m not that guy. I’m a free talker if you meet me in the elk woods. This approach has worked well for me for years.
Shane
The best was DonZ unit 76 debacle from years back........
Ks, if you dont have points in Wyoming, you are looking at 7-8 years to get a tag
Thanks KHNC. I will look into it. Not sure if I am interested in chasing that
Rusty- for $50 you aren’t out much..7 years from now when you don’t have the points to go, you’ll kick yourself. I have been buying points for many years, and gonna use them for Wyoming…maybe Utah also. Not a unit in Wyoming that won’t rival the best OTC Colorado units
