4 Tips For Applying to Hunt Elk In Wyoming
There are a ton of approaches to applying in Wyoming that people preach. Some say to hunt it as often as possible. Others are using it in their 3-5 year rotation. A few are holding out for the baddest of tags the Cowboy State can offer.
It should go without saying, but everyone needs to brush up on the regulations to know what hunts are available and the laws to which each and every hunter must abide. After that, there are a few other important things to think about when you apply. No matter where you are in the application game, here are 4 tips to make the most of your Wyoming elk application.
Pick The Terrain
Wyoming holds a diverse landscape and elk inhabit essentially each and every corner of it, albeit in varying densities. Picking the terrain you would like to hunt is as important as getting the tag someone may or may not recommend. If you do not enjoy or know how to glass, then hunting the Red Desert is likely not for you. If you want to be able to get your vehicle relatively close to a downed elk, then it is not a good idea to apply for the Cody area backcountry hunts.
Start with picking the terrain you want to hunt and then go from there.
2. Choose The Time of Year
Hunters can start chasing elk in some areas of the state on August 15th while a few late seasons run until January 31st. That is more than 5 months of hunting elk throughout their summer, fall, and winter patterns, so to start you should nail down the timing you are looking for with your hunt.
Most folks know September is the most popular time for hunting elk since it features peak rutting activity. However, that means off-season hunts can often get overlooked. December bull hunts, August cow hunts, and others can have decent drawing odds because they do not occur in primetime. Heck, if you are a multi-state hunter, they just may just fit your schedule a little better.
3. Be Strategic With Your Trips
Because Wyoming has such long seasons, bull and cow tag opportunities, and you can often hunt both archery and rifle seasons, it’s worthwhile to be strategic with your travel to make the most of your tags. For instance, consider hunting an area that rolls from archery season right into rifle season to increase your odds of bringing home meat in the freezer. Another way to go about it is to put in for a reduced-price cow tag that occurs during your bull hunt, or in an area you would like to hunt for bulls in the future.
Hunting Wyoming for elk is a marathon, not a sprint, so be sure to think long-term when you make these plans.
4. Ask For Help
Do not go about applying for Wyoming if you have no clue what is going on. It is a quick way to get over $1268.00 tied up for a few months with no chance at gaining a license.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department does have resources to help you understand aspects of the tag system, and multiple online resources, like Randy Newburg, have put together free YouTube videos on the topic. Biologists are also a great resource when you want to find out more about specific areas and what the hunting is like.
If you want something catered to you, though, check out Hunt West’s services. There is a workshop on January 17th you can sign up for below. Better yet, you can get a hold of us about your own personal application plan here if you would like.
