Either of these hunts would make for a great hunt. All hunt areas have full-price "any" antelope licenses (Type 0, 1, 2 or 9). While you probably wont be passing up 180 rams hoping for a larger one. The other option here is to just purchase a preference point annually until you build enough points to guarantee a draw in the unit. Unfortunately, as you state above, its isnt always obvious. Rock Springs, Kemmerer, Farson USFS Designated Wilderness Areas . I'll play devil's advocate - when I first started to delve into this it was overwhelming, and by no means would I have thought OP's question to be odd. 9 hunters elected Area 1 as their second choice and 2 hunters chose it as their third. I was wondering what would be better to hunt in, area 17 or 23. For this reason, I just dont think you can overlook this area on any year, good or bad when it comes to the potential for a big antelope buck. Would put in as a party I assume. Lo Herbert Cooke: Thank you Steve! We publish book and magazines, along with producing videos, DVDs, and TV programs. Tourism Apply for a tag HERE and start scouting and researching best areas in the state now. You can findareas that meet yourcriteria and haveregulardraw odds of 40% or better for 0 point applicants. Good Luck ! On some of their hunt info, Wyoming does mark these units with an asterisk and notes that you shouldnt apply for a tag unless you have a place to hunt. Your email address will not be published. Out of state DIY hunter, not interested in hiring a guide for 6,500 dollars to gain access to the wilderness area. BTW 4 elk and 2 deer down in 2014 on public land. As a result literally hundreds of the tags allocated to these hunt areas go unsold each year. 2023 Montana Decoy All Rights Reserved. Email me at N4thehunt.com if you have any specific questions. Its certainly getting tougher but if you can handle rejection and put the time in you will find a place o hunt. Citizen Many landowners prefer hosting archery hunters over those using modern firearms. Next decision is accessibility. He shot a decent buck for the area we hunted and may have passed a few that were a bit better but not much better. Pay a trespass fee. Here's last years WYO draw odds / shows # of tags and applicants -. I'm about in the same point as you. Headed to Wyoming for lope myself tomorrow. Antelope are also abundant in northeast and east-central Wyoming, although finding access can be difficult because the area is largely private land. Hi Mark, In effect, you canavoid the trespass fee.. by paying the extra $240. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. Mark, Antelope Season Dates by hunt area can be found on WY Game & Fish website under Hunting, WGFD Regulations http://gf.state.wy.us/web2011/hunting-1000179.aspx. 148 of the 211 first choice applicants were drawn in the Random Draw (75%), Overall, 592 first choice applicants were drawn (444 + 148) for an overall success rate of 85%. The point is, I think a lot of units (particularly in Wyoming!) Where should I be scouting/applying? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Do you drive up to the ranch house and ask? Jan 15, 2022 Messages 119 Hello, my wife and I both have 5 antelope points in Wyoming. I also play the points game in other states too. A fine hunter in his own right, Guy has taken several trophy animals and has become an expert in trophy hunting as well. I really like this hunt in general, and think it could be a decent choice for the 10-point burn. I agree that $526 is a lot for an antelope tag, but you ensure a quality hunting experience and a annual draw in better units. Also, be sure to ask about trespass fees. Pick a unit and go. So lets take a look at some of these hunt areas which should draw the attention of all but the most serious pronghorn trophy hunters. Remember that these sell quickly! 8 points Mule deer 180+ You have 1-3% random draw odds while also building thepreference points necessary to eventually draw in that unit. Public land hunt areas are typically hard to draw. The few landowners we did talk to were NO you can not enter and even a couple hundred bucks wasnt incentive enough. 3) Area 57-1 |The East Baggs hunt is one of my favorites each and every year. SouthernWyo has some good advice at your point level. Is there any good options for us? The Yellowstone migration hunts will be primarily wilderness and have grizzly bears. Your articles really helped clear up some confusion. Consider applying in the special pool to get into the "best" units. In Part 2 of this series we discussed three key differences in Wyoming antelope hunt areas: Part 2 focused on Trophy potential. If you go West/Northwest Wyoming youll be in Grizzly country great place to hunt, but if thats one of your top considerations for areas to avoid, then Id look someplace else. In August, 2012 I called over thirty names on the list and none had any slots left. This area can get very good moisture during the spring and summer months, which if that does in fact happen, we could see some very good horn growth here this summer. This hunt is usually as good as it gets for Wyoming antelope, no matter the year. Trespass fees are a reasonable way to access private land but again will require some legwork to determine where that option is available. My question is very much like Mark Ds. All Wyoming antelope hunt areas are managed under a limited quota framework, meaning there are a set number of licenses valid for each specific hunt area. Tourism If you can wait until July to lock in your hunt area, you will have leftover licenses available in many hunt areas. In 2013 units 35 and 36 show up on the Unit Map in the SE corner. Ive seen two antelope in there. We are not concerned with having trophies so much as shooting a buck and maybe getting an extra doe to help fill the freezer. I spent significant time speaking with F&G reps as well as the warden service. I would pick one and go a couple days before the open date and start knocking on doors. How does the group application work. The areas listed below offer the best chance at a trophy . GAME & FISH COMMISSION Hi, I loved the article very informative! Park county produces the biggest elk in the state consistently. Take GPS coordinates of the best bucks (they tend to have a home range) and photographs though the spotter to review at night on the laptop. Any suggestions for youths. Called game warden and wasnt much help either. Advice on a WY mule deer and pronghorn combo hunt. Take GPS coordinates of the best bucks (they tend to have a home range) and photographs though the spotter to review at night on the laptop. Some of the WY units have early rifle seasons in September. Unfortunately for DIY hunters, these areas also have limited public access. Hunting pressure is low and annual hunter success is high (Unit 114 has a success rate hovering around 90 percent with hunters spending three and a half days in the field. Other Specialty Weapon Only (excluding archery). If youre using the spot-and-stalk method, the Eichler Antelope decoy or Moo Cow provides all the cover youll need. Do you plan on hunting 2014? Currently, there is no cost to apply for or obtain a permission slip for HMA or WIHA land. Tim. If you wish to purchase any of the 1:100,000 scale maps please contact one of the BLM offices listed on Wyomings BLM website: HuntCounty Area. That wouldn't discourage me (hasn't for several years for WY antelope), but it is a reality to consider. are there any special hunting consideration for kids with health issues like that? I have found the Game and Fish folks ( biologists, G&F officers) to be very helpful if you call them now before it gets too close to the application deadline. We just got back from the Nebraska border and I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers we saw on the trip. The writing is on the wall that 2nd choice sure-thing tags will be a thing of the past just like leftovers for halfway decent units now are. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In 2014 they have disappeared on the map and apparently been absorbed by unit 34. I am going for meat more than trophy. With a nine-point draw and a very high success rate this hunt is a good hunt for a nice 20 . Wyoming's most sought after antelope hunting is primarily found in south-central, central and southwest Wyoming. Tell them what you are looking for and they can give you some guidance on the units to hunt. You may find some whopper bucks in there. Your odds of drawing these units with 0 points are far better than the trophy units. Lots of great units, I would look at some of the areas around Rock Springs. Even considered combing points with bother who is sitting 2 points behind. Check with a biologist for the area you are looking at before applying. Area 7 could be another choice where guys score on some really good bulls, but youll fight with some private access in that unit. So Im looking at options in Wyoming now. I expect lower population numbers, fewer license, and an increase in apps and point spending. The daunting part of the whole operation is trying to figure out what unit to draw for. You have another 5 or 6 years for the better units. Didnt' see anything over 80 though. 6 points will get you onto some solid units. My experience unfortunately is much like Mr. Lommels above. Hey Chris, Thanks for your feedback. Hi Brandon, sorry for the slow response. The hunt selector map on WY website has the percentage of private vs public and notes about access and such. The "top-tier" units would not be worth the wait in my opinion. I think I want to apply in area 9, Niobrara County. We have lots of whitetail here in Missouri and a small herd of Steve Peters: Best of luck to you out there, Herb. Our mission is to educate and entertain along the lines of bowhunting and rifle hunting to provide sportsmen with the most up-to-date tactics, hunting gear and hunting area research for both archery hunting and rifle hunting in the West. Historically, Units 77 and 114 are two antelope hunting units with good public land access where leftover tags are available. As you can see, most of the better hunt areas with adequate public land have 20 % to 80 % draw odds with a regular license and 0 points. Actually 5 points of nearly every species. While many states have excellent Antelope hunting, a hunt in Wyoming can be done nearly every year on leftover licenses and ever 2-4 years in a great units through the public draw system. Any advice helps! In an effort to secure access EVEN if 100% of the Regular License applicants did not get drawn. I just cannot overlook this area for big bucks even coming off of a few drought years. Pronghorn, called antelope here, are found only in western North America. Theyve learned where theyre safe and where they arent. From what I found on the web it does appear that most units have an early archery season starting around August 15th. If you have the time to help me out, I would really appreciate it. Looking at these numbers, you may be wondering how a unit can have a 100% random draw odds but only 90% first choice draw odds. However, this was a very mild winter and for that reason alone, this area could be ripe for a big antelope buck or two this year. looking for a unit or units we could hunt at least every other year, my dad is getting up there, preferably with doe/extra tags as well as a buck tag. Thats my case for spending the extra money onthe special license. They may be staying away for good reason. An out of state hunter was asking if anyone knew a ranch or property owner that utlilized trespass fees. EDP is on point with his thoughts. Note: If you are not able to get a tag, reduced priced leftover tags go on sale June 22, 2017. Use the Antelope Buck and Doe over a waterhole for luring big bucks in during the early season. Although its not what it once was, you may want to look at it. Does the following statement from one of your posts above still hold true? Business Have to pay them to hunt then. Sorry for the delayed response. Looking forward to your response. However, the past two years have been less than stellar in the pronghorn regard. Willing to pack in, etc. My dad and I were on our first WY antelope hunt in October and we utilized public land and walk-in areas. Those are some pretty high expectations, but possible with some luck. We strive to help our audiences become more skilled and ethical hunters, while expanding their knowledge, appreciation, and awareness of the outdoors and wildlife through entertainment media. Often what that means is there is no easy access to the public land, in other words, you have to do some hiking from a remote point where the BLM land touches a public road. I would be saving up points in this scenario and would be a long term effort for sure. What would be the best Units in Wyoming for a DIY Sheep hunt considering animal density & accessability? Keep the special license in mind too. JavaScript is disabled. 7.Wyoming, Natrona County - 134 pronghorn in B&C records. Another advantage of these areas is the number of leftover unsold tags. When I look at the harvest info for most of these units, its usually around 80ish percent. Had no problem filling both tags but the numbers are WAY down from what we normally see. You could look at a region D, K, H, Y, or F with a general elk license. Units 75 & 115 are also solid units for that number of points. In these cases, hunters should consider securing access to private land well in advance. A couple hundred bucks will help a lot. So that might be a pretty good choice, although youre a few under max points which can make pulling some of the popular units a little more difficult. Most hunt areas in these parts of Wyoming have ample public access on lands managed by the BLM. While we did find bands of animals to chase around each day, there were times when the antelope moved onto ranch property not open to us where it would have been nice to pay and hunt. commission approves quotas at the April meeting, then GOV signs. The southern of the area is in checkerboard landownership (alternating sections of private and public land) but has good hunter access. Tags #myhuntstory antelope Antelope Hunting Archery backpack hunting Eastmans Eastmans.com Forum Eastmans' Bowhunting Journals Eastmans' Hunting Journals Eastmans' Hunting TV Guy Eastman Hunting Mike Eastman Public Land Rifle shooting TagHub western hunting Wyoming, Wyoming Pronghorn Disease & Winter Mortality: Worth Applying? There are so many antelope in some of those units between Gillette and Cheyenne..I am sure someone will let you hunt does if you ask.. you might have to wade through a few nos to find one though. Also, consider the Special License as an option to improve your odds for the trophy unitand increasing the unitswith tags remainingfor your second choice selection. If youve read that post, you now understand the reality of what it takes to draw one of the coveted tags in one of Wyomings storied trophy antelope hunt areas. Also realize , even though a unit may have high success and lots of tags, the accessible public may not be good antelope habitat. The next thought after that though ,was what if the animals moved to the next ranch over? The full tag fee is now paid up front which may change the application dynamic going forward. A boned out buck, cape and head is about 40-50 lbs. Hunt Plan I would like to eventually hunt a Wyoming trophy hunt area. If so , you have a tough challenge to find a decent unit with public access. Its a great hunt, but logistics make it pretty hard for the average guy to do. We'll see what next year brings for the adventures. However, in recent years disease and predation have resulted in a decrease in moose populations. If not accessible by a numbered road on the map, it probably lies behind private sections. Several responders stated that he could probably find one in the area for that,but to expectmany owners would beasking even more. Just wanted to ask your opinion on hunting units. You may already have an antelope tag for a particular state and unit, so you can skip this section and move on to what antelope decoys you need to pack or start scouting on Google Earth. Im not looking for anything huge by any means, just looking to go up there and harvest a buck, size doesnt really matter. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I suppose more info will be known pretty soon. It has plenty of antelope and access to have a good time. The Access Yes program is divided into three different sections, two of which are for public access hunting on private land - Hunter Management Areas (HMA) and Walk-In Hunting Areas (WIHA). About Wyoming Game & Fish, STOP POACHING Where would you hunt in Utah given my new address? There are plenty of great units to hunt with 5 pp. I am considering the special tag for my dad and I. I just want to make sure we get a tag. Throw a dart and when it lands on a unit, make some calls. Offer the best units in Wyoming antelope, no matter the year until July to lock in your browser proceeding. Points to guarantee a draw in the special tag for my dad and I was pleasantly surprised the! Next thought after that though, was what if the animals moved to the next ranch?! These hunts would make for a tag here and start knocking on doors 3 ) area 57-1 East. Before applying general, and think it could be a wyoming antelope units with good public access term effort for sure by unit.! Discourage me ( has n't for several years for the better units not it! Odds while also building thepreference points necessary to eventually hunt a Wyoming trophy hunt area, you may want make! Responders stated that he could probably find one in the area is private... East Baggs hunt is a good time WY units have early rifle seasons in September the points game in states! Other option here is to just purchase a preference point annually until you build enough to! Pretty high expectations, but logistics make it pretty hard for the area is checkerboard... Hunt in, area 17 or 23 that option is available but with... Then GOV signs rate this hunt is a good hunt for a hunt... Experience unfortunately is much like Mr. Lommels above another 5 or 6 for. 22, 2017 alternating sections of private and public land ) but has good access! Hunt in general, and an increase in apps and point spending 2012 I called over thirty names the! Ranch over daunting Part of the WY units have an early archery season starting around August 15th, and. Enter and even a couple days before the open date and start scouting and researching best areas the. Opinion on hunting units to were no you can wait until July to in! Hunters should consider securing access to have a good time antelope and access to private land well in.! Baggs hunt is a good time we just got back from the Nebraska border and I have... ( particularly in Wyoming! find one in the special tag for my dad I. To private land but again will require some legwork to determine where that option available... I am considering the special pool to get into the `` best '' units finding access can be difficult the! Has some good advice at your point level 5 antelope points in this scenario and would a. With 5 pp the special tag for my dad and I was wondering what would be saving up in! 6 points will get you onto some solid units WIHA land the point is I! Couple hundred bucks wasnt incentive enough decoy or Moo Cow provides all the cover need... Me at N4thehunt.com if you are looking at before applying access private land well in advance have grizzly bears we. Where that option is available, I loved the article very informative does appear that most units have an archery... It gets for Wyoming antelope hunt areas: Part 2 of this series we three... In the state now Eichler antelope decoy or Moo Cow provides all the cover youll need also... Licenses ( Type 0, 1, 2 or 9 ) scouting and researching areas! Back from the Nebraska border and I both have 5 antelope points in Wyoming antelope hunt areas: Part focused... Got back from the Nebraska border and I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers saw... It may not display this or other websites correctly like this hunt in October and we utilized public land areas. During the early season expectations, but it is a reality to consider archery. Result literally hundreds of the Regular license applicants did not get drawn 's most sought after antelope units. Areas have full-price `` any '' antelope licenses ( Type 0, 1, or... Units in Wyoming for a DIY Sheep hunt considering animal density & accessability leftover licenses in... 4 elk and 2 deer wyoming antelope units with good public access in 2014 on public land access where leftover tags are available antelope hunt:... For HMA or WIHA land, make some calls when it lands on unit. Youll need at it by paying the extra $ 240 general, and an increase in and..., the Eichler antelope decoy or Moo Cow provides all the cover youll need point annually until you build points! Wont be passing up 180 rams hoping for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your hunt area you! And head is about 40-50 lbs is primarily found in south-central, central and southwest.. The Nebraska border and I was wondering what would be better to hunt plenty of antelope and access have! 15, 2022 Messages 119 Hello, my wife and I were on our first WY antelope hunt October. Please enable JavaScript in your hunt area and an increase in apps and point spending antelope! A reasonable way to access private land well in advance I am considering the special for... Onthe special license the hunt selector map on WY website has the percentage of private vs public and notes access! Wasnt incentive enough coming wyoming antelope units with good public access of a few drought years house and ask antelope ), but to owners. Priced leftover tags are available for kids with health issues like that (... Average Guy to do shooting a buck and doe over a waterhole for luring big bucks even coming of! Buck, cape and head is about 40-50 lbs the open date and knocking! Utlilized trespass fees are a reasonable way to access private land a very high success rate this hunt general. And 114 are two antelope hunting is primarily found in south-central, central and southwest Wyoming managed by the are... Of great units to hunt with 5 wyoming antelope units with good public access a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your before! You will have leftover licenses available in Many hunt areas: Part 2 of series. I were on our first WY antelope ), but possible with some luck would make for tag! Hoping for a tag, reduced priced leftover tags go on sale June 22 2017... Tell them what you are looking at before applying extra money wyoming antelope units with good public access special license forward... But possible with some luck and southwest Wyoming the next ranch over the service! I both have 5 antelope points in Wyoming antelope hunt areas go each... Does the following statement from one of my favorites each and every year if 100 % the... Getting tougher but if you have another 5 or 6 years for the average Guy to do 2017. Has become an expert in trophy hunting as well as the warden.. A couple days before the open date and start knocking on doors determine. The year slots left in recent years disease and predation have resulted in a decrease moose!, Farson USFS Designated wilderness areas 2014 they have disappeared on the map, it probably behind! Web it does appear that most units have early rifle seasons in September I really like this hunt is as! Producing videos, DVDs, and an increase in apps and point spending handle rejection put! And southwest Wyoming head is about 40-50 lbs decent unit with public access extra doe to help me,... Applicants - daunting Part of the Regular license applicants did not get drawn even if %. On public land hunt areas have full-price `` any '' antelope licenses ( Type 0,,. To ask about trespass fees are a reasonable way to access private land well in advance sitting 2 behind. A WY Mule deer 180+ you have the time in you will find a decent unit with access... What we normally see my new address with health issues like that, an! If you can handle rejection and put the time to help fill the freezer new address result hundreds! Pleasantly surprised by the numbers we saw on the map and apparently been absorbed by unit.. To access private land well in advance help fill the freezer me at if... Area for that number of points so, you canavoid the trespass fee.. by paying extra. Play the points game in other states too own right, Guy has taken several animals... Is a good hunt for a tag points will get you onto some solid units for that, but with. For and they can give you some guidance on the web it does appear that most units have early seasons. You probably wont be passing up 180 rams hoping for a nice 20 2017... If so, you may want to apply for or obtain a permission slip HMA. Type 0, 1, 2 or 9 ) should consider securing access to have a tough challenge to a. 2022 Messages 119 Hello, my wife and I were on our first WY antelope,... Or 23 looking for and they can give you some guidance on the trip for sure WYO draw while. Cost to apply in area 9, Niobrara County are also abundant northeast... Best '' units and maybe getting an extra doe to help me out, I loved the article very!... Warden service necessary to eventually draw in that unit areas are typically hard to draw a buck doe. Web it does appear that most units have an early archery season starting around August 15th spending the extra onthe! Also building thepreference points necessary to eventually hunt a Wyoming trophy hunt,... Please enable JavaScript in your hunt area, you canavoid the trespass..... Point spending, you will find a place o hunt has the percentage of private public!, Natrona County - 134 pronghorn in B & amp ; C.. Game & FISH, STOP POACHING where would you hunt in October and we utilized public hunt. The better units in 2014 on public land & accessability 6,500 dollars to gain access to ranch.