Wyoming 2024?

[JRY46]

Looking at using some of our Wyoming points next year for either Antelope, Deer or Elk before it gets too expensive for a mortal to afford the hunt. 3 buddies and I have 10 points for all 3 and are not getting any younger, were all in our early to mid 60's with 2 of us having some minor health issues that eliminate tent back country hunts. I know the winter kill last year was horrific in the southwest, but what is everyone else's opinion on the rest of the state and any leads on a good outfitter that we won't have to spend our retirement savings on to have a good time. None of us are "TROPHY" hunters we just want a chance at an average critter and to bring home some meat for the freezer. I have been going threw the Wyoming Outdoors magazine from last year and the WY website for trespass hunts but looking for some leads and or advice from firsthand experience from my fellow LRH forum members. Thanks in advance...............................JR

 

[WapitiBob]

3.3334 is going to make it tough. Look at the odds and see what you could have drawn with 2 then realize some of those that applied on the special will drop to the regular because of the special going to $1200+. Then wait for the proposed quotas to come out in mid March and go from there.

 

[Ckleeves]

You each have 10 points?

 

[Ol' Red]

The tags were reduced pretty low this last season due to a nasty winter last year. Area 73 for antelope has a lot of public land and had a decent survival rate.

 

[JRY46]

You each have 10 points?

I think 1 guy might have missed 1 year but the rest of us have 10.

 

[Ckleeves]

I don't think I would even consider using an outfitter for antelope with that many points. You guys could get a great hunt on public.

 

[Copper Basin]

I used 5 points to draw a buck in unit 84. The winterkill there was not as bad as around Pinedale and other spots towards the southwest of WY. I saw plenty of bucks and access was very good right out of Dubois. I was done in the afternoon of the opener. It was great fun.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Antelope can be an "old guys hunt". Elk, not so much. I'd prioritize elk based on your initial post.

 

[JRY46]

Antelope can be an "old guys hunt". Elk, not so much. I'd prioritize elk based on your initiaWe are looking at

We are looking at that aspect also as far as doing the elk and deer first and the saving the antelope for the rocking chair hunt when we get really old..... Thats what my Granddaughter calls me!

 

[6fatrat]

IT seems every other year the Mule deer get hammered with a bad winter.
When in doubt keep building points.
Steve Bair

 

[myshootinstinks]

I hope it works for you but goat numbers are down. Partly due to bad winters but IMO mostly due to Wyo G&F giving out doe tags in previous years like candy.

 

[Coyote101]

I'm in the same boat. 64 year old and I think I have 14 points. My problem has been I haven't had the time and then the winter kill. I just don't have any Elk points.

 

[FullCurl8]

There are also some changes this year regarding Non Resident Elk zones Regular zones and Draws zones. I haven't read it all through yet. Wy is sure expensive now.

 

[NotLongRange]

I live in Wyoming and have for quite some time, so I'll fill you in. Wyoming Game & Fish estimates that the 22-23 winter killed half the antelope and deer population in the western half of the state.

Additionally, does did not produce many fawns coming out of that winter, so it will be a few years for those areas to to recover. So, I would scratch off the areas west of the divide for deer and antelope.

Elk are tougher animals, but they didn't escape the winter either, so there was winter kill statewide, just not quite as bad.

So, if I was going to chase something, I would look at areas east of Casper, around Gillette, and Sundance.

The truth is, there won't be trophy deer and antelope for a while…it's just take some years of mild winters for them to recover.