Elk Hunting in Wyoming

[George S.]

A guy that I work with wants to go elk hunting in Wyoming sometime in September of 2006 but he doesn't really know much about the state or the best locations. So far he's looked at maps and he was prety suprised about the high altitudes especially in western Wyoming.

He would be bringing horses and pack mules to get into back country but he's concerned about altitutes and what the weather might be like in September.

Any suggestions would be a great help.

 

[Coltdriver]

Now is a great time to plan a trip hunting in the high country next season.

Start exercising today. In September it will still be warm enough that the Elk will be at the highest elevations. You will have to go there to get close enough to have a shot. If you don't get in good shape you will find walking even 100 yards at a time to be very challenging. If you are not in good physical condition and you get winded from over exertion you can find youself fatigued and dizzy and it won't go away until you get back to a lower altitude.

The Wind River area is spectacular for elk hunting.

Even if it is not snowing, it will be a special kind of cold. The day won't be bad because you will be up moving around. Unless the wind is howling it will be quite pleasant. Layered clothing is best because with too much you can break out in a sweat that leads to a chill when you stop moving. If you layer up and down as you need to you can manage this aspect of your hiking.

At night try fleece underwear in a good sleeping bag. Get a fleece inner liner for your sleeping bag if your bag is not rated for 0 degree cold. Putting a shell over the sleeping bag helps too. I use an air mat under the bag.

If you get in good physical shape, everything else is more enjoyable.

 

[George S.]

He's just returned from a week in the WA Cascades wher they had a good foot of snow at elk camp so temps are something he and the party will be aware of.

Guess what I was curious about is what part of the state will have the best elk hunting. We've looked at the map of the state and it appears that the best opportunities would be south of Yellowstone and somewhere around Jackson Hole. Isn't there an elk refuge in that area? He was thinking of hunting just southeast of there.

 

[Coltdriver]

I think you are describing what is called the Wind River Range. A good friend of mine has taken an elk there every time he has hunted the area.

 

[hillbilly]

I lived in Gillette, WY, for two years.

Around NE Wyoming, there are two good areas for elk. There are the Bighorn Mountains right around Buffalo, about 60 miles west of Gillette, and then there are the Black Hills that edge over into extreme eastern Wyoming.

Neither one is quite a high as the Rockies in western Wyoming.

Plus, they don't get quite the pressure, as most folks who travel to Wyoming for elk want a Rocky Mountain experience in western Wyoming.

hillbilly

 

[Ankeny]

The Wind River Range is in the Southern portion of the Shoshone National Forest. I get to look at the Wind Rivers every day on my way to work.

I hunted for years just southeast of the elk refuge, up Flat Creek. That area is in the Teton National Forest. The area east of the refuge is generally referred to as the Gros Ventre Range. There is some spectacular country and the hunting is still good inspite of the large predators (bears, wolves). However, the country is huge and unforgiving, so some pre-trip scouting will be in order.

You might want to try calling the Wyoming Game and Fish at 1-307-777-4600 or write Wyoming Game and Fish, 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006 for more information. They can provide you with license draw results, approximate success rates, percentage of public vs. private land (if you opt for one of the smaller ranges off the forest), and contact information for local game wardens. I know a lot of the wardens in the western part of the state and all of them are good guys. They will be more than happy to answer questions you may have about a particular area. Good luck.

 

[bearmgc]

Also check Rosie's Ridge on the North side of the highway that goes to Dubois. Access roads, and good places to camp and pack out of. Just remember that in any of the Wilderness designated areas, a nonresident must have a Wyoming guide. Its rugged and incredibly beautiful. I second the Gros Ventre area. If not accustomed to high altitude, I suggest he arrive early and just take some time to get acclimated before the hunt, and to scale down hunting time per day, for the possible fatigue/side effects of the altitude. No matter how physically fit one may be, fatigue of this sort can hit suddenly.