Wyoming Antelope

Scrillznac · 09-22-2008, 12:59 AM

Just wondering how many of you have hunted goats in Wyoming before or are planning it in the future. With me living in Utah and being so close to Wyoming I thought this would be a perfect time to antelope hunt since I'll be moving back to Oregon within a year or two. It only takes 1 pt. to draw MANY units and I bought my pref. pt this year, so going into next years draw I'll have my 1 pt. Any advice on which unit to look at or any success anyone's had in the past? I've heard just about any unit in the state gives you a GREAT chance at decent bucks. Any suggestions or experiences with any areas of the state?

Scrillz

QH's Paw · 09-22-2008, 04:24 AM

I'm heading over there in October for some bird hunting.
My son lives over there. He picked up an over the counter doe Antelope tag for me. I guess I'll get to see just how many there are.
I also paid for a point this year but, the unit we're looking at is not a gimme with 1 point. It looks like, from the stats they have online, it was a gimme last season for 2pts.
Can't wait to get there and kick around some to see what they have.

Silver Eagle · 09-22-2008, 05:47 AM

I screwed up and didn't get my Point bought, will do so next year and will probably put in and hope for the best.......Ray Let me know how you do next year........on the draw

oregonmuley · 09-22-2008, 10:08 AM

Me and and a couple of other Ifishers will be going over middle of October for our first try at Wyoming antelope so not an expert. We will be in a easy to draw unit in middle of state - lots of private but also some BLM land. From what everyone tells me they are like varmints overthere as far as numbers. Met a guy at a trailhead couple weeks ago bowhunting - he had just moved from Wyoming and said don't even load your gun the first day there are so many goats to shoot - hope he is right. Really looking forward to it - most fun hunt is antelope IMO. We all have a buck and doe tag so far but may buy more doe tags once we get there, will see.

whackem & stackem · 09-22-2008, 10:08 AM

I just got back from there. There are antelope all over the place. I would get that hunt in before you come to Oregon.

loper · 09-22-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

I screwed up and didn't get my Point bought, will do so next year and will probably put in and hope for the best.......Ray Let me know how you do next year........on the draw

Does that mean you applied for a license in Wyoming this year without the preference point option?

Just asking, because the option to purchase the preference point only with no opportunity to draw goes through September 30.

"From only July 1 - Sept. 30, you can apply for a Preference Point only with no desire to be in the Option 1 or Option 2 drawing for a license."

oregonmuley · 09-22-2008, 11:25 AM

I'm a little confused on the pref point thing. If I drew a tag this year - can I go ahead and buy a point for next year?? I had applied with the preference point option but they refunded my money??

loper · 09-22-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonmuley

I'm a little confused on the pref point thing. If I drew a tag this year - can I go ahead and buy a point for next year?? I had applied with the preference point option but they refunded my money??

Does this situation apply to you?

"Option 1: You can apply for a license with a Preference Point option with the
opportunity to earn a Preference Point. You will submit the Preference Point fee along with your license fee and application fee. If you are successful on your second or third choice hunt area, you will earn a Preference Point. If you are successful on your first choice, you will not earn a Preference Point and will receive a refund of your Preference Point fee."

oregonmuley · 09-22-2008, 11:54 AM

Yup thats what happened, I drew my 1st choice so they sent back the $30. I tried to buy a point online the other day but it didn't let me so I'm guessing since I drew 1st choice i can't buy one for next year??

QH's Paw · 09-22-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

I screwed up and didn't get my Point bought, will do so next year and will probably put in and hope for the best.......Ray Let me know how you do next year........on the draw

It's not too late to buy your points, even if you did not put in for this years draw you have up to 9/30 as was already stated.
Here is a link to the Wyoming site to pay for your points online.
https://gf.state.wy.us/elsapplication/ELSWelcome.aspx

Of course, as was also stated, you can not buy a point for any species that you drew first choice this season.

Scrillznac · 09-22-2008, 04:43 PM

Loper is right about the preference point thing. The pts. that you have until the 30th to buy are available if you either didn't put an application in this year or didn't draw your first choice (which you should already have a pt in this case). Anyway thanks for the info guys. I have some knowledge about a few units in the Southwest corner of the state and all of them only take 1 pt to draw in the "Special" draw. For $200 bucks extra a guaranteed tag is one heck of a deal for the total of $526. And that's a guaranteed tag every other year in a lot of units. The more I think about it, there must be TONS of goats there for the number of tags they give out. The harvest stats show most units have between a 85%-100% harvest rate which is incredible. Let me know how you guys do over there in October.

Rusty Psoadman · 09-22-2008, 06:45 PM

Unit 69 has some great public access, and plentiful bucks. Got a wide buck there on Sept 11, 2001. PM me if you want.

scoutdog5 · 09-22-2008, 11:19 PM

We are hunting near Casper the end of october. Will post story and hopefully pictures when we get back.

Scoutdog

Elk Camp Rodge · 09-23-2008, 12:06 AM

I have a friend moving to casper next month and plan on joining him. Let me know what you find out

Scrillznac · 09-23-2008, 01:55 AM

I'm not sure which way you guys will be driving but the unit I've been checking out is NE of Evanston up past Kemmerer around the area of Fontenelle. I'm taking the wife and dogs up camping in Yellowstone in a month so I'll be passing through. If anyone takes this route let me know if you see anything worth while.

Jered

Silver Eagle · 09-23-2008, 06:10 AM

Loper Thanks for the Info am dragging out my Wyoming stuff as we speak and will be applying for Pref. Points before the 30th.......Thanks Ray

C-lice · 09-23-2008, 09:46 AM

PM sent.

I'm leaving Sunday to get a goat near Lusk. Hope to have pics when I get back.

WSU · 09-23-2008, 10:21 AM

How many doe tags can be purchased and how much do they cost?

oregonmuley · 09-23-2008, 10:54 AM

I think they are $34 each - at least the ones I have are $34. Not sure on the total number, I know some that have gotten 4-5 additional doe tags for a unit so you could get at least that many. Check the WDFW website to see what tags are left over per unit and that will help you find the tags - I think some even have left over buck tags that could be purchased but for non-res that would be $286 I think.

C-lice · 09-23-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSU

How many doe tags can be purchased and how much do they cost?

I believe you can buy as many as there are left. There may be a limit per person, but I don't think so.

If you buy them in person, you save the application fee. I forget how much it is, but it's $34 minus the fee.

Eagleclaw · 09-23-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonmuley

Me and and a couple of other Ifishers will be going over middle of October for our first try at Wyoming antelope so not an expert. We will be in a easy to draw unit in middle of state - lots of private but also some BLM land. From what everyone tells me they are like varmints overthere as far as numbers. Met a guy at a trailhead couple weeks ago bowhunting - he had just moved from Wyoming and said don't even load your gun the first day there are so many goats to shoot - hope he is right. Really looking forward to it - most fun hunt is antelope IMO. We all have a buck and doe tag so far but may buy more doe tags once we get there, will see.

My sister lives in Lander, Wy and they are like sage rats over there... hundreds and hundreds of goats over there...We saw over 200 driving from Lander to Riverton one afternoon and i think its only about 15-20 miles. My sister said there where like 5 million lopes in wyoming and only 250,000 people. not sure how acurate she was in her guess but from what i saw she can't be to far off...lol. They have some big lope hunt in sept in Lander. I forget what's it's called but actors, politicians and the like all go there for the hunt.

oregonmuley · 09-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagleclaw

My sister lives in Lander, Wy and they are like sage rats over there... hundreds and hundreds of goats over there...We saw over 200 driving from Lander to Riverton one afternoon and i think its only about 15-20 miles. My sister said there where like 5 million lopes in wyoming and only 250,000 people. not sure how acurate she was in her guess but from what i saw she can't be to far off...lol. They have some big lope hunt in sept in Lander. I forget what's it's called but actors, politicians and the like all go there for the hunt.

Wow - I hope thats true. I had a Oregon tag last year and had a heck of a time finding one but it got me addicted I had so much fun, so thats why I thought heck just drive to Wyoming this year. We will be in the Kaycee area which is east of Lander a ways so hope there are also hundreds to see

loper · 09-23-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

Loper Thanks for the Info am dragging out my Wyoming stuff as we speak and will be applying for Pref. Points before the 30th.......Thanks Ray

Glad I could be helpful (and useful)

Scrillznac · 09-23-2008, 05:16 PM

C-lice PM sent. I appreciate the info.

Man those doe tags sound like even more of an incentive. That sounds awesome.

Silver Eagle · 09-25-2008, 06:44 AM

Loper five of us got our Points sent in for, now next year will need to decide on a good spot, let me know what you do and how it works...Ray

xdynamite · 09-25-2008, 09:03 AM

Leaving tomorrow after work for Wyoming. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back. 1 buck tag and 2 doe tags to fill

XD

loper · 09-25-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

Loper five of us got our Points sent in for, now next year will need to decide on a good spot, let me know what you do and how it works...Ray

At this point I am just a Wyoming points buyer; planning on taking my son there in 3 years when he will be 11.