Wyoming unit 34 elk

Hopefully headed out to unit 34,southern bighorns for archery elk this fall. Wondering if anyone else had hunting this area. Lots of private mixed in with BLM and state land. Access may be difficult, do have a local that seems to know the area. Just looking for any information. Thanks White Frenchy

A type 9 tag is a bow only tag. I can only bow hunt with this tag. I have bowhunted elk before in Colorado and yes i do have topo maps of the area. I will send you a PM.

Sounds good. Elk hunting with a bow is so much more enjoyable. You'll be in awe the first time youre in a canyon and the bulls start screaming at each other. Were you still thinking above Kaycee (with out checking I believe you met someone who said that there was decent public land above Kaycee.)? Also, there may be a lot of private but with a little determination you should be able to find elk. The guys who consistently get elk know where they are and go to them - no matter the distance/terrain. The guys who dont get elk like to hunt on the road and are not that ambitious.

Just checked we did draw 34, the plan is to archery hunt 20-30 of september. Sounds like 35 is the way to go bu didn't want to wait the years to draw. Did have 2 pref points when we put in. Could be tough access but hopefully with GPS and some local knowledge can have a good hunt. Flyguy I have only elk hunted once and that was rifle so this could be quite an adventure. I live in Deforest area sounds like you must be in Dells area wouldn;t mind talking some time. Shane Schweppe

bluefox..... What does type 9 mean? I drew 35 as a resident of wyoming and it was never termed type 9. Just wondering if that mean bull only or any elk (yes, I do realize I could look it up)?. Do you have some topo maps of the area? Also before I start I just want to make sure if it is above Buffalo? If so, PM me with your place in mind. I lived in Buffalo when I was younger. I hunted area 35 shooting many elk in the area (most were cows because that was the tag I drew). It is one of the most sought after tags for a resident in Buffalo for a reason . I hate to get you too excited but you drew an absolutely amazing tag. Guys who got these tags shot elk every time for reason(those that hunted and put their time in) Its been a while since Ive hunted out there but when I was younger we had them pinned down every year. We knew there pattern and I cant imagine that it has changed over the year. I will share all that I know. Also, have you hunted elk before? Big plus if you have but if you havent start learning about it. You are in for the time of your life!! Start learning those calls. Any chance you live in Dells/Baraboo area? Finally, just wondering if you could share how long it took to get one of these tags?

Hey guys i not trying to hijack this thread but i drew the unit 35 type 9 bow only tag! I have hunted this area for muleys during the gun season as a way to scout for when i drew the elk tag. I have several areas in mind i think should have elk in them come September but would love any advice on other areas and any other general ideas, or adivce. I will be tent camping btw. Cant wait for September! Thanks guys

Ok I'm starting to get that warm fuzzy feeling.

Final thought. If I had a choice I would rather bow hunt this area than gun hunt. I think you have an excellant chance during archery season. They are so vocal and aren't as weary. In October all the out of staters from WI and MN show up and ruin the hunting

Here are some answers to your questions from before. I talked to my brother about 34. He stated that the majority is private or landlocked with private. That is going to be an issue hunting 34. There might be a lot of public land but if you cannot access it you are stuck. Happens all the time with mountain land. Around buffalo its all public for the most part (except 34 area) but if you cant get through private you cant hunt the public. Between 34 and 35 there is no question....35. Trust me on this 35...35...35...I feel like I sound kind of cocky but here is the deal. I absolutely love it there and miss it daily. Im just so excited to share any info. My wife even knows...when I die spread my ashes in area 35 (she does not even know what this area is/what this mean...just area 35). Do my favor...when I die just show her the direction Anyways, here are some suggestions/answers to area 35. 1. Wilderness. I do not believe that you can hunt the wilderness area without a guide IF you are out of state (at least that was the rules when I lived there). There are elk all over the mountains but when it is hot the elk are up high (thinking bow season). During gun season they are low (weather/snow depending). During gun season they are halfway up/lower all the way to face (for the most part you will not find them in the wilderness during this time). 2. 35..you are right on access. You cannot go wrong. 34 is tricky. As my brother said tonight.....not a lot apply for this area unless they have access to private land. 3. Local Packers. I do not know of anyone who packs for a fee. You may try South Fork. It is a lodge in the mountains and the people that own it have horses for guests and are big hunters themselves. They might have connections. My suggestion. Quarter it and carry it out (I once cut one in half and did it half at a time...DO NOT DO THIS!). Sports Lure might have connection to packers. Most guys with pack horses guide as well. They are not going to pack out your elk. 4. Camping....If you get 35 let me know. In the Bighorns you can camp wherever you want. Its not like here. It does not have to be an established camping area (though fire rules might be different) 5. Cabins? If I were paying out of state fees, had a 35 tag and were on a trip I would not stay in Buffalo. I would stay in the mountains. South Fork Lodge is in the heart of 35. I saw elk in a park above the resort many times during season. If not there they are a short drive away. There are not a lot of cabins for rent in the mountains above buffalo. If I was hunting Id establish elk camp. 6. Horses/ATVs in 35. You have access all the way up 16. Could you use horses...yes...But you can also drive, park and walk.....The best access above Buffalo is area 35. 7. Ranchers/bunkhouses....As far as I know no. Ranches doing this have guide services. You pay to play and stay at their place. 8. Areas better to camp in? Again, let me know if you draw 35. I will give you exact locations of where i would camp. Even if you dont draw and want this let me know. I hope this helps and again feel free to ask. I am thrilled that guys are going to my "honey hole" and also dont mind helping anyone here. With limited amount of tags this place will not get hunted out.

You will not find a better, more accessable area that 35. If you look at the map 35 starts at the bottom of the mountains and goes to the peak. You do not need horses/atvs. You have 100 percent access all the way up highway 16 (for the most part on both side). If you draw 35 let me know. I can almost guarantee to put you in the elk in the two areas I have. I shot an elk every time I drew 35. If your lucky and it snows you'll find the herd. They migrate right down 16 and the tracks give them away. Ill write more later when kids are in bed/im off work. I have a ton of info on 35. These tags are some of the most sought after tags for locals (for a reason)

I also am looking to elk hunt in 33,34, 35 this year. After talking to people I' kind of leaning towards 35. My concern is the wilderness area and 12,400 feet of mountain. I am told not all elk are at the top of the mountain and alot are actually lower. 35 has alot less tags than 34 and better access. 34 can cause you some problems unless you are guided . 33 doesn't have near the elk or quality as the other 2. Can guy's without horses and don't plan on bringing our atv's do it on 35? Are there any local packers in case needed? Are there areas that are better than others to camp in? Is it reasonable to stay in Buffalo or are there cabins to rent? Do ranchers have bunkhouses that are available? I wish we knew these answers but have spent too much time in the wrong part of the state looking around. Down 2pts from max and will never draw those areas. So now we are trying to gather info this way instead of the old boots on the ground method. Would probably do a scouting trip to get a visual on the area before season and make contacts for the above things. I still like to meet people in person. Any help or info would be great. I believe in Karma and help anyone when I can. So hopefully someone will return the favor. Thanks.

You might run that question past the guy out there. There is a road called Hazelton (at least I believe that is what it is). It goes from the highway above buffalo through the mountains and ends at Kaycee. I know of people who bow hunted up near Highway 16 off of Hazelton with great success. Again the issue is access. I think your going to have to walk to get to public land. This can be very good though. It might be a hike but the thing with many hunters out there is that they dont get that far into the woods. Make sure you check the rules. Its been about 13 years since I lived there. At the time out of staters could not be in the wilderness area without a guide. Not sure if this is still the same. P.M. me with the persons name that you know in Kaycee. Buffalo/Kaycee are very small town. Everyone knows everyone and I can likely check up on the person if they are local and get the scoop. Also get all the maps you can. There are ranches that are on BLM land. This is public even though it may look private. You might check with the local chamber of commerce. They may know of a ranch that charges a trespass fee.

Flyguy Just a guy that we met out there deer hunting a few years ago is the local we know. He says he has some good areas on public land we can get to. I am a little concerned looking at the maps however. If you know any ranches that would talk to us about a trespass fee I would appreciate it. Thanks White Frenchy

By local do you mean guide or someone you know? The biggest issue that I encountered is the weather/elk migration. If its hot they are up high where its cooler. If cooler/colder they migrate down. However this is not always the case. There are herds that stay low all year long. One thing I like about Kaycee is that it is not as well travelled (when comparing Buffalo to Kaycee). A lot easier to get up above buffalo. One option might to be find a ranch with elk and see if you can pay a trespass fee (local might be able to find this). Basically just permission to have access to the land - no guide (a fee but small compared to a guided hunt). I know there are some guys that do that if they do not have outfitters.

Thanks Flyguy interested to see what your brother has to say. Local is out of Kaycee, asked about northern part of unit, he hasn't hunted up there, but I would like to have some options up there if not working out in land down closer to Kaycee Thanks White Frenchy

Your right on the private land. I used to live in Buffalo and my go to area was 35. If you or anyone who reads this puts in go for 35. I cant guarantee a thing on success in 35 but if you are lucky enough to draw, it is nothing short of spectacular for elk. Were you thinking of hunting this above Buffalo or Kaycee? Ill see if I can get any info from my brother who lives there. Problem is, we never put in for this area because of all the private land. If your willing to hike in one quick suggestion is to hike in and behind the ranches. Ive called in elk for fun right across the highway from sheep mountain lookout (sheep mountain is 35 but across the highway is 34 and public). If I remember right it was in an area called poison creek.