WYOMING UNIT 7 TROPHY ELK

HCU works with a couple high success trophy oriented elk outfitters in Unit 7 of the Laramie Range in southeastern Wyoming. It normally takes maximum points of 8 or possibly 7 to draw this unit. Here are the write-ups on both. 2013 started off normal with rifle hunters taking their bulls early in the season, including an 82-year old hunter bagging a 360-inch trophy bull, but unusually warm weather hampered the later hunts which can be the best. Overall 12 rifle hunters scored on 9 bulls averaging 320 inches. Their 3 early season archery hunters took one 320 bull. They had seen 3 giant bulls in the 380 to 390 class just before season and one archer was holding out, but they couldn’t locate them. In 2012, they had 5 archery hunters take 3 bulls, two 345-inch bulls and one at 320, two monster bulls were missed. Rifle season went 13 for 16 with the best bulls scoring 345 inches and the average was close to 330.

All hunts, archery and rifle, are 7 days priced at $5,750. Archery starts September 8 and rifle is October 15 to November 20.

They have 60,000 deeded private acres northwest of Wheatland. This small run personal family outfit has been in this area for many years and has access to some of the best ranches. They also own one of the ranches and the terrain is rolling hills mixed with sage and wooded canyons, low country and easy to hike and glass, very accessible. They also have access to more mountainous areas where it is more traditional elk hunting. The accommodations is a nice cabin next to their home and all the hunters can stay at the same place, so older guys can hunt lower country or younger guys can hunt the more mountainous terrain and be from the same group as everyone gets together in the evening for meals and lodging.

Hunters fly into Denver and rent a car for the 2 ½ hour drive or fly into Cheyenne where pick up can be arranged. DRAW DEADLINE is January 31. HCU’s Cliff Graham has hunted with this outfitter. Hunt EK703.