Hello all, I was lucky enough to draw a cow elk tag for the walk in hunt on Wichita mountains NWR, my dates are Dec 13th-17th....anyone hunted this before want to share some advice or any help? Just starting to begin researching and planning so anything is helpful at this point. Thanks!

They just started the walk in hunts I think last year.

Congrats. I’d get a good frame pack, I image they will be pretty accommodating intel on cows since they are usually the least sought after highest abundance

I’d call and ask about using a mountain bike

Yep, I think last year was the first year. Where the regular hunt they drop you off and pick you up, the walk in hunt, you are on your own and well, walk in from a gate. The regular hunt your assistant can't hunt with you and has to wait in camp until you kill one. The walk in hunt, your helper can accompany you. The walk in hunt there is no driving in to drop you and your gear off, no driving in to help to pick you or your animal up. You pack it out to where you entered the hunt area. I think I read that bicycles and game carts were not allowed during the walk in hunt, but I would ask about that. You and your assistant are going to need good packs or frame packs to get your animal out. I would pick up some big game/meat bags as well. Good luck. I wish I was going, but being a once in a lifetime hunt I only put in for the bull hunt so the odds are always against me despite having several points.

Thanks, have a couple of frame packs, and like Sniper said in his comment I believe carts and bikes are a no go...Have some good game bags and gear from a previous mule deer hunt

You are golden, if I wasn't mule deer hunting week before I'd volunteer to help, just so I could learn the area better. Good luck. Good news is a Cow pack out wont be to bad.

On that same note, if you get closer to those dates and don't have a helper or they have to back out for some reason, feel free to ask me to volunteer. If I don't have some other hunt lined up, I am sure I could drive up there for the experience to learn more about the area and hunt.

Man, that's awesome, I certainly appreciate it. If my dad or my backup backs out, I'll definitely give you a shout. I think we will try and get a scouting trip up there around September. You're right, my first thought was, well a cow should be an easier pack out. Of course in this case "easy" is relative.

Hang whole to cool, bone out to haul. With two people you could do it in one trip but it’s going to hurt, two trips boned out, easy pezzy. Don’t over think it. Those dates mean you can take your time.

What do you figure a mature cow in that part of the country is going to weigh?

400-500lb on mature cow, 140 -180+- lbs of boned out meat depending on how clean you get it.

For most people 50-60lbs is safe weigh to pack with a good load transfer to hips pack. You can do more but it will take a toll on most people.

Okay, thanks. That's about what I was thinking. I've done 70 pounds before and it was rough but doable. My dad is in good shape, but in his early 60s, so 50 pounds probably sounds about right for him. From what I can tell with some luck on our side we could be hiking in some pretty flat terrain for most of the trip.

Updating this post if anyone else is interested in this hunt. It was a great opportunity and a great experience and blessing. We didn't see much the first day, and put some miles on the boots on the 2nd day. We found a great spot full of sign, and saw a few elk but couldn't get it done. This morning we returned to the same spot and I was able to make a shot on a cow. 175 yards. Got her packed out in a couple of hours. My dad wasn't too into it at first but after this experience he wants to put in for his own tag next year.

Way to go, congrats on a successful hunt

Thanks!

awesome...

Wow, congratulations. That appears to be a decent sized cow too..

Sweet! congrats.

That’s awesome. Are these hard to draw?

Thanks guys! This is the walk in only hunt at the NWR, and only the 2nd year it's been available. I put in both times and drew it this year. It does have better odds than their other hunts, being that it's a walk in DIY hunt

Been reading up on it the past hour or so, watched some videos too. Sounds like it’s truly a once in a lifetime hunt, meaning you draw once and hunt once.. ever. Quota this year looked like 300 cows and 100 bulls appx over several hunts, and around 30k entries.
You have to buy your license before entering as well, which is kind of pricey for out of state. Entry is between April and May.
I’m going to keep researching but maybe some others can chime in.

That's correct. I don't remember the license being pricey. Around 75$, and then you pay for your tag if you're selected. I remember it being around 400$

Good deal. I didn’t look up the cost today but I years past, I thought the out of state license was in the $300 range..

That’s the approx tag cost for deer, antelope and elk. You can do that or a small game license (yearly or 5 day.)

I’ve been applying for over 10 years

Well earned!! Sounds like a great experience!!!

Absolutely!