Utah LE Elk / MZ 2009 or Early rifle 2010?

highhunt · Dec 25, 2008

I have heard that the guality of the bulls is continuing to drop in Utah. I believe with my points that I can draw a LE southern unit like the Pahvant and hunt in 09 with a MZ. I'm looking for a bull at or above 360.

On the other hand, if I wait until 2010 or even 2011 I will get a early rifle hunt in a simular unit.

So, what do I do? Is the quality going downhill so bad or fast that I should hunt in 09 and not delay? Help?

antlerrick · Dec 25, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Dec-25-08 AT 11:11PM (MST)[p]I don't think we can really know the quality issue until another season passes and we look at the harvest for 2009. This season was really tough for a number or reasons, but there had been some good bulls located and seen, but not a lot of them seemed to get harvested. I feel the quality has gone down somewhat, but I hope that it was more due to the tough conditions, versus the declining quality of bulls.
I also feel that there will be a good number of nice bulls this coming year due to the fact that many hunters were passing on good bulls, waiting for great bulls, and these good bulls, have a good chance of becoming great bulls this next season.
Just my 2 cents....
What are your thoughts?

jims · Dec 25, 2008

I've been on a couple LE hunts the past couple years and you better be willing to go home empty if you are holding out for 360+ with a muzzy! Everything will need to fall in your favor to get a 360 bull in just about any unit in Utah w/muzzy. Obviously you would have a lot easier time having things fall in place during the early rifle season. Hopefully you have lots of time to scout and hunt hard!

There was night and day difference in the quality of bulls I saw this year compared to last year in the unit I was in. Only time will tell if the quality will continue to decline as UT continues to increase tag numbers...harvest spike bulls, etc.

koldtrailin · Dec 25, 2008

The quality is dropping fast. Tough season yes, but now the spike hunting is open and the number of tags being given out is high. Two year window on the giants!!!

1highpeak · Dec 27, 2008

So what your all saying is one year the rut dosen't seem to cooperate with the rifle hunters, and the big bulls make it, means Utahs headed downhill? This is getting funny! We saw the same bulls alude us the year before last and they did it again this year, maybe next year someone will kill one maybe they won't (shrug) The point is, most guys dont know about these bulls, just because you don't hear of as many "400 inchers" being killed dosent mean their is any less of them on the mountain, in fact I personaly think that most of the "400s" you here about were never officaily scored and are probably not quite the bull people think they are!

Just my 2cents (dont retailate to hard!)

southslope82 · Dec 27, 2008

+ 1 highpeak exactly my thoughts too

huntin100 · Dec 30, 2008

My brother and I know of at least 10 bulls shot off the North Cache this past year. It is managed for 3-4 yr old bulls. I agree not as many bulls were shot around 400 last year. Still have a good chance to kill a 350 class bull on many units if you put your home work in. Still a few giants. 400 plus. Some units better than others. It's not all doom and gloom.

koldtrailin · Jan 3, 2009

I have hunted elk the last several years on almost every hunt. I have hunted on nearly all of the hunts archery, muzzle, rifle, and late. Believe me the bulls are dropping in size. Utah hunters hunt extremely hard and take great animals. The DWR gives out more tags. It is not rocket science. They are dropping and you will see a decline in book animals taken throughout the state over the next few years. I commend the hunters in the field as they are EXTREME. They make the most of their hunting opportunity.

Prism · Jan 3, 2009

Bingo koldtrailin.

Anaconda · Jan 3, 2009

I'm in the same boat as Highhunt, only a few years behind. With 9 points, I'm in range of a good late rife hunt.
Do I spend the points or gamble on a great archery hunt in 5 years ? Will those top end units still be great in 5 years ?

proutdoors · Jan 3, 2009

I am one of those in the minority on this, but I do NOT buy into the doom and gloom of Utah's elk 'quality' taking a huge nose dive. Now, in 4-5 years if they keep issuing spike tags and keep the number of mature tags 'quality' will suffer at some point. So, IMHO there are 4-5 'good' years of high end bulls being available on most LE units. Do NOT panic and settle for a 'lesser' tag, stay with what you planned originally and don't buy the hype.

PRO

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