Nebo vs N.Cache

GBTG

Active Member
Messages
161
I'm a NR resident with 5 points looking to burn my points in this years draw. I was wondering if I could tap into you guys that have experience in these units and give me some idea where my archery hunt will be best spent? I'd like to have a hunt where I have multiple encounters with 280+ class bulls( it usually takes a few encounters to fall into place for bowhunters!) over a 2 week hunt. I'm experienced in archery elk having killed 4 bulls and a cow in WY and CO. My 10 yr old son will accompany me as he has the past two yrs on hunts that included backpacking in. He's also a good caller! I understand the country is steep in both these units... I imagine that's part of why there an easier draw. Anyways I'd be real grateful for some direction on which to apply for. I'll be coming from Wisconsin.My only previous experience in Utah was a Books Cliff Mule deer hunt 6 yrs ago.
Thanks ,
Dave Lieffort
[email protected]
 
The North Cache has gone downhill in recent years, but it is all public land with plenty of good access. I don't know much about Nebo.

Grizzly
 
north cach has some great bulls you will see alot and could kill a 400 class bull they are there but so are alot of spike hunters hopefully opening up the state will releave some of the presure and make it a better hunt
good luck
 
Both units are tons of bulls in that range, good luck either way. I like Nebo a bit better myself.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
dave pm me i will give you details on the north cache i have seen plenty of 280-400 inch bulls on this unit as i hunt it every year for archery i can give you some places to start and work from there

bbh
 
Nebo has gone down hill a bit but still some good bulls if your willing to work. I hunt it every year with bow, and i am willing to give a guy some help if he draws the tag.
 
GBTG,

If you decide to go Cache, send me a PM. I'd be glad to give you whatever help I can.

North Cache isn't the unit it used to be but if you're willing to work your butt off you can get into some nice bulls. Look at the photos posted on the Hunterstrailhead site and see Mulepacker's post about his hunt this year if you want to see what the North Cache has produced.

If I'm not on the San Juan, I'd be glad to help you pack out a big stinky...

HAZMAT

www.muddyroad.net
 
Ditto to Hazmat's post. I live in and know the N. Cache pretty well. I got a nice LE bull here this year (http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/10117.html) and can't wait for my 5 years to be up so I can start trying for it again. Mulepacker's story will also give some good details on this unit - http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/9827.html

If you draw here or want more info, I would be happy to help. But the N. Cache is NOT an easy unit by any means - perhaps the most difficult in the state to get a nice bull. There are few roads, it's thick and steep, primarily wilderness area, hunted a TON, and pretty much about the roughest elk country you'll find. They are here, but you really have to work (e.g., hike) for them. The success rate is probably one of the lowest in the state.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-04-09 AT 07:58PM (MST)[p]Apollo,

Sorry, I was going to point him to your post, but I forgot your MM handle. You had an awesome hunt and bull. Video was awesome...and you worked your tail off to get a monster.

This may be a great year to hunt the North Cache. With the spike hunt ruining the rest of the LE hunts in the state, the Cache may be quiet.

HAZMAT

www.muddyroad.net
 
If you want to just hunt for a branched antler bull, Nebo will work. But consider that there were 146 bull tags last year. (rifle, archery, muzzleloader) The areas that used to produce good bulls (350) are pretty well trashed. The late antlerless hunts have taken a heavy toll on production and branched antlered bull recruitment. If you try it, consider the area around Maple mountain. They killed some good bulls this year on it.
 
I don't know anything about the Nebo area, but I would stay away from the N. Cache. Even Muleypacker commented that it is the toughest unit to find a 350 bull on in the state. I agree, I have deer hunted and bow hunted this area and would not want to waste my points on the hunt. I would do some more research and decide on another area. Just my opinion.
 
cathunter?

Just curious on the Nebo unit. You mentioned that you hunt it every year with a bow? Isn't that a LE unit for archery or is it open to spike only without a LE permit? I'm fairly new to Utah, (been here a year now) and looking to build points and find a unit to hunt general archery until I build enough points to draw, although at my age,(61), it may not happen.

Thanks
ELKCHSR
 
What would you say is the average size of the herd bulls in the Nebo and how much would you say the unit has slipped?
 
I would say in the area where i hunt the unit has slipped ALOT. Four and five years ago i would have said i could have showed you a handfull of 350 bulls no prob. Last year i saw maybe one bull that big and the biggest one i know of that got killed in that area was 325 and he was the heard bull. Way too many late cow tags, and LE tags has hurt the Nebo unit.
 
Cathunter is right on. The unit was on the upper end of big bulls for a few years but it is now mediocre at best. Its become a sacrifice unit to allow more tags to be sold. It had
146 LE tags last year (all 3 weapon types) I doubt there were 146 "mature" bulls on the entire unit. If they are going to keep giving that many tags and continue to decimate the cow population then maybe they ought to end spike hunting on the unit. It is a situation that I haven't been able to gain any ground on with the Big Game manager for the unit.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom