14 Utah Elk Points-Burn or not?

[littlebighorn]

I am asking your advice. I am a 59 year old Utah resident with 14 points, who has never killed a big bull. My Utah points are my only hope, but I am not getting any younger. My question is, should I burn my points on a unit like the Wasatch or Central, or should I wait for a better unit. I am worried what the spike hunt is going to do to quality. I am not that interested in a Muzzy hunt, but I want to hunt the rut. What do you think?

 

[one_dryboot]

If i was in your shoes i would hold out for a better unit! you have already waited and it shouldnt be long

 

[thebuckstopshere]

You are concerned about what the spike hunt will do to quality, so your thought is to burn your points on a unit that has allowed spike hunting for ten years?

Think about it. Wait your turn. You are close.

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Wait but no longer than Two years, then burn burn burn burn and fast cause after that your gonna see the effects of the spike units.

Wildlife population control specialist

 

[JDC]

What do you consider a big bull?? With 14 points there are a bunch of units that would most likely be a guaranteed permit this year. If you would be happy with a bull in the 330 range, use your points. Take your pick - Cache, Manti, Nebo, Wasatch, Oquirrhs, Fishlake, etc. These are the early hunts and all of these units could produce something better than 330. There are very few late hunts that would not be a guaranteed permit with 14 points. If you are looking for something a bit bigger, you are still very close and could pull it this year anyway. Dutton, Boulder, Book Cliffs (Bitter Creek or Little Creek), Panguitch Lake. The early hunts on the San Juan, Pahvant, and SW Desert are still a ways out, but you are right in the mix for the late hunts.

You are in a great position. Use your points wisely.

Jon
www.HuntersTrailhead.com

 

[ktc]

I would use your points ASAP. Don't do nothing dumb though. Only time will tell what happens around here. Try for a southern unit and get out if you can.

Panguitch Lake, Dutton, or Boulder would be good choices if you can draw IMO.

 

[c3]

I would tend to agree with KTC. With only 14 or like me with 13, your not in the bonus pool ever in our lifetimes on what where the premiums. Pahvant, San Juan, Monroe and Southwest Desert are in the 40 to 1 odds range IF you have max points. If you don't it's in the 200 to 1 range like nearly everyone else.

Do the premium hunt on one of the second tier units and enjoy your time in the woods with some monster elk, even if folks think 330 bulls are only dinks

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Silentstalker]

Good ideas Ty and Pete,

My thoughts exactly. Get in one of those units and kill you a nice bull. Don't worry what the score is man, you will have the hunt of a lifetime and I bet you will end it with a big ole smile on your face! Pick the unit you know the very best or hire a guide and get a nice bull. The spike hunt will not effect the LE hunt until 4-5 years down the road (unless you do an archery tag). Good luck! Make sure you post pic's when you get him!

Chad

 

[littlebighorn]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I live too far away from those southern units to do much scouting. How hard is it to kill a nice bull 340ish or better in one of those units if you have not been able to scout all that much? That is obviously DYI.
And how much is the going price for a decent guide?

 

[Blanding_Boy]

14 points--

What kind of bull would make you happy and make you feel like you spent good money and time for 14 years? Is it all about score? Does it have to score 380 or you will be sad? Is it about how the elk looks, its it just important to harvest a mature (7+ year old) bull, the herd bull regardless of score or what? Is it about the experience, having your boys, brothers, friends there?

Many things to consider. I think once you honestly answer this, then you might be able to narrow down your choices a bit.

Here are a few things to consider

1--in 2009, I would consider ML--it will be the best hunt this year as far as rut activity and chances for a big, mature, herd, high scoring bull.

2--ask yourself this--do I really know what a 330 bull vs. a 350 bull vs. a 380 bull is? If you want a 380+ bull or nothing do you really know what that looks like, how to score property, do it quickly and be fairly close with your score.

3--what units do I know the best, what unit do I know the least. How will my annual leave look like this year. How much time will i have to scout during the best scouting time? What will fuel prices be like then?

I don't envy you at all this is a tough decision. I had lunch with someone just yesterday in your same boat.

Good luck.

Todd
BTO

 

[BreederBuck]

Tough call.I have a similar situation myself for deer. My fear would be to settle for lesser hunt and regret it. That would absolutely haunt a guy...........

 

[woodruffhunter]

I would sell now before the market drops.

 

[ktc]

If you can do some online and telephone scouting, plus make 2-3 trips down to your unit you will be fine. Meaning you will have a good hunt. Don't get caught up in the talk you hear around here though thinking if you have a rifle tag in hand you will drive down and shoot a 380 out your truck window. These bulls are not easy and take some luck. If quality is still there, you do your part, 350 should be doable if you can guess score like was mentioned.

Going south is not as far as it seems, not to me anyway. This year in my mind is a turning point. We are going to see one of two things IMO. One; the quality is hurting and the hunts won't be what they were a few years ago; or, it was an off year and the bulls will be big and abundant. Either way, spending them now is a good choice in my eyes. I honestly think south is your best bet.

 

[littlebighorn]

I have been chewing on this issue for some time (actually a few years) and I think that if I could take a 350 or better bull, I would never second guess my decision. Mostly I would just like to find a nice looking bull that I could admire in my old age. While I am a seasoned hunter, I don't pretend to be a great judge of score, and as far as that goes any impressive looking bull would be a trophy to me. That is why I threw out 350, because most 350 or better bulls are impressive to me.
You have all given me things to think about and I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks

 

[Gator]

as far as killing a huge bull just kill the one you look at and like, the score don't mean crap if you like him.
if you can draw SJ with a ML I sure would it a great place to kill a good Bull.


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Ktc is right you may want to wait this year and see, last year may have just been a hick up. I think you have one of too choices, go south and wait a couple of years, or draw a premium tag on the wasatch, nebo, or manti; and hire a guide who knows his stuff. If you can hike and are in shape we have been killin 350+ bulls on the wasatch with just a little work and a little luck. Weigh your options and a you should not bet spending more than $5000 total for your guide. there are more than a couple of guys who are excellent guys that you could get it for less. shop around talk to some ppl and then make an educated decision. If your lookin for more info just PM me ill help as best i can.

Wildlife population control specialist

 

[Spoonful]

All you people crying about the new spike hunt need to think about something. The wasatch has been spike only for 10+ years, and if Im not mistaken over the last 5-8 years there has been some GREAT bulls killed. Sure the last couple it has seemed to go down abit, but 250+ tags would do that to any unit. So what do you crybabies think that 250+ tags would do to san juan or pavant units? I dont believe the spike hunt has anything to do with it. If anything the wasatch proves that spike hunting is ok, more tags is not ok.
TAGS GO UP, QUALITY GOES DOWN!

SPOONFUL

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Spoonful you remember the wasatch 10 8 or even 6 years ago? You couldnt find a good bull on it. It took 10 years to revamp and recover from a spike hunt. Now throw 12000 tags on some units that have never seen a spike hunt before?? your gonna have a serious age and population gap comin up here shortly.

Wildlife population control specialist

 

[Spoonful]

BB if you are correct, then what you are saying is when every body leaves the wasatch to go hunt spikes some where else then the quality of bulls is going to go up on the wasatch. I would love to see that happen but I dont think it is. Do you not think the quality has anything to do with the 300+ tags

spoonful

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Oh it does 300 tags is no bueno, and when the Bull pop explodes on the wasatch from the lack of Spike hunters whats gonna happen there?? 500 tags to compensate kaboom there goes the wasatch followed shortly by the rest of the state for about ten years, then the quality will level to about the wasatch right now which, is good but not great.

Wildlife population control specialist

 

[huntshedz]

Last year, my grandpa was in the same boat... He had been putting in for the monroe unit. He is 66 years old, and only had 11 points. I talked him into putting in for Fishlake. He drew the tag, and killed a great bull.

 

[bighamr]

Most of what these guys are saying is on the money. If you are more comfortable with some of the mid state units go after them. We hunt the Bookcliffs and are killing some GOOD bulls every year, 350+ is definitely within reach. If you are interested shoot me a email. Good luck with whatever you do.