Non-resident with 12 points

sawtoothhunter · Jan 15, 2009

My hunting partner has 12 non-resident elk points going into this year's draw and will be putting in for an archery tag. Last year I drew a Monroe archery tag and killed a very nice bull in the 340 range. He had originally planned to go back there this year since we learned the unit pretty well and saw some pretty nice bulls. One of the things he's looking for is a quality hunt with not so many people running around, and he's now concerned that there will be too many hunters with the new spike rules.

With 12 NR points he should be in the running for most of the better LE archery hunts. Right now he's leaning towards San Juan but is still unsure. I believe he's thinking that San Juan won't see as many general season hunters due to the distance from most of the hunters in Utah Valley. What's the opinion out there on bowhunting San Juan? We probably won't be able to do much if any, pre-season scouting due to distance and time (we're from Idaho). Also what other units do you guys think bear consideration?

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Jan 15, 2009

I would look at Panguitch Lake and definately Beaver. The Beaver unit would be my first choice with 12 NR points. San Juan is a good choice as well but I think you are still a year or 2 out on the San Juan. 12 NR points will get you an early season rifle tag on the Wasatch and Nebo too. Don't rule those out.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

koldtrailin · Jan 15, 2009

12 points NR is a good place to be. 2009 will be good to him!

sawtoothhunter · Jan 15, 2009

Panguitch and Beaver are both units I suggested he think about. Looking at the drawing history I think he could draw the preferance tag on these units along with maybe Monroe, and possibly Southwest Desert as well. To me it looks like he might be a 1 in 3 chance at best for San Juan. We're pretty much committed bowhunters, and are looking for a great archery hunt, so I don't think he will go for the rifle tag.

1highpeak · Jan 17, 2009

Just some food for thought,in 2009 the archery hunt ends on september 11 and I 2010 I think the hunt will run until the 17th of september, If you plan on hunting the beaver you WILL want the extra days closer to the rut those bulls rut late trust me!
You might be wise to sit a year and wait until you will have more quality days with bugling to help locate in that dense timber. Just a thought

Spoonful · Jan 17, 2009

1highpeak where did you get 2010 hunt dates?

1highpeak · Jan 17, 2009

I get the hunt dates from which week the deer hunt starts, you only have so many weeks to hunt and it always ends on a friday before the opening of the LE Rifle bull hunt, so if you look at it in 2006 in ended on 9/15, in 2007 it ended on 9/14, in 2008 it ended on 9/13 and next year the calandar dates start a smidge later, kindof like christmas its not always on Sun,Mon,Tues ect. it moves with the year. 2010 it should be to the later dates and work back over the next few years and then start the process back over. sorry for the drawn out answer, but I have been archery elk hunting for 12years now and have just kindof noticed the end moves alittle. We just need to talk the DWR into starting the LE Archery elk hunt on HUMMM about Sept 15 and run until the 25th and that would solve this..... good idea dont ya think?

koldtrailin · Jan 18, 2009

PAHVANT ARCHERY!!!!

Need I say more. 12 points and die hard archery go for the top units until he draws.

My 2cents.

Gator · Jan 19, 2009

San Juan would be my area to draw if I was in the hunt for a great archery hunt, alot of good bull are taken each year down there. The elk are really spreading out into the low area's now, during the rut last year we saw a lot of bulls running cows north of town, east of town,they aren't just not up on the mountain any more. Good area

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