Wasatch Elk

bullsmoker · Apr 11, 2009

Alright all I happened to end up with a bull tag for
the Wasatch unit and I need some serious help. I'm from back East a ways and have never hunted in your neck of the woods.

I heard Utah was the place for big bulls and decided to make the investment.

I need to know how far to plan on hiking and exactly what kind of shape I need to be in to kill a big bull. I've hunted at lower elavations for several years and have killed several
large whitetail bucks and multiple hogs.

I've worked up a load for my rifle and have sent in the optics for the computer work up. Currently I own a polaris 700
and feel that I can get to almost where I need to be. I think if I can get to within 800-900 yards I'll be successful

Financially this will be a great hunt and may be something I'll look at in the future depending on the outcome of this hunt.

Thanks for the help

Prism · Apr 11, 2009

Beautiful country and great access pretty much everywhere. There's some rough stuff and some very easy country too. There's a lot of guys on here that spend pleny of time on the unit.

Be realistic though, most Wasatch bulls are going to be 300-340 in the "real" world-lots of rubber tapes used on Wasatch bulls... A few bigger shot every year and might be a chance to kill a real monster, but not likely.

There's a lot more tags on the Wasatch this year. There's still lots of room to get lost in, but the majority of big bulls are gonna have guys camped on them opening morning. If you can swing it you should show up a week before hand to do some serious scouting and try to put on down quick if you find what you're looking for.

Kind of funny but year after year it seems the biggest bulls come out of the more popular areas on the unit. Quie a few good outfitters on the unit too that frequent this site like Jim Hiatt with A Whole Lotta Bull.

It's not what it use to be, but it'll be a fun hunt if you're not after a monster.

From the sounds of most of the Southern Utah shed hunters though, you likely spent a whole lot less money than the premo units and may do just as well. Good luck!

bullmania · Apr 11, 2009

I hunted the Wasatch last year with Jim Hiatt and Awholelottabull guides and outfitters. Jim and his crew did a first clas job all the way.
It is money well invested to have someone like
Jim with you on your hunt.

Jim knows where the biggest bulls are on the unit and can save you a lot of time and energy .

Good Luck and let me know if i can help.
Bullmania

slamdunk · Apr 12, 2009

Dang....no need to even respond to this thread, Prism and Bull said it absolutely perfectly!!

Good luck bullsmoker, your going to have a great hunt!!

GFOUR · Apr 13, 2009

Lets be real guys... most guys will never even see a 400" in the wild on the hoof even on the very best units. very few ever get that chance, there are lots of guys that have lots of stories of missing 390" bulls but most are just that "stories." They come home eating tag soup, or with a rag 5 that they shot on opening day cause it was the biggest bull they had seen that day and they had to be home for church the next day or some other lame excuse. a 350" looks very good good on the wall and its about the best most guys will ever have a chance to harvest. IF they put in the time and the work. its not a walk in the park boys there are no guarantee's no matter what unit you draw. the Wasatch has good bulls but it is a big unit, you cant just show up on opening day with a tag in your hand and expect to tie to the antler by 10am... it takes work. I drew the Wasatch last year and hiked my tail off, lost 15 lbs, and took a 355" bull on the next to the last day, and it was the hunt of my life that Bull means more to me than I can express... leave the monster dreams to the super rich and the 25 guides... go out and have FUN.

REDDOG · Apr 13, 2009

a polaris 700 and "8-900 yards" lol, i think you guys put down alot of words for a TROLL!

we_B_huntin · Apr 14, 2009

From the origonal post I'm not sure whether to laugh or scratch my head.

Romulus · Apr 14, 2009

Just wondering how you obtained the tag and what you paid for it? send me a pm if you want.

skyline · Apr 14, 2009

Congrats on your tag. Utah is definately the place for big bulls. I have taken sunday drives through the Wasatch unit and have seen multiple 400+ bulls. If you're going to be riding your polaris 700 definately take a chain saw and extra fuel. There are a lot of single track hiking paths on the Wasatch but with a chain saw and extra fuel you'll be able to take your 700 on them. You can get 10+ miles in the backcountry using this method, however look out for the holier then thou hunters and tree hungers. Wear full camo and camo you 700 I have riden right up to elk using this method. Cabela makes a pipe for your 700 that sounds like an elk bulge. Buy it. It will be the best money you spend all year. The Wasatch is full of open high country. I take shots out to 1,200 yard every year. Just put the animal at the bottom of your scope and fire. Another good peace of advice is to camp close to a guided camp. At night around the campfire the guides will spill the beans and tell you were all the big ones are. You should have no problem at taking a 400 class bull. Good luck.

bullmania · Apr 14, 2009

I hunted the Wasatch in 2008 and did not see a bull over 350 last year and my Guide to my knowledge did not see a bull over 370 while scouting so a 400 inch bull maybe a bit difficult on that unit.

I used a guide because i live out of state and had no time to scout nor did i know the area or have the time to bring equipment from the other side of the US.

Yes i could have killed a bull own my own as there were plenty of bulls around but i would not have had the same experience as i had with a great group of guys that not only know the unit well but also love elk hunting.

I think you will do great on the Wasatch and have a good time but i would not expect a true 400 inch bull from that unit.

Good Luck and send us some pictures of your adventure.
Bullmania

antlerrick · Apr 15, 2009

GFOUR, don't you know that after you miss a 340 bull, it grows at least another 40 or 50 inches. That is why there are so many 400" bulls in Utah is because there are some terrible shots here. A nice 300" bull can become a screaming 400" after just a few misses...LOL>..

Bullsmoker...you have been given some great advice here and I'll put in a plug for Jim at AWHOLELOTTABULL also..
good luck

bullsmoker · Apr 15, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Apr-15-09 AT 07:32PM (MST)[p] Thanks for those that took the time to reply. I am just getting back in to the country as I've had to deal with a few property issues down south.

Sorry for the edit but it seems as though our cellular system has a few holes, hence the edit midstream.

This weekend I plan on getting the Grizz out and ringing the gong a few times. If you knew what was involved in making this happen where my residence is you'd be violently ill. ( libs, cant shoot them, can't teach them )

I appreciate the inquiries about my good fortune in obtaining this permit but I feel that is my personal business and that you would all understand and respect that.

Looking at a few of the online resources at hand it appears that I'll be hunting between 7,000 - 10,000 feet. Good news for me is that it appears that there are several ATV trails in this area, and I presume access shouldn't be much of an issue.

I will keep up with the online resources as well as my fitness routine and hopefully I'll be able to kick the habit
in the next several weeks, stress and the current Administration
have a way of shortening lifespans when you are in my line of work.

good night all 9:30 here almost to the Apt, and once again sorry about the edit