Montezuma Creek for Youth Hunt?

Ironmine · Apr 29, 2009

My 13 year old son drew the Utah Youth Elk tag this year and I was wondering if the Montezuma Creek unit by Blanding is worth a look. Any thoughts.. His Hunt starts mid September...

eyecrazy · Apr 30, 2009

I guide youth elk hunters in the northern part of the state. if enterested send me a pm or email. I have a 99% success rate and I am affordable can give referances and pics we even got one hunt last year on video we kill and see bulls from 280 to 350 good luck

Ironmine · May 4, 2009

Thanks for the offer but I'm set up pretty good to DIY. I know the Northern units well enough to find a bull but was wondering if the new unit across from the SanJaun was worth the investment in time to scout it for his hunt. Hopefully to find a better quality bull.

fstop · May 4, 2009

Hey Ironmine,
Was down there this week trying to get some turkeys for some youth and ran into a few bulls down in the bottom of Montezuma. This is the first time i've been down into there, and boy is it pretty. You might want to try talking to Blanding Boy or some of the locals down there. The locals were very helpful getting these boys their turkeys, don't know how they'll be with elk info, but it's worth a try?

Fstop

Bman9900 · May 4, 2009

It is definitely worth a look because there is the potential for some nice bulls to be taken on that unit, but with that said, access to huntable ground is going to be the tricky part. The unit is interspersed with CWMU and private ground - therefore, knowing the land boundaries and having access will be key.

Ironmine · May 4, 2009

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it. Sounds like I better start checking out the maps. Is there much public land with good access or is it a checker board of private ownership?

Bman9900 · May 4, 2009

There is some BLM ground with access, but there are also isolated parcels with little or no access. You're right, you just need to check the maps. As far a Montezuma Creek itself goes, I have been told there are some resident elk, but that many of the elk don't move in until later in the year. Good luck!

Ironmine · May 4, 2009

Is that where some of the SanJuan elk winter? I wonder why they decided to break that area out into an open bull unit... Anyway thanks.

Bman9900 · May 4, 2009

Some drop down and winter in the canyon itself. The only reason they are opening that area up for an open bull hunt is that the elk have been hammering the agricultural areas (especially the sunflowers). Many of the elk in the area are resident elk that never cross the highway, however, they all come from the same San Juan genes so there are some huge bulls in the unit. I hope it is a success and they can continue to give the average guy the opportunity to take some of these great bulls, but I am afraid that, due to the area and land ownership issues, that it will turn out to be a law enforcement nightmare. Thus, anyone that wants to hunt the unit must do their due diligence, but if this can be done successfully - the reward could be great!

Ironmine · May 4, 2009

Sounds just like Range Creek. Thank god for the 7min map and the GPS. Thanks.

Gator · May 4, 2009

I would check the area south of Eastland around the rim area those bulls come up out of the canyon for night feeding in the fields, we have seen several nice bulls down in the area.
Finding where they are feeding and you will have a great chance of see them in the canyon. If you can rut hunt them your odds will go up alot.

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

Ironmine · May 4, 2009

His hunt is Sept 12th thru the 20th. Should be peak of the rut unless it is like last year... Man it sure seamed they were late getting going last season. Thanks for the info... I will take all the help I can get. As hard as it is getting to draw a tag I want to work hard to get my son into a good bull. Who knows when he will get another chance... Should be a great start to his big game hunting career.