Manti Muzzy Elk

doublelungem · May 29, 2009

Hey everybody! Love to read the forums, thanks to all for tips, opinions, etc. Thanks Founder for gettin me set up to be a part of it all!!
I've been lookin on here it seems not too many people talk about the Manti for elk. I was lucky enough to draw the Muzzleloader tag this year, i just was curious to see what everybodys thought were about the unit and the bulls. Lookin forward to the hunt and bein part of the forums! Thanks again!!

KattTraxx · May 29, 2009

Double..
We had 2 tags for this hunt last year, ended up with 2 nice bulls 3 or 4 days into the hunt. We got the first one opening day, bulls we had scouted prior to the hunt. We were in the northern end of the unit, toward Scofield. The second bull was a little further south on the fourth day. It was just a dad and his two sons.. in scraming bulls for 2 hours after daylight.. fighting, screaming, cows everywhere.. a few bulls to choose from.. incredible experience.

The rut was going better for the muzzleloader guys than it was for the rifle hunt. Timing was excellent. The Manti has good numbers of elk, but it is big too. Lots of places to hunt that hold elk. Your chances at killing a 400 bull are not great, but you can realistically hope for 320 to 350 range. Last year I know some pretty good hunters that ended the hunt with their uncut tag in their pocket too.. So, congratulations on your draw. Best of Luck!! KattKrapp

doublelungem · May 29, 2009

Thanks Katt! I know the northern end of the unit fairly well, my family owns a cabin in the area. I feel pretty confident i could have a chance at a 340-350 class bull and i would be tickled with somethin of that size. Just curious to hear others opinions and experiences.

wymoose · May 31, 2009

A buddy of mine had the early rifle tag a couple years back. It was one of the funnest elk hunts I've ver been on. We were in elk all the time. Found some pretty good bulls. I would expect you to be able to take a 350 bull if you put in the time. We found a 360 or maybe a little bigger scouting, and should have sealed the deal on him, it just didn't quite turn out. Same friend has the late rifle this year. (Keeps drawing them at the expo). I love the unit, has a ton of elk. Good Luck! I think there are elk all across the unit, maybe a few more on the north end vs the south.

http://www.huntaddicts.com

elkhunter2428 · Jun 2, 2009

Great unit,great tag.
Its not near as good as it once was but still pretty awesome.
I spend alot of time up there, have some good trail cam pics, tell me your email address and i will send ya some cause i cant figure out how to put them on here.

doublelungem · Jun 2, 2009

Thanks elkhunter, sent ya a PM

hossblur · Jun 2, 2009

had the late tag last year, was pretty tough. We muzz deer down there and last year the bulls were really late making noise, almost a month late. They are a lot of people that time of year between hunters and ATV enthusiasts so it can be tough, but that unit is so big you can always go somewhere else.

doublelungem · Jun 2, 2009

I've heard alot of people say the bulls are alot quieter on that unit, which concerns me alittle, i haven't spent alot of time down there during the rut but i'm gonna make the best of it regardless.

Big_uns · Jun 3, 2009

Double.....

I too have the ML elk hunt for this year!! I know the unit pretty good from north to south, east to west. There is alot of activities that go on down there, especially the deer hunters will be with us!! So, that being said, we have to hope that all the ML deer hunters are respectful to the 47 of us ML elk hunters that should/could be on the mountain at the same time!!
We have encountered some really neat people down there and then there is always the flip side of the coin.

It should be a very similar year to last year, the elk will be moving alot at "night". Being very vocal in the wweee hours!!

Two of the biggest bulls I personally witnessed come off the mountain were from opposite ends, one went 373, one went 361, although comparing to other bulls tagged they were extremely nice bulls!!

Me personally do not care what my bull scores, as I have it in my head what I want him to look like!!!
Just a plain old "pretty", perfectly symetrical six point, I personally do not like junk on bull elk!!!

If and when I find this bull he is "DEAD"!!!! 300 or 400 I do not care, I will not come home empty handed either, So if I cannot find this particular bull by the last day, I will shoot the first thing I see that has "BONE"!!!! Spike or whatever.

Good luck and stay intouch!!!

rkurelowech · Jun 4, 2009

PM Sent let me know if I can be of anymore help

doublelungem · Jun 4, 2009

rkurelowech PM sent back, thanks alot for the info!!

big_uns, congrats on the tag! I'm super excited! Thanks for the info!!
Like i said before I'm most familiar with the northern end of the unit, I have spent alot of time there the last few years. I have seen a fair share of good bulls too. I plan to hunt for a bigger bull (340-350 class), for the first few days, then depending on what I can find, I will settle for something less. If I can't come up with any bigger bulls, I'm looking for what you are, a clean symetrical six point.
I hope to do as much scouting as I can this summer and I will be down there for the archery deer hunt. I will let you know how everything goes.
I will keep in touch for sure!

Good Luck!!