Manti Late Elk

[wrk2hnt]

I was lucky enough to draw this tag at the expo, but I know nothing about the unit. I am hoping that a few of my fellow sportsman will be willing to share some thoughts with me.

 

[hossblur]

This is a tough hunt because it is so dependent on weather. Early snow might leave the herds on the Carbon side of the mtns. Those that are on the western side are somewhere between the high country and winter ground. I did it last year, my inlaws are in this year. We couldn't make skyline(manti canyon) because of drifts. Finally found bulls about half way up. Killed one in 6 mile. It is cold, but you pretty much have the mtn to yourself. Scouting now is good to familiarize yourself with the area, but useless for late season. Most of the bulls will be killed(archery, early rifle, and muzz) and those that aren't won't be withing miles of where they are now. There is a big herd, all bulls that winter out by Spring City, but depending on weather, they might not be there. 4 years ago we caught them by Spring City Cemetery, 60 plus bulls, all mature. Last year for my hunt they weren't there. Big unit! Not some secret agent man so I would be glad to share what we see from scouting during the muzz deer hunt and rifle hunt.

 

[DidIDraw]

You should probably start by getting familiar with where the elk winter on the east side (I personally don't know much about that side). Once the elk start migrating to their wintering areas they go in force. I think you have a 60-70% chance of having good elk numbers on the east side at that time of the year.

I'm more familiar with the west side of the mountain. There are bulls that stay on the west side through the winter but they are mainly on private ground once the snow starts. The bottom 1/3 of the mountain from Thisle to Mayfield is mostly private or blocked by private. If you decide to hunt the west side a couple of places you will probably find huntable elk are the mouth of Ephraim Canyon (Bald Mountain and New Canyon), Six Mile Canyon, and Spring City/Canal Canyons.

Have a great hunt and make sure you post pictures here.

 

[AZHUNTNDAN]

wrk2hnt,
I sent you a pm.

 

[BLooDTRaCKeR]

I had this tag 4 years ago, Killed a small 6 point by scofield res. I saw around 700 head of elk in 11 days and only one 6 point bigger than the one I shot. The rest were rag horns/spikes. Out of those 700 elk, only 25 were bulls. I was very disappointed with that hunt and would never put in for a late hunt in that area. We had two snow storms come in on us during the hunt and dumped over a foot of snow. The younger bulls were bugling like crazy all day long. Could not find a mature 6 point to save my life! The morning I shot my bull it was -2 degrees and he was in a herd with 70 cows. I have seen some impressive bulls up on that unit but they are scattered during the late hunt and down in the thickest, steepest nastiest terrain you can find. If I would have known that on my hunt, I would have been much more successful on locating the bigger bulls. My suggestion (if you are physically able to and willing to punish yourself) is to find the terrain that does not look very inviting and glass it hard a week prior to the hunt. You will find the big boys if you work hard in these less desirable areas that are full of butt kicking brush and steep/deep canyons. Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

 

[wildwest0801]

PM Sent