cantkillathing
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Maybe people are not posting, but it seems as though utahs 400 class bulls are way down, even the higher 390 bulls are down this year, is the glory days over?
What happened to Utah this year?
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ELKOHOLIC
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The glory days are over! Lets slash the tags by 75% so most people can shoot a 390-400 bull so the glory days can return. Sorry, couldn't resist.
I guess I have a different definition of what the glory days of elk hunting is. I would say we have it pretty good. I remember hunting with my dad when most of the state was general season. A lot has changed for the better since then.
Your probably not seeing as many pictures because people are ashamed of showing there 330-350 bulls. Everyone has been brain washed that anything under 370 is a raghorn.
I guess I have a different definition of what the glory days of elk hunting is. I would say we have it pretty good. I remember hunting with my dad when most of the state was general season. A lot has changed for the better since then.
Your probably not seeing as many pictures because people are ashamed of showing there 330-350 bulls. Everyone has been brain washed that anything under 370 is a raghorn.
longshooter338
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Well said!
G
GrezzeeBulls
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Speaking for the SWD; after the 2005 rut/hunt season it has slowly gone down hill. The rut keeps getting later and later to the point where there only rutting hard in certain small areas, and hardly rutting at all for a high percentage of the unit. I've talked to alot of buddies about all the 300-350 class bulls we've seen over the last five years, and even this year, and can't figure out why we don't see a ton of 370 class or better running around like rabbits! LOL.
Haven't hunted elk in UT, because I can't draw a tag...But I hunt elk in CO. I would rather hunt elk than read about the 400 bulls....And I'm happy to get a bull like I got in CO this year. So, I'll post my raghorn. This was in a third tier CO hunt, a good comprimise of hunting pressure to opportunity. Being able to get a quality hunt away from overcrowding is more important than anything to me...
cantkillathing
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ElmerFudd, that is a great colorado bull, but I wouldnt want that bull in Utah, we have produced some awesome bulls over the years and if Utah goes to producing bulls like that then that is a huge disappointment. MOst of you guys are probably happy with a 2 point on a deer hunt as well.
ELKOHOLIC
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LAST EDITED ON Nov-18-09 AT 08:37AM (MST)[p]"MOst of you guys are probably happy with a 2 point on a deer hunt as well."
No, but most of us have a better understanding of balancing quality and having an opportunity to hunt in our lifetime. Not everyone can shoot a 400 bull.
By the way ElmerFudd, Nice elk.
No, but most of us have a better understanding of balancing quality and having an opportunity to hunt in our lifetime. Not everyone can shoot a 400 bull.
By the way ElmerFudd, Nice elk.
LAST EDITED ON Nov-18-09 AT 09:37AM (MST)[p]I imagine the intense hunting pressure in Utah for the biggest bulls has an effect, every year the entourages that go with the tag holders get bigger, all the hired local spotters, the herds all already maxed out as far as numbers go, the radios and web cams, some have talked about killing bulls at over a thousand yards, there is a post about a 600 plus yard shot on here now,I imagine more elk are wounded than you might think, and no one is going to post those stories.
Many elk simply do not have the genetics to reach 400 or even 350. Many nine and 10-year-old bulls will top out at 300-330--even on elk ranches or national parks where elk are not hunted. There is a reason that Boone & Crockett sets the minimum awards score at 360.
The obsession over high-scoring bulls has turned Utah elk hunting into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is unrealistic to think that a hunter should be able to pass on dozens of 300-class bulls during a middle-of-the-rut rifle hunt because he is holding out for something 380 or better.
I'd like my sons to be able to hunt bull elk in Utah at least every six or seven years. And that doesn't mean in a general area with hunters on every hillside or a spike hunt where they have to pass on branch-antlered bulls that no one wants to shoot because they don't score 400.
The obsession over high-scoring bulls has turned Utah elk hunting into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is unrealistic to think that a hunter should be able to pass on dozens of 300-class bulls during a middle-of-the-rut rifle hunt because he is holding out for something 380 or better.
I'd like my sons to be able to hunt bull elk in Utah at least every six or seven years. And that doesn't mean in a general area with hunters on every hillside or a spike hunt where they have to pass on branch-antlered bulls that no one wants to shoot because they don't score 400.
cantkillathing
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LAST EDITED ON Nov-18-09 AT 09:39AM (MST)[p]Just out of curiousity what units do you guys put in for, You probably know where I am going with this, you probably put in for the best units and hunts, early rifle, pahvant, Boulder, Manti, etc..if so yes it will take you a long time to draw a tag. if you want apportunity then put in for a less sought after tag.
Goto Colorado if you want to hunt elk more, plenty of opportunity over there. leave Utah the way it is.
Goto Colorado if you want to hunt elk more, plenty of opportunity over there. leave Utah the way it is.
M
monarchtaxidermy
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Definitely a down year in our shop. we usually get around 6 bulls over 400 and this year we only received 3 bulls over the 400 mark. Most bulls we had come in also dropped in quality. Most bulls came in at 300-330. very few 360+ bulls this year, atleast on are end.
W
wildsage
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cantkillathing don't ask them to go to Colorado, you need to take care of your own mess - by the way, how about showing us some of your 400 class bulls.
Managing limited public resources while trying to please is pretty tough. It's all about comprimises. You know, I actually respect the guy wanting a two point for the crock pot and good time in hunting camp with buddies more than the guy who just wants a mount on the wall. But both hunters opinions are just as valid when making wildlife management decisions. Anyway, voicing your opinion is cool. It's all good. Hopefully a comprimise satisfactory to most can be acheived, but there will always be some dissatisfied.
cantkillathing
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Wildsage not sure what you are applying in your message, clarify it will you, are you asking for me to post some 400 bulls, if so I did not help any 400 class bulls this year, I have only helped with one 403 bull, and the next closes was a 398 bull. Like I said the class of the 400 is going to be a time of the old, which I hope not, I hope Utah can keep some big bulls around so when I finally draw a tag then I can chase one.
Utah has been giving a lot more opportunity to hunt elk, compare tags from 7 years ago to todays tags, doubled in most cases and trippled in others.
Utah has been giving a lot more opportunity to hunt elk, compare tags from 7 years ago to todays tags, doubled in most cases and trippled in others.
txhunter58
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"MOst of you guys are probably happy with a 2 point on a deer hunt as well. "
You must not be keeping up with the news. Colorado has Utah beat hands down for deer since they started a reasonable draw only policy. There are many great bucks taken in Colorado every year now. That is if you call 27-29" 4x4s (some with trash) good. I sure do. I can hunt those kind of bucks practically every year in Colorado. If someone started right now, how often could he hunt such deer in Utah?
In fact, it is kind of ironic that utehunter's dad killed a really big buck in Colorado this year.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-b...z=show_thread&om=19295&forum=DCForumID6&omm=0
How long before he has a chance to get one as good in Utah?
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
You must not be keeping up with the news. Colorado has Utah beat hands down for deer since they started a reasonable draw only policy. There are many great bucks taken in Colorado every year now. That is if you call 27-29" 4x4s (some with trash) good. I sure do. I can hunt those kind of bucks practically every year in Colorado. If someone started right now, how often could he hunt such deer in Utah?
In fact, it is kind of ironic that utehunter's dad killed a really big buck in Colorado this year.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-b...z=show_thread&om=19295&forum=DCForumID6&omm=0
How long before he has a chance to get one as good in Utah?
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
fatherofthree
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I sure hope that Ute Hunter is a genetic reference because any UTE fan would not be caught dead in a Boise State sweater. I think I'd rather get a ticket for not wearing orange.
I couldn't agree more with ElmerFudd. Nice CO bull. I really really enjoy the continual increase in Elk tags in Utah that brings down quality and increases oppurtunity.
It's very satisfying to me as an average Joe DIY lifetime hunter that the guides and fanatical hunters aren't getting their way with fewer tags for bigger bulls. Everybody claims it's a rich mans sport and people think the DWR worships these groups, but apparently their listening to the majority of the sportsmen and increasing opportunity.
Another thing, I can guarantee you that there are more small bucks and bulls left to rot nowadays because hunters are disappointed with the size after shooting it because of the continual force feeding we get of monster bucks and bulls.
I couldn't agree more with ElmerFudd. Nice CO bull. I really really enjoy the continual increase in Elk tags in Utah that brings down quality and increases oppurtunity.
It's very satisfying to me as an average Joe DIY lifetime hunter that the guides and fanatical hunters aren't getting their way with fewer tags for bigger bulls. Everybody claims it's a rich mans sport and people think the DWR worships these groups, but apparently their listening to the majority of the sportsmen and increasing opportunity.
Another thing, I can guarantee you that there are more small bucks and bulls left to rot nowadays because hunters are disappointed with the size after shooting it because of the continual force feeding we get of monster bucks and bulls.
treedagain
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I sure do not want utah to become like colorado in regards to elk.....but i would like to draw an elk tag more than once in my lifetime.....who cares if you can't shoot a 400 bull from the window of your truck....all i want is the piece of paper and turn me loose..
I think it is great to have a chance to kill a 400 class bull. Even if the DWR increased tag numbers in most units there is always the chance. I think the tag numbers are out of whack. Lets leave a few units to hold older bulls and increase the tag numbers on others. That way those who won't settle for anything less than a 400 bull can wait 20 plus years and have a chance at killing one. And those of us that would be happy to kill a 300 bull can have the chance to do so every 6 or 7 years. Compromise.
fatherofthree
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I could agree to that.
I think that's what Utah's been trying to do with their age class objectives on different units, but the data has continued to show higher average age of harvested bulls, thus more tags.
Explanation, age doesn't have as much to do with size as shear numbers of elk and genetics. IMO
I think that's what Utah's been trying to do with their age class objectives on different units, but the data has continued to show higher average age of harvested bulls, thus more tags.
Explanation, age doesn't have as much to do with size as shear numbers of elk and genetics. IMO
W
wildarrow
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If you want to kill a 300" bull every 7 years or so... Go hunt the general units! You will get about the same opportunity.
PleaseDear
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What about that age class that is getting killed every year NOW with all the Spike tags on the LE units?
I am thinking the Glory Days are going to pass quickly.....kinda like all the 'Hot Action' for the first 6-12 months of a marriage.....ha!
Robb
I am thinking the Glory Days are going to pass quickly.....kinda like all the 'Hot Action' for the first 6-12 months of a marriage.....ha!
Robb
