Utah Wasatch Elk Unit ??

NoRegrets · Dec 16, 2009

Posted also under the "Utah Forum"

I'm a DIY elk hunter looking at the proposed odds for next years LE elk hunts and one of the hunts it looks like I could draw is the Early Wasatch rifle. I have only hunted the Wasatch on archery hunts years ago and know there are some good bulls 320-350 class but has anyone heard of or seen bigger in the last 2 year? I realize this is big unit but after 14 years I realize my "OIL" elk hunt is at stake. I just want to get some feedback if anyone thinks this unit truly holds BIG bulls recently in the 370-390+ class.
Thank's fellas for the feedback. Hunting hard and scouting can only be rewarded if the gene pool is there.

Happy Holidays!

txhunter58 · Dec 16, 2009

Here is a helpful link. Not quite up to date, but it gives trends on ages killed in each unit.

http://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/elk_plan.pdf

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

elknut · Dec 17, 2009

Search the MM archives, some good bulls still kickin it.

slamdunk · Dec 17, 2009

The Wasatch is and always be "The Wasatch".
It has kicked a few really good bulls, but it is home of 10,000 280-330" bulls.
But if you work hard and stay persistant, good things can happen ;-)

Tree · Dec 17, 2009

Yup, what he said. If you draw that tag, be prepared to call in 300 bulls all day long. The numbers are awesome, but 370+ bulls are a fairly tall order. I see those type bulls every year while scouting, but getting on them with a tag in your pocket is a little more difficult. If you are set on a 370+ bull, you may want to look elsewhere.

elkhunterUT · Dec 17, 2009

I hunted the Wasatch unit last year on the early rifle hunt and ended up killing a 330 type bull (however I was not extremely selective on the hunt as I drew the tag through the expo and still have a lot of elk points for a near future tag). I passed 10-15 bulls a day smaller than the one I killed and saw a couple bulls larger than the one I got but could not get a good shot, etc. I also killed my bull fairly early in the hunt so who knows what would have happened had I been a little more patient - no regrets though here.

I scouted the unit A LOT over the summer in various areas and saw several 350-370 class bulls and have trail cam pics of a bull I am pretty sure would score 375-380, so those type of bulls are certainly around on the Wasatch but not in the # that some of the better units hold. As others have stated, if a 375 type bull is a requirement for you, I would probably consider waiting for other units like San Juan, Pahvant, Dutton, Boulder, Beaver, etc.

One thing about the Wasatch though is there are a alot of elk and you will have a great time should you choose that hunt. I will always remember my hunt and the great times spent with elk and family!!

NoRegrets · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks fellas for the advice. I really appreciate it. I hate to sound greedy when it comes to elk hunting. I almost didn't ask in the first place but it helps knowing going into a hunt what you can push yourself to accomplish. It's such a big unit I know there has to be a few monsters lurking in the deep timber.

Thanks again!

spotit1st · Dec 18, 2009

I believe every unit has a few big bulls, its just a matter of how much time you put into scouting the units and finding your bull so on the first day you have a shot at him, alot of people are close to this unit and can cover the area after work and pound it on the weekends, I would recommend a unit like Dutton where there isn't as many people to give you a lot of fustration and if you are willing to do some hiking and get back in you can have a lot better chance of killing a bull like you are wanting to get! Good Luck the quality of elk in Utah is on its way down hill and doesn't look good in the future, draw and kill a good bull while you can!

rackmagic · Dec 18, 2009

No regrets I am a outfitter on the wasatch and I don't mind at all sharing. Our guides this year were very successful in taking some really good bulls. We were unsuccessful on finding a few of the bulls that we were watching so they are still there. I stay away from the waters. not because there aren't bulls but because of pressure. I have max points and have been pretty faithful to San juan but from what I saw and what we harvested. I may change my mind.