wasatch traditional archery help

blackwidowbow · Apr 22, 2010

I got a credit card hit for the Wasatch archery elk unit and will be attempting to take a bull with my recurve. I've hunted the northern part of the unit near woodland for spikes and cows, but need some help in finding places to start scouting in other areas of the unit. My goals are modest- I would be thrilled with any nice bull, but am focused on taking it with my recurve. Any help would be appreciated. I'm not asking for anyone's honey holes, but some suggestions would help. I generally like to get away from roads, am not afraid to hike alot and hunt alone. Thanks for your help!! Jon

dillon · Apr 22, 2010

Your my hero...I would never hunt elk with a bow after waiting so long for a tag. But I don't know the unit either. I just wanted to wish you luck. I have a recurve, but I doubt I would do elk with it.

Dillon

blackwidowbow · Apr 22, 2010

Thanks for the encouragement Dillon. I'm excited for the opportunity. Jon

FHMAN13 · Apr 22, 2010

I think you can do it now that you have one week longer in the rut. Just hope that they are rutting good. What size of a bull are you looking at. How far out can you shoot that you feel comfortable with.

gknutson · Apr 23, 2010

Good luck with your hunt. Recurve hunting can be hard and discouraging. But I'm sure when your sucessfull it will all be worth it.

blackwidowbow · Apr 23, 2010

Hi FHMAN13- I am pretty accurate out to 30 yards. I would be happy with a bull over 300. I know that sounds small for a LE unit, but I am realistic with my choice of weapon. While hunting cows on this unit over the years I have been within 20-30 yards of many bulls up to about 360. The recurve is also much faster to shoot with than a compound.
I have really only hunted the extreme northern part of the unit along the wolf creek pass road and am looking for some pointers on other places to check out this summer. Jon

FHMAN13 · Apr 23, 2010

If you are only looking for a bull that is around 300 I think you can do it also I think you can get bigger. Even if you find a good water hole that they are hitting you could set a blind or tree stand 30 yards out and do it. Good luck and I think you can do it. Make sure you shoot a ton this summer and scout a ton. This unit is so big alot of people run around looking in every canyon. Find a place with bulls stick with it and stay in that area. If you jump around alot you might get lucky but alot of the times you miss the chance that you would have had if you would have just stayed in that one area.

GSH85 · Apr 27, 2010

What model Black Widow do you shoot?

blackwidowbow · Apr 28, 2010

I shoot a 62" PMA 55lbs @30" draw. I shoot 32" Easton axis 300 arrows with 200 grain stos broadheads. How about you? Jon

bowhunterb_3 · May 5, 2010

blackwidowbow, I also drew the Wasatch archery this year. I'm stoked. I've hunted around the unit a couple of times and I think your goal is more than realistic. And let me know if ya need any help getting one out. Good luck.

blackwidowbow · May 5, 2010

Thanks for your encouraging words. Lot's of work to do before worrying about hauling one out. Good luck to you in your scouting and preparation. Jon

pointblankcalls · May 12, 2010

Blackwidow,
My friend and I have also drawn the Wasatch archery tag. Larry D. Jones the founder of the company I am now co owner of has taken many big game animals around the world with traditional gear. Many archery legends were successful then and many new traditionalist are successful now. I hear this is a great hunt and am very excited to go on it myself. I haven't matured to traditional gear yet but it obviously can be done. I have the utmost respect for those who choose to limit themselves to this degree like Larry Jones does. My friend and a pro staffer of ours Joel Turner who is the 2008 and 2010 pro division RMEF world elk calling champion has started to shoot a long bow and I believe will use it on his hunt in New Mexico this year and am excited to see how he does. We'll be shooting some video down in Utah maybe you can stop by and say high. Shoot me a thread back and let me know how your pre planning for the hunt is progressing throughout the summer. You can also contact me through our web site at www.pointblankcalls.com

blackwidowbow · May 13, 2010

Hi William- thanks for your encouraging words. I live near the unit and have hunted a part of it over the years for spikes and cows. If you need any ideas about where to start scouting, etc. let me know. I am looking forward to hunting with my recurve as I have been under 20yds from large bulls in this unit many times in the past. Hopefully this will be my year and yours as well! Feel free to call me at 801541-2630 if you have questions, Jon

Hondoarcher · May 13, 2010

I shot traditional when I was a kid. No compounds then. We shot every day using cedar arrows. I got to be very good even without sights and a range finder. Had a nice shot at a huge 4 point buck. Estimated him at 50 yards but he was 60 yards away. The arrow went right under his belly. If I had judged the distance right he would have been a wall hanger.

You can shoot out to 50 yards if you practice enough. Only problem I see is the arrow drop rate is larger with a re-curve so you distance estimates need to be right on.

I have hunted the Wasatch a bit. I don't have the experience that others here on MM have so they could provide you with possibly some better locations but I have hunted above Heber in the past and come across some decent bulls up there.

I will send you a PM with the details.

Good luck, Hondo

AWHOLELOTTABULL · May 13, 2010

You will do fine. The traditional guys that I know did not choose that method because they couldn't shoot. I concur with the advice above. Look for some good water holes and setup. One piece of advice I would give on this unit is focus on one area that you find bulls and stay with it. Too many hunters make the mistake of spreading themselves too thin on this unit and end up not getting the shot. If you have realistic expectations of a good mature bull then you should have all the opportunity you want. Good luck. You can always call me and I would be happy to steer you in the right direction. If you do call me, make sure you have map in hand so I can throw out some names of places and you can mark the map as we go.

It's always an adventure!!!

EDGE_1 · May 14, 2010

Stick with what AWLB said. Find some bulls in an area and stay with them. I've been hunting that unit for years with trad equipment and done just fine. I also have some good spots to hunt if you want to check them out. PM me if you like.

Kevin