Utah Archery LE Elk tag, what are you going to do?

[cantkillathing]

The hunt is almost a week away, I have a LaSal LE archery elk tag, I have scouted several areas, havent' found anything monsterous, but I knew this hunt would be realistically being able to harvest a 320ish bull with the chance of better.

How many are going to pass elk up for the first of the hunt to wait and see what the rut brings in?

For me I am undecided if I will wait for the rut to kick in or shoot the first decent bull that is in range.

 

[Elkhunter96]

The real question is if you are able to get in close to any good bulls before the rut kicks in. I am going out the first weekend, but really feel it will be more of another scouting before the real hunt begins. Other than sitting on water, I don't know if I can get close enough to a shooter before the rut...

 

[one_dryboot]

I want a 400 incher!!! But im also realistic. Bulls are fairly easy to sneak in on early. I would much rather sneak in on a big bull then a big buck. Dont sit back and wait for the rut to kick in because It may not happen.
my standards are pretty high for my archery hunt 360+ I dont care if it is the first ten minutes of the first day, if a 360+ bull walks in front of me I wont pass him up hoping for bigger. I love just being out in the mountains chasing critters to punch my tag unless it is a smoker. the last day or two I will lower my standards but for most of the hunt Im going for a bigin.

 

[Derrick621]

I am in the same boat as you right now. I have a Wasatch archery tag. I have several satelite bulls coming into my tree stand but nothing too impressive. My goal is 330. Im going out opening weekend, but I believe this will be more of a scouting trip than anything. My hunt will start Septmeber 5 and i'll stay till the 17th hoping they will start talking. Good luck.

 

[DR_DEATH]

I feel the same way as you guys, but then I looked at how many LE Tags are handed out on the Manti and I am reconsidering my strategy.

Maybe I'll shoot this guy and hopefully find a shed to match the missing side. ;-) ;-) ;-)

 

[muleyhunter413]

I am like you onedryboot. I want a big bull. I am willing to pass some good ones to hopefully get a great one. I have one spottedd but doubt he will stay long. Hoping for him but if he disappears then I will take a good looking 360 on any day. I am hunting San Juan by the way. Good luck to you all and I hope you have as much fun as I am planning on!

 

[LowCountryElk]

Seems to me that IF you really want to kill a big bull, you need to set the standard you will be happy with whether its the first day or last. And if the bulls that come in don't measure up, you pass 'em and be glad for the time you got to get up close and personal. Change the standard really late in the hunt if you want based on what you're seeing. If you don't really set a standard and live by it, chances are you will wet your pants the first opportunity you get for a really good shot and talk yourself into taking it. Been there, done that. Set my standards the last two hunts and darn if it didn't work out....and got to have some really cool encounters that I walked from.

 

[bowhunterb_3]

Drew Wasatch LE archery elk, been scouting like crazy. A little discouraged, have seen lots of cows and rag horns but no big bulls spotted. My goal was 320+ but now if I see a 6pt I'll probably fling a stick at it. This will be my first elk, If things go well.

 

[one_dryboot]

Lowcountryelk,

Ok you talked me into it... 380+ or bust!


Im sending it out there and im gonna make it happen

 

[cantkillathing]

I have a 350+ standard set right now but with what I have been seeing I might have set standard too high, but I always said I will not shoot unless I like the bull regardless of what he scores.

 

[DR_DEATH]

I've upped my standards so up yours!!!

 

[Pines_N_Tines]

It's kinda pointless for me to post up what my standard is. I've never hunted elk before. I've watched as many elk hunts as I can trying to guess scores before they're mentioned. I've been to cabelas and sportmans trying to guess bull scores from accross the room and then going up to see the score on the plaque. Some bulls that look great to me are smallish and some great bulls fool me on how good they really are.

I haven't seen very many live bulls so it's going to be real hard to pass up 330 bulls. I immagine they're going to look huge, especially if I have one in close. My tag is a rifle tag on a good unit. Hope I can educate myself quickly to filter out weak thirds, short main beams, or weak backs.

Being my first elk, I figure I'll be happy with whatever I shoot assuming I shoot one. It's just that I know it might be a while before I get a quality opportunity again so if I have to put a number down that I'm aiming for, it would be 350 or better. That said a thick 340 might easily talk me into pulling the trigger.

Just be happy with whatever bull you get the chance on and enjoy the experience of it all.

 

[WapitiBob]

I have a FishLake archery tag. Not sure I will pass any bull that is over 300.

 

[BigPig]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-13-10 AT 08:11AM (MST)[p]Man, some of the standards on here are crazy. I think some of you all muct be reading too many hunting magazines. Yes these are good tags, but 380s still aren't behind every tree. I'll kill whichever bull gets me excited, first day or last day. If that means he's 320 or 380, I'll still be stoked!

 

[goldhunter]

I'm with you BigPig, however as a non-res you probably are waiting 12 yrs for an archery tag. I would certainly try for something in the 350 class at least. If its not happening on the hunt you can alway lower the standard.

The reality is you can probaly hunt 300 to 320 bulls almost every year if you jump back and forth from Montana and Wyoming.

 

[one_dryboot]

There not behind every tree? holy hell Ive been lied too!!!
You cant kill a big bull if you kill a small one!

 

[cantkillathing]

stats in utah on archery hunt is only like 30%-40% success, so do people set too high of standards for the archery hunt. But then again this year archery goes up to the 17th sept. that last week of the hunt will be prime time.

 

[one_dryboot]

Yes archery stats are low for archery.

I think its because 1- alot of hunters are lazy and think just because its a LE unit there should be bulls all over and it will be easy.
2- after a few days of hunting some hunters give up, get discouraged.
3- a good number of hunters dont know how to hunt elk with a bow or rifle. they sit in a clearing just off the road and squeze there hoochie mama expecting them to just come charging in.
4 last but not least some hunters pass up decent bulls hoping for a monster. I will probably fall in this catagory when its all said and done. I would be very happy with a 350+ bull in all honesty, but im gonna try for bigger.
I think that any hunter that hunts hard and has a decent idea of how to hunt elk will have chances to harvest a good bull.
Shoot what will make you happy, if it doesn't keep on having a good time enjoying the mountains and time off from the rat race and this thing we call MM

 

[Snag23]

Guys, as they start rubbing off the velvet and their hormones kick in you may start seeing some of those big ol' boys that have been hanging out in the deep dark stuff. Then the 300" bull may become a 340" or 350" bull. It's nice to talk about a goal...but that is all it is is a goal. Things change out there and be ready to react and live with your choice. There is always a bigger one over the mountain. But what is in front of you may just provide you with a lot of good meat and head on the wall to remember the enjoyable time you had in the high country of Utah. No regrets!

 

[Zeke]

I think all the comments are valid, FOR YOU!
Everyone hunts for a different reason, has a different amount of time, money and knowledge.

Hunt early, late, often, hard and shoot straight. Get the hide off quick and the quarters hanging. HAVE FUN WHILE I WORK!

It will be my pleasure to see all the pix and posts when the season's over.

Good luck to you all!

Zeke

 

[South_slope]

I have put a bunch of time on the Wasatch this year. Probably too much. I have a few hundred pictures of bulls. Have 3 named. First named elk or similar caliber giving me an ethical shot is getting the string snapped. Don't really care about score, just having fun. If I tag out early I can go to Wyoming and chase bucks in 141.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[PleaseDear]

Daydreaming is sure fun.

Knowing how bowhunting usually takes 3-4 precise events/items to have it all fall in place for the shot------

I have set my standard to be the first broadside <>6x6 <> 40 yards or under to fill my standard.

If that doesn't happen, all I need is a spike and a raggy to fill out my Life Cycle of Bull mounts.........and a 400 class of course!.......

So I will fill my tag and be content.

Robb

 

[ricecanyon]

My goal is a good looking 6, doesn't matter when. I just hope I don't wet myself and shoot a raghorn. This weekend I am hunting by myself because my brother has a walking boot on, and my friend thinks that deer hunting on the Pahvant is better than helping me with my Boulder hunt.

 

[cantkillathing]

Good Luck to all archery hunters, I am heading out this afternoon to look around. Cant wait to hear all the stories. I will most likely be alone most of my hunt as well.

 

[inarcher]

Honestly, I won't know until it happens?

Never arrowed anything close to 300" before. Been told a 320" bull is average for the Books. Also been told bigger than 320" is a definite possibility.

Will be hunting the last three weeks of the season, so I shouldn't feel rushed and will have some time to look a few animals over.

In the end, I'll know him if I see him. If I have to think about whether to shoot or not, I don't plan to shoot....at least not until time is running out.

Good luck to you all!

 

[KILLSHOT]

BigPig, with your tag 320 shouldn't even be in your vocabulary right now. If you have a good solid 7-10 days to hunt I would say 350+ for you until the last 2 days. Myself, I'm setting the mark at 370 or bust. A lot of guys think Im crazy for that high of mark in the roadless but then again, a lot of guys haven't seen the bulls I have seen in there lately Good luck to ya all going out on the opener and hope to see pics posted soon of all the bulls that met your mark!

-KILLSHOT Productions Guides & Outfitters-

 

[bugle_em_in]

I am with KILLSHOT. I am holding onto my tag until something 370+ comes along. I am stoked for the hunt! I know the rut will bring down the big boys.

Looking forward to reading everyone's posts and sharing my own when i get back.

Bugle_Em_In

 

[KILLSHOT]

Hey J, so what happened to a solid 350 bull!? Lol.......has it changed a little bit since I took you in there? Whats the deal on shooting tonight....you still in?

-KILLSHOT Productions Guides & Outfitters-

 

[Iowan]

I would argue that 30% to 40% success rates for archery elk are high not low.

 

[bugle_em_in]

A potential 23 days in the Books, you as my guide, and my first of many trips into the Books is what happened. LOL.