Monroe MONSTER Bulls

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dleonard3

Guest
Now that the archery season is going, and the early rifle season is coming up quick, I assume there are alot of guys out hunting and scouting for their up-coming hunts. I was lucky to finally draw a Muzzle Loader tag for the Monroe Mountain unit this year. I've had some experience on this mountain and I have a few good spots that should have some bulls, but I know that it is a fairly big mountain, and the are a LOT of places that have Bulls that I don't know about. I would love to hear from anyone with suggestions on how and where to find Bulls on the Monroe. At the beginning of October, are they up on top or are they down in the cedars avoiding the crowds? Will it be an early, normal, or late rut this year? I plan on sitting high vantage points and doing alot of glassing down into the secluded canyons, but I would like to hear some suggestions on which canyons to start with. Will the ATV jamboree push the bulls away from the main travelled roads? Maybe some of the elk won't care about ATV's. Will my base camp get robbed while I'm out hunting? Do I need to leave someone in camp all day to protect my stuff? I've had a few guys volunteer to help me out with info, but So far they haven't given me any. Should I start looking on the northeast side, or maybe right in the middle of the unit and work out from there. I'll be leaving home on Sept. 24th after work to travel and set up camp. I'll be up on the mountain to scout from the 25th to 28th. Then the hunt starts on the 29th and runs until Oct. 7th. It sounds like a late rut hunt and the bulls should still be finishing up with their chores. I'm hoping that I won't need to do much calling. Maybe a few cow calls to get the bulls to respond, then sneak in quietly and try to get a look at him. My idea is to see as many bulls as possible during my scouting days, so I'll know what is left over from the other hunts. Then I'll want to consentrate on hunting the areas that have the best bulls. I also assume the bulls will be moving around alot, so how do I keep up with them from day to day? Do I need to backpack hunt and sleep out there with them? Or would it be better to travel back and forth to base camp every night. I don't want to burn alot of gas, but I don't want to wear myself out and lose the will to get out of bed either. I know there are alot of guys out there that know alot more about this area and how to hunt it, and I would love to hear from you. You can post here, PM me, email me at [email protected], or you can call my cell (435)680-2302.
 
My good friend has been down there scouting every weekend trying to help another friend who has a early rifle tag. They havent seen ##### this year in normal good spots. They have spent alot of time mid Mtn. and Sothern part of Monroe. I suggest going mid Mtn. and "North". I think the late spring and alot of moisture this year has changed normal habits somewhat!!! Be flexable and keep your ears open for suggestions from locals and other hunters, have alternate areas to scout.I suggest getting down there early and as often as you can. This seems to definitely not be a normal year, good luck my fellow hunter!!!! (FYI) MY friend spoke with a local guide down there last weekend, he was panicking he couldn't find anything in his normal hot spot's!!! Maybe things with get more normal as the hunt approaches!! I will post more if I get more inside info!! Nate Adams-Syracuse Utah
 
I've pretty much been living on that mountain this summer as I finally drew an LE archery tag. I've spent countless hours and days scouting & hunting. I've found 1 bull that will barely break 370 and about a half dozen that will break 350. Their habbits have definately changed--pre spider bull era you could find 350 bulls just off the main roads! I know they're still there, but I think they must hold up in the darkest nastiest canyons up there until the rut hits. That can't happen soon enough for me!
 
WORKNMAN, Thanks for the Info. I plan on talking to alot of locals, I just hope they will give up what they know, especially if they're having trouble finding bulls. I'm sure we're still a little early and the bigger bulls won't be as anxious to get the rut started as the younger ones. Hopefully it will be a little bit late this year and my season will land perfectly - just in time for the big ones to sneak out of the woodwork and take care of business.

Or, maybe the F&G have allowed the unit to be over-harvested the last few years, and there just aren't the number of older bulls left. I hope not, but who knows.
 
quickdrawkinker, I really appreciate all the effort you're going through in your scouting. It can be very frustrating, that is for sure. For your sake, I hope a cold snap passes through while you're hunting so at least one of your preferred bulls thinks it's time to check things out, and gives you a shot.

If you need any help, give me a call and I'll try to get up there.
 
The word's my friend that is down there this year keeps saying is"THE BULLS ARE JUST NOT IN THERE YET!!!" Be patient, be positive, and have a Hell of alot of fun !! Nate
 
I was down there on the archery opener doing some scouting for an early rifle tag. There was a good bull on private property. Other than that all I was able to come accross was a dink 4 point bull with 20 or so cows, 18 does, one spike buck, and a 2 point buck. There sure were alot of spike elk hunters.

It's got me very nervous too. I had never been on the mountain before. I checked out multiple diferent spots that people had told me tend to be good during the rut. So at least I got to know the mountain a bit.

For now I'll just have to stay positive that the rut is coming and the bulls will come down. If not at least maybe they'll talk so I can find them.

Wish me luck and best of luck to you Dleonard3. I hope BigPig is having some success and is willing to share some insight with us.
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-02-10 AT 08:47PM (MST)[p]Those two look alot like those two bulls in WA, on the Hanford Nuclear Site, no hunting there, they'll grow old and die.
 
4b1edef96546200c.jpg

Looks a little photo shopped to me.... left elk has a way different color hide than the other elk with its summer coat on.
 
Must have missed the memo. Those two bulls jumped the road and headed to the Dutton for my dutton muzzle hunt. I trapped them and have them chained to a tree where no one will find them. Wasn't hard, just had to show a little alfalfa and they came a running.
 
This is not what I wanted to hear with an archery tag in my pocket and a departure date just a few days away. You dudes just bummed me out!
 
I know that. Those photos have been floating around forever and aren't even Utah bulls. They're from Washington.

I'm bummed over the previous reports of few and small bulls.
 
I'll be up there in a few weeks. I just got back from bow hunting muleys up there, and though most people i talked to we're seeing anything we were able to spot quite a bit more than most. Maybe it's because we were the only ones who got off the road, i dunno. But the population of animals has drastically taken a plumit on that mountain without a doubt.
Pops has the Rifle Elk tag this year, we'll see what we can get.



-Cass
 
Tell your Pops that I wish him the best of luck and I hope he gets a monster. But tell him to leave me at least one of the bigger ones for my ML hunt. Please let me know how the hunt goes and where you saw the big ones.
 
Well c'ASS,
Remember the 500" bull you talked about a few years ago?
He should be 600" by now!
Good luck & lets us know what happens?

I love not acting my age,
Damn I love my NASCAR race,
And Hell yes I love my Truck!
 
TWHUNT and ROYALTINE6, thanks for all the great info and advice. I really appreciate it, and I think it will really make a difference on my hunt.

Keep the ideas coming, I need all the help I can get.

Anyone that wants to come up and be a spotter for me would be very welcome and appreciated. Just let me know when to expect you and I'll give you coordinates to camp.
 
D3- I have been down there every weekend for the archery hunt, the wife has the tag and have seen bulls every day. We have been putting the miles in and this weekend they were pretty vocal so hopefully we will have some pics by next week. I will let you know what we see after we get back, heading down Friday until the end. I wish I could take some more time off to come help ya...it is a fun place to hunt! Good luck on your hunt and I will be looking forward to the story and pictures! Big Pig...the bulls are there, I'll be contacting you!

?The bugle of the bull elk echo?s through the pines, the north wind moans her lonesome lullaby, he hungers for the freedom of an eagle as she flies?somewhere beyond the great divide?
 
Leftybowman, I'm glad to hear that they're starting to talk. I'm sure the cooler air, frosty meadows with yellow aspen leaves, and hunters/scouters calling have finally gotten the rut started.

I hope you guys have a great hunt and your wife gets a good one.

Let me know where the "BIG ONE" was when he got away. O.K.?
 
Just as long as he is a little "smaller" than the wifes I will let you know :D!

?The bugle of the bull elk echo?s through the pines, the north wind moans her lonesome lullaby, he hungers for the freedom of an eagle as she flies?somewhere beyond the great divide?
 
After the last couple of "cool" days, the bulls should be doing alot of honking. Are there any Archery hunters on the Monroe having success finding the herds yet?

I'm ready to go, but I have to wait until the 24th.
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-13-10 AT 06:56AM (MST)[p](FYI) Had two friends come back from Monroe Mtn. this weekend (SEPT.11-12) Bulls are Buggleing their nuts off. Good luck to all of you with Tag's down their!!
 
Just a bump to the top. I still need tips and pointers on places to look on the Monroe for the big one.
 

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