Manti vs. Wasatch bow elk

DonVathome · Dec 11, 2010

My dad has enough NR points to draw one of these elk hunts in 2011 or 2012 at the latest. I have never looked into these units, I have been putting him in for fishlake. My dad really wants to cash in and hunt soon so I am looking at Manti and Wasatch.

Can you please tell me the differences? My dad trains for the hunts but will be 70, so he is not climbing anything high. He is patient and can sit wallows/water/trails all day if required.

My dad would like a shot at a nice bull but any decent 300 bull will make him very happy - he has not yet taken an elk. He will hunt alone, from a base camp he sets up. I will try to line up horses to pack an elk out.

Given the above parameters, which unit do you think will better fit his needs?

never_satisfied · Dec 11, 2010

I spend 30+ days on the manti a year
It has dropped way of in the last 5 years but still holds some great elk 330" is doable with archery equipment but you will need time and patience
The biggest problem I think you will face is where you need to go to find the elk.This area gets hit really hard with both deer and elk hunters during the archery hunts(offers both limited and general on the elk).And the elk end up in some deep and thick canyons.For some one who is in there 70's could have some trouble getting in and out of these areas each day
If you do decide to go with the manti I would recommended going the last week of the hunt the elk are in full rut and you could find canyon ridges that run pretty flat off of skyline drive to make it easy for your dad
GOOD LUCK

ITS ALL ABOUT MEAT-IN WITH THE TAXIDERMIST

goofyelk · Dec 11, 2010

The Manti is a more physical hunt....
But, either would work for the goals you've set.

DonVathome · Dec 11, 2010

Ironic, I never thought of asking which was more physical, but I did describe my dad, very good input. Might make my mind up what I reccomend, the better unit is not better if he cannot hunt it.

Thanks and keep the input coming. And, a 300 6x6 would thrill him.

HorseCreek · Dec 11, 2010

Wasatch...less physical and better bulls!
Traditional only >>>------->

RyMan · Dec 12, 2010

Wasatch in my opinion is the better hunt. I see alot more/better bulls on this unit. If they are not in the rut you have alot better chance on the wasatch because of the terrain and number of bulls.

hossblur · Dec 12, 2010

I spend a lot of time on the Manti also. Know that Sanpete county is spending a lot of time marketing atv riding on the manti so that time of year you have a ton of ATV traffic and lots of camping. The Manti has been so over tagged the last few years that 300 bulls are the big bulls now. Anything bigger is gonna hide in the wilderness areas and off the east side of skyline in the deep steep timber. Too bad this area became the money maker for the DWR(over tagged, conservation tags) because for a few years it looked like this unit could become a real trophy area, just another DWR success story I guess

Elkhunter96 · Dec 13, 2010

I have been watching the elk units a lot the last few years, the Wasatch is on the upward swing and really has been producing some real quality bulls these last few years. My money would be on the unit vs the Manti.

Ihuntthereforeiam · Dec 13, 2010

I think the size of bulls on both units are the same. But the wasatch has a lot more places to glass and see elk. the problem with the manti is some of the better places would be harder to access. 300 is a good goal because you see a lot of guys eat tag soup because they want a 350 bull.

Shoot em till their dead

Silentstalker · Dec 15, 2010

I have hunted both LE units with my bow. I would take a tag on either unit in a second. Be prepared for millions of recreational use campers and spike/deer hunters. Maybe focus on the last week but realize that is when most of the rifle guys arrive to scout for their hunt. Hope for cold weather and a little bit of luck. A 330 bull is not out of the question and bigger is certainly possible. These 2 units are not shot out by any means.