book cliffs south?

sawtooth1 · Feb 7, 2011

I am looking for a good unit to put my dad in for. He is getting old and dosent hike much. He has 11 pts and would be really excited with a 300 plus bull. Does anyone have experence on the late book cliffs south hunt? Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Elkhunter96 · Feb 7, 2011

I hunted the Book Cliffs South or or sometimes called Bittercreek unit last year for archery elk. With that many points, I would suggest looking at the muzzy hunt since the bulls can be called in closer in the rute and the weather will be much better. Still, I would imagine the late hunt would be good for a 300-320 bull.

I don't know much about the late hunt, but there is lots of wintering ground out there. It seems like the elk could be spread out in lots of places, but I may be wrong. Hopefully someone with experience with the late hunt can add their $0.02 to the discussion.

kawboy · Feb 7, 2011

The late hunt can be a very difficult hunt. The good bulls just seem to disappear after the end of the rut. If your goal is 300 to 320 it is possible. They tend to get very broken up down there. Pm me iif you have any specific questions.

I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

southslope82 · Feb 7, 2011

I will second that... The late hunt can be very difficult you wont see even close to the same # of elk in November then you will September. The better bulls really seem to fly south or something? I have known several hunters who have had the late tag and have settled for dinks just cause that was the best they could find. If your set on the book cliff/bitter creek unit I would go for the Muzz tag for sure. Good luck

UT1031 · Feb 8, 2011

If you can do muzzy hunt then the hunt I would choose for your dad would be the Oquirrh-Stansbury or the Wasatch.

Daxter · Feb 8, 2011

Book Cliffs Bitter Creek South late hunt is really tough. I know of several guys in your Dad's situation age and physical ability wise that had the tag and didn't end up killing a bull. You can't really expect to have much luck road hunting, and the older guys I knew couldn't really do any hiking so they ended up getting skunked. I 2nd the suggestion to look at the muzz hunt if you like the Book Cliffs, or maybe consider another unit? Good luck.

Dax

There is no such thing as a sure thing in trophy mule deer hunting.

sawtooth1 · Feb 8, 2011

Thanks alot for all your suggestions. I am going to talk to my Dad about the Muzz hunt. I think sitting water with a muzzloader might be just the thing to get him into a good bull.

Daxter · Feb 8, 2011

If you guys decide on that tag and your Dad gets drawn, call the Northeastern Region office and ask to talk to the biologist. He is kind of a dork, but will try to help give you some ideas if you aren't familiar with the unit.

Dax

There is no such thing as a sure thing in trophy mule deer hunting.