Bitter Creek vs. Wasatch

Layemdown · Feb 13, 2011

Bookcliffs Bitter Creek or Wasatch.....Which muzzy elk tag is better and why?

Layemdown

"Vegetables are not food, vegetables are what food eats!!"

southslope82 · Feb 13, 2011

I live right in the middle of both these units and if it were me, I think I would rather have the Wasatch Muzzy. In my opinion I just really feel that you would have a better chance at a bigger bull on the wasatch rather than the books. Both would be awesome tags to have though... Tons of pros and cons to both of them depends on alot of things.
Were you from? Could you scout/hunt one more than the other? I have spent fair amounts of time in both areas and think wasatch would be the better of the two but thats just me.
Good luck

Elkhunter96 · Feb 14, 2011

Both good tags and it is more of a coin flip, unless you know one unit better than the other. The success rates are better on the Book Cliffs muzzy tags. A lot less hunters or other people to deal with on the books and it is much more remote than the wasatch. To me, you may be able to find a higher scoring bull on the wasatch, but the books have a good amount of heavy 300-330 range bulls that are heavier and older bulls than what the average that comes off the wasatch.

There are some big ones on the wasatch and some on the books, but IMHO, more younger bulls come off the wasatch, on average than the books...

Layemdown · Feb 14, 2011

My brother has 10 elk points. We live in Ogden. We could scout Wasatch more, but we have spent some time in the Books hunting deer. This time of year is so hard, so many decisions to make.

Layemdown

"Vegetables are not food, vegetables are what food eats!!"

Elkhunter96 · Feb 14, 2011

I live in Hooper/Clinton area, so I am in the same boat. I like the books better for two reasons, less people and it is really easy to glass.

But, it is a long drive out there compared to the Wasatch. I always struggle this time of year narrowing it down as well.

Cam@strawberry · Feb 14, 2011

Wasatch
2010: 3 bulls 400+
5000+ elk population....

2011: more time to glass=bigger bull IMHO
the accessability of the unit should be your determining factor IMHO

540BnC · Feb 14, 2011

hey berry. i have said it before and will continue to say it.the wasatch is hard to beat. when i hunted it in 2002 and 2008 i was alone in my areas. it was early rifle(sept. both years) and i did not see another hunter when i was actually in my hunting areas. i felt like i was the only one in the world.
i live very close (american fork) and know a couple of good areas pretty well. if you do go wasatch and need help, i would be glad to do anything i can to help you score a nice bull.
this was my opening day bull, shot at 56 yards.he scored 342 and change, but has great character. he was 11 years old, according to the dwr aging process, and he was a slug. maybe 3 or 4 years ago he would have been a fantastic bull, but i was thrilled with him.
http://www.monstermuleys.com/photos/PhotosID22/313.html.
good luck with whatever you do.

backpacker · Feb 14, 2011

Nice bull, looks like he's got some character.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Feb 14, 2011

That's an easy one for me. Wasatch all the way. I have hunted the Book Cliffs extensively back in the 3 point or better days. I really like the Books too but for me, the Wasatch IS elk country.

By the way 540, I absolutely love that bull. Nothing beats character in my book.

It's always an adventure!!!

440sixpack · Feb 15, 2011

Not to hijack this thread but is the Wasatch early rifle a good hunt?

Elkhunter96 · Feb 15, 2011

Yes, either of those units are great early rifle hunts and you certainly can not go wrong with the early Wasatch tag.

I know AWLB likes the Wastach better and he should since he guided it for some many years and I am sure he would get a very nice bull on the unit. Yes, it is prettier elk country in my opinion as well compared to the books. The first time I went to the books, I thought "this is it"? But, it is pretty in its own right, just not the same as the high alpine country IMHO

I just get hung up on the number of tags given out on the wasatch and the lower success rates on the muzzy tags compared to the books and other units. You also have to consider the muzzy deer hunts goes at the same time and to me, means more people on the wastach then the books since the books is a LE unit.

Wasatch Muzzy. 56% success rate in 2010 and 65% in 2009.
Book Cliffs Muzzy 69% in 2010 and 77% in 2009.

540BnC · Feb 15, 2011

thanks. he was a lot of fun to pursue and bring home. we saw a bull on the last day that my dad could not get a shot at that was a solid 370. he was a really nice bull. the fun thing was to be able to pass on so many good elk knowing there were at least a couple of really good ones in the drainage i was hunting. there are lots of elk on the wasatch.
by the way, AWLB, do you know Buzz from Midway?
he is a good friend of mine.
it seems like he said you are related somehow?
i would have sent a PM, but i don't know how. sorry.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Feb 15, 2011

Buzz? Yep I do. Not related but he is a good friend of my brothers. I've done a couple of demolition derbys with him in the past too.

It's always an adventure!!!

justr_86 · Feb 15, 2011

I've spent alot of time in both units. I would say killing a nice bull would be easier on the Wasatch. I agree both units run hand in hand for trophy quality though.

Codylee1985 · Feb 16, 2011

Do you guys think my 1 point is enough to pull a bitter creek bull tag? It only took my dad and I 2 points to get a bookcliffs rifle deer tag last year...

justr_86 · Feb 16, 2011

Elk and deer are a lot different. You got lucky last year! My brother has 14 elk points and has not drawn it yet, you have some time to wait. Unless you get lucky again!

desertpointbrian · Feb 16, 2011

i had the wasatch muzzy tag last year.and let me tell you something to definantly take into consideration. now that the general season muzzy deer are the same dates as the le elk muzzy.it definantly plays a roll. you definantly have to get away from the average deer hunter wich is possible with some miles on your boots.but the biggest factor is the rut when you have that many more people on the mountain(and the wasatch gets hit hard for muzzy deer hunters)the elk get real call shy and are very hesitant to coming in.i had a group of deer hunters spook out a 360 bull on me that was about 250 yards away.what a sick feeling that was(no i do not blame them).but with the book cliffs being a le deer unit you are going to have less hunters on the mountain period.just my two cents i would go book cliffs

Prism · Feb 16, 2011

Both great hunts. Just be prepared for a lot of company on the wasatch from deer hunters, grouse hunters, atv riders, fisherman, people out looking at leaves, camping, etc....guys "scouting" for the general spike hunt...

You get the idea.