Which hunt to go on?

Iowan

Iowan

Active Member
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I drew two elk tags for 2011 and can only go on one hunt. What are your thoughts? I am 40 years old and in good shape. I fully plan to hunt with good health for at least the next 15-20 years.

I drew the Books Cliffs Muzzle Loader tag for Utah September 28-6 approx. Obvisouly a very good tag. I have five (+1 if I turn the tag back in). I should be able to draw this tag in 5-6 years which had been my plan all along. The success rate for this unit is around 80%. I do not know the unit as I really did not plan to hunt there for many more years. Utah allows you to turn the tag back in, keep your points, get a refund, and get the point for 2011. I have always looked at this Utah elk hunt as a OIL hunt.

I drew a northern New Mexico muzzle loader elk tag for October 8-13. The success rate in this unit is 35%. Of course there is still good rut activity at this time. I drew this with my brother and can not turn this tag back in. I have very good information on this unit. I really think we can pull

If I tried to do both hunts I would be away from home for three weeks straight and I have young kids and would not want to be gone that long. I am planning to turn the Utah tag back in and make someone very happy but I want to make sure I am not doing something really stupid.
 
Mr Iowan,
I think you know what to do.
It only makes sence to turn the UT tag back since you can and you'll retain points and get most of your $$$ back. Sounds like you'll be hunting NM this year. Congratulations on 2 good tags.
It's a good problem to have.

Post up the story and pics when you're done.
Zeke
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-11 AT 12:50PM (MST)[p]
You can keep points and get your money back for the Utah unit and have a shot in the future. NM, not so lucky with that one.
 
Money and points back is good for you. Use of the tag is good for the next applicant in line. Send in your UT tag ASAP so the next in line can plan...
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-11 AT 10:30AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-11 AT 10:29?AM (MST)

surely it cannot take you more than a week (if that) to kill a bull in the books with a muzzle loader. 80% success rate is code language for "EASY HUNT". Start a few days into the Utah hunt to give yourself 5-6 days and kill a Utah bull inside a week, relocate to NM, with at least one day to scout and do that hunt in the 5 days alloted Oct. 8-12 not 8-13? You are gone no more than 2 weeks. If the NM hunt sucks for any reason bag it early since you were not going to be able to get a refund anyway. No loss there...

Never toss a great tag like that UT tag back unless you absolutely must. No telling how long it may take to draw it again. You were VERY lucky to draw this year. When you say you can draw it again in 5-6 years, make sure you have run the numbers. It required 10-12 points to guarantee a draw in 2010 depending on which subunit. Add in point creep and you may be 10 years from a certain draw for that tag again? That is a Long time to put off a hunt that is a sure thing today...

No reason you cannot do a good job of scouting from afar and talking to previous hunters to get a decent handle on each hunt so you do not go in totally blind. The bookcliffs could be a GREAT camping vacation for the family if you want to do a scouting trip.

I would eat the NM tag before returning the UT tag. Expensive but you put in for this stuff to draw and HUNT great hunts? Do it.
 
+1 Khunter. Excellent advice. One of my best buddies drew SW Desert and then cancelled his NM application...I about slapped him and told him I hope he bags a monster bull opening day in Utah and has nothing to do while the NM hunt goes on...

www.streamflies.com
 
Having hunted elk on the books before, I would have a very hard time throwing that tag back. Khunter made some good points and point creep may make it longer than you think to get another Utah tag. Plus, most of NM is on fire, who knows how that will affect your hunt.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-10-11 AT 12:24PM (MST)[p]Got to go along with the last few posts. I would do exactly what was suggested and get two bulls or at least one good one on the Utah hunt and hope NM pays off too on such a short hunt. My buddy drew the 5 day mulie hunt in 2b in NM for 11/5-11/9 and we are going to need some help from others and luck on such a short hunt when we can't scout ahead of time because of the other hunts we have scheduled.
 
>Having hunted elk on the books
>before, I would have a
>very hard time throwing that
>tag back. Khunter made some
>good points and point creep
>may make it longer than
>you think to get another
>Utah tag. Plus, most of
>NM is on fire, who
>knows how that will affect
>your hunt.

No major fires going on here in NM!!

Nothing like AZ.
 
You know whats best for you, your family and your position at this time. If it can't happen on both turn in Utah, but if you can hunt both, you very well could draw Utah a second time in your life time.

Utah could be your best chance and should complete in short order. You did state you know NM unit well, so you would not need to scout it much, maybe a couple days prior.

Weigh your options and do whats best for you. It is a nice problem to have, but it also sucks!!!
 
I would certainly not want to risk a OIL hunt in Utah on a short hunt. Something like that needs to be savored. I would also not enjoy a hunt where I would be on a tight schedule. Great hunts and memories are a lot more than number of hunts and animals on the wall.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Pretty easy decision if it was me - Utah on 9/26 or 27th to scout hard, hunt it hard, bag a bull early (preferably by 30th or 1st) then head for home, a week with the wife and kids and back to NM with brother for the October hunt. From what I read on here that Books tag is a pretty awesome tag to have - alot can happen in 5 to 10 years.... you might just find yourself missing a "once in a lifetime" recital, football game, etc. with one or more those kids in a couple years...and be making a tough deciaion once again.

Just my $0.02

edpre
 
I'm glad I'm not in this predicament
My kids and wife would end up being mad at me
I just don't think I could let that B.C tag go
 
I have hunted the Book Cliffs and all over northern NM, including unit 45 this year. No way in hell would I turn that Utah tag back in. Given the ever increasing UT wealth tags and deprivation of NR permits it's only going to get worse in 5-7 years. Don't kid yourself.

What unit in northern NM? Unless it's the VV or Caldera that tag is not for the bigger bulls like UT. There's a reason the success rate is so high for that Books hunt. You can easily have a very good hunt there, take your bull and get down to New Mexico. Turn that back and odds are very high you'd regret it.
 
You would be crazy to return that Utah tag, but we are all a little crazy sometimes? Good luck on your decision.
 
your comparing apples to oranges.
if you want to go on a great hunt someday, heres your chance(the books) new mexico isn't even a hard draw?
youd be a fool(stricktly talking about the hunt, not including family obligations) to pass on the books
 
Three weeks away from home is not a major crisis. Your family will understand. I know several servicemen that wish they had your problem.

When you applied for overlapping tags, you should have been mentally prepared for this to happen.

I think you are a fool if you don't go for both.....remember you asked. You don't know what NEXT year will hold.

"whackin' a surly bartender ain't much of a crime"
 
I wuould go with the utah tag, you were lucky to draw it with 5 PTS, with the point creep it may take alot longer than another 5-6 years to draw that tag again, you could also plan on hunting NM just incase you would get your Utah bull in a couple days and if it takes longer to get your bull just cancel the NM hunt. With the utah tag having such a high success rate I would not pass up that tag. What unit did you draw in NM, also if you would turn in the utah tag and don't get a NM bull you will be kicking yourself in th you know what for a long time.
 
Easy decision. Go on both. Life is short and the family will be there in 3 weeks. Who knows what your situation will be 5 years down the road or if you'll even still be with us...
 
You're thinking of turning back an excellent Utah elk tag for a NM tag that has 35% success? Should I ask that again? I'm having a hard time understanding.

Hands down, go with the Utah hunt!
 
We all have different priorities, circumstances, abilities.

Time off may be an issue, money may be an issue, family seems to be an issue.

If I were your brother, I'd tell you, "Let's do this Utah thing!! When I draw you can repay the favor by helping me." And I'd either do NM myself or eat my tag too. We will be hunting together even if I don't have a tag.

In "09" I left for Wyoming deer on Sept 27th. After NM elk and Nevada elk I got home on Nov 1. 35 days on the road, hunting, just me and my horses. That would not have happened during my first marriage. Or if it had, I'd have heard about it forever. The last time she mentioned me going deer hunting in Nevada when my daughter was 8 days old, my daughter was 19 years old so for 19 years that crap got thrown in my face a couple of times a year.

With all that relived, this guy had to do what he thinks is right. But if it's only one hunt, make it the Bookcliffs!!!!
 
A measily 35 days huh? I'm leaving MI by Labor Day and after big game hunts in 3 different states and bird hunting in ND I won't be back here until the third week of November. I'm retired with a great wife who knew my obsession for hunting and the outdoors before we got married. When I'm doing my thing she's doing hers and it doesn't involve the outdoors, as she's a big ciy girl at heart, even though we live in a very small town. We will celebrate #36 in July, so something is obviously working, but it ain't me, LOL!
 
I guess everyone has different priorities and commitments. But I hit two really good elk tags this year too. One in WY and one in NM. I'm going on both hunts:) Was thinking about withdrawing NM, but thought NM might be harder to draw with the lower nonresident allocation next year.
 
I have 15 resident points and still cannot draw the book cliffs. I would say keep the UT tag, I am sure your brother would be glad to come with you. But if you can do two hunts. . . . do it, focus a lot of attention on the book cliffs. If you decide to hunt in the books feel free to pm me, I can tell you some places you will want to spend a little time in looking for your bull.


I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!
 
Who knows how big the bulls will be in 5-6yrs here in Utah or what the mgmt will be like. I think I would take the Utah tag.


"Half of being smart, is knowing what you're dumb about."
 
Thanks to all that provided their thoughts - no problems for those that call me crazy, a fool or insane if I turn that tag back in - I feel the same way when I think about it.

Here is some more food for thoughts. My wife gave me the green light to do both and I am pretty sure I can swing the time off at work. I currently do not have anyone to come with me on the Books hunt as my brother's job only gives him enough time for the New Mexico hunt. Keep in mind also that our hunting season in Iowa really does not even get good until late October and then we hunt pretty hard for the next two months - I need to save some time for bow hunting here.

I feel a little selfish keeping both tags. I love the idea of someone out there that may not have a tag now getting the call that they will be going to the Books for an elk hunt - if this tag were not so hard to draw this decision would be a breeze.

I told myself I have to make a decision by the end of the week.

Again, thanks to all.
 
Do both and never look back.

Will be the season of a lifetime!

Good luck and can't wait to hear the stories and see the pics.
 
I would do BOTH hunts too but the poster said he could only go one ONE hunt.
If you can afford (time, money) to do both, then by all means, do both hunts!
My original advice was based on the facts which you stated. "I can only go on one hunt".

Good luck on one or the other......OR BOTH.

Zeke
 
If you can swing both hunts - do it! That time of year the Bookcliffs are great for elk - no way in hell I would turn it in. Of course - I grew up out there and know it well. As far as it being an "easy" hunt - I would disagree, depending on what your idea of succes is. If you want a good 300 bull - you will have plenty of opportunities, if you want a 330 bull or bigger, it will be a little more difficult. I think that 80% success rate reflects a lot of hunters who settle for 260 - 300 bulls, or think they are bigger than that. But, there is the chance always there that you will run into a monster or two. This is a good water year - great feed so that could mean for some unbelievable bulls. I think you have to take that into consideration this year especially. Plus - the Seep Ridge road will not be paved yet, but in 5 or 6 years it will be and there may very well be a Wal-Mart where you are seeing big bulls this year. After that, the Bookcliffs will never be the same. I think you have to strike while the iron is hot!



UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
 
You will NOT draw the Utah tag in the next 5-6 years, unless there is some significant change to the harvest objectives.
You will be chasing that tag for 15-25 years.
There is NO way I turn that Utah tag back in. Go get it done in 4 days and head to NM.
Best of luck!
 
good luck on whatever you decide...remember a wise old geezer once said you"ll either run out of time or money first...hopefully not at the same time...good luck...keep on huntin'
 
I chimed in early and said to keep the B.C tag
After reading your "GREEN LIGHT" comment from one married man to another.That could be her of saying make your decision carefully.
Wich Im sure you will
Good luck and post us some photos of your success on one or both hunts
 
Once you got the green light from the wife, the decision was made. Do both! You may never draw either tag again or may not even be able to apply. You never know what the future holds, but you do know you have two tags now. I've been in the same situation and did 4 hunts in one season. It was a real stretch and had two hunts that didn't get all of the attention I would like to have given, but I did get all done.
 
Life is too short, do both and do less deer hunting around home this year so you can spend more time with the family. It's worked multiple times for me.
 
Maybe someone made this comment, but I did not notice it. Unless non-residents are different you will not get a refund. They will give you your points back, but the money is gone if you turn in the tag.

Good luck on your decision, but I would do everything that you can to make both happen.

[URLwww.sjoutfitting.com][/URL]
 
Utah450 is right with the refund issue. Unless you have a death or are physically unable to go, they will not refund your money......get your point reinstated but not the money refunded.
 
Here's the facts about a refund.

If you look on page 21 of the proclamation you can see that a refund WILL be given minus $25 If the tag is turned back in no less than 30 days before the hunt starts.

I would still hunt BOTH if the tags were mine, but alas, they are not.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Zeke
 
Think hard before turning in that book cliffs tag. This is going to be a great year for antler growth with all of the green forage and point creep may keep you out of the running for longer than you think.

I had a similar problem several years ago. To make it work with the family I had my hunting partner drive camp to New Mexico and I hopped on a Southwest flight and had him pick me up at the airport. I cut the hunt in half but still got a really nice buck and had a great time doing it.

Some preseason scouting in the BC can be a great family vacation and can help stack the odds in your favor to find a bull early in the hunt.

Great problem to have.
 
califelkslayer---God's been very good to me and I was able to retire in the summer of 2002 a couple months before I hit 55 and I've not looked back since! Hey, I figure somebody has to do it and it might as well be me! I'm as pumped for the AZ and NM hunts and doing as much research for them as if I had drawn the tags myself. Make every day like it's your last one because it just may be!
 
A quick status report. My wife is still giving me the green light and she is very sincere. It appears I have the support of my employer and co-workers - still need to check with some of them. When I said I could not do two hunts I was referring to the fact that I do not want to be away from my family for almost three weeks straight. So to solve that problem I plan to make the 12+ hour drive back to Iowa between the hunts for a day or at best two to see the wife and kids.

When I posted this I was certain I was going to turn the tag back to the State of Utah. Now I am just as certain I am going on both hunts.

My biggest problem now is that my hunting partner (brother) has the New Mexico hunt and I would not even ask him to give that up. His job simply would not allow him to be gone enough to do both. There are only a few people that I know that have the time, health, and money to join me on the trip.

Lots of good advice and I really like the idea of a summer trip with the family to scout and give them some ownership in the hunt - good idea. My kids may be too young but my wife would love it.

Thanks All.
 
Mr Iowan,
I'll bet if you fire up a request for a local camping buddy you could have it. Lots of folks love the Bookcliffs and would probably meet you somewhere. I hunt alone on occasion but I don't think it's as fun.

I would make a 6 hour phone call between hunts rather than driving 24 hours. Lots cheaper and much easier. There are only a couple things you can't do on the phone. I know you didn't ask for my advice on that topic. haha

Zeke
 
Sounds like you made avoid choice!

Do not turn that Utah tag in. Who knows
how long it would take to draw again and most likely, the quality will be down.

Best of luck.
 
If you turned the UT tag back in,YOU might draw in 5-6 years or you could be behind in the pt draw and never get that tag again. It could be like Roy said You could miss hunting a great area because it changed while you was waiting for a tag to hunt it.

Glad to see you are going to do both hunts, I drew 6 tags one year and it was along and hard grind, I would take time off between the hunts just to re-group and get re-focus for the next hunt.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
 
I think you made the right choice. Try to get there a couple days before the hunt starts so you can locate a really good bull to chase opening morning...Have fun, you are in for the hunting season few of us have ever had.
 

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