What To Do?

Drnaln · Jan 12, 2008

Been looking at the board for awhile but this is my first post.I have 13 N.R. deer points in Utah & would like some advice.Should I hold out for the Henrys or pick another unit & go hunting?I will hunt with any weapon but have hunted only archery the last few years.Will be 55 years old this year so time is slipping by!Would appreciate any thoughts that would help me decide what to do.
Thanks,Drnaln

RACKMASTER · Jan 12, 2008

EVEN IF YOU WERE 75.......wait for HENRIES!
Nothing is close for a while! hang in there for a few more years!
just my 2 cents worth
rm

buckspotter7 · Jan 12, 2008

Welcome, you're too close now. Wait for the Henries!

Packout · Jan 12, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-08 AT 08:50PM (MST)[p]What a great problem to have. If you currently have 13 points then the following applies: A quick check of the odds shows you are a 20+ years out on the Henry Mtns to get into the top pool and try for the one bonus tag. You are 50+ years from a gauranteed tag so you decide. Wait 20-50 years or try another unit. There is no unit which compares to the Henry Mtns and of course something could change in the next 20 years.

You are 3-5 years from getting a Pauns muzzleloader tag. You can draw rifle for San Juan or Oak Creek. The Books is a fun hunt, but not true trophy quality, unless you know where to go. Those are the only real choices I can see for you. I wish you could apply with my wife as a group and we could go out and shoot 180-200 inch bucks..... Best of luck with the decision. (I will send you a bill... ha)

(Any residents with 12 or more points want to apply in a group)

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www.sagebasin.com
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Jdan9 · Jan 12, 2008

I'm not sure waiting is the best option, there are 35 non residents with 13 pts, 21 with 14 and 2 with 15. They only issue 2 tags a year, one to the max point holders, it could take 23 years for you to be in the max point pool, then you could be in it with quite a few hunters if they all decide that the Henries is worth waiting for. I have 14 pts as a non res. and I'm not sure how much longer I can wait.
jd

Drnaln · Jan 12, 2008

Thanks!I kind of had the math thought out but when you actually read the years to get the Henrys the "light comes on".With 13 points is there an archery unit that would give a person a quality hunt with a chance at a good deer? Seeing some nice bucks & having a fun hunt seems better then waiting until I'm TOO old to enjoy!
Thanks All, Drnaln

Califelkslayer · Jan 12, 2008

My buddy has 15 and tried to convince me to apply that first year. Had I known then it would take 16-17 years I would have made the same decision I did then. If I had it to do over again, I'd give my left @#t. DAMN!!!!

ZR1 · Jan 27, 2008

In 2006 I drew the Henrys Archery with 9 resident points,In 2007 My cousin drew it with 10 res points.I killed a 189 and was my #6 buck he killed a 200 inch typical (gross).Physically demandind unit tough,dry,rocky,open terrain but huge bucks.My buddy Drew bookcliffs archery with 5 res points alot of deer and he hunted a 200 incher for 4 days and ended up killing a mid 20's 4point ( I unterstood there were alot of buck's this size). With your points I would wait for the Henrys you might get lucky like I did and draw with less than max points alot of guys do draw Utah with less than max points ( I also drew the Pauns in the early 90's with 0 pts, plus some non-res that I know will not be applying anymore do to the purchase price of the hunting license just to put in so Im sur they are not the only ones good luck.

Rammu · Jan 27, 2008

Put in for the Paunsagaunt Muzzle for the next couple of years. You chances to draw will be higher but if you dont then start putting in for the Henrys again. Atleast if you draw the PAuns tag its still a prime time hunt. IF you do archery then go for the San Juan but if you dont know the area you may not get what your looking for. San Juan is a great Archery unit.
I say go for the Pauns!

spitz · Jan 28, 2008

Move to Utah this year, become a resident, draw a tag, then get out.

ELKOHOLIC · Jan 28, 2008

I think a lot of the math you see here on MM is faulty. People telling you it is going to take 20-50 more years to draw the Henries? I'll never buy that.

There are way to many variable to figure this info. I agree it could take you several more years, but not 20. If thats the hunt you want stick with it.

All it would take is a slight increase in tags or people with more points switching hunts or dropping out for various reason. Also, people abuse the point sytem by doing a duel app. and drawing on lesser hunts and turning there tag back in and doing it all over again.

These things happen every year. Most people simply won't wait for 20 years to draw a deer tag.