bookcliffs muzzleloader hunt

S

slugger

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could anyone tell me about the bookcliffs muzzleloader hunt? class of deer, best area to hunt. any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks
 
Do a search on here for the Book Cliffs and you will see numerous posts on this subject. During the muzzleloader hunt, you will want to focus on the top of the mountain range. You can expect to see bucks in the 20-24 inch range with a few bigger than that. Just like always, there are a handful of bigger bucks if you are lucky, but the majority taken will be in the size range above. Its really pretty easy to find them, just get on the divide and start looking. Easy hunt, but hard to find a big one.
 
My son had a muzzy deer last year in the Books.
We had a great time, deer are thick as flee's, but had a tough time finding bucks with any age on them.

We were on seep ridge, clear to the top, west to the roadless border, east to steer ridge and everything in between.

Great hunt, lot's of fun but don't expect a monster.
But you could get lucky....and i hope you do. ;-)







Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"
 
Hunted the unit the the first year they opened it back up. Was there on the archery hunt and muzzleloader hunt. (Before they changed the DH rule on limited entry units) When the muzzy hunt rolled around a large majority of the deer had began to move off the tops already. The biggest bucks we saw were down closer to moon ridge (closer to the roadless area trailhead), but hunted all the way to the east towards the towers too.

Like others have said, you'll see a lot of bucks in the 20-23" range. We did see a few smokers though. If I ever were to hunt the books with a muzzleloader again, based off my past experience, I would focus on the transition areas.

BowHuntr
 
Did you draw an expo tag? +1 on the Transitional zones. Cover alot of ground and Glass till your eyes hurt.
 
I have hunted the bookcliffs every year for over 30 years, except when it was closed. Add another 12 years to that as a kid hunting out there with my dad. I've guided family and friends every year since it reopened and would rather live out there than in my own home. This is a fact?the likelihood of finding a buck over 190 and in the 30 inch range is very unlikely, although not impossible, but based more on being in the right place at the right time. I've seen them, and we have been lucky to harvest a few over the years, but not often.

If you want a bruiser, take your time and get off the main roads. Since you are hunting early, make sure you stay in the higher country. If it gets cold, the main herd will start to move a little, but the bigger bucks will stay put until late October. Holding out won't ensure that you get a slammer?there just isn't that many mature bucks over 28 inches. However, a 24 inch 170 class buck is a good looking trophy and don't be afraid to take him if you agree.

The bookcliffs is a great hunt. Poaching out there has always and will always be the number one reason you don't see 190 class bucks. Ass wipe poachers come in from Colorado and the Uintah Basin and they wreak havoc on the mature bucks during the season and in the early winter. The country is simply too big for the DWR to control poachers and I wish more people who spend time out there would help. Besides, the DWR is only interested in managing the area for higher buck-to-doe ratios rather than trophy quality. Too bad because it has such great trophy potential. Enough of my soap box?.enjoy your hunt, work hard, be smart, and I hope you get lucky!
 
Hey Slugger, They are there,When you draw your tag take just as much time as you can to scout,Who knows you may join the majestic Book Club with a 200 class bruiser.Best of luck.
 
a guy I work with got 5-6 200+ bucks on video last summer early fall. he guides and got shots at them but nobody could seal the deal so unless they got poached they are still running around. I can talk to him or give you some info on how to get in contact with him if you would like.
 
Hey I would like some info from your buddy. My brother was out hunting turkeys and saw 2 nice big bodied deer with nubbins.

bigmuleyboy
 
LAST EDITED ON May-01-08 AT 02:56PM (MST)[p]>a guy I work with got
>5-6 200+ bucks on video
>last summer early fall. he
>guides and got shots at
>them but nobody could seal
>the deal so unless they
>got poached they are still
>running around. I can talk
>to him or give you
>some info on how to
>get in contact with him
>if you would like.

5-6 200" deer from the Books??? Now thats something! Lets see some pics.........not that I'm calling BS or anything;-)
 

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