Should I turn in my tag?

grizzmoose · Jul 23, 2015

Hi Guys,

I've had some crappy luck over the last year or so. Last year I drew a Wasatch Muzz elk tag and was pretty pumped to hunt. A few weeks before the hunt I broke my collar bone in a mountain biking wreck and had to turn the tag in. I was lucky enough to draw the tag again this year. As luck would have it, I just recently broke the same dang bone again.

This means I wont be able to scout for another 3-4 weeks, and packing an animal out out with a backpack over the bone will likely be pretty uncomfortable. I also just bought a brand new muzzle loader that hasnt been sighted in yet that I won't be able to shoot for at least 4 more weeks. If I surrender the tag, I'll likely draw it again next year.

So what would you do? Keep it or turn it in and wait for next year? Any reason why this year on the Wasatch will be a better than average year? Am I going to be too far behind not being able to scout? Any advice would be appreciated.

alpinebowman · Jul 23, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jul-23-15 AT 10:45AM (MST)[p]the muzzy hunt dates are as prime as they will be for the next several years. With that said you could turn it back in and probably go for an any weapon tag with your points and use you muzzy in prime season next year.
After that I would recommend a bubble wrap suit for at least 6 months before the hunt.

alpinebowman of Dark Archer Customs, Maker of fine strings and bow tuner
>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

Ranger1 · Jul 23, 2015

Couple of months to heal is fine. Quality seems to continue to go down each year. Agree the dates are right on the button this year for you. The elk will move around once hunted so scouting now just helps you see what is out there- you can do that in four weeks and still find them.

BeDawg · Jul 23, 2015

Hunt it and turn your bike in.

Zeke · Jul 23, 2015

Here's my best advise:
Stay off the F-ing bike, keep the tag, kill a great bull, get some friends/family to help, have a wonderful adventure and report back to us!
Good luck!

Zeke

Elkduds · Jul 23, 2015

Hunt now. No telling what you'll break next year.

lang · Jul 23, 2015

I think it will depend on if your friends are the give the shirt off their backs friends, or through you to the wolves kinda guys. Even if they are great, can they get away from work and family to help when needed?

30Hart · Jul 23, 2015

What Zeke said...no telling what next year brings and this year is still a good year for the Wasatch...next year who knows.

YZF_88 · Jul 23, 2015

Tough call. On one hand you have time and friends. I'd go this year.

On the other hand, the anxiety of not being able to get dialed in and get scouting in can be overwhelming. I turned in a LE tag today due to broken foot bones. It was a tough call.

treedagain · Jul 23, 2015

I think Zeke said it like it is STAY OFF THE BIKE, sounds like you need another activity to fill your time. I would say knitting but most likely you would stab yourself in the heart.
keep the tag and make it count...good luck

carbonnation · Jul 23, 2015

Go hunt. Go hunt. Go hunt.

mntman · Jul 23, 2015

That's a tough decision, if you can walk/scout now and know for sure 100% you will be able to pack or have someone else pack for you then yes hunt. If there are doubts about either then I'd turn it back in, sell the bike buy some football pads/helmet and take up video games for a year...

Good luck either way you decide.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Daxter · Jul 24, 2015

It's almost impossible to scout for a rut elk hunt anyway. The Bulls move so much, they won't be where they are now. Muzz dates for 2015 are killer! I applied for the same hunt and I would go chase Bulls if I were you.

Although, I applied for the same hunt and didn't draw, if you turn your tag back in maybe I'll be the alternate...

Dax

WHT_MTNMAN · Jul 24, 2015

With the moisture we have received this year in AZ, if UT is anywhere close in rainfall, I say hunt this year.

grizzmoose · Jul 28, 2015

I sure appreciate the comments guys. I'm still pretty torn on what to do. I don't think I'll be able to pack much out and have no idea what kind of support I'll have from friends and family. It's a lot to ask people to come out with the full expectation of having them pack out an animal.

As for the mountain biking, I'm not sure I can give it up, put perhaps knitting might not be a bad idea for the next year!

Thanks for the suggestions and the laughs!

c3 · Jul 28, 2015

I just got my WR250F all tuned up and was about to take it out to the track. After hearing about broken collar bones and now YZF_88's foot that I'm assuming is from being dirt biker trash on his new fat tire, I'll roll mine back in the garage until after the season is over

I'd go hunt it if I could. Shouldn't be hard to find bulging bulls this year on the muzzy hunt.

Cheers,
Pete

mmwb · Jul 28, 2015

If you can afford it, consider lining up a packer that you can call in when you get a bull down. Or... rent some Llamas or goats with gear.

Velvetfvr · Jul 28, 2015

Why don't you hire a packer so when you get a bull down have him come in and pack it out for you?

Gator · Jul 29, 2015

HUNT,hunt,Hunt Hire a couple of homeless to pack your stuff out.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 29, 2015

I would hunt. One year I had a herniated disc that later required surgery and I shot my biggest deer that year. I bet you can get some help lined up.

BrowningRage · Jul 29, 2015

If it was me, I'd be hunting. It wouldn't even be a question.

Since you are doubting your capabilities this year, I say turn your tag in. There's a guy out there sitting atop that alternate list that is hoping somebody breaks their collar bone while riding a bike so that he can get the tag this year. Do that guy a favor, turn your tag in.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

grizzmoose · Jul 29, 2015

Browning. . . I did that guy a favor last year!

Triple_BB · Jul 29, 2015

I drew a Dutton muzzy tag about 5 years ago. Then I developed a debilitating medical condition which is now in recession. I posted the same question here and received similar responses. However my condition worsened and I ended up returning the tag. Got my points back and I'm hoping to draw an early season rifle tag in the next five years. I have no regrets about returning the tag and consider it to be a once in a life time tag anyway...

ForkWest · Jul 30, 2015

Another vote for go.

I bought a new muzzy last year (CVA Optima). I had it dialed in with 9 shots. Took it out again the next night and just confirmed how great it was shooting. Brand new gun and I had full confidence in it. Killed a bull with it a week later, dead on. I don't think you need 4 months at the range to work up a load and feel comfortable.

If you can hike and you can shoot, no question, go. When the bull is on the ground and you need a packout, you'll be able to pull together a few guys.

muleywhisperer · Jul 30, 2015

GOT MILK? Might help your bones. I had a similar situation a few years back, I de-gloved my trigger and middle finger on my shooting hand 8 days before a hunt I had. My solution I bought a left handed action rifle and learned to shoot very accuratly with my opposite hand. As for your tag, let someone with a little lead in there pencil and calcium in there bones go out and kill a monster or man up and get this one done! The beauty of pain is it often goes away, but reminds you your alive!

YZF_88 · Jul 30, 2015

C3, you are correct in your assumption! I even had good MX boots on and crushed my foot between a boulder and my frame while riding a single track to a local peak. These trails are kicking my rear. I feel safer going into a first turn with 39 other guys on a motocross track.

grizzmoose · Jul 31, 2015

Funny, I bought the same gun the day before I busted the bone. I think you guys have talked me in to going. Right now I can't shoot, but I'm sure I can get someone to go up with me to sight it in. Even had one offer from a total stranger on here to help me pack it out. There are some pretty fantastic people out there!

>Another vote for go.
>
>I bought a new muzzy last
>year (CVA Optima). I had
>it dialed in with 9
>shots. Took it out again
>the next night and just
>confirmed how great it was
>shooting. Brand new gun and
>I had full confidence in
>it. Killed a bull with
>it a week later, dead
>on. I don't think you
>need 4 months at the
>range to work up a
>load and feel comfortable.
>
>If you can hike and you
>can shoot, no question, go.
>When the bull is on
>the ground and you need
>a packout, you'll be able
>to pull together a few
>guys.

ForkWest · Jul 31, 2015

Griz, if it helps any, I shot 100gr BH209 and 290gr Barnes TMZs. It was shooting tight right from the get go. You can read more here:
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID14/3014.html#.VbvLkvky684

BrowningRage · Aug 3, 2015

Well, if that's the case Grizzmoose, then I'd say keep the tag and go hunting. My original suggestion about turning it in was a little tongue-in-cheek...

I think if I knew I was guaranteed the tag next season, I might turn it in, but I sort of see it as a bird in the hand beats two in the bush. Who knows what will happen between now and next season. Maybe they cut the tags in the unit. Maybe a fire ravages the unit. Maybe they double the tags and there are too many hunters...

I think if you have the tag, and its a good year to be out there, you'll figure out how to get it done.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24