Right Area/Wrong Hunt

[Kokanee_Slayer]

Hello fellow friends,
We all know that exciting time when our credit cards get charged for our up coming hunts. My big brother finally drew his early LE Central Manti Elk Tag . But that excitement was gone when my brother got his confirmation email from the UT DWR about the tag he drew and realized that my brother put in for the right area to hunt in but he put in for the late hunt in November.
We were a little sad that it wasn't the September hunt. But we are being optimistic about going hunting in our favorite area of the state of Utah. We are familiar with the area, we have spent many years hunting the Manti, but we have never hunted elk in November.

My question to you guys is 1. What are the elk behaviors like in November (are they with the cows, bachelor group of bulls, or by themselves)?
2. What are some of guys experiences hunting bull elk in November(Weather, hunting pressure)?

Thanks for your help fellow friend,
Happy Trails

-Kokanee_Slayer

 

[DreaminOf200]

I can't speak to Utah specifically, as I've never hunted there, but the late hunt is tough. Areas that will be packed full of good bulls and cows running around in September will be completely different in November. For example, last year I hunted the first week of September and we found 7-8 bulls that would all go 330"+. When we went back in November for a friend's late hunt, we found one bull. My buddy killed him, but it was literally the only good bull we saw the week we were there. We got completely skunked a couple days, and that NEVER happens where we hunt.

That being said, the bulls are there, they're just really hard to find. In my experience, the bulls are by themselves and don't move much. You may find some raghorns bachelored up in groups of 2-3, but not the big bulls.

My words of advice are cover ground, and glass, glass, glass. The bulls are there, you just have to work harder, get up earlier, and stay out later to find them. The only other thing I'll say is go with your gut. We KNEW there had to be bulls in the area we were hunting but were about to give up and go to a new area. Luckily, my buddy spotted his bull bedded up late in the afternoon and the rest is history. But after going back to the same general area day after day and seeing nothing at all, it was tough.

 

[littlebighorn]

A good friend of mine had that tag several years ago. I helped him on opening day and then had to leave. I literally saw thousands of cows and small bulls on that first day, but not a single mature bull.
By that time of year the mature bulls are hanging out away from the cows in isolated pockets. They are worn out from the rut, just trying to rest up enough to make it through the winter. You can have blue bird weather or knee deep snow, that time of year and that factor influences where the bulls will be. The bulls can be in bachelor groups or by themselves, but they are away from the cows and hard to find. If there is private land close by, they often wander on property that does not get hunting pressure.
My friend is one of the best hunters I know and he spent every single day of the hunt looking for a respectable bull. Ultimately he never found one and on the second to the last evening he shot a small six point, feeling it was his only chance. He did pass on a 310 bull on the first weekend, assuming he would find something bigger, but it never happened.
If you don't know where to go or where bulls go, it is my experience that the late hunt can be very difficult. Your brother has the option of turning the tag back in if he wants something different, otherwise you can go for it.
Dreamin is right. The bulls are there, but it is the toughest season to find them, in my opinion. That's my two cents.
Best of luck

 

[Kokanee_Slayer]

Thanks for the tips and pointer that you have learned over the years. My brother is debating if he wants to return his tag or hold on to it. I support him with either decision.
Thanks again.
-Kokanee_Slayer

 

[Deerlove]

Lots of good advice here I had the tag and hunted the south end of the unit, bigger bulls were down low in the P@J, tough hunting. Find a area that's more glassable in the low country. If you drew the tag with less than 6 to 8 points keep it.

 

[treedagain]

keep the tag, he has the chance to hunt, are you res or non? I would take the tag and hunt it and kill the best bull I could find. drawing the tag is the hard part. take this "mistake" and run with it...you will be hunting... personally I like to hunt elk and would never pass up the opportunity to do so. I draw the lower rated units and kill good bulls. just a little more work to get it done.


How to start an argument online:
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[treedagain]

oh ya, just pretend to be hunting cows and every big bull in the area will just walk out and look at you....happens to me every time I hunt late season cows.....

How to start an argument online:
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2. Wait

 

[theox]

My question is. How many points did he have and is it res or nr? If he had a bunch of points I would turn it back if he has a chance of drawing early next year. If not just hunt it

 

[Kokanee_Slayer]

My brother is a UT resident and he drew the tag with 12 points.

 

[Shadow]

Tough decision with 12 points. That doesn't put him in bonus territory for early rifle. It does however give him enough points for some pretty good muzzle tags, or a better late season area. If he really wants to try the late Manti, he could turn it back, scout it this November and pull a bonus tag next year for it. I don't know much of the Manti so I wouldn't really dare guess how good the late tag would be. Best of luck either way.

 

[Deerlove]

I'm a big believer in hunt while you can, but 12 pts is tough.

 

[theox]

Looking at stats late manti had the same success rate as early rifle at 79%. So I don't think It is too hard to find Bulls
But there are a few early rifle hunts he could pull next year. And multiple muzz hunts that would also get ya in the rut. If it was me I would turn it back because i don't care for the late elk hunts as much. I'd rather be in the mtns in September chasing elk because of the weather. I love sept in the mtns. Nov not so
Much all the leaves are gone and it's kinda dreary.
But the late hunt can turn up good Bulls. 12 PTs is a lot of points to burn if he isn't excited about a late hunt.
If he keeps it I am sure you guys will figure it out.

 

[Vanilla]

He's probably 4 years away from the early rifle tag on the Manti if he really wants that tag and not the late hunt.

You know what they say, though, a tag in the hand is worth two in the bush.

My guess is the late hunt will be a tough hunt. But it is not like the early hunt is a cake walk. You're going to have to work for a good bull either way. I would have a hard time turning a tag in unless I just made a huge mistake or my circumstances changed to the point I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

 

[ICMDEER]

I don't know squat about Utah. But November can be a good time to chase bulls. Sure, they are holed up and sure, they can be tough to find. But if you have a little snow and some colder weather, it can be great.

I had a November license here in Wyoming last year and killed a 344 bull. I hunted areas where there weren't many cows. The day I killed my bull, I saw 7 elk. All bulls, and I think all 6 points. They were laid up in sparse timber in shaded areas with good feed and out of the wind, living the fat life.

As one of my friends says, "They are there." That's why we call it hunting.

I'd hunt. And hunt pretty hard. Hike and glass. Pray for snow and check tracks.

Best of luck.

 

[Gator]

leave the herds behind look into tough to get places and you will find those bulls hanging out in those areas.
snow and glassing got love it.

"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/]

 

[stillwaitin]

That late hunt can be tough, With 12 Points if he really wants to hunt Manti in September I would turn the tag in and do the Muzzy hunt next year.

 

[LoneWati]

>leave the herds behind look into
>tough to get places and
>you will find those bulls
>hanging out in those areas.
>
>snow and glassing got love it.
>
>
>"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/]


I like the way you think!! This is good advice!! Think of what the big bulls need/want after a long rut. Solitude, close forage/water that they do not have to travel to get at. Sun when they want it and good cover.

 

[schoolhousegrizz]

I have shot three bulls in November. The smallest one I shot with a muzzleloader was a raghorn 5. He was hanging out with cows calves and other bulls. A 290 bull I shot was with five other bulls. The biggest when I shot was all by himself. They were all hard to locate. But elk always are for me. Hope this helps.

 

[BLooDTRaCKeR]

I found this shed on the Manti unit back in April of this year. He busted his devil tine off and about 4-5 inches off of his fifth. He is very heavy, probably close to a 350 bull with his mass...

Here is another picture of my hand around his main bean and fourth point to put things into perspective of the mass he has.

I know this bull and a few others around this size hang out in this particular area every year. It is a 2 mile pack into this country but they are there in November and during the spring.

 

[Kokanee_Slayer]

Thank you guys for all of your input about the Late LE Manti Elk hunt. My brother and I appreciate your advice and comments. After talking to my brother yesterday about if he is going to keep the tag or surrender it. He decided to keep the tag. We are excited to go out and hunt.

Happy Trails.

-Kokanee_Slayer

 

[brettguymon]

I would definitely keep the tag. I think you and your brother made the right choice! The late hunt is as good as any of the others if you know how to hunt it.

You should see a lot of bulls and have a great time.

 

[BrowningRage]

I think you guys made the right choice in keeping the tag. Hunt when you can, because you never know when you won't be able to anymore.

The late elk hunt is a lot like a deer hunt. You can't bugle the "big stinkies" in, but you can get out there where they live, get behind the glass, and locate them in their feeding/bedding areas. I know a few people who have been successful on late hunts in other units by doing the above.

I think you guys will have a lot of fun. The biggest issue is just making sure you have somewhere warm (and dry) to recuperate after being in the cold. Good luck..!!

p.s. You can also get some information from guys who have hunted the unit earlier in the year about quality and some possible locations to check out.

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