Need Utah CWMU Advice

Founder · Dec 9, 2008

Hey guys,

I was hoping some of you might be able to share some advice. My wife has 11 deer points here in Utah and I think next year is the year she needs to try and get a tag and hunt.

I'm wondering if any of you with Utah CWMU experience could share your experience(s). I want to take her hunting somewhere where quality is pretty good.
Have any of you been allowed to scout prior to the hunt? What hunt dates did they offer?

I have considered both Big Mountain and Heaston East, but just don't know what to expect.

I would love some advice.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

slamdunk · Dec 9, 2008

She has enough points to draw all but about two CWMU's in the state, and would actually have wasted a couple years if she drew now on 11 points (most are now at 9).

She CAN draw the Paunsagunt LE this year.

I'd say be patient and hold out for a Henry's tag, you've waited this long.........

huntinco · Dec 9, 2008

I would not use 11 points on any CWMU.

Justin Richins
R&K Hunting Company Inc.
www.thehuntingcompany.com

shelbys · Dec 9, 2008

Only problem waiting for a Henry Mtns tag is it may take another 10 years with how few tags they give out.

slamdunk · Dec 9, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Dec-09-08 AT 05:03PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Dec-09-08 AT 04:56?PM (MST)

Brian-
She's got 510 applicants WITH her and ahead of her, MINUS the tags that were drawn last year, whatever that total is.

I'd seriously look into the Pauns if you wanted to do a good LE, she can have that one in '09 with the points she has.

As far as CWMU's (and ones i am familiar with) she can draw Deseret, Hell Canyon and Two Bear, all of which have exceptional quality of bucks.

I'd not waste them on the Book Cliffs, she could have drawn that years ago and it's not worth wasting 11 years on (IMHO).

tooele · Dec 9, 2008

My friend shot a real nice buck, 9 X 8 I believe on the Heaston east a couple of years ago. He is an employee of kennecot so he got the tag that way, they have their own draw. There are certainly a few decent deer on the CWMU. Another friend is personal friends with the guy that runs it, if you get serious about heaston let me know I will put you in touch with him. From what I know they are serious about keeping everyone out of the unit, except the hunters, there are a few real good quality deer and they treat people fairly, but you probably won't get to do much prescouting as it is kennecot land and they play the liability game.

T

Founder · Dec 9, 2008

Well, the Paunsaugunt may be the direction we head. I know that unit some. I just thought maybe a CWMU somewhere might be better if we were able to scout it and had some good hunt dates.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

slamdunk · Dec 9, 2008

There are some really good CWMU's and some less than par.
Best advice i can give you is to call the operators and get refferals to past clients and "DO YOUR HOMEWORK" or you'll regret it.

I'm in the same boat with the same points as she is.

legacy · Dec 9, 2008

I agree that there is not a CWMU worth 11 points. Especially when you consider overall hunt experience. And I agree, she has waited this long, why not wait it out for a Paunsy or Henries tag? The Paunsy is close to home and would give you a great opportunity to scout. I'd rather hunt about any LE unit in the state over a CWMU. Especially if I had 11 points. I only have 6 points right now and am past the point where I would "burn" points on a CWMU. My dad drew a Mt Carmel tag in 2006 with just a few points. It was worth it for the few points he had.

deerbedead · Dec 9, 2008

I guess I'm not sure why you'd want to burn 11 points on the Paunsaugunt either?

Silentstalker · Dec 9, 2008

Brian,

What type of deer are you looking for? The pauns would be my 1st choice. There are still some great bucks down there, especially with your ability to find quality bucks.

Heaston East is a great hunt as well. They can get a little pushy to try and get you to kill your deer and move on, but The operator does a great job. My good friends wife killed a great bucks there 2 years ago. I think it went 28" 180 class. They looked over a bunch of deer in the process of killing that one.

Good luck to your wife!

MJRELKFREAK · Dec 9, 2008

heaston has some huge bucks. on and off kennocott land. we own 700 plus acers.the steal gate that is buired at the top south of the pitt is part of it.elk and a bajjilion turkeys.

streetcourt · Dec 9, 2008

I have never hunted a LE unit, so I cannot speak to that. I have hunted the Desert CWMU and do not regret "wasting" 10 points. We had a great hunt and a I have a sweet mount on the wall. The only bad thing was that we could not scout prior to the season. We had the day before the hunt, that's it.

I will never regret this hunt....awesome time with the family and FIRST class operators. Todd was awesome.

jagrmystr · Dec 9, 2008

Brian,
The best part of the hunt is the scouting, and the time in the hills. Most CWMU operators wont allow the time for scouting. I would much rather have a few days in the summer with family and friends than a deer with 10 or 15 points on it.

BuckSeeker79 · Dec 9, 2008

Brian,

I wouldn't risk the CWMU's I'd have her go for a LE. I think the Pauns is a great option, I'd also think about Elk Ridge, or even wait. You've got her up there in the points game,
why waste what could turn out to be a good thing. If your serious about the CWMU's the those that have been mentioned are good choices, I'd also like to say that you should talk to Blanding Boy. He might have some good advice man... great outfitters, now their stuff.... That's my 2 cents.

grizzly · Dec 13, 2008

Founder,

I hope it is just a coincidence that this is the year your wife is going to get serious about drawing a tag; and that your decision isn't related to the DWR changing the rules disallowing the obviously unethical practice of putting in as a group and then returning the non-hunters tag to maintain the points for the next year.

I hope I don't sound accusatory, I don't mean to, I just have too much respect and appreciation for what you do to put you in a group with those hunters.

Grizzly

Founder · Dec 13, 2008

Grizzly, I would rather that be the reason.
PS - You do sound "accusatory"...but I'm OK.

I appreciate all the other comments and input from you guys. I'll probably take her down south and we'll see what we can turn up. Thanks!

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

grizzly · Dec 13, 2008

I too have been researching CWMU's for my own tag. I hope you have a good hunt whatever you decide.

Grizzly

predator · Dec 14, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Dec-14-08 AT 11:31AM (MST)[p]Brian- .

I'm with the guys on this one; most CWMU's that I know and have hunted upon will not let you scout if you are a draw tag rather than a purchased tag, and the ones with the bigger bucks will probably limit your area as far as I understand. There are a few that will not, I would hope, but since they are making serious bones most will protect their 'investment'.

Knowing how you scout, I think being unable to look a place over would make you a bit crazy. I for sure would not want to use 11 points on a hunt where I might not only be limited on scout time, but hunting area.

A good resource might be BlandingBoy, I believe he still runs a CWMU side job, or at least still has contacts. I'm sure Justin (Huntinco) has some ideas as well.

I'm going to tell you right up front that the operator of Big Mountain is classy as all get out, and I might be able to help you out on that one, but I don't know if he has any monsters skulking about on his place. Summit Point is where I shot my big boy, and the property manager was very helpful, but then again I put in several days work in exchange for information and I bought, not drew, the tag. I don't know if it is being run by the same guy, but I'll find out for you. It's not an easy unit, but it is the type of terrain that will get your blood pumping if you've ever hunted the crags of the Pauns.

Good luck either way,

Pred