Deer CWMU advice?

utahbigbull · Jan 14, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jan-15-11 AT 00:25AM (MST)[p]I drew my LE elk tag in 2010 and now the long wait untill I can apply for elk begins. I was hoping to get some help from some fellow MM guys on a decent rifle CWMU buck hunt a guy with no points can draw within 5 years untill I can start building my elk points back up? I would be happy with one that gives an oppertunity for a buck that is respectable for the wall but does not need to be a big bastage. I have done some looking on the DWR site, got some odds and satisfaction ratings on what might be some diecent hunts and have some ideas, but few have anything for the average harvested deer age. I am looking for one in the northern half from about Richfield on up. As long as the operator of the unit isn't a prick and there are a few 24 to 26 inch bucks to be chased, I couldn't ask for more. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

legacy · Jan 15, 2011

IMO, putting in for a CWMU for deer is like buying optics - you get what you pay for. The units that have great draw odds typically produce lower quality bucks and the draw odds reflect that. I know several units that have great draw odds where you'd be lucky to kill a small 24" 4X4. If you have decided you want to draw a tag before you are eligible for elk again, do your research, put in for a unit that you could draw with 4 or 5 points and go for it. IMO there's always a chance of running into a decent deer even on these lower quality CWMU's.

Blanding_Boy · Jan 15, 2011

Bigbull--Please elaborate, it would be helpful to know what you mean by this "As long as the operator of the unit isn't a prick "

Once I know that, I may or may not have some help for you.

Todd Black
BTO

utahbigbull · Jan 15, 2011

What I meant by that was one that may treat a non paying cwmu hunter (through the draw) as close as possible to a cash paying one. An opperator that can give an outline, map and run of the country then laet someone hunt it following the rules. I also do not like the idea of some only allowing one guest. I would hope to bring my wife and couple of kids.

utahbigbull · Jan 15, 2011

I have done some of that research and the units standing out to me are Chrises creek in Juab (my old stomping grounds), Pocatello Valley and Bastain Ranch. Has anyone heard anything on these?

katorade · Jan 15, 2011

Give the landowners a call if your interested, they will give you some knowledge, what I found out is most the landowners have or will let you hunt longer as long as it's in the official cwmu season.