Alton CWMU

[SageCountry]

Hi guys, I have a quick question for those who have hunted the Alton CWMU. I was talking to Wade today and he said they no longer guide the public hunters and that it was pretty thick country down there. He also mentioned that the traditional spot and stalk strategy that most mule deer hunters use, doesn't work very well. My question is; Can a public hunter still tag out on a big buck down there without a guide?

 

[YELUM]

That depends on what access they give you. If they give you free rein over their property, then you will have no problem seeing lots of bucks and some good ones. However, you wont have scouting time to locate any monster buck that the guides don't already know about. You could spend you whole 3-5 days passing on 165-180 class bucks looking for the 190 plus, and you may, or may not see a shooter you''re willing to tag. Thats my opinion from my hunt.

Yelum

 

[fin little]

I agree with yelum, if they give you full access and let you hunt before mid Oct its a spot and stalk paradise. If they limit you to the south end of the unit it could be tough . Whats the deal, they want to sell you a guide . Bad economy hittin wealthy hunters too.

 

[huntinfanatic]

Yelum and Fin little are spot on. The north end would be a great spot and stalk area to hunt. The south end is thick cedars and would be tougher to spot and stalk. I would love to have the tag, I'm just to impatient to wait that many years.

 

[justachipshot]

I drew a public tag on the Alton CWMU for 2012. We were given a part time guide, but after a few days, they cut us loose. I chose this hunt because I had a knee replaced last February and my hip needs some help also. Hiking, is a problem for me this year. We hunted strictly on the North end, and did alot of windshield time, as well as alot of glassing. We saw many good bucks, and ran into three 200+ trophys. I ended up shooting a 35 inch non typical that scored 180, and yes it would have been considered a management buck. I was asked what I was looking for as a trophy, I told them I would know when I saw it. No one had seen this buck before, it had never showed up on any trail cams. We located this buck in a canyon very seldom hunted, it was in very heavy brush. My son has 16 points for the next draw, I hope he draws the Alton, we are looking forward for a return trip. After being there this year, and knowing where to go, we feel that having a guide is a plus, but we would get by just the same.

 

[SageCountry]

Hi Chipshot, do you or any of the hunters feel like success was impaired by not having a full time guide?

 

[YELUM]

chipshot, Was it you I met when I stopped in to visit Wade? I'm in a wheelchair, and showed himsome video. Congrats onyour buck.

Yelum

 

[huntinguy]

Chipshots buck that he plugged is a stud- remember the pics he posted awhile back. From what I hear Alton is a very sound CWMU operation all the way around.

 

[SageCountry]

My concern is should I burn 15 point there? I could always buy a guided hunt on the general season area that they offer and bank points for antelope Island, or the Henerys. If I burn my points down there I will not live long enough to draw out in another premium area, and if things go badly, my chance at getting a 200 inch deer in my lifetime are practically nil. When I started applying for this hunt it was completely guided and felt that I could be successful w/o spending months in scouting. However that has changed to where it is now a "hosted" hunt and my risk for not tagging a 190+ buck has probably increased. The thing that I an trying to avoid is getting the tag and not being successful. Just trying to find out if the hosted hunts are just as successful as the guided hunts.

 

[YELUM]

Although your points will be of some benefit for the island, it won't put you in a huge advantage, as there is only one tag. If its a chance for a 200 inch buck you want, the Henrys is your best chance, but you'll have to work harder for it by scouting pre-hunt. On the Alton, although theres a chance for a 200 incher, historic stats show state hunters don't have high success rates. That doesn't mean you won't get a great buck you can be happy with, but a 200 inch buck is a very high goal.


Yelum

 

[SageCountry]

That's very useful information. Thanks Yelum

 

[justachipshot]

Hi Sage, to answer your question, about the guide, they do come in handy, but you would be fine. The week we were there, the guided hunters on the pauns were cleaning up on the 28" variety, from blinds and tree stands over the water holes. The other three, which included myself, hunted the CWMU. There is alot of improved water on the CWMU, and thats where we always found good bucks. The guided hunters struck out that week, at least one of them was invited back the next week, and he shot the gateway buck, a 200 trophy.(picture in muledeer forum). I am sure that others and myself could prepare you for this hunt. You will have a great time down there. you will see so many quality deer, that alone is worth the hunt. The 200+ deer that we saw were 25 yds to 150 yds away. If I had been ready with a brush gun, I would have connected. But instead, I settled with my 35inch bruiser. I could have shot numerous 160,s with a hand gun, they were so close. You would be fine without a guide. Stay in touch, we will help. justachipshot. Yelum that was not me, but I wish that it was, I would have liked to have met you. Let me know if I can help

 

[SageCountry]

Thank you for all of the kind offers of help.
-Shoot Straight

 

[huntinfanatic]

Sage & Justachipshot,
Are either of you going to be hunting on the Alton this fall? Im curious to see how many points the bonus point tag took to draw. My uncle put in with 15 and did not draw.

 

[downwindnclosingin]

You should try and hire Mack Roundy, Travis Roundy, Johnny Roundy, Jeremy Chamberlain or Lance Roberts to guide you.
It would be money well spent if wade heaton will allow it.
Congratulations and good luck!
www.hightopoutfitters.com

 

[SageCountry]

I'm looking at booking a hunt down there next year and saving my points for the Henrys. As far as bonus points are concerned; the last I saw was it took 15 points to draw. Perhaps things have changed?

 

[BrowningRage]

If you have the money to "Book" a hunt down there, why would you even consider using BPs to get a tag there..?? Buy a hunt there this year with a guide, and hunt the Henry's in the next 5 years using your Bonus Points...

At least that's the way it looks to me...

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

 

[SageCountry]

Things change.