LE Rifle Hunt - Book Cliffs North or South Area?
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elkassassin
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Do You Like 3X4's or 4X3's with PISS POOR Genetics?
We laugh, we cry, we love
Go hard when the going's tough
Push back, come push and shove
Knock us down, we'll get back up again and again
We are Members of the Huntin Crowd!
We laugh, we cry, we love
Go hard when the going's tough
Push back, come push and shove
Knock us down, we'll get back up again and again
We are Members of the Huntin Crowd!
deerslayer88
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?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams
elkassassin
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Hey deerslayer?
How come the Buck in the middle Pic isn't on the Tailgate?
We laugh, we cry, we love
Go hard when the going's tough
Push back, come push and shove
Knock us down, we'll get back up again and again
We are Members of the Huntin Crowd!
How come the Buck in the middle Pic isn't on the Tailgate?
We laugh, we cry, we love
Go hard when the going's tough
Push back, come push and shove
Knock us down, we'll get back up again and again
We are Members of the Huntin Crowd!
deerslayer88
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LAST EDITED ON Mar-13-15 AT 11:32PM (MST)[p]City buck south unit area but in the city limits.
?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams
?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams
BrowningRage
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Very few posted pics from last year's hunt.
If you don't have enough points to be in the bonus tags for either unit, you might as well be putting in for a better unit anyway. if youre gonna win a lottery, it might as well be the biggest one.
That said, the north unit has lots more deer and lots more access. While there are more tags, its not enough to cover that whole area. The south unit, however, has more tags than it should. IMO.
I put in for multi-season out there. If I don't get that this year, I will be jumping to a new unit next year. most likely.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
If you don't have enough points to be in the bonus tags for either unit, you might as well be putting in for a better unit anyway. if youre gonna win a lottery, it might as well be the biggest one.
That said, the north unit has lots more deer and lots more access. While there are more tags, its not enough to cover that whole area. The south unit, however, has more tags than it should. IMO.
I put in for multi-season out there. If I don't get that this year, I will be jumping to a new unit next year. most likely.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
pumaguy
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There are more tags given on the Bookcliffs both North and South than the unit can sustain quality with. The quality has dropped over the last several years and if tag numbers continue, it will not get better. The age of the average buck harvested is not one of producing large bucks.
BrowningRage
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LAST EDITED ON Mar-17-15 AT 08:30AM (MST)[p]DIYGuru... I believe the 60 tags they allotted to the south unit are more than it can handle from pure observation only.
I have hunted the southern portion of the unit on two different rifle hunts. We covered quite a bit of that southern unit during those hunts. The first hunt, in 5 days of hunting, we saw exactly 2 other groups that had only 1 tag in each group. On the second hunt, in 7 days hunting, we saw exactly 4 other groups, each with just 1 tag as well. By observation, there were very, very few hunters in that area, for those hunts. And we still saw few bucks that were "shooters". So, shoving 60 tags into that area seemed high last year, and is still high IMO.
I put in for the Multi-Season because I can then hunt anywhere, all year. But I was serious when I said that I'd jump to a new unit if I don't draw it this year. Most likely a Management hunt on the Paunsy...
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
I have hunted the southern portion of the unit on two different rifle hunts. We covered quite a bit of that southern unit during those hunts. The first hunt, in 5 days of hunting, we saw exactly 2 other groups that had only 1 tag in each group. On the second hunt, in 7 days hunting, we saw exactly 4 other groups, each with just 1 tag as well. By observation, there were very, very few hunters in that area, for those hunts. And we still saw few bucks that were "shooters". So, shoving 60 tags into that area seemed high last year, and is still high IMO.
I put in for the Multi-Season because I can then hunt anywhere, all year. But I was serious when I said that I'd jump to a new unit if I don't draw it this year. Most likely a Management hunt on the Paunsy...
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
Browning Rage,
Thanks for the additional information about your hunts on that unit. In looking at the harvest report for last year, I show that 53 of the 60 tags were filled, but from what you are saying the majority of those tags are going to be filled with 3x4s, correct?
Do you or does anyone on this forum know if the DWR provides details regarding average age of the deer harvested in the LE units?
Thanks for the additional information about your hunts on that unit. In looking at the harvest report for last year, I show that 53 of the 60 tags were filled, but from what you are saying the majority of those tags are going to be filled with 3x4s, correct?
Do you or does anyone on this forum know if the DWR provides details regarding average age of the deer harvested in the LE units?
BrowningRage
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The Age data is unfortunately not provided each year with the harvest data. That would be awesome if it was.
I have to believe that out of 53 harvested animals for the South unit last year, very few of those bucks were "trophy" caliber.
The year we hunted 7 days, it was very interesting. One pair of guys were on foot and were going after a buck that had just crossed the road in front of us. It was probably a 140" buck, maybe. My dad didn't bat an eye at it as it stopped for photos and then trotted away. Then here comes these two guys in orange, heads down, obviously tracking it. It hadn't been hit, but we thought they had maybe shot at it and if not, they were definitely after him. They waited for us to drive away before continuing after him. A 140" buck. ???
From Saturday to Tuesday we only saw 4 hunting-groups. Wed and Thurs we didn't see another soul around anywhere, and we were covering a lot of ground. Seemed like those groups had either killed trophies already, or they had settled and taken smaller bucks and left. I know for a fact that one of the groups killed a 3-point on the second day (a DWR officer told us so). It was not a giant 3-point either. The DWR officer expressed some humor that they had killed that buck and indicated it wasn't worth the tag. So I know plenty of people who kill "lesser" bucks out there.
It's a double edged sword these days, I think, on any LE unit. No matter where you end up hunting LE, you feel obligated to "kill something" since you waited a minimum of 9 years (archery Book Cliffs). Unless you lucked into an LE tag, in which case, you realize there is a wait period and a high unlikelihood of you ever drawing a tag there again, in which case you still feel obligated to "kill something".
The Book Cliffs sees more of this because there are more tags there than other units. But don't think it doesn't happen on other units. Even the Henry's.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
I have to believe that out of 53 harvested animals for the South unit last year, very few of those bucks were "trophy" caliber.
The year we hunted 7 days, it was very interesting. One pair of guys were on foot and were going after a buck that had just crossed the road in front of us. It was probably a 140" buck, maybe. My dad didn't bat an eye at it as it stopped for photos and then trotted away. Then here comes these two guys in orange, heads down, obviously tracking it. It hadn't been hit, but we thought they had maybe shot at it and if not, they were definitely after him. They waited for us to drive away before continuing after him. A 140" buck. ???
From Saturday to Tuesday we only saw 4 hunting-groups. Wed and Thurs we didn't see another soul around anywhere, and we were covering a lot of ground. Seemed like those groups had either killed trophies already, or they had settled and taken smaller bucks and left. I know for a fact that one of the groups killed a 3-point on the second day (a DWR officer told us so). It was not a giant 3-point either. The DWR officer expressed some humor that they had killed that buck and indicated it wasn't worth the tag. So I know plenty of people who kill "lesser" bucks out there.
It's a double edged sword these days, I think, on any LE unit. No matter where you end up hunting LE, you feel obligated to "kill something" since you waited a minimum of 9 years (archery Book Cliffs). Unless you lucked into an LE tag, in which case, you realize there is a wait period and a high unlikelihood of you ever drawing a tag there again, in which case you still feel obligated to "kill something".
The Book Cliffs sees more of this because there are more tags there than other units. But don't think it doesn't happen on other units. Even the Henry's.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
fullthrottle
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They should open the books up, give out a lot more tags, and then cut tag numbers in some other areas with the genetics and ability to be better monitored for poachers. Grow some big bucks in other units that are worth a 10 year wait. A lot of good units could make for a Better limited entry unit then the books, if they would cut the buck tags IMO. It seems for whatever reason the books will never have a strong population of trophy bucks, but I believe there are lots of units around the state with big buck potential.
ridgetops
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>They should open the books up,
>give out a lot more
>tags, and then cut tag
>numbers in some other areas
>with the genetics and ability
>to be better monitored for
>poachers. Grow some big bucks
>in other units that are
>worth a 10 year wait.
>A lot of good units
>could make for a Better
>limited entry unit then the
>books, if they would cut
>the buck tags IMO. It
>seems for whatever reason the
>books will never have a
>strong population of trophy bucks,
>but I believe there are
>lots of units around the
>state with big buck potential.
>
It sure seems like a lot of people feel differently about the unit. If most people felt like it was a wasted unit, then it would be going under subscribed.
There's always next year
>give out a lot more
>tags, and then cut tag
>numbers in some other areas
>with the genetics and ability
>to be better monitored for
>poachers. Grow some big bucks
>in other units that are
>worth a 10 year wait.
>A lot of good units
>could make for a Better
>limited entry unit then the
>books, if they would cut
>the buck tags IMO. It
>seems for whatever reason the
>books will never have a
>strong population of trophy bucks,
>but I believe there are
>lots of units around the
>state with big buck potential.
>
It sure seems like a lot of people feel differently about the unit. If most people felt like it was a wasted unit, then it would be going under subscribed.
There's always next year
BrowningRage
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FullThrottle - I can appreciate your post about cutting tags elsewhere... In fact, I agree whole-heartedly that it is VERY difficult to monitor the Book Cliffs for poaching and illegal off-roading and the like. Its a long ways from where the DWR Officer is stationed, and it is expensive and impossible for him to truly "patrol" that area. I believe this leads to many trophy animals being killed during the winter and throughout the year.
However, I also believe the Books could be one of the better units in the state, if only by cutting tags out there. With the new Seep Ridge Freeway, it could become easier for both DWR Officers, as well as the rest of us to "patrol" the unit for illegal activity. The sheer number of deer that live out there would allow the unit to be a true trophy unit in only 2 or 3 years, if tag numbers are cut. But, the Books are currently used to move people out of the Bonus Point Pool. That is what it is managed for I think.
I believe its possible to cut the tags on the Books with the implementation of more varied LE hunts throughout the state; such as the late season Muzzy hunts. If those hunts become a little more productive and more popular, they could open them up in more units. With additional LE hunts, tag numbers in the Books could be reduced by maybe 20% or more. Vernon too...
In fact, I think they should reduce rifle tags next year by 30 tags and give 5 tags for a Muzzy hunt that starts around Nov 10th in the Book Cliffs. A late season Muzzy hunt out there would be one of the best hunts in the state.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
However, I also believe the Books could be one of the better units in the state, if only by cutting tags out there. With the new Seep Ridge Freeway, it could become easier for both DWR Officers, as well as the rest of us to "patrol" the unit for illegal activity. The sheer number of deer that live out there would allow the unit to be a true trophy unit in only 2 or 3 years, if tag numbers are cut. But, the Books are currently used to move people out of the Bonus Point Pool. That is what it is managed for I think.
I believe its possible to cut the tags on the Books with the implementation of more varied LE hunts throughout the state; such as the late season Muzzy hunts. If those hunts become a little more productive and more popular, they could open them up in more units. With additional LE hunts, tag numbers in the Books could be reduced by maybe 20% or more. Vernon too...
In fact, I think they should reduce rifle tags next year by 30 tags and give 5 tags for a Muzzy hunt that starts around Nov 10th in the Book Cliffs. A late season Muzzy hunt out there would be one of the best hunts in the state.
"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
H
heffe
Guest
Every unit does not have to be managed for antlers.
gundog2
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I find it interesting that Colorado splits about twice as many tags for the north side of the Colorado book cliffs (unit 21) compared to the south side of the Colorado book cliffs (unit 30), yet the 21 tags are in much higher demand (with higher success rates and trophy quality in unit 21).
I was surprised that Utah split tags roughly equally among the north and south side of the Utah book cliffs, but I really have no first hand experience in these units. My son applied for the North unit of the Utah book cliffs this year.
I was surprised that Utah split tags roughly equally among the north and south side of the Utah book cliffs, but I really have no first hand experience in these units. My son applied for the North unit of the Utah book cliffs this year.
fullthrottle
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I hear ya, it's was just my scandalist plan to improove mature deer numbers in more units I know greedy sucker I am, just something about those big nasty mature muleys. You know how it is, 5/6 year old deer is like another species compared to a 2 year old. Neat critter would like to see them alittle more often.
I know greedy sucker I am, just something about those big nasty mature muleys. You know how it is, 5/6 year old deer is like another species compared to a 2 year old. Neat critter would like to see them alittle more often.
H
heffe
Guest
>I think Jefe just volunteered to
>only hunt does in utah.
> That opens up 1
>buck to the rest of
>us. Thanks for the
>gesture Jefe.
I'll gladly come kill a doe.
Then leave the gut pile on the hood of your Subaru.
>only hunt does in utah.
> That opens up 1
>buck to the rest of
>us. Thanks for the
>gesture Jefe.
I'll gladly come kill a doe.
Then leave the gut pile on the hood of your Subaru.
Robiland
Very Active Member
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>>I think Jefe just volunteered to
>>only hunt does in utah.
>> That opens up 1
>>buck to the rest of
>>us. Thanks for the
>>gesture Jefe.
>
>I'll gladly come kill a doe.
>
>
>Then leave the gut pile on
>the hood of your Subaru.
>
Nice try Jefe, not much of a subaru, but nice try.
>>only hunt does in utah.
>> That opens up 1
>>buck to the rest of
>>us. Thanks for the
>>gesture Jefe.
>
>I'll gladly come kill a doe.
>
>
>Then leave the gut pile on
>the hood of your Subaru.
>
Nice try Jefe, not much of a subaru, but nice try.
