Utah LE hunts

[eagle_eye]

My brother and I will have 5 points after this year as NR. We'd like to hunt sometime in the next 3-5 years and am wondering if that is a possibility, and what units would be the best options. It appears that BC offers the most tags, but we're not, by any means, set on that unit. Also, as I read the regs, by applying for a deer LE tag/point, a NR is precluded from applying for an elk LE tag/point. Is this correct? Thanks and good wishes to you and yours.

EE

 

[TrophyMaster]

NR tags are very limited. I know a lot of people who are residents who have lots of points and still have a hard time drawing out on a limited entry hunt, so drawing out as a NR is still going to be very difficult even with 5 points. on the plus side you odds go up if you apply with you and your bro in a group hunt. I know when i applied for a LE elk and was not able to do the LE Deer so I agree with what you understood. good luck with you draw.

 

[MuskegMan]

". . . as I read the regs, by applying for a deer LE tag/point, a NR is precluded from applying for an elk LE tag/point. Is this correct?"

Yup, that's what the Proclamation says. And it applies equally to Res and N/R. You can apply for a O.I.L. AND one (1) L.E. species - deer, elk or antelope.

MM

 

[FAB]

Eagle eye it's definately a possibility to draw. That's one good thing about states like Utah (unlike AZ's top units for elk) at least you have a chance. I drew a NR archery deer tag for the Pauns. last year with only two points. If you look at the draw results on the Utah DWR website you'll see that people do draw LE and OIL tags every year with just a few points. The odds are low but it keeps things interesting. You and your brother should have a decent chance with 5 points for LE archery deer. Somewhere I read it takes an average of 6 years for a NR to draw the Pauns. archery deer. I dont know if that's correct but as soon as 09 rolls around I'll be applying again for LE deer. It's alot of fun!

 

[eagle_eye]

How did you do on your Pauns. hunt? We are both archers, so archery seems to be the best bet for us (maybe not at shooting a pig but at having a good time and drawing a tag sometime soon).

 

[FAB]

I took a decent 24" 4x2 on the 6th day of my hunt. I passed a 30 yard frontal shot on a 27-28" 4x4 (around 170) earlier the same day. I did see a true 180 class buck that I got close to but no shot. Probly should have held out a few more days but I didnt want to eat another tag. I wish I could have scouted more but it's a big unit and I only had 3 days to scout. There are still some great deer in there if you have the time to find them or pay a guide to find them. A forest service guy told me about 2 bucks he saw coming off the unit at dusk that were in his words, the biggest two bucks he'd ever seen. That's got to be pretty good for somebody who's there all the time. It sounds to me like the Bookcliffs are a better unit now though. Never been there but hunting the Pauns. was alot of fun and just knowing there are some great deer around keeps it interesting. Just wish I could have hunted it in it's heyday. I hope to have enough points to draw again sometime in the next ten years. Hopefully the age class will be better by then. If you draw and need some help just post a message. Lots of guys here willing to help. Fred.

 

[eagle_eye]

FAB

I appreciate your reply. I'm thinking that in 09 or 2010 we would like to hunt the Pauns. or maybe BC. Archery only for us. We'll have 7-8 points. Not sure if that will be enough, but I'd like to start putting in for an elk tag so I can draw a tag before I'm too old to hunt. If you ever decide to hunt MT or OR don't hesitate to give me a shout. I know both states well.

Matt