Time To Cash In Utah LE Deer Points

slamdunk

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Ive waited long enough and at my age (49), i'd better start working on some Elk points before i'm too old to hunt them and take a great bull. I've got 17 LE Deer points, more than enough to draw anything except a Henry's trophy tag.
I've narrowed it down to three choices and in no particular order-
1- Henry's management buck
2- Paunsagunt
3- Ensign Ranches CWMU

Ensign- I know Ensign very well, used to guide deer hunters on it before Western Lands acquired it. Many restriction on CWMU units, but excellent opportunity for a great buck.

Paunsagunt- I know absolutely nothing about this unit.

Henry's Management- It would be a great hunt that would start in summer scouting, but outcome is a chance at an inferior buck.

Thoughts.....1 2 3 Go!!




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I would go with the Paunsagunt beautiful country lots of access, and some big bucks. I have only hunted it once when my Dad mentored my youngest son. We only scratched the surface but I would share what I learned. I'm sure there are a lot more with info to share. Good luck and go hunting. I heard the quality of the Henry's management bucks has dropped off the last few years. We had put my Dad in for a management hunt and he said why any unit can be a management hunt but if you see a good one you would want to be able to shoot it. So we switched to the Paunsagunt and glad we did.
 
If you are familiar with Ensign then it should be 100% Ensign. Big 3 point management bucks are not that easy to come by and the Paunsagunt rifle can be hit or miss.
 
Pauns, Especially with the hunt dates being late this year. The deer will be concentrated. Honestly no better year to have a Pauns tag. There is a reason the tags where bringing 24-26k at the auctions.
 
Henry's Management would be a very frustrating hunt, IMO. You will see giant deer that you can't shoot. You might shoot an absolute smoker management buck, but they aren't running around everywhere.

I don't know anything about Ensign. Deseret would be a fun hunt, but I would pick the Pauns over Deseret.

If I had the points to draw the Pauns this year, I'd be doing that for sure. Good chance at 180 class bucks, and a shot at a real giant. Yes, the later dates will make that a fun hunt down in the sand.
 
Ensign is not the most public hunter friendly CWMU. Last time I helped a public hunter on there, they went out of their way to make sure it was not a pleasant experience. Don't know if it has gotten any better, but they sent a guide with us to baby sit, and vehicle access to the better parts of the ranch was prohibited. There are some great deer on the property though.
 
>
>Pauns, Especially with the hunt dates
>being late this year.
>The deer will be concentrated.
> Honestly no better year
>to have a Pauns tag.
> There is a reason
>the tags where bringing 24-26k
>at the auctions.

Looks like it's a 9 day hunt starting Oct 22 - 30.......extremely tempting!

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So PUNK?

We Might be going Huntin this Fall?:D



[font color="blue"]"I Don't get No Sleep!I Don't get No Peace!"
[/font]
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-20-16 AT 05:29PM (MST)[p]> So PUNK?
>
>We Might be going Huntin this
>Fall?:D
>
>
>
Absofrickenlutely!!



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Slam, i curious. Being the good guy and as popular a fellow that you are, having guided, helped, and knowing lots of contacts out there... or used to have anyway, do guys get ahold of you and tell you of good bucks that they think they know will be someplace next year?

Seems like if anybody here might get a hand or a
good tip, it might probably be you.

I like a big ol frame on a buck and so what if it only has 3 on one side so the little i know, i might pull for you to go Management in the Henry's.

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-21-16 AT 10:13AM (MST)[p]I had a 2015 DIY rifle Pauns tag and would be happy to point out some map spots that produced good sightings for ya.

Took a stag buck on the next to last day after missing a bigger buck. I had the velvet preserved by the Roundy's and they taped it at 181" gross.

Bill

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>Slam, i curious. Being the good
>guy and as popular a
>fellow that you are, having
>guided, helped, and knowing lots
>of contacts out there... or
>used to have anyway, do
>guys get ahold of you
>and tell you of good
>bucks that they think they
>know will be someplace next
>year?
>
>Seems like if anybody here might
>get a hand or a
>
>good tip, it might probably be
>you.
>
>I like a big ol frame
>on a buck and so
>what if it only has
>3 on one side so
>the little i know, i
>might pull for you to
>go Management in the Henry's.
>
>
>Joey


Thanks Joey, you're a good man!
Yes I get lot's of help and advice from many people and I love returning those favors right back when I can. I believe in Karma....both good and bad. If I can ever give good advice and a fellow hunter is successful, therefore I too am successful.....tit for tat ;-)


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Double Thanks there Slam, good luck which ever way you go this Fall!!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
I wouldn't touch a CWMU unless you knew the operators personally. Especially having waited 18 years.

For me, there would be no question. I'd be hunting the Paunsy with a rifle. It looks like you could also get the premium tag for the Paunsy. Then you could hunt all three seasons if you'd like.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-22-16 AT 11:10AM (MST)[p]I thoroughly enjoyed my Henry Mountain Management hunt. I knew I would be seeing bucks I couldn't shoot, but going into it knowing that, it wasn't as bad as I thought. My son who guided down there, and I would go out and when we seen those big boys, we just shot them with our cameras, and just enjoyed the opportunity to see them. We passed on many management bucks, just so we would be forced to stay down there and enjoy it. I finally took one the last day we were there, and was really happy with it.
I knew I would probably never have a chance to draw a rifle tag even with the amount of points I had, so went that direction, and I would probably do it again if I had enough points to draw it. Then again, you know that you will probably never kill anything that would score very high, but I just wanted a wide, heavy buck, and I was happy with mine.... And it was the last hunt I ever got to spend with my dad, as he passed away a month later of a heart attack..so maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much????

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I had the Henrys management tag two years ago, I didn't have many points and decided to go for it - the Fish & Game called Friday afternoon before the hunt started and said I was the first alternate and I took it.

It was a fun hunt, I did see 2 - 3 dandy management bucks in the back of trucks. I never saw anything I cared to shoot that fit my tag. But it was great seeing multiple big boys there.

I would not waste your points on this hunt as you just don't see many big management bucks.

Good Luck!
EH4
 
Love the mass on that management buck.

When my boy is old enough, I'll be putting him in every year for the paunsy management hunt!

Slamdunk- Pm'd ya
 
I have always read of the Henry's and other "management" hunts, but I didn't realize that I had no idea what the term really meant until I read these posts. What are the restrictions? How is it that one must pass on the better bucks, and how does not distinguish legal from not? Thank you.
 
>I have always read of the
>Henry's and other "management" hunts,
>but I didn't realize that
>I had no idea what
>the term really meant until
>I read these posts.
>What are the restrictions?
>How is it that one
>must pass on the better
>bucks, and how does not
>distinguish legal from not?
>Thank you.

A management buck must have no more than 3 points on a frame on at least one side.


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Of the three options, I think the Pauns. would be the best.

Too long you've waited to shoot a management buck. That is if you could find a BIG management buck, which could be tough.

The Ensign.....if you had a solid "in", then that would be a great choice, but you'd want to scout it and have free reign to hunt anywhere. I don't know who runs it now, but a few years ago I was told then by the folks running it, that they weren't too accommodating to the draw tag guys. If that's still the case and your access might be limited, I'd avoid it.

The Pauns. does hold big bucks and I agree that with the hunt being as late as it is, you'll find those deer coming into watering tanks and holes on the south end just like cattle. When my wife had the tag a few years ago, the deer began reaching the south end with about 4-5 days left in the hunt. One guy I met killed a 30-inch 190ish 4x4. It was a big one!

With the Pauns., you have free reign to go down scouting (which is fun) and buzz around the unit checking it all out. And on the hunt, you wouldn't be limited to just a few days during the crappiest time of the season, nor have to pass on huge bucks looking for something with 3 points.

There are quite a few people who know that unit great....far better than I, but I'd be happy to share what I know with you. A large number of those deer use a few different migration routes coming off the plateau headed south. I'd be happy to point out places you could be and see 50-60+ deer a day during the peak of movement, plus share with you where some of the watering spots were where the deer were coming in like cattle. I'm sure you'd figure it out on your own, but you've been an awesome contributor to this site for a long time, so I'd share whatever I could with you man.

This is my late wife's '09 deer. Not a giant buck, but she hunted so hard, even while sick and in pain and she sure was thrilled to get him.

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These are some of the best bucks I could find in '12. I spent a lot of time down there that year. The archery hunt wasn't too good.

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Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com on Facebook!
 
The discouraging problem with the Pauns is the huge raft of guide services where the concentration of buck are and believe me there is a lot of country where there are no deer.

Over the years we have tried to stay away from the guides going to other areas we know, only to find ourselves back with the group. The "MORE EYES" as we call them, have cameras on every waterhole and they never sleep at night - - they spotlight all night it seems. They certainly take away from a pleasant hunt.

Contrary to what people say, Doyle Moss has been a real gentlemen out there, but there are some real jerk guides. They will block the road, put signs up "WATER HOLE IN USE" when there is no one there. And the last time were were there was when we knew of a large buck frequenting that area. We were sitting a water trough and a guide came after us and did the same thing. When approached the guide he said he had a client that would be hunting there and only left when I went over to his vehicle and wrote his license plate number down. Then there is the fence, OH THE FENCE. If you want an easy hunt sit by the fence by the highway. The guides will be there also.

I can only say plan on company and lots of it. There are very few luck ones and a whole bunch of 160 minus bucks coming home.
Have an enjoyable time - - take your camera and gun - - go to the Henries.
 
I'm choosing to burn my 12 points on 1 of the Cat's new favorite hunts. Late season Muzz. on the Current Creek unit.. At this point in my life, I choose to hunt out of the family cabin with my family and kiddos in tow to enjoy the experience.. If I luck out and fing a gagger buck, Sweet!!!,, If not,, I'm good with that possibility too.

Rink :)
 
Panus and then Henry's
Those would be my top 2 choices.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
If you know the Ensign well, it's a no brainer for me. That's your best shot a true trophy buck, IMO. Looks like you can hunt Oct 17-21, or Nov 1-5.


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1- Paunsagunt
2- Ensign
3- Henry's Management


Being able to hunt the last few days of october this year on the pauns with a rifle would be a dream. There will be some super bucks killed by those guys willing to hunt the south end and be patient.

You've waited a long time to cash in your points and hunt a big deer. Don't waste it on the Henry's management hunt. You'll just be disappointed.
 
Thanks for the input everyone, I have officially applied for the Paunsagunt with 100% chance of drawing.
I love Ensign and know it well but they have way too many restrictions on it for public hunters.
Paunsagunt it'll be! ;-)



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Excellent choice Slammy!! I think you are going to do well and in my opinion that's the best choice. I considered Ensign with my points 5 years ago but couldn't get comfortable with the operators. Good luck!
 
"I have officially applied for the Paunsagunt with 100% chance of drawing."

Good luck with the hunt! I applied for the Muzzy hunt with 13 NR points hoping for one of the two random tags. Fingers crossed.
 
Blank, good luck. I also put in with 20 NR points. Seriously thought about Oak Creek and San Juans. Too many "what it's". I wonder if any NR with 21 or 22 points put on for the Paunsy? We could be screwed.
 
YBO - You too! Just wondering how the magnifying scope change will affect the muzzy hunt odds. I'm afraid some higher points holders might jump back in now from the Henry's pools. Guess I'm still in it for the long haul tho, and will be until I die. :)
 
I hear you loud and clear. I'm hoping those with 20+ points either put in for muzzy or the OC or SJ units where there are a buck or two bigger. I don't feel real confident about drawing. I'm in the same predicament in CO. At my age I just want to hunt!
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-05-16 AT 07:34AM (MST)[p]We put our pop in for the NR Paunsagunt Managment hunt he's ready to get out of the points game in Utah he's 70 something and getting close to retiring from hunting
 
Thanks again guys and good luck to those who also have applied. I am a little nervous about not drawing because of the dates being moved deeper into October as this could draw some high point people from the Henry's and bump me out! Last year 15 residents points were 100% and I'm over that......still crossing my fingers!


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Doug,
I've hunted the Paunsy many times..

I'd be more than happy to share what I know if you draw.

Hell, I'd even go if Bess is showing up.....:)

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>
>Doug,
>I've hunted the Paunsy many times..
>
>
>I'd be more than happy to
>share what I know if
>you draw.
>
>Hell, I'd even go if Bess
>is showing up.....:)
>
>
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Goofy....i WILL be in contact with you once I have that notification of "successful"......thank you kind Sir!
 
I think with 17 points you'll be set. There's always an outside chance that a few guys jump into the pool, but I'd be feeling pretty confident if I were in your shoes.

You should have an awesome hunt. I'm guessing it'll be the best year the Paunsy has seen in a while with the late season dates this year. By best I mean, highest density of big bucks that have migrated by the time the hunt opens...

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
I guess that by now you have already applied, and I hate to break the bad news to you, but at age 49, unless you have a considerable number of elk points already, with the point creep situation, you don't have enough life left in you to reach max elk points. You will never draw an great elk permit unless you are incredibly lucky.
 

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