The San Juan Skinny....

H

Hornseeker

Guest
Alright, a buddy got drawn for the San Juan archery tag. I asked this before he was drawn, but now that he's drawn, How Big a Bulls Roam the San Juan. He will hunt most the season for the biggest bull he might expect to find!

Thanks for anything,

HS
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-28-04 AT 08:37AM (MST)[p]
Find or harvest?

Much of what he will find and or harvest this year will depend on moisture, right now it looks good and antlers are growing how they will finish will depend on june/july moisture.

Having guided there for several years, with a bow he should consider himself very luck if he harvests a 350 bull. While there are some great bulls finding them and harvesting them is a different story. Last year there were several really good bulls killed, but the previous years since they started the archery hunt very few bulls and even fewer quality bulls were harvested.

If you need more skinny--shot me an email

Todd
[email protected]
 
It is looking good, moisture wise, for the bulls so far this year. There will be some pushing the 400 mark if it doesn't get too dry. Getting on them is always the challenge though. You will not have a hard time finding people who are willing to guide in this area. IMO, some are not as qualified as they will tell you.

I know of one non-typical bull that came off on the archery last year that was said to have grossed over 400, but it was a freaky three horned bull.

Good luck to your buddy, he is envied by many.
 
Two of my buddies have drawn that tag in the past. In 2000 my buddy killed a 360 bull with a rifle. I was with him on that hunt, we were into lots of bulls everyday. In 2003 my buddy killed a 307 bull on the last day of the archery, he was hunting two bulls in paticular that went over 370 but could never get them close enough. I think seeing a few 350+ bulls should not be a problem, the problem will be getting them to come in. The hunt closed a week earlier last year and the bulls really didn't start bugling until the last couple of days of the archery hunt. I had been putting in for San Juan and the Pahvant for the last 11 years but put in for the Dutton this year and I finally drew an archery tag. I am still in shock, I have checked the website twice just to make sure my eyesight is still good and that I can read. Best of luck to your buddy and hopefully he puts an arrow through the broiler of one that he will be proud of.
 
I'm not 100% sure what his desires are as far as trophy quality goes. I"ll find out more later, just in the interest of conversation. He will be hunting with another friend of mine that is an incredibly accomplished elk hunter, and I think together they ought to be able to get the job done on a huge bull. They will hunt any method necessary, conventional and not. They are both expert treestand hunters and I think there may be a bit of that going on!

Thanks for the info and good luck to all,

Ernie
 
I'm no expert but---

It never ceases to amaze me how many 'accomplished' elk hunters there are out there in the good old state of Utah and I know everyone knows what a 'huge' bull is--yet how few are killed each year esp. with a bow. I'm here to tell you that even the 'accomplished' elk hunter couldn't tell the difference between a 360 and a 370 bull if it was 20 yds in front of him. Just think of what a .5 inch mass measurement either way and a half inch tine length will to as far as a 370--350 bull.

Finally, I will bet my day's wages that they for sure won't kill a 370 bull sitting in a tree stand. BTW--how does one become an expert tree stand hunter anyway?

Gator--Help me!
 
Just to keep this post up and running...

Any other San Juan drawers out there?

How big a bulls have you guided guys to there Blanding Boy?

How big is the unit?

I consider someone an expert treestander when they've been sitting them for 30+ years and killed maybe 50 animals out of one. I think less could qualify ya, but thats what they guy I know has done.

Yep, tough to tell the diff between a 360 and 370 bull, unless they were standing side by side, then you could still get them mixed up! It wouldn't matter to me, I'd happily take the 1st one that offered a nice 20 yard shot!

When I get drawn for my Missouri Breaks tag, I will be extremely choosy. I'll scout the week before season and try to find a book bull, or hopefully, sort through a few book bulls. Probably wishful thinking. Cant wait though!
 
That just torques my butt. Why cant i draw. Well good luck
Hey todd lets work on next year or let me know if u have any tags.
Rut
 
't know how well trestands will work up there, but hey you just might have the right Idea, just hope you don't waste a great tag sitting and not getting a shot at a bull of of a lifetime, If I was you I would tell my friends to work out a scouting deal or hunting deal with Travis or Todd Black they know those mountains about the best as anyone, I know alot about where, there are some good bulls but they know those nice hidden spots,with the really huge bulls I bet if they was to show you their scouting video you would fall in love those Huge bulls, they will show you on video> I know if I draw atag for a bull in that area I will be calling Todd and Travis and be begging them to set me up on a great bull or just pay them to do some serious scouting for me.That tag could very well be a once in a lifetime tag so don't mess it up. Best of luck to ya I hope your buddy kills a big one.
 
Interesting to see Blanding-boy and his Shill trying to get some clientle. I say let your buddy go down there have a great hunt, hopefully kill a bull, maybe even one they think is 350 and when they walk up to it they find it really scores 370. (That difficulty of judging elk works both ways)

Good luck to you.

ByTheWay, my friend hunts West of Monticello for deer and guess what he uses?? A treestand. I'll see if he'll let me post a pic of a dandy bull that walked under his stand last year on the deer hunt.
 
2pt--

Not quite sure what Shill means, you'll have to clarify. This typically isn't the way we persue business, jut for the record. i wish them the best.

Would love to see the picture.

Todd
 
I have spoke with Blanding Boy ( Todd ) many times regarding the San Juan area, terrain, access, and quality of animals. He has always been cordial and honest even if I was not going to be a paying customer. Todd probably knows this area as well as anyone. If I had a tag for this area and the money to hire a guide ( which I do not ), I would not hesitate to enlist his services for this area. I am kind of a do it your selfer, but in no way am I against those who choose to hire a guide for any unit they hunt. More power to them and I hope they have an enjoyable and safe hunt even if they are unsuccessful in filling the tag.
I agree with those in field judging bulls to within 10 or even 20 points. If it looks nice and is in my size range.....look out.
Todd has provided alot of information over the years on this web site and I for one appreciate his view's.
Best of luck to all of you who drew limited entry tags.
Alan
 
If you have an archery elk tag on the San Juan Unit this year, here's something to think about....To my knowledge this is how the past few years went.

2003 archery season,---7 tags, 6 successful. Two guys were local (from San Juan County), two guys got help, and three did it on their own. result =(4 bulls over 330)

2002 archery season,---6 tags, 1 successful. (340 bull)
2001 archery season,---5 tags, 1 successful. (a spike bull)
2000 archery season,---5 tags, 0 successful.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter how much you scout, how accomplished an elk hunter you are, how good at calling you are, to many unexpected factors can affect an elk hunt, for example a late rut, HOT weather, bad feed, Rain, bear hunters with hounds, etc...

One of the 2002 hunters almost decided to get our help, but had taken two bulls on his own over 350 already. So he decided to do it on his own, well his first trip down he saw a few good bulls but nothing he wanted to shoot, a week later when he came down again it rained for a week straight, for him the bulls were no where to be found, he ended up with nothing.

Todd and I don't normally talk ourselves up on here, we fell like our website, video footage, previous hunters, and word of mouth are enough for us.

Their is no question that these types of tags for most guys are once in a lifetime, most have been putting in for ten or more years. Our simple sales pitch to anyone that draws,is why not increase you chances of harvesting an awesome animal by getting a little local expertise, and make this once in a life time tag free from regrets.
Their is something called hunter's pride, most have it, we don't want help from anyone, especially those that have hunted successfully all of their lives. But isn't a little help worth not getting skunked on a tag you have waited your whole life for? For some it is, for others coming up empty handed after giving their all is satisfaction enough, just nothing for the wall.....

I personally feel that on the San Juan unit, we can eliminate the unexpected for a hunter, and make it free from regrets.

Good luck to all who have drawn their dream hunt this year.

Travis A. Black
BlackTimber Outfitters
Blanding, Utah.
www.cwms4u.com
 
LAST EDITED ON May-05-04 AT 01:11PM (MST)[p]Have hunted the eastern side of the juans in colorado. et least i think it is located in the san jaun nat. forest.
bull are 300 + common, but there are some nice ones up by the reo grande pyramid. a little tough getting back there with a good 4 legger.
 
Its tough to argue with that Travis, but it is unlikely he'd hire a guide.

Thanks for the input though! That is really surprising that the harvest is taht low.

HS
 
Well, I talked to my buddy and he'd rather not post his pics on a web site. (you know how secretive those archers can be) Anyway, it is a pic of a nice bull, maybe 330 (which means 310-350 on the Sliding Elk Score Scale).

I am sure that Todd would give some general information on the San Juan. I just doubt you'll get anything good because it is his business to guide people. He is a nice guy for sure. Anyway, I just get a stomach full of the responses every time anyone asks about the Elk Ridge we are all referred to Todd and Travis, usually by Gator. Just rubbed me wrong the day I posted.

Good Luck to your friend. He definatley will be an accomplished elk hunter after this hunt, even if he isn't successful. Not everyone needs their hand held to have a great time.

Travis - What was the Gross BC on the highest scoring bull killed off the San Juan during last years Archery hunt??
 
LAST EDITED ON May-06-04 AT 08:52AM (MST)[p]The highest scoring bull on the archery last year was a 3 beamed bull that grossed about 405-410, netted around 330. An awesome bull, we actually filmed it the fall before. I believe in the next few weeks their will be a story about it in one of Utah's newest hunting magazines.

more later

Travis
 
Thanks Travis. I saw the bull at Jake's Archery in Orem. Neat set of antlers. I thought they said it grossed around 410, but I couldn't remember exaclty.
 
Man 2-point Me and Todd buddy's LMAO, I guess maybe you should call him and ask him if we are buddys, I have had several run-in with Todd some good some bad, The last one was just this last year 2003 ML deer season concrening some land we was hunting and where the line was, he had one idea and I had another,It wasn't pretty we both got pretty worked up over it, but as he said we will let it be decided in court but other people, But as far as some-one knowing the Blue's I do believe him and his brother really know those mtns, everyyear they are up scouting and they spend alot of time up there(I show up once or twice a year and it don't matter what months it is I see them up there) and that is the key to being a good guide spending alot of time up on the mountain, 2-point do you know any other Guides who live around there that are as good,or know the Blue;s as well let me know because I sure would love to meet them sometime. Todd will you take me to lunch next time(summertime) I'm in Utah since I'm your shill or whatever.Man thanks 2-point I needed a laugh today after the all the job's going to he11 in a handbasket this week, I really needed a laugh, Maybe Todd will take both of us to lunch LOL
 
My father-in-law knows the San Juan Unit as good as anyone. He had been going there twice a month for 19 years even though he lives in Lehi. He knows every road, mountain, canyon and wash in the unit. He has been taking me for the past 3 years at least once a month. I have a great time while he shows me everything that it took him 19 years to learn, and he would probably be willing to help anyone that asked. Jared
 
LMAO!!!!
Good one teterhorn.......456 times. WOW!!!

....man I needed a good laugh today.......

Why don't you tell me what you guys drive, so next time I see you down this way and I'm up on the mountainm, I can ask you two for directions.....
 
typical black family always starting crap! the guy was just stating a point and because the guy has been up there more times than you you want to call his bluff. how typical! i can take you guys up in a area in northern utah that my family has been up there for more than 80 years. not me my family. i have only been up there for 28 years so you have probley been up there more than me also huh?
 
LAST EDITED ON May-13-04 AT 03:12PM (MST)[p]Well 4x6, I don't know what "Black family" your speaking of, but I can only speak for myself. I have never, ever claimed to know any other part of the state other then the San Juan County area. Frankly, I don't want to know any other part, I feel that I'm lucky enough to have all a sportsman could want in the outdoors right here in San Juan County.

I personally feel that I know it better then most, especially when it comes to Elkridge, and the San Juan units. Since I live in the County, and spend hundreds if not thousands of hours in the field each year, hunting, scouting, guiding, and videotaping, our past successes and video footage speaks for it's self.
So, I guarantee I know it better then most...
but maybe not all.

I guess teterhorns post struck me funny, that someone has the time, money, and resources to drive the 5 hours from Lehi, to San Juan County, learn ever "road, mountain, canyon, and wash in the unit" and then drive back the 5 hours, and do this two times a month for 19 years! WOW! WOW! WOW!

Lets not forget that San Juan County is the largest county in the State of Utah, almost 8,000 square miles.
With over 2 million acres of BLM land and another 450 thousand acres of Forest Service land.

I will admit that in 19 years coming twice a month someone could learn a lot, he may even know more then my 29 years as a life resident, but I'll call B.S. to anyone knowing "every road, mountain, canyon, and wash in the unit"

I guess that's what struck me funny.

My apologies for starting crap.

Travis Black
Blanding Utah.
 
well trabis mabye some people do have the money to do that! i live 2 hours away from where i go and i try to make it at least 2-3 times a month on the weekends, not as much as i would like dont have all the time that some do i have other things going, but it is possible for someone to know all the roads canyouns ect... cause i can tell you were every road goes and comes out if it is a dead end or were the deer will go if the are running from you or a shot is missed i can tell you were they will go. some may do it different but 9 out of 10 times i have them patterened. kinda like you down there in san juan county. not taking any thing away from you or todd, just wanted to state that some people do know areas just as good as you. like i was taught if you think you know the area the best there will always be someone who knoes it just a little better. was not trying to start anything with you just to let you know. just wanted to clarify that. have a nice day!!!!!
 
What big bulls, Everyone know all the big bulls moved up to Wyoming area.I know there is a big Bull on FS rd 139 just around the bend,near some aspens.Travis must of been bored to figured out how many times 2 times a month for 19 years comes to. I think I know those Mtns pretty good and I only been going there for 6 years or so but I do have friends in the area that have shown me a lot of good places.
 
Travis,

No hard feelings, in fact we actually ran into your brother last year during the rifle hunt, if I recall he doesn't even live in Utah. If you don't believe that we come down there that much ask Gary Guymon the owner of the Sunset Inn, or Heath Latham they can verify. We often get up at 2:00am and drive down just for the day and return home that night. We either drive a Black Jeep, a green Toyota or a silver Xterra. Maybe we will run into you sometime. I think Mike (my father-in-law) knows the area as well or better than anyone, when I said that he knows "every road, mountain, canyon, and wash in the unit" it was a figure of speech, of course nobody could know everything but he knows a lot. Relax you aren't the only person that knows a lot about the San Juan unit.

Jared
 

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