Todd,
Yea, I gave up on the San Juan. With 9 points it was still looking like 4 to 5 more years for a guarantee draw and that's what I needed to draw. My regular luck for draw odds is not good. A partner of mine did put in for the San Juan Archery with 7 points...maybe he will get lucky in the second half of the draw.
My thoughts were this:
1. Great moisture this year = big horns.
2. The Dutton only had one (1) person with six (6 ) points left as the highest points holder after the 2004 draw....this left my odd's great for 2005 with 9 points. It would have taken archers with more points than me from the San Juan, SW Desert, Monroe or Pahvant to switch units and lower my odds. Could have happened, but most of those guys have been pretty loyal on the units the last few years. I think the new rifle hunts helped keep the rifle guys going for the rifle tags.
3. Great bulls were shot on the Dutton in 2004 and I have some really great people helping me out who hunted this unit the last few years.
4. The way Utah is giving out conservation tags for every organization asking for them, the numbers of added overal public permits, etc, etc,.....it just seems that it will get harder and harder in the following years to really have a chance at a great bull. A great bull for me with a bow would be 320+ and I should be able to hold out till later in the hunt for one of that size. Hopefully get a shot at a 350+.
5. Last but not least.....just got sick and tired of wondering when I would draw a tag.
Best of luck to you on this years hunts.
Alan
