High Uintah Elk

[Wasatch]

So, I am toying with the idea of buying an over the counter general season any bull tag this year and hunting the High Uintahs off of the Kamas side of the mirror lake highway near the Norway Flats / North Fork area. I have deer hunted the area for years, and know it well. However, I have never hunted the area for elk. I constantly see elk sign, I constantly hear them bugling in the fall, and I always see a heard down low near Pine Valley in the spring / early summer as the snow is starting to melt. I've just never put forth the effort at locating the elk to hunt them, yet I know they're there. I am wondering if anyone out there has actually hunted the area for elk and if so, what kind of success or lack of success have you had? Are there some monsters out there to be had? I'm not looking for any secret spots or honeyholes, I'm just wondering what kind of experinece anyone has had hunting elk in this are and if it's worth my time, money, and effort to scout and hunt the area this year for an elk.

 

[BUL_KRZY]

I've always dreamt of taking a nice Bull right there in that big meadow area below Big Elk Lake!

Nice area - but no, I've never hunted Elk there.

 

[Idahoelk]

I'm sure there are some Big Bulls in the Backcountry to be had. But since it is a general hunt Any Elk area others who want to hunt elk every year prospect it for elk. I'm not familiar with the area you mention. I have hunted the other side unsuccessfully. Did call in a 5x5 though and have great memories. I think you should try it, it beats sitting home dreaming about it.

 

[elk_horn]

There are Elk in that area but its big country and its tough hunting... but at least you have chance at something bigger than a spike. Ive hunted elk in the Uintahs all my life.... and it seems like hard work and alot of luck is what it takes.

 

[c3]

There are really good herds of elk in there, but you will have to work unbelievably hard to get one.

Do your homework and you should be able to find them.

I bowhunt them up there every year and always get into the elk, but never seem to get it right to kill one.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Jake_Sorensen]

ALOT of luck is right, the elk heards in the Uinta's always seem like they are moving they never just stay put and during the hunt right when it seems like you have gotten into an area impossible for any 4 wheeler to access one will majicaly appear a few years ago I was puttin a stock on a decent 6x6 elk when all the sudden a guy on a 4 wheeler comes barrelen and weeving through the trees with a little kid sitting right behind him it makes me sick to think about what people like this are teaching the next generation of hunters.

 

[PleaseDear]

I'm up there all the time, mainly in the Flaming Gorge Ranger district of the N. slope. I bow or mzzldr hunt and about every 3-4 years screw myself by going rifle hunt!!!
The bow hunt isn't crowded at all and the mzzldr hunt is really un crowded. A little snow and the mzzldr hunt is a blast........ no snow and it can be a lot of hunting/hiking and maybe a bull down!!! Get ahold of me if ya would like PM here or at [email protected]

 

[AndymanSavage]

My buddy usually flys over that area before the season and always spots a few good bulls. Horses are the way to go up there. One of our group shot a 5x5 there last muzzy hunt.

 

[Wasatch]

Thanks guys for your comments. I agree with you all, that area is BIG country and it always seems like the elk are never in the same spot twice. Maybe I will get lucky this year with a lot of hard work and find myself a biggun! Anyway, I've started to think about going General Muzzleloader rather than General Rifle. Less people, and a later date, maybe even some snow! Any suggestions on where I should start scouting? Like I said earlier, I know the area well, I'm just looking for a starting point, and any other pointers anyone's willing to share. Thanks again!

 

[Jake_Sorensen]

I know quite a few people that hunt around flaming gorge and they get atleast one decent 5 point each year.

 

[BUL_KRZY]

Norway Flats / North Fork is no where near Flaming Gorge... I'd like to hear some specifics on elk in the area Wasatch is asking about. I haven't spent the time up there that I used to, I found other "haunts" that keep me and my spotting scope occupied all summer.

 

[FoxFever]

I just saw your post and had to reply, Just so happens I scouted Norway Flats last year. Saw a lot more elk sign than elk
I seen 6 cows and 2 spikes up till about the end of August and then the cattle started moving in and the elk moved out and I could not find them. I did notice lots of 4-wheelers up and down the road, seemed like they were looking for something that was not there, they would go up the road a couple of miles and then be coming back(the road is a bi**h). The fish and game says there are only about 500 elk in the Kamas unit. They could be spread very thin or concentrated in a certain area.
I think you answered your own question, if you hunt deer and only see elk sign they have moved on. My best guess would be since the area is 8000-9000 ft. the muzzle hunt might be the best, not sure cause I archery hunt. Hope this helps.

Allen

 

[FoxFever]

Another thought, I used to hunt deer up near soapstone across the road on the spike side and always heard people say "there are elk in the soapstone area".

Allen

 

[unitaman]

let me try to clarify the population of elk on this unit...there are a lot more elk in Kamas than the 650 pouplation mentioned in the fish and game. here is what chief biologist in Kamas told me.

The population objective is a
wintering population of elk. With the limited winter range and
development (ie new homes going in) in this unit, we could not winter
more elk at this time. Elk that summer on the Kamas, winter on the Chalk
Creek unit. Elk also move across the Provo River and winter on the
Wasatch Unit. The Kamas unit summers more elk than it winters. The lower
part of the winter range is private. On a normal winter we can only
winter elk from Oakley to Woodland on the face.

 

[Wasatch]

Now that we've established the fact that there are elk in this area, has anybody actually gotten into them, and seen them during the hunt? and if so, how high were you? how far back in? I would assume if you've seen them you were in the steeps and deeps way aways from anyone or anything else.

 

[muzzle]

In my experience hunting up in that area, scouting is a waste of time to a point. By the time the hunt starts, the elk have already been pushed around by muzzle loader deer hunters and ATV freeks. That not to mention the dip shits that find the most opportune time to sight in the trusty rifle is the evening before the hunt. (in the same area they plan to hunt in the mornig.) No kidding- I hunted it a few years ago and I thought a war had broken out on the eve of the hunt. Needless to say, I was pissed off and the hunt sucked. Yes the elk are there, but they lock down tight pretty quick. You would have much better luck on the archery hunt up in that area.

 

[Jake_Sorensen]

I agree with everything that has been said, I think one of the biggest problems that has started in the Uintas is the appeal it has to the recreational ATV'ers that just want to see how deep into the woods they really can go, spooking all the elk and making them move out or stay locked down.

Jake

 

[HornyMan]

Ya I get into them every year. I say that humbly but I do spend countless hours watching them. Last year I shot a five point with my muzzy. It wasn't even on opening day as I was cow hunting on the opener of the muzzy hunt. I shot my bull in the morning and passed up 8 other bulls during the day. The key to hunting this area is spending the time up there before the hunt. Not just once but several trips are needed.

 

[FoxFever]

I scouted the open bull area around soapstone and norway flats as I said, seen a few elk. Then when the hunt started it was like all the atv freaks were out that weekend, that is the one thing I hate about the Uintas. The only place I found elk after the opener was on the spike only side, and I saw 2 raghorns and some cows.

I think the elk are at about 9000 to 10000 ft. but they have been pushed away from thier areas that are within a mile of the road.

Unless the DWR and Forest Sevice closes areas to ATV riding I think the hunting in the Uintas is going to keep getting tougher.

I used to archery hunt deer in the Mill Hollow area because you cannot ride atvs in that area, I killed 4 bucks in 10 years
(85-95) then more and more people started showing up, not just hunters but campers with atvs. They would drive 5 miles to the open area.

Do lots of scouting and hope nobody shows up.


Allen

 

[FoxFever]

Wasatch,

I don't think it matters which hunt you go on you need to get a topo of some areas and hike in and scout.

Sorry can't tell you where I go, just found it last year.
Did not score but had a blast.

Allen