Utah LE Elk Late Hunts-Apply?

K

ktc

Guest
I have a buddy with 6 elk points. He and I were talking about his best odds at drawing a Utah LE elk hunt and the best chance at a big bull. I suggested one of the late hunts because of the good draw odds compared to September hunts. I was impressed with the success the late guy's had and not many busted up bulls. I am definitely going for a rut hunt, but for the middle tier of point holders would these late hunts be the best bet? Any thoughts or experience with these hunts I can pass along to him? I have not chased elk in November before.
 
KTC,

That is a good question and I am not sure of the answer. However, it sounds as if your friend doesn't want to wait 20 more years to draw a "rut" elk rifle tag.

I was in a similar situation last year. I had 8 points and knew I would never draw a rifle. I decided to pass on the late hunt and try for a muzzle loader tag instead. I drew, and it turned out to be a great hunt.

If I was him, I would look at a Muzz hunt. I think that is the best way to go for people in his point range. Sure, he probably won't draw the Pahvant but there are some great units that have good bulls that can be drawn with less points.

-Woodruffhunter
 
I spent a little time on the late hunt with another hunter and it's not a bad hunt. I would agree with woodruffhunter that the muzzy is a better hunt and the odds on the units I have looked at are pretty close on the muzzy and late hunt.
 
We discussed the muzz option, but he has never had any luck with muzzleloaders. He thinks they are "too finicky." So he is determined to hunt with a rifle. I think he is worried about "throwing his points away" without making good on an elk. I guess that is at the back of every one's mind.

Any hunt a guy picks the odds are not in his favor. The reasoning behind the late hunts was to offer opportunity and the success rates would be lower. I believe the success was high, but not sure. I know if I was not sitting on top with points I would sure look to the late hunts. Drawing out is the tough part no matter what. I guess it is all luck when you get down to the bottom of it. Thanks guys.
 
After looking at the odds for hours and hours on end, he's still a ways out on most of the better units for any gun tag-late, early, or muzzleloader. I'd say stick with the rut rifle hunts and hope to get lucky with a random tag. My guess is the late rifle hunts are going to increase in popularity and odds are gonna get worse.

Actually you're probably better off doing the exact opposite of whatever I'm thinking. I can't draw a damn thing in this state!!!:)
 
ktc,
Can he shoot a bow?This could improve his chances of drawing as you are well aware.If he wants to use a rifle I would go for the late hunt with that many points. I dont think the odds will change to much.Everyone wants to hunt the rut it seems.But I think I would go for the late hunts if a guy had 8 or below and wanted out of this waiting game.Some nice bulls were taken this year I think and like you said not busted up like I thought they would have been.It can make for some tough decisions.
 
I wouldn't think twice if I only had 6 points and wanted to use a rifle. Late hunt here I come. I have seen some smoker bulls come off the late hunts, most with antlers intact. If the early hunts were 1 in 50 odds and the late hunts have a 1 in 10 odds..... makes sense to try for the later tag.

A late Wasatch tag, a rifle, the horses saddled, and a smile...ahhhhhhh
 
I think you are on the right track for someone with less than max points, but even though the success was pretty good this year, a different weather situation could dramatically change the success on the late hunts. There is still nothing like the thrill you experience on the rut hunts, be it the archery, early rifle, or the muzzleloader, with the bulls screaming and tearing things up, but if the chance to shoot a good bull is all you are thinking of, that may be the best chance and the way to go. Either way, it is still a lottery and even if you draw one of the other tags, there is no guarantee of harvesting the "dream" bull, although your chances are much greater.
I have seen a lot of broken up bulls during the late hunts, but there are still enough with clean antlers to make it worthwhile.
Good luck with your choice!!!!
 
Ya have to keep one very imoportant aspect in mind when your going for the best odds to draw, rifle-bow-mzzldr late-early.... everybody else is seeing the exact same odds info.

Last years good odds to draw will be this years worse odds to draw. Everybody bandwagons to the better odd units from last years odds data.

Look at the odds for the Premium (all three weapon-seasons) elk hunts... 1 in 59, 1 in 85... not one of us last year thought those would be that sought after but they sure where.... this year a flip-flop in odds??

Does your bud have a favorite unit that he spike hunts or deer hunts???? In other words a unit that he is familiar with the lay of the land and the elk hangouts?? Or is he just winging it on any unit and will 'learn the unit' after he draws??

Drawing the tag is the toughest part of LE elk

Knowing the unit is the most important part of getting an LE elk

Go for it!!
 
You guys are exactly right. He is not point wealthy, he is looking to better his chances like everyone else, he has access to the draw sheets like every hunter in Utah, he wants to hunt now, he is afraid of what the age objectives will do to the herd, and he is stressing over this draw stuff.

I wanted to hear some thoughts about late hunts to help him, but more to get a feel how people thought about them. Looks like the MM faithful are in quiet mode plotting their own course of action.

PD,

Drawing the tag and knowing the areae ARE the 2 most important things. No doubt about it. The thing that sucks is 10 years ago if a guy wanted the best tag he needed a Monroe, if he scouted every year, odss are he would still be scouting. That is tough to do and real expensive. One thing I learned last year is the units are real big and things change from year to year. No way one guy can scout an entire unit effectively.

I wish my buddy luck in the lottery as well as the rest of you guys. I know how the long wait feels and it is not fun.
 
I think you're right about the premium tags. My guess is that they will be somewhat easier to draw this year-still out of my reach though.

I really do think that the odds on the late hunts are going to get harder. I know A TON of guys like myself that were in the wait and see mode. Now that the hunt is over and it was pretty dang successful in most areas I'm willing to bet a bunch of guys will be putting in.

I think if a guy had 10 or more points he'd be sitting pretty good for a late tag, with 6 points I think he's almost as good off going for a random tag anywhere.

I've got 10 points and I'm thinking I've got my choices nailed down-finally!:) The only problem is that every other guy with 10 points is likely looking at the same unit(s)......
 
Don't get discouraged and keep the faith. It will be see-saw back and forth for many in the 6-10 pt range trying to come out on the 'successfull' side of the draw.

Alot of guys in that point range group have already drawn a LE buck or Antelope tag so it isn't like they haven't hit the LE lotto on a species or maybe both deer and antelope.....

I really like the Boulder but it is getting more and more like a cattle stock yard!! Still some real good bulls.
 
I think prism's idea is the best. Just wait for us to tell what we put in for and or suggest then do exactly the opposite :)

I even tried that one year. LOL! I can't draw a thing either. I finally gave up and have simply put in for the unit I like the best. I leave all that odds crap out of it anymore.

20 years of rejection letters is training me really well :(

Cheers,
Pete
 

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