Pros/Cons early vs. late elk hunting?

[sneeky]

What are the pros and cons of the early and late elk hunts in Utah. I notice not as many people put in for the late hunts and they have better odds. Why? Thanks.
Todd

 

[sremim]

Not sure if your early hunts are during the rut or not, but if they are "here's your sign." Its the same way in AZ. It is much easier to get a late tag than an early tag, because the early hunts are in the rut. Is it the same in UT?




It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[UGAhunter]

Old, broken up, picked over pisscutters on the winter range! Who would want one of those?

 

[roperlt]

Early hunts are in Sept. during the rut, that is why the odds are so high, oh but what a great time to be chasing big stinky bulls!! The late hunts are mid- Nov. alot tougher to hunt them this time of year, but still a great hunt.

 

[sneeky]

Roper,
You think the late hunt is still a good hunt. I don't want to waste my points and I'm not sure if I would be wasting them on a late hunt. I don't know if there is a way to quantify the difference, say your odds are twice as good during the early season or what. Could you expound on your opinion a little, maybe what you would do and why. Thanks.
Todd

 

[sremim]

The reason early hunts are so "easy" is because the bulls are vulnerable. People don't have to work as hard to locate elk. For the late hunts, you have to actually get into the deep dark timbers and canyons. Just as big of bulls get killed in the late season as the early. Bottom line, you have to work a little bit harder to find them.






It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[littlebighorn]

My neighbor had a Late Season Central Utah (Manti) tag this year. He hunted the entire hunt and only found one decent bull, which he missed. In that same unit on the early hunt, he could have had his choice of many bugling bulls, because it's during the hunt.
The bottom line is you have much better chances of killing a good bull on the early hunts, vs. the late seasons.
That doesn't even take into account that it's hard finding a late season big bull without busted tines.

 

[proutdoors]

The new state record was taken during the late any-weapon hunt. Not exactly a piss-cutter, bobcat def. of course. If I were to rifle hunt I would take the early season mainly because I enjoy the rut so much.