Utah elk draw question...

[Oregonbowhunter]

I'm a young guy and will actually just be graduating college this year. I'm interested in starting to apply to other states with hopes of one day drawing a premium elk hunt. I know Utah has some of the best elk around. I also know that Utah elk tags are some of the hardest to get and everyone wants one. What I'm wondering is, for a bowhunter, if I start applying now can I ever expect to draw a tag? I know there is the whole, "you can't win if you don't play" thing but am I really looking at a lifetime? Or can I expect to draw within 10 years? I know it depends on the unit too so lets say one of the top 5 units in Utah. Thanks for any help

 

[Blanding_Boy]

You always have a chance to draw year one under the current system.

The question to you and to all for the future will be this.

If Utah legislation passes the license fee increase and requires you to purchase a 100+ dollar license prior to applying?will it be worth it to pay until you are guaranteed to draw?

Presently for some of the better units for archery is 12+ years for NR (that is present conditions) if you are just getting in the game there are literally hundreds of people ahead of you so potentially you are looking spending thousands of dollars when its all said and done just to be ensured a tag.

Good luck with your decision

Todd Black
BTO

 

[littlebighorn]

Realistically OBH, you may be in for a pretty long wait for a top 5 unit, but all Utah elk units are gradually improving. The fact that you bow hunt improves your odds significantly. I know some bow hunters putting in for lesser units that are drawing with 4 or 5 points and 50% of the tags go to less than top points. That pretty much assures them of chances at 300+ inch bulls, which is darn good for a bow. What have you got to lose?

 

[Oregonbowhunter]

If I could hunt a unit that I could expect to see 300 inch bulls and have a better than average chance at getting one, I'd be happy. Here in Oregon the hunting sucks, sure I see lots of elk but most are cows. I might see a nice bull or two the entire time I'm in the field which equates to about two weeks of hunting. I like to think I hunt hard too, spending most of my time on foot. The elk here are pretty much non-vocal and hard to hunt. So a premium hunt to me would be one where I could hunt vocal bulls and actually see 300+ inch bulls regularly. So where could I apply for a hunt like that? Thanks

 

[Blanding_Boy]

Anyone of the LE Utah units for elk would fit that ticket. Go to huntodds.com and see which unit you have the best odds for and apply away.

Todd Black
BTO

 

[Oregonbowhunter]

What can anyone tell me about these hunts. According to huntodds.com the odds aren't too bad. What do the units have to offer. South slope-diamond mt., plateau-fish lake, la sal mountains, and fillmore-oak creek south

 

[xbow]

Id say plateau would be the best out of those units and then fillmore but any of those units should give you a chance at a 300 plus bull.

 

[Oregonbowhunter]

Thanks for the help guys, xbow I sent you a pm.

 

[Oregonbowhunter]

Todd I sent you a PM also

 

[DonVathome]

Utah making you pick one species helps, there are some great bowhunts that give max points tags now to between 5-10 point holders, NR, there are many more apps now but I think, in 10 years you will start seeing the end of the tunnel, 15 and you will draw, and at $100 per year it seems steep, but look at what landowner tags cost, and by then the $100 a year will seem like cheating.