Mt. Dutton which hunt?

[Bozeman]

I'm trying to decide which time would be the best to apply for this unit. I am a non res. so my odds are best for the muzzleloader hunt, then the late, and then the early. Is this unit tough to hunt late or with a muzzleloader? Are there other hunts going on so your fighting with other people? I'm applying here because my dad grew up hunting this area as a kid and would love to return. Although I'm sure things have changed some over the years ie... roads, access, numbers of people.... Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ktc]

The unit is tough because of lack of access and recent road closures. ATV travel is very restricted. The muzzleloader general deer season overlaps the muzz hunt. The other hunts do not have the overlaps.

How many points do you have? I would suggest you find out what you are getting into before applying. The Boulder has similiar odds and is a much friendlier place to hunt. Do what you gotta do though.

 

[Bozeman]

KTC, Thanks for the advice. I really don't have many points. 3 I think so I probably won't draw. I just want to be ready if the draw is friendly. I've heard it is real rugged in spots but I'm used to hunting in that type of terrain. I have wheelers but don't rely on them for my hunting. I also have horses and more importantly my feet, so I have many options that way. Would I run into more people in the Boulder because of the better access? Would the late hunt be a good option or do the animals move down to private land that late?

By the way that was an awesome bull you shot congrats. Thanks again for any help.

 

[WARBIRDUM]

I have been on both units the boulder and dutton have about the same qaulity of bulls on the any weapon hunt in 2004 we seen camps around but for the most part you do not have much hunting pressure we did not need horses and the country is flat on top mixed pines that can be thick and qaukies but an overall easy hunt it also has good clear openings.You do not need horses other than maybe getting your bull out.
The dutton if you put in and draw can be tough not as much action but good bulls.Dont forget to bring your horses on this one.I do not know to much about the late hunts maybe someone on this site can answer that question for you.
Good luck

 

[Bozeman]

Warbirdum, On the boulder how did you get around? Atv's or just the general road systems? Were exactly in the state is the Boulder unit?

 

[ktc]

Thanks for the compliment!

I am not trying to discourage you and it sounds like you have the access issues covered. I just ran into too many people wondering what the hell they got their self into last year. Guys who are not prepared to use a horse or pack an elk 3, 4, or 5 miles should beware. That is all I am saying.

I would agree with warbirdum. Quality is similiar to Boulder, just easier to get around. I think he told me they used a truck to get around on Boulder? Dutton fits my style and I like it, however, I can see why people would hate it. Just depends on what you want. Good luck deciding!

 

[ktc]

I am not sure about the late hunts, but my guess would be not to worry about private land early or late.

 

[Bozeman]

KTC, Thanks for the help. I'm from Montana so I'm used to hunting rugged country. I'm not used to seeing everybody and their dog out hunting so that is why I had all the questions.

So I have to ask your opinion again. With the odds way higher for either a late hunt or muzzleloader in each unit, which unit and what hunt (early,muzzle,late) would you choose?

 

[isayNUNYA]

If the rut isn't on while hunting the Boulder you will get you azz handed to you. Early is the only way to go there.
Dutton is a little different. Good glassing points. Open country with fair access. Still the early rifle will be your best hunt. Not reallly any private issues on either unit. Some Elk will move on to private alfalfa fields at night but will bed on BLM or forest ground during the day. Hint hint.
Later

 

[WARBIRDUM]

BOZEMAN,
We were just using a truck on the boulder to get around the elk were bugling like crazy but like others have said its up to you how you want to hunt.There is some tough areas on the boulder also just alot better roads and much better camping you can run bulls all day on the boulder its flat and has tons of water.
PM me I can send you some photos of the boulder if you would like and the bull my buddy killed.With only having 3 points you will need some much needed luck to draw any of the rut hunts but you cant draw if you dont try.

 

[proutdoors]

Dutton late can be tough if you don't know where the bulls hang out that time of year. I would recommend the muzzy season until you get more points. Dutton is as hard as you make it. I have never used horses and get away from people with little effort every year by 'working' the terrain to my advantage.

PRO

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Life Flight whirly bird rides can happen on any season hunting the dutton ask PRO.How are you doing? When did you get lifted off that unit 05?Hope you are doing alot better now.

 

[Bozeman]

Thanks for all the replys. I realize I really don't have a prayer at this point for a rut hunt that is why I was considering a late or muzzy hunt. You sure can't beat hunting during the rut I know. It all comes down to either waiting an eternity or possibly having a chance in the next year or so.

I'm not sure why you couldn't hunt the Boulder outside the rut? Obviously it's easier when they are vocal but is it really impossible to find the big guys later on the Boulder?

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Bozeman check your messages.

 

[isayNUNYA]

Not impossible, just not very likely.

 

[Bozeman]

Warbirdum, Sorrry I'm a tard and can't seem to recieve a message. Try sending it to [email protected]. Thanks

 

[jims]

I know if I had few pts I would likely apply for one of the archery hunts or apply for one of the lesser known units. The archery season is almost 3 weeks long with the last week bulls really starting to rut it up. That is a long time to hunt elk and would likely be a thrilling hunt. Most units usually offer more archery tags than muzzy tags. You also need to realize that some of the units only have 1 or 2 tags available in the all draw pool...the rest go to the guys with high bonus pts.

The draw odds tend to jump around from year to year so it is pretty hard to predict what will happen this year. If a unit stands out as taking few bonus pts to draw one year it may be a super tough draw the next year when guys switch. Some of the less popular units likely have better draw odds than some of the popular units mentioned in some of the posts above..with the possibility of still getting some whoppers. There have been some super 360+ bulls shot in many of these units that don't get all the hype!

 

[huntntrail]

I grew up in the area, pretty much between the two units...and if it were me...hunting from out of state and perhaps being limited with how much time I could spend I would go with the Boulder...late .. if the odds are better. Besides take a look at the number of tags the Dutton has had in the past few years...that's lots of bulls being taken...gotta wonder about the quality that's still up there....choose the Boulder.

 

[proutdoors]

I am doing pretty good warbirdum, my flight off the Dutton was on Sept 12, 2005, a day I will never remember.

huntntrail questioned the quality on Dutton vs Boulder because more tags are issued on Dutton. You need not worry about quality on Dutton, it is right there with ANY unit in the state. Remember, they issue spike tags on Boulder, this lowers the number of mature tag sthey can issue for the SAME quality. Boulder is easier to learn in a limited amount of time for sure.

huuntntrail, did you grow up in Antimony? Over the years I have made some good friends down there.

PRO

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Pro,
Glad to hear your health is ok a buddy of mine seen you lifted off the dutton unit during the archery hunt in 2005 I am sure you do not want to remember that day anyway those four wheelers can be deadly to say the least.
Good to hear you still have the ability to guide that unit and hunt for yourself.
Good luck this year.
The Bird.

 

[huntntrail]

Prout, ya I grew up in Antimony...across the street from Otter Creek, my dad was the Park Manager there for a number of years. Is there a chance that I know you, or vice versa? Anyway...another reason I wondered about the quailty on the Dutton was that in past years we've always found some decent shed horns there, and the past 3-5 years we haven't found much of anything of decent size. Not that they are not up there, but I think personally that they are becoming fewer and farther between. Also, I had a friend who works for the Feds on the Dutton throughout the summer and he put in for and drew the boulder tag a few years ago...that tells me something about the two units!

 

[proutdoors]

Boulder is 'easier', that could be part of it. As far as quality goes, there were more 400+ bulls taken on Dutton than the Boulder in 2006. Both units are in the top tier of units in Utah. The elk have 'moved' their wintering area a little over the last few years. That could help explain the lack of sheds being found. I have found some of my best sheds the last few years down there.

Shoot ne a PM and we'll see if we know each other and I can tell you more about what I know/don't know about Dutton/Boulder.

PRO

 

[Antler1]

Bozeman,
I would go with the Muzzleloader hunt. Weather plays more of factor on the late hunt as far as success. The late hunt is also a couple days shorter. They usually have a cow hunt on Dutton between the Muzz. and the late hunt so the elk get alot of pressure.

Trail,
Theres still plenty of quality sheds coming from Dutton you just have to look in Greenwoods garage to find them.

 

[Bozeman]

Pro I sent you a message.

 

[proutdoors]

Got it, sent one back at ya.

PRO