Pahvant Archery

bigbone · May 24, 2007

Well, while a similar topic is up, I'd be real curious to hear some of you feller's opinions on the Fillmore Pahvant unit for archery this year? My brother drew the tag and I plan to assist.

His best archery bull so far is a 320 6 point two years ago, and he did not get to hunt last fall, so this will be fun either way.

But seriously, how big a bull can I guy realistically hold out for there with a week to 10 days and an archery tag?

^BIGBONE^

isayNUNYA · May 25, 2007

A friend of mine passed on the bull killed by the sportsman tag holder. Had him at under 50 yrds opening morn of the archery hunt. We spent the next few days chasing the bannana bull that was later killed by Denny Austad, a 416 bull. Couldnt close the deal. Ended up taking a nice 370 bull with a couple days to spare.
You can expect to see and hunt 370+ bulls. Hold out for what ever you want. Bottom line is be happy with the bull you put an arrow in.

littlebighorn · May 25, 2007

For what it is worth, take a look at the DWR harvest data from last year on Archery elk. On that unit, which is the best in the World in my opinion, only 6 hunter harvested a bull. That means two thirds went home with without filling their tag. I would bet that all of them passed on really nice bulls.
Too many guys think they can kill a monster, just because they have that permit, and in the end they are broken hearted because that opportunity will likely never come around again. If your buddy is willing to go home without a bull, then do what isay and his friend did. Otherwise I'd stick the first 350 bull I could and be happy as a lottery winner, for the opportunity to hunt that great unit. Good luck and show us pics next fall.

bigbone · May 25, 2007

Littlebighorn, I am leaning towards your school of thought. I agree one must be realistic, this is archery hunting afterall and seeing a monster may be one thing, killing the brute with an arrow is a whole other problem.

I have bow hunted elk for 17 years and lord knows I have had some close encounters with some nice bulls but to actually get it done means everything has to come together just right which for me has happened only a handful of times out of hundreds of hours afield. I think he would be happy with a solid 350 bull.

Sounds like a big part of the problem is killing one where you can get him out.

???Also I am wondering what week would you plan to hunt if you had to choose between the first week of Sept or the second week, as I may only have one week to hunt with him???

^BIGBONE^

proutdoors · May 25, 2007

I prefer the first week of September over the second. The bulls are not as vocal, but more likely to 'check' things out. And it looks like this will be a dry year, water will be key. There will be fewer archers that week as well as fewr rifle hunters scouting. JMHO

PRO

mtngoat · Jun 6, 2007

BigBone

send me a pm I will give ya a few bits of info...

mtngoat

slamdunk · Jun 6, 2007

Go big or go home

ultimateshedfreak · Jun 24, 2007

i live just below the mt and am up there all the time and from some of the bulls i have seen u can expect at least 360+ and on my dads hunt a couple years back we had a bull that would have been over 410+ so hold out intel u get on a good bull

hollysdad · Jun 24, 2007

In my opinion do the 2nd week of sept. you are much more likely to find the bigger boys, they will have they're cow about then, and its easier to find a herd than a single animal on that unit. as far as what he should hold out for, well like alot on this thread I think he needs to go after what he'd be happy with, and like others have said the bigger the bull, the more chance he may go home empty handed. but I've seen some real monsters on that unit.

400PLUS · Jun 25, 2007

Go with the second week the bulls will be hot, shoot the first 350+ bull that gives you a golden opportunity for a clean kill or you might be saying should have could have would have.