Choosing a hunt/why?

[blazingsaddle]

When it comes to the Utah LE hunts, how many of you look more at the dates of a hunt more than the weapon for the hunt? I know that dates hold most of the keys for my choices. I'm curious to what is more important. Also do you think its more the dates that lead to success, or the weapon?

 

[mntman]

I look for what is easiest to draw cause I enjoy all types of hunting.
As for what is more important dates/weapon. I say neither, it's a combination of what weapons go with those dates that lead to higher than normal success rates.
Way too many variables on both sides to say which one leads to a higher success.


Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

 

[bingo]

in 05 I went on a LE archery hunt on Wasatch, this past year I went on a LE Muzzle hunt on Beaver. Both hunts my friends took bulls but both hunts also were tougher than I thought they would be. Having a rifle where we could have taken a 300 yard shot would have helped produce bigger bulls on both hunts. In my opinion it would still be easier to take a big bull on a late hunt with a rifle than during the rut with a bow. Others might disagree but that is my opinion.
That being said, I would choose the experience of hunting during the rut over not, even if it meant taking a smaller bull.

 

[ktc]

1. The most effective weapon available.
2. The unit which holds the type of animal I would be happy with.
3. Dates are important. For example; I would choose September over November because I love hearing the elk. I also do not like broken antlers because the antlers are very important. I use the meat, but like the horns.;-)

JMO in my old age!;-)

 

[bragabit]

I love to hunt! I will hunt with the weapon that allows me to hunt the units I want first.

 

[antlerrick]

When I chose my LE archery hunt to apply for, I made that choice for the chance to hunt the way I loved to hunt, with a bow and arrows, hoping that the rut may start early enough to also be a part of that great hunt.
For my wife and daughter, I chose the early rifle, mainly for the opportunity of being able to share with them the joy and thrill of bugling bulls and seeing those big mature stinky bulls come to calls. I enjoyed my hunt for the reasons stated, and enjoyed theirs, as they did for the same reasons.
I could have put them in for late permits and probably got them, but to me those hunts don't give you that adrenaline rush that you get during the September hunts. With the September hunts, and warmer weather, it also allowed more family to be there to enjoy the thrills and drama of the hunts.
If and when I get the chance to apply again, I will ignore the better odds of the late hunt and opt out for the chance to experience the hunts we all dream of..... again!

 

[FishlakeElkHunter]

I chose to put in for Muzz because it increased my odds in getting the tag. Well, I drew the tag and was not totally comfortable with the muzz huting. I ended up not killing the bull that I really wanted.

I would go with the weapon that you are the most comforable with!!! and yes, I love the RUT hunts too.....gotta love those screaming elk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Antler1]

For me it's always been the unit I want and the weapon first. I never worried about odds. Maybe I will change strategies soon.

I've helped three archery hunters, 4 rifle hunters and 1 muzz. hunter. The experience of the hunt during each was equally fun.

To me season dates are over rated. What I have seen is weather plays the biggest part into what the bulls do and when.

If archery is your preference hunt the last week hard. I've seen guys get discouraged and quit and two days later the elk are going nuts. All 3 archery hunters killed in the last 5 days of the hunt.

 

[inline]

What rut??? Us bowhunters don't even know what that is!

 

[rock5150]

I think it is WAY MORE THE HUNTER!!!

ROCK5150

 

[completesportsman]

I personally would always pick the rut hunts, no matter what weapon.

 

[ktc]

inline,

You got the rut. Sept 1st thru the 15th gives you some awesome bow dates. The best elk hunter I know has killed his biggest and the most bulls on Labor Day.

 

[proutdoors]

Great topic!

I applied for a LE archery tag on the unit I like better than any other. To me, archery is the only option. I chose the unit based on how well I know the unit and the quality of bulls on the unit.

ktc, technically the rut 'starts' in August with the pre-rut. (my preferred time with a bow) But, the archery season ends September 12th, not the 15th.

I believe the EXTREMELY HIGH success rates on the RIFLE hunt is due to three main factors: 1)effectiveness of the weapon 2)the amount of bulls available to hunt (bull/cow ratios over 50/100, some WAY over 50/100) 3)time of the hunt.
Rifle hunters will always enjoy higher success rates due to the range of effectiveness. So, the other two factors are the ones that would need to be addressed in order to lower success rates in any measurable numbers. If the bull/cow ratios were to be lowered to more biologically sound numbers (less than 50/100) it would lower success rates for ALL hunters, regardless of choice of weapon. This would be a GOOD thing IMHO. The other is moving the MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPON OUT of September, and not bump it clear into November when the bulls are on winter range where they are more accessible.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.