Spending 14 points!

MulePacker

Active Member
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I had decided that 2008 was going to be the year. Being 1 point behind the maximum pool for Utah elk puts a person in a precarious position. Do you wait in line to hunt the best units? Do you put in for great units with harder access and an easier draw or take one of the many guaranteed units and weapons?
For the past ten years I have applied in a dual application which has cut my points substantially, however I am not getting any younger and believe we will see a dramatic increase or change to bring bull to cow ratios back in balance starting as early as 2009. So 2008 became the year to sell out.
My choices to hunt have always been San Juan, Bookcliffs (rdls), Dutton, S Cache, N Cache.
Although my preferred method to hunt elk is with stick and string, I have even been lucky and taken a few, I was not prepared to chance my investment on the bowhunt. The any weapon or premium hunts quickly became my weapon type. I do plan on bowhunting during the any weapon season till the last few days.
After looking at odds San Juan was eliminated, a couple units premium hunts were not guaranteed (1 tag) and therfore eliminated.
Thanks to Pro the only unit I was not familiar with became more appealing as I could gain some insight. I believe ktc was in my corner.
Now I know Pro wants to kow where I applied as he has asked, ktc thinks we should have a side pot on where I applied. FYI, I do own a string of pack mules, am looking for a bull of a lifetime. Most important is I want to share the experience with my wife and daughters.
So have a little fun where did I apply?
 
Easy, Dutton

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Later, Brandon
 
Dutton, and good luck.
Glad you have mules! If you need some maps or any suggestions give me ring.
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-08 AT 10:48AM (MST)[p]Sweet Travis, I am now looking forward to this years hunts even more! Can't wait for our first scouting trip. My guess in Dutton Premium, and that your mules will get 'loosened' up hauling my bull out before they haul your monster bull out! Maybe you, me, ktc, bowhunt,warbird, cotw, and a few others can make a scout trip together and have a monstermuley party.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
I guess....you applied in your 'Back Yard' unit.

The unit that you most probably have riden every trail and bushwacker all over hell in between the remote trail system, for years and years and more years!

My guess is .................. I already know so this is not a fair guess!

Rock on 'MulePacker'..........!!

Robb
 
I still say he went Dutton Premium, since he wants to kill a big elk.:7

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
My guess is not Dutton premuim, since the draw odds were worst for the premium on that hunt. Am i missing something though? why would someone apply for a hunt for a premium tag over the any weapon if the odds would be less?
Anyway, good luck on the draw.
Hope to see some of you on the Dutton this year... thats is where my tag will be for!!
It will be a really long wait to see if anyone else chased the odds and did what i did.
 
I am addicted to looking at the odds, since I have 12 elk and 9 goat points, so I am going to venture a guess even though I don't know anyone here and vice versa.

Based strictly on the odds, my opinions of the best unit, and opportunity to hunt ie premium you can hunt all seasons. I am going with a guaranteed(not considering any area switching from last years apps) draw.
1st Book Cliffs roadless premium
2nd Mt Dutton early
3rd N Cache premium
 
Hopefully you'll be postin a pic on the wall of fame, maybe even get their best looking bull award.

?Here?s to the hero's that Git-R-Done!!?
 
Ok, enough suspense.
Where did you apply? Like Pro said if it is the Dutton, let's have a scouting party / reunion.
I love that place, and I hate it at the same time.
 
bowhunt,

He may not be talking, but my money is on Dutton. His mules should like that rotten rocky pile of lava rock. :)
 
GEEEEEEEZZZ! The suspense has been killing me also! I couldn't figure out why ktc hadn't put in his 2 cents, I thought he was laying on a beach in MAUI. Now he has I guess I must come clean.
A couple folks got it right, however I think they had a little help.
First I must apologize to Pro, I think he will be disappointed. However I want to thank him for all offers and help. I did not select the Dutton. I am however open to a scouting trip to help others I can haul seven mules and would bring them for whoever.
If you have never rode a mule before, I have some that have never been ridden - you should be even. HA! HA!
I mentioned earlier, I want my family there for a good part of the hunt. Therefore it came down to staying close to home. I wanted to bowhunt but have the security of the rifle. A few years ago I said it is more impressive killing the one bull of a lifetime on a unit than killing one where there is a bull of a lifetime behind every bush. If I don't kill a bull of a lifetime all I have is the memory of the hunt at $3.30 for deisel I can afford more memories in scouting trips close to home. So ............
I spent 14 points on a N Cache premium tag. Now I fully understand there are no guarantees in life. However, no one has ever used close to this popint level on the N Cache, they have been allotting 2 premium tags, so one should go to the max point holder. I plan on that being me, if it is I am sure next year a lot of folks will be wondering who the idiot was that spent 14 points on the N Cache. With a little luck, I will have the bull of a lifetime to silence the laughter.

Of course I am praying for a Dutton tag in the convention or dedicated hunter draw. Then I can party with Pro on the Dutton, kill my bull of a lifetime, and keep my 14 points for a N Cache hunt next year.
 
WOW, that was close! I thought I may have to return to that "Pile of Lava"
You will have a great hunt, and not have to learn to love and hate the Dutton.
 
Maui? I wish! I am sitting in my igloo waiting for spring. I am like a big old black bear, I hibernate and wait for warmer weather. At least hell is warm, that is why I am trying to get there.

bowhunt is right, Dutton is not a lot of fun. About September 1st you are wondering why you even put in for the unit? Finding elk can be tough, then all hell breaks loose and it gets better, not behind every tree, but better.
 
Well - good luck to ya! - Should be the "hunt of a lifetime" regardless if you get the "bull of a lifetime!" When your butt gets tired of riding that lanky mule though, call my dad and he can let you borrow a Quarter horse!

So then here is the question - what do you consider "the bull of a lifetime"? What is your lowest score threshold so to speak?

400?
380?
370?
360?
350 and some great character?
330 or lower and a great story?????




UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
 
I contemplated going for N Cache Premium bonus tag with (only) nine points. Mulepacker would have trumped me so I am glad that I went for Monroe archery except that I will probably not draw that either.

Mulepacker, how sure are you about change in Elk management? I worry the same thing but hope they keep it same for a few more years. Who knows, they could double tag numbers this year if they wanted.
 
I believe the bull of a lifetime is still one over 350", I know a lot of folks think 400" is the mark. I have been involved in hundreds of elk kills, less than ten percent have been on 350 plus bulls. Even in Utah or Arizona, I think 350 is the benchmark for DIY hunt on public land.
As far as the S Cache vs. N Cache, I tend to disagree, you may see more bulls on the South but you will see the biggest bulls on the North and never have an ATV ruin your hunt.
 
Mule,

You are right about the ATV's. The Northern region is more primitive. I was basing my information on what I have seen on the South Cache Unit. I don't know the North Cache unit that well. However, I do know people who ride horses in the North Region frequently. They have said the larger bulls have decreased considerably in the past few years.

I hope that this is not the case. I am probably wrong as much as I am right. I like your attitude that a 350" bull is a bull of a lifetime. I couldn't agree more. Good luck on whatever you draw.
 
I sure hope you draw your tag Travis. You have done a lot for elk and elk hunters in this state and it would be great to see you get your tag and a big bull!!

Best of luck!

Cory
 
350 is the Bull of a lifetime! Think how limited our opportunity is to hunt for Big Bulls.
If you put in for every State, and focus on big bull areas, then you will probably have a tag every 10 years at best.
That is not many opportunities in a life time.
Then when and if you draw, there are just not that many 350+ bulls.
My mark for sure for a GIANT BULL would be 350.

I have heard North Cache is getting better and better each year...so good luck! We will all be on the sideline cheering you on.
 
Mulepacker - I totally agree. A 350 bull is a smoker bull on almost any unit! We have just seen the recent boom of the 400 bull and how overpublicized and over-romaticized it has ur become. Most folks will never see a 350 class bull let alone harvest one! Again - best of luck to you and your mules! Hope you have the hunt of a lifetime. Oh and I do hope you draw first!

UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
 
I just had to chime in on this one. I have had a "hunt of a lifetime" and killed a "bull of a lifetime." Guess what? They weren't on the same hunt! The hunt of a lifetime was on the North Cache back in '92. Although I ended up filling the freezer with spike steaks on the last day of the hunt, it was the most incredible hunting experience ever. My father and I hunted both the archery and rifle hunt every day of the season. We were within 100 yards of mature bulls every day of the archery hunt in some of the most beautiful country in the world. I couldn't get a clean shot at a bull, but that didn't matter. The experience was what it was all about.

OK, now for the bull of a lifetime. This was close to a hunt of a lifetime but it only lasted one day and didn't have the same family interaction. Nonetheless, my bull will look great on the wall. (If the taxidermist ever gets to him). Here's a pic:
47b207a944dbd161.jpg


On the North Cache: I talked to two people who had tags last year and both had difficulty finding bulls--one ate tag soup and the other took a small mature bull on the last day of the hunt. It's definitely possible to take a monster on the North Cache but it may take lots of mules! Good luck!
 
Hazmat,

Thanks for the stories. Are you Jims son?

I also had the hunt of a lifetime in 06 on the N Cache. My wife and daughter had tags, we will never live long enough to wear down the stories that came from that summer and the ten days of the hunt. This was the deciding factor in putting in for the N Cache, we hope to right another chapter with my tag.
I talked with a DWR employee last night. They have been flying the past couple days for elk counts. Looks like the number of elk North of Logan Canyon is dismal, my luck they will cut tags and and only 1 premium tag will be awarded. The DWR could not figure out why there were so few elk. Idaho has been issuing a ton of tags hoping to reduce the elk in the area to nill, looks like they may have accomplished the task. Most elk wintering in Richmond and Smithfield come out of Franklin Basin, I hope I convinced them to look at Logan Canyon counts and Garden City to determine the wintering Utah population.

Anyway nice bull, any hints on where he came from?
 
Yup, Jim's my dad. I haven't quite decided who you are, but I'm excited for you to finally draw.
The North Cache before spike hunters was incredible! I guess Utah needs some areas to give out too many tags so we can have places like the San Juan where I took my bull. Good Luck, I'll keep my eyes peeled and ear to the ground. Jason
 
I'm sorry you wasted your point on the N Cache, the herd has really gong down hill, they have been killing 300 cows every year for 3-4 now. Doesn't take a mathmetician to figure out that can't be good for the herd. It's hard to even find a spike during the spike hunt. Anyhow, having said that, look at the Mt. Elmer, Cottonwood area. Big area with rumors of a monster unkillable bull in it. A few years ago a guy from Willard killed a monster in there. Other than that I don't know where to go, and I have hunted that side my whole life! I have 8 pts and "should" draw the S Cache Archery tag. Good luck to ya.
 
Hello Travis,

It was nice to see you and Bret at the expo.I know you have been on some great big bull hunts on the North Cache and when you draw im sure you will get a shot at a nice bull.Tell Bret if i draw my archery tag i will keep in touch and let you guys know what caliber of bulls im seeing.Below are a couple of pictures of bulls my cousin Gary and good friend Lance took this year.Both hunts were awesome and both guys took great bulls!!!!

Garys bull coming to the call
IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k290/jcaruso299/DSC00243.jpg[/IMG]
Garys first look at the bull
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Me and Gary with his bull
Gary20071.jpg

Lances bull across the canyon just before he shot him
GrabbedFrame2.jpg

Me and Lance with his bull
PICT0099.jpg
 
I think you'll have a fun hunt in the N. Cache. Granted the quantity of animals is not what it used to be and they give to many cow tags out but there are still some nice bulls around if your willing to work for them (and it sounds like you are!). I hunt that area alot with my bow and saw a couple of quality bulls last year. I am not really into the whole scoring thing and my rating scale is spike, raghorn, decent bull and big bull but I would guess that one of the bulls I saw on several occaisions was 350+. There was one guy after him last year but I don't believe he was ever harvasted. He was not in one of the more remote areas either. Rugged but not remote. Probably only a mile or less from the highway most of the time. I also have 14 points and you came within one mouse click away from having some compition for that premium tag! I ened up putting in for the wasatch tag because my Dad lives in that area and I am hoping if I draw that he will be able to come with me some of the time (he's 78 years old with a bad back and doesn't travel well). It sounds like you know the area well but if you need any info PM me. Like I said, I live up here and hunt it alot.

Dane
 
Nice bulls and nice pix saxon! Gary's bull is awesome. Hurry and get your hunt done, and come help on my hunt this year!

PRO

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

It was good to see you also. I remember when you had the N Cache you scouted a couple of good bulls up Franklin Basin, if you would e-mail me the bulls location and where you watched from. I know you told me once but I can't find it in my notes now. I like the bull of your cousins, the more I see of the Dutton the more I question my decision to apply for the N Cache. Also if you get the Meadowville tag be sure and keep in touch, between Bret and I we should do some riding and scouting in the area this summer. We have one good lookout where you can see the summer bull herds to get an idea of what is the area.

Dane,
Thanks for the reply, Good Luck with the Wasatch, I am beginning to second guess my choice.
 
Travis
My dad use to say trust those first instinct's they are right alot more times then they are wrong. You being close to it means that you will get to scout more, I think you will find a Big Bull in there,just remember you don't have to find a herd of them, Just one Really nice big one. Good Luck.
 
Congrats, I hope you get a bigger bull than the bull I put an arrow through!

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
Way to go Travis!! I'll bet your thinking it's about time! My little bro and cousin drew the Books! MAX POINTS though. Took 17 years! Hope you have a great hunt. Looking forward to the pics already - sucessful or not!

Get your mules saddled!

UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
 
I'm not counting my chickens yet, still waiting for the e-mail. In 2006 we got a hit from the DWR which was what I thought would be my elk tag, ended up being my wife and daughter. So I am a little leary, however the amount should be a premium elk tag.

Any way I do have plans to take you guys along with me, through posts and photos. In fact when I am sure it is my elk tag, I already have a few pictures for you to look at as far as bulls I am interested in. A set of sheds from this spring have me intrigued.

During this thread I have met some folks who have offered help or advice I am up for that. So DaneA, saxon, steelie or anyone else, bring it on.
 
Congrats Travis!

I have spent alot of time in the N. Cache...AR301 days and just over the years hiking.

Robb
 
Congrats Travis!!! On getting your tag. I drew the Meadowville archery tag so now the scouting season begins.PM me your phone number and i will get in touch with you.
 
Yo Travis


You probably already know about him, but there is that bull the Lundahls were chasing in Cottonwood, and you probably know about the bull in the Jungle? PM me if you want more details.
 

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