2017 elk hunt

JayNelson0317 · Jan 17, 2017

Hey everyone,

I am just looking for some friendly info. I have been putting in for elk down on the book cliffs for years and years. I would draw that tag this year with Max points, but I have heard that quality has decreased down there. Just looking for any info or other ideas anybody has out there.

Thanks.

goofyelk · Jan 17, 2017

There are alot of elk units in Utah were elk 'quality' is decreasing.

The Book cliffs (Both units) is still holding a very good
elk hunt......IMO, better than most.

JayNelson0317 · Jan 17, 2017

Thanks for the info. After putting the road through there and then hearing what I heard I was nervous. I was thinking that many of these people aren't willing to get off the beaten path though.

Gator · Jan 17, 2017

Jay there is always some great bulls in there, BUT you do have to find them, Which area are you looking to get into. Now days you wouldn't find to many next to the roads up there.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

JayNelson0317 · Jan 17, 2017

Yes. I was thinking the bitter Creek south. I'm 30 yrs old and in good shape so I'm not scared of getting away from the road and putting in the time. Having said that I just wanted to make sure I make good use of my time. Thanks to you for your information.

sjhgraysage · Jan 17, 2017

Jay,
What are you looking for?
What size bull would you be after and what size would you be happy to harvest? Or is the size of the bull killed secondary to seeing lots of elk and having a great time in awesome country with family /friends?

There are no wrong answers, but everyone has a different idea of what a quality elk hunt is.

Hope you draw the hunt you want and have a great time!

JayNelson0317 · Jan 17, 2017

I'm not looking for the biggest bull or anything, of course I would like to kill a nice 6 point, score doesn't matter to me, I try to stay away from that contest. The experience is the most important part. Yes I will have friends and family with me. Thanks for the post

huntin50 · Jan 18, 2017

Are you saying you have max points or would have been in the bonus point pool last year?

If you have max points there are better units.

Do you know any units very well?

I agree don't get focused on the score of the bull, shoot one that your happy with.

You should have a great experience with a lot of units. Tags are restricted enough, elk bugling, good weather likely, unless you get a lot of rain.

Nothing wrong with the Books, if you know it. Would you be happy with a 320-330 type bull?

BIGJOHNT · Jan 18, 2017

>Yes. I was thinking the bitter
>Creek south. I'm 30 yrs
>old and in good shape
>so I'm not scared of
>getting away from the road
>and putting in the time.
>Having said that I just
>wanted to make sure I
>make good use of my
>time. Thanks to you for
>your information.

How many points do you have ? If you are only 30 you could only have 16 points. But like most have said. Utah is down on Elk in all units but we still have good elk in every unit. You may need some insider information to find them. Or spend a lot of time on the unit with a little locals help. ?

Gator · Jan 18, 2017

Jay
Do a search on the forums here for elk bookcliffs and you will find some stuff that will help ya. search the archive too.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

why · Jan 20, 2017

quality is down but if you just want 6 it would be easy 310 bull .some bigger bulls still around .not many the unit is at smallest size bulls I seen in 10 years. I live in vernal work in books 250 days of the year spend another 50 lion hunting .if I had lot points I would put in elsewhere.if your set on books hire bret nielson as a guide .he is out there more than me.

JayNelson0317 · Jan 22, 2017

Yeah sorry for the confusion... I will have Max points for the books this year with 17 at least according to the draw odds from last year, I know they can change from year to year. I do know the book cliffs pretty well, I have had a few cow tags down there asking with some family members that have had some bull tags. I just haven't been down there since they put the paved road through there and was wondering how it has faired since.

JayNelson0317 · Jan 22, 2017

Okay thank you!

JayNelson0317 · Jan 22, 2017

Thanks for the info. According to last years draw odds I should be max for the book cliffs. Yeah that would be a good sized bull for me. I know the area, but haven't been down there for a while.

Thanks again,

Jay