16pts Elk now what?
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Elkhunter96
Very Active Member
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- 1,096
Its possible on a late season hunt. May be a tall order DIY or without help. Like others have said, most bulls on the decent late hunt are the 300-330 class bulls with a few monsters killed. Pahvant, Beaver and maybe San Juan would be my picks. But its hunting and would never be a guarantee to get a 350 plus even on the best units DIY. Beaver and Pahvant may be beyond your point total to get a tag and San Juan has private land issues on the late hunt.
I'm not trying to talk you out of putting in for the late hunt. But just remember it could be 50 degrees or 10 degrees with 2 foot of snow. If it was me I would put in for the Wasatch early rifle.7 out of 8 drew with 16 points.It a huge unit and you could ride your mules for days. And they kill some really nice bulls every year.And one other thing you get to hunt the rut in September.Just something to think about.
desertpointbrian
Very Active Member
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- 1,347
Please don't waist 16 points on the Wasatch.
I would look into Manti way before I did wasatch
I would look into Manti way before I did wasatch
Vanilla
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,585
You could draw Wasatch, Nebo, and maybe even a Manti rifle tag in September with 16 points. Out of those 3, I'd pick Manti, but the others could potentially produce a 350 bull for you as well. Even on the Manti those bulls are not too common, however. Let's be honest, they aren't all that common anywhere. There are many sub-350 bulls killed on the premium units every year too.
You can probably draw the late Book Cliffs tag, and I know that unit holds some really good bulls, but I have no idea how the late hunt is out there. Late hunts can be tricky, as mentioned above. They can be very weather dependent, and you may see a ton of elk, and the big ones may be busted up on their antlers pretty good.
Out of all your options this year, if it were me, I'd probably do the Manti early season tag. There is quite a bit of access from roads across the unit, but there are also a ton of places that mules would give you a huge advantage.
You can probably draw the late Book Cliffs tag, and I know that unit holds some really good bulls, but I have no idea how the late hunt is out there. Late hunts can be tricky, as mentioned above. They can be very weather dependent, and you may see a ton of elk, and the big ones may be busted up on their antlers pretty good.
Out of all your options this year, if it were me, I'd probably do the Manti early season tag. There is quite a bit of access from roads across the unit, but there are also a ton of places that mules would give you a huge advantage.
Elkhunter96
Very Active Member
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- 1,096
The Wasatch would in my opinion be a mistake. A few good bulls killed, but your chance of 350 is very low. Most bulls are 300-320 class bulls
Stubaby
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,613
LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-18 AT 02:01PM (MST)[p]The points they are talking about are accumulated [1per year] for each year you don't draw. They are, however, talking about limited entry units. These units are managed for older aged class bulls and over the years have produced some spoiled and lazy hunters.
Most people who have 12-24 points feel entitled and obligated to come off the Mtn in the diesel truck they can't afford with a Boone and crocket bull in the back of it.
Great lengths will be made to complain that they aren't seeing much or that ?this ain?t what it used to be? when the bulls aren't behind every tree on opening morning. Words such as ?I seen? instead of ?I saw? are often dead giveaways.
Also, if you hear phrases like ?pushin 30? when referring to a mule deer bucks antler width?, or ?reach out and touch? when referring to how far they plan on shooting the rifle they don't shoot often enough to know where to aim at even modest distances are usually signs of this crowd.
Most are way to obsessed about Instagram or YouTube followers than the actual hunt itself. Having waited so long for a tag, it's now the DNRs fault if by day three they aren't tagged out, and want their money back.
This past fall I talked to four tag holders with less than three days in the hunt left to go. At this point they had all put lots of miles on atvs or sxs. I had just hiked off the ridge looking at 22 bull elk. Three of which were 300-320 class bulls. After just telling me that ?any bull would be great this late in the hunt? I told them where they can go locate the bulls. I even offered to burn more calories and go with them.
After none of them was willing to hike the 900 vertical ft above thier atv I left....scratching my head. ?Stupid DNR?, I thought. How dare they have these elk in places someone would have to actually hunt the elk they had a tag for!!!! : )
I'm burning my 13 points on a Wasatch late tag this fall and it's raghorn or bust!!!
"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
www.cloverleafrifles.com
https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
Most people who have 12-24 points feel entitled and obligated to come off the Mtn in the diesel truck they can't afford with a Boone and crocket bull in the back of it.
Great lengths will be made to complain that they aren't seeing much or that ?this ain?t what it used to be? when the bulls aren't behind every tree on opening morning. Words such as ?I seen? instead of ?I saw? are often dead giveaways.
Also, if you hear phrases like ?pushin 30? when referring to a mule deer bucks antler width?, or ?reach out and touch? when referring to how far they plan on shooting the rifle they don't shoot often enough to know where to aim at even modest distances are usually signs of this crowd.
Most are way to obsessed about Instagram or YouTube followers than the actual hunt itself. Having waited so long for a tag, it's now the DNRs fault if by day three they aren't tagged out, and want their money back.
This past fall I talked to four tag holders with less than three days in the hunt left to go. At this point they had all put lots of miles on atvs or sxs. I had just hiked off the ridge looking at 22 bull elk. Three of which were 300-320 class bulls. After just telling me that ?any bull would be great this late in the hunt? I told them where they can go locate the bulls. I even offered to burn more calories and go with them.
After none of them was willing to hike the 900 vertical ft above thier atv I left....scratching my head. ?Stupid DNR?, I thought. How dare they have these elk in places someone would have to actually hunt the elk they had a tag for!!!! : )
I'm burning my 13 points on a Wasatch late tag this fall and it's raghorn or bust!!!
"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
www.cloverleafrifles.com
https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
BUGLEnmIN
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,873
Elk wise makes me thankful to not have the point system in play here. That's A LONG TIME TO WAIT! I've been blessed over the past several years putting in work figuring odds and finding elk. Id pull out my hair waiting that long for a shot at a decent bull.
>LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-18
>AT 02:01?PM (MST)
>
>The points they are talking about
>are accumulated [1per year] for
>each year you don't draw.
> They are,
>however, talking about limited entry
>units. These units
>are managed for older aged
>class bulls and over the
>years have produced some spoiled
>and lazy hunters.
>
>Most people who have 12-24 points
>feel entitled and obligated to
>come off the Mtn in
>the diesel truck they can't
>afford with a Boone and
>crocket bull in the back
>of it.
>
>Great lengths will be made to
>complain that they aren't seeing
>much or that ?this ain?t
>what it used to be?
>when the bulls aren't behind
>every tree on opening morning.
> Words such as ?I
>seen? instead of ?I saw?
>are often dead giveaways.
>
>Also, if you hear phrases like
>?pushin 30? when referring to
>a mule deer bucks antler
>width?, or ?reach out and
>touch? when referring to how
>far they plan on shooting
>the rifle they don't shoot
>often enough to know where
>to aim at even modest
>distances are usually signs of
>this crowd.
>
>Most are way to obsessed about
>Instagram or YouTube followers than
>the actual hunt itself.
> Having waited so long
>for a tag, it's now
>the DNRs fault if by
>day three they aren't tagged
>out, and want their money
>back.
>
>
>
>
>This past fall I talked to
>four tag holders with less
>than three days in the
>hunt left to go.
>At this point they had
>all put lots of miles
>on atvs or sxs.
> I had just
>hiked off the ridge looking
>at 22 bull elk.
> Three of which were
>300-320 class bulls.
>After just telling me that
>?any bull would be great
>this late in the hunt?
>I told them where they
>can go locate the bulls.
> I even offered to
>burn more calories and go
>with them.
>
>After none of them was willing
>to hike the 900 vertical
>ft above thier atv I
>left....scratching my head.
> ?Stupid DNR?, I
>thought.
> How dare they have
>these elk in places someone
>would have to actually hunt
>the elk they had a
>tag for!!!!
> : )
>
>
>
>I'm burning my 13 points on
>a Wasatch late tag this
>fall and it's raghorn or
>bust!!!
>
>
>
>
>
>"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
>
>www.cloverleafrifles.com
>
>https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
Nobody hates an elk hunter like another elk hunter.....
>AT 02:01?PM (MST)
>
>The points they are talking about
>are accumulated [1per year] for
>each year you don't draw.
> They are,
>however, talking about limited entry
>units. These units
>are managed for older aged
>class bulls and over the
>years have produced some spoiled
>and lazy hunters.
>
>Most people who have 12-24 points
>feel entitled and obligated to
>come off the Mtn in
>the diesel truck they can't
>afford with a Boone and
>crocket bull in the back
>of it.
>
>Great lengths will be made to
>complain that they aren't seeing
>much or that ?this ain?t
>what it used to be?
>when the bulls aren't behind
>every tree on opening morning.
> Words such as ?I
>seen? instead of ?I saw?
>are often dead giveaways.
>
>Also, if you hear phrases like
>?pushin 30? when referring to
>a mule deer bucks antler
>width?, or ?reach out and
>touch? when referring to how
>far they plan on shooting
>the rifle they don't shoot
>often enough to know where
>to aim at even modest
>distances are usually signs of
>this crowd.
>
>Most are way to obsessed about
>Instagram or YouTube followers than
>the actual hunt itself.
> Having waited so long
>for a tag, it's now
>the DNRs fault if by
>day three they aren't tagged
>out, and want their money
>back.
>
>
>
>
>This past fall I talked to
>four tag holders with less
>than three days in the
>hunt left to go.
>At this point they had
>all put lots of miles
>on atvs or sxs.
> I had just
>hiked off the ridge looking
>at 22 bull elk.
> Three of which were
>300-320 class bulls.
>After just telling me that
>?any bull would be great
>this late in the hunt?
>I told them where they
>can go locate the bulls.
> I even offered to
>burn more calories and go
>with them.
>
>After none of them was willing
>to hike the 900 vertical
>ft above thier atv I
>left....scratching my head.
> ?Stupid DNR?, I
>thought.
> How dare they have
>these elk in places someone
>would have to actually hunt
>the elk they had a
>tag for!!!!
> : )
>
>
>
>I'm burning my 13 points on
>a Wasatch late tag this
>fall and it's raghorn or
>bust!!!
>
>
>
>
>
>"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
>
>www.cloverleafrifles.com
>
>https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
Nobody hates an elk hunter like another elk hunter.....
WhiskeyDog
Active Member
- Messages
- 224
The spike hunters might not be hurting the guy looking for a good bull this year, but they're certainly hurting the guys that will be hunting in 5-6 years. The spike hunt is terrible for units in means of producing quality big bulls. If we would eliminate the spike tags, we could increase big bull tags and help curb point creep. They started the spike hunt here about 5 years ago and there is a huge change in the amount of mature bulls to be found now. It has taken the unit from a 350" class unit to a 320" class unit.
And if we get rid of spike hunts, we can let all those spikes grow into bulls which many will never get shot and will count against herd numbers and we can issue more cow tags to get the numbers within objective. Then we can realize the bull to cow ratio and the age class is way too high and issue more bull tags until the units are shot out of quality bulls. Then we really have something to ##### about. Now I realize that smaller herd units suffer some from spike harvest but Im betting that more spikes are surviving than the number of big bull tags that are issued and bulls harvested each year. If we don't keep a balance with herd numbers, we wind up with Fishlake/Wasatch slaughters. I know the inches guys won't agree, but we do need management beyond inches.
Sorry to the OP for turning your thread into a spike debate. To your original question, with 3 good mules and 16 points, have you considered a muzzleloader hunt? Probably some good options there and the last week of September is often prime time rut activity.
>Sorry to the OP for turning
>your thread into a spike
>debate. To your original question,
>with 3 good mules and
>16 points, have you considered
>a muzzleloader hunt? Probably some
>good options there and the
>last week of September is
>often prime time rut activity.
>
Best hunt in my opinion
>your thread into a spike
>debate. To your original question,
>with 3 good mules and
>16 points, have you considered
>a muzzleloader hunt? Probably some
>good options there and the
>last week of September is
>often prime time rut activity.
>
Best hunt in my opinion
WhiskeyDog
Active Member
- Messages
- 224
When a unit is significantly below the herd objective set by the DWR, there absolutely should not be spike or cow hunts. But we have guys whining about needing opportunity, like shooting that spike is so much more of an opportunity than going without the tag. There has been a huge impact on the Book Cliffs since the spike hunt opened. Are there spikes that survive? Absolutely. But there has been drastic decline in the amount of mature bulls on the unit. The more bulls we kill as spikes, the less we can harvest as mature bulls. All the while we have a bonus point creep that is more like a sprint these days and a young hunter starting into the application system is looking at 20+ years to harvest a 320" caliber bull on units that 5 years ago were producing 350" bulls.
Stubaby
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,613
Cam@strawberry
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,289
No reason to overlook the wasatch. Quite a few solid bulls made it through. Last year I know of 2 400" class bulls that were hunted, one for sure killed the other probably. I know 2 other 380" type bulls killed. We killed 4 bulls over 340" with our hunters. Hardly in the tank like most guys would have you believe.
https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters
https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters
No problem on any hijack, it's all about elk. I like the muzzy hunt dates best and when I do draw a tag I'll spend at least 2 weeks before the hunt scouting an getting familiar with the unit. I certainly want to make the best of the tag. My problem is right now I have some fantastic spots in other states that keep me hunting possible up to Oct 15 that I don't want to give up. As most things usually change in time, at that point I may then look harder at utah to fill that tag. I was looking at late season because thats where i have more time right now.
Who knows maybe by the time I draw this tag I'll know a local that has the same tag an hook up to help each other. I really don't know anybody from Utah but it's obvious they have some diehard elk hunters there that know their stuff just like a lot of hunters I've met over the years in NM, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, & Montana. Those people are some of the best resources a non resident can have & contributes alot to the success of a hunt, along with all the hard work, I guess it's just part of the sickness we thrive on Elk Hunting.
Wayne
Who knows maybe by the time I draw this tag I'll know a local that has the same tag an hook up to help each other. I really don't know anybody from Utah but it's obvious they have some diehard elk hunters there that know their stuff just like a lot of hunters I've met over the years in NM, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, & Montana. Those people are some of the best resources a non resident can have & contributes alot to the success of a hunt, along with all the hard work, I guess it's just part of the sickness we thrive on Elk Hunting.
Wayne
SPAZ
Active Member
- Messages
- 568
At your age, and with 16 elk points, if I were in your shoes I'd be looking at a top late rifle hunt and putting in some serious planning/scouting around it.
If you're happy with a decent 6 point bull elk, you have way more options - but after waiting nearly 2 decades, I'd think you'd want a great once in a lifetime hunt. Good luck.
If you're happy with a decent 6 point bull elk, you have way more options - but after waiting nearly 2 decades, I'd think you'd want a great once in a lifetime hunt. Good luck.
WiscoKid
Active Member
- Messages
- 314
>>LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-18
>>AT 02:01?PM (MST)
>>
>>The points they are talking about
>>are accumulated [1per year] for
>>each year you don't draw.
>> They are,
>>however, talking about limited entry
>>units. These units
>>are managed for older aged
>>class bulls and over the
>>years have produced some spoiled
>>and lazy hunters.
>>
>>Most people who have 12-24 points
>>feel entitled and obligated to
>>come off the Mtn in
>>the diesel truck they can't
>>afford with a Boone and
>>crocket bull in the back
>>of it.
>>
>>Great lengths will be made to
>>complain that they aren't seeing
>>much or that ?this ain?t
>>what it used to be?
>>when the bulls aren't behind
>>every tree on opening morning.
>> Words such as ?I
>>seen? instead of ?I saw?
>>are often dead giveaways.
>>
>>Also, if you hear phrases like
>>?pushin 30? when referring to
>>a mule deer bucks antler
>>width?, or ?reach out and
>>touch? when referring to how
>>far they plan on shooting
>>the rifle they don't shoot
>>often enough to know where
>>to aim at even modest
>>distances are usually signs of
>>this crowd.
>>
>>Most are way to obsessed about
>>Instagram or YouTube followers than
>>the actual hunt itself.
>> Having waited so long
>>for a tag, it's now
>>the DNRs fault if by
>>day three they aren't tagged
>>out, and want their money
>>back.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>This past fall I talked to
>>four tag holders with less
>>than three days in the
>>hunt left to go.
>>At this point they had
>>all put lots of miles
>>on atvs or sxs.
>> I had just
>>hiked off the ridge looking
>>at 22 bull elk.
>> Three of which were
>>300-320 class bulls.
>>After just telling me that
>>?any bull would be great
>>this late in the hunt?
>>I told them where they
>>can go locate the bulls.
>> I even offered to
>>burn more calories and go
>>with them.
>>
>>After none of them was willing
>>to hike the 900 vertical
>>ft above thier atv I
>>left....scratching my head.
>> ?Stupid DNR?, I
>>thought.
>> How dare they have
>>these elk in places someone
>>would have to actually hunt
>>the elk they had a
>>tag for!!!!
>> : )
>>
>>
>>
>>I'm burning my 13 points on
>>a Wasatch late tag this
>>fall and it's raghorn or
>>bust!!!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
>>
>>www.cloverleafrifles.com
>>
>>https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
>
>Nobody hates an elk hunter like
>another elk hunter.....
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed every line of this post, and that is all. From my limited knowledge, I would not hunt the Wasatch and I really like the idea of a muzzy hunt if you're not an archery guy.
>>AT 02:01?PM (MST)
>>
>>The points they are talking about
>>are accumulated [1per year] for
>>each year you don't draw.
>> They are,
>>however, talking about limited entry
>>units. These units
>>are managed for older aged
>>class bulls and over the
>>years have produced some spoiled
>>and lazy hunters.
>>
>>Most people who have 12-24 points
>>feel entitled and obligated to
>>come off the Mtn in
>>the diesel truck they can't
>>afford with a Boone and
>>crocket bull in the back
>>of it.
>>
>>Great lengths will be made to
>>complain that they aren't seeing
>>much or that ?this ain?t
>>what it used to be?
>>when the bulls aren't behind
>>every tree on opening morning.
>> Words such as ?I
>>seen? instead of ?I saw?
>>are often dead giveaways.
>>
>>Also, if you hear phrases like
>>?pushin 30? when referring to
>>a mule deer bucks antler
>>width?, or ?reach out and
>>touch? when referring to how
>>far they plan on shooting
>>the rifle they don't shoot
>>often enough to know where
>>to aim at even modest
>>distances are usually signs of
>>this crowd.
>>
>>Most are way to obsessed about
>>Instagram or YouTube followers than
>>the actual hunt itself.
>> Having waited so long
>>for a tag, it's now
>>the DNRs fault if by
>>day three they aren't tagged
>>out, and want their money
>>back.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>This past fall I talked to
>>four tag holders with less
>>than three days in the
>>hunt left to go.
>>At this point they had
>>all put lots of miles
>>on atvs or sxs.
>> I had just
>>hiked off the ridge looking
>>at 22 bull elk.
>> Three of which were
>>300-320 class bulls.
>>After just telling me that
>>?any bull would be great
>>this late in the hunt?
>>I told them where they
>>can go locate the bulls.
>> I even offered to
>>burn more calories and go
>>with them.
>>
>>After none of them was willing
>>to hike the 900 vertical
>>ft above thier atv I
>>left....scratching my head.
>> ?Stupid DNR?, I
>>thought.
>> How dare they have
>>these elk in places someone
>>would have to actually hunt
>>the elk they had a
>>tag for!!!!
>> : )
>>
>>
>>
>>I'm burning my 13 points on
>>a Wasatch late tag this
>>fall and it's raghorn or
>>bust!!!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"
>>
>>www.cloverleafrifles.com
>>
>>https://youtu.be/l3xHt-xeNYw
>
>Nobody hates an elk hunter like
>another elk hunter.....
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed every line of this post, and that is all. From my limited knowledge, I would not hunt the Wasatch and I really like the idea of a muzzy hunt if you're not an archery guy.
Muleykenobe
Member
- Messages
- 28
You could draw a few muzzy hunts that would be good. With mules, you could get into some good spots. good luck on which ever hunt you decide.
