Wasatch Elk LE Hunt- Which Dates

Andystephens97 · Jun 8, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jun-08-18 AT 07:36AM (MST)[p]Hi Everyone

Not an active poster, but I've been a member here for 10+ years (lost my original name due to email change). AZ resident that drew the Wasatch LE Elk hunt- I had 10 pts! Wasn't planning to draw a tag this year so I applied for hunts with long odds - low and behold I drew.

Never hunted Utah before, first scouting trip in July and another in August (using points to fly and rent a truck) should get 6 full days in.

Taking two weeks off from work for the hunt is going to be difficult because of work demands, but I am going to do it. With that said, which two weeks should I hunt.

Last week of archery and early rifle?

Or

early rifle and ML?

Or target all three hunts - archery, rifle and ML? Hard not to focus on rifle season.

I am pulling my 24ft travel trailer for the hunt... whats the weather like?

Thanks appreciate the information in advance.

Andy

Rdog · Jun 8, 2018

I'm assuming you drew the premium tag then? Congrats! The early rifle dates are obviously the best dates as the rut will be going full steam and you are carrying a weapon that can shoot hundreds of yards. A lot of people like to hunt the pre-rut stages because the bulls are gathering their cows up and can get pretty aggressive to calling. This would be toward the end of the archery season. One thing to keep in mind is the archery spike only hunt ends one week before the limited entry archery hunt so that last week you won't have all the spike only hunters to try to hunt around. Don't forget, with the premium tag if you don't get anything during the first 3 hunts you can always come back for the late season rifle in november. Good Luck!

DBG3285 · Jun 8, 2018

If I were you.... I would do the last three days of the archery, the full rifle and the start of the muzzle.

This works in many ways to your benefit, you can hunt/scout for the rifle, than you can continue to chase with a more modern weapon if you find one you can't close the deal on during the rifle. It is also beneficial because on the Wasatch the peak of the rut for the past few years has been on the muzzle.

If you can't find what you want or can't close the deal, then you get the best hunt the Wasatch has to offer..... the late hunt in November.

Andystephens97 · Jun 8, 2018

Thanks for the input, I did draw the multi season premium tag.

I also have all three weapons (and proficient with all). I'd had a few archery elk tags in the rut and late season rifle tags. I have NEVER had an early season rifle tag, just can't wait to have that have that hunt! - Just not sure what times are better before or after.

I think I got realistic expectations - a good bull that when you see it you want to shoot it... 340+ - I've killed a 380 bull in AZ and I know how far and few they come.

Thanks again!

257Tony · Jun 9, 2018

Typical "trophy" bulls in that unit are 300-320. I would not pass on a 340 bull on that unit unless you have 100% solid info on a bigger one.

Can you hunt the late rifle season?

Cam@strawberry · Jun 10, 2018

For a unit that's ?way down?like ive seem talked about it somehow kicked out 5 bulls over 380? last year that I know of. 2 of them were 400?+ caliber.

Hunt the early and late rifle for sure, give it what you can inbetween

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

justr_86 · Jun 10, 2018

>For a unit that's ?way down?like
>ive seem talked about it
>somehow kicked out 5 bulls
>over 380? last year that
>I know of. 2
>of them were 400?+ caliber.
>
>
>Hunt the early and late rifle
>for sure, give it what
>you can inbetween
>
>https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

Is the bottom 12 inches of your measuring tape missing?

elkassassin · Jun 10, 2018

>>For a unit that's ?way down?like
>>ive seem talked about it
>>somehow kicked out 5 bulls
>>over 380? last year that
>>I know of. 2
>>of them were 400?+ caliber.
>>
>>
>>Hunt the early and late rifle
>>for sure, give it what
>>you can inbetween
>>
>>https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters
>
>
>Is the bottom 12 inches of
>your measuring tape missing?
>
>
>

>

Hey justr!

It's that X2 that gets BEAV in Trouble!

I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!

Cam@strawberry · Jun 10, 2018

>>For a unit that's ?way down?like
>>ive seem talked about it
>>somehow kicked out 5 bulls
>>over 380? last year that
>>I know of. 2
>>of them were 400?+ caliber.
>>
>>
>>Hunt the early and late rifle
>>for sure, give it what
>>you can inbetween
>>
>>https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters
>
>
>Is the bottom 12 inches of
>your measuring tape missing?
>
>
>

>

I like to give them an extra mass measurement or 4

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

Andystephens97 · Jun 10, 2018

Thanks everyone for the info.

Guess some scouting will tell me what size to expect any nice 6x6 or big 5x5 will be fine, I just want to have fun and experience hunting in Utah. Hopefully a couple buddies can make it with me.

First scouting trip is 7/13-7/15, this first trip I hope to see different parts of the unit, some potential camping areas, see some elk AND GET out of the 112 degree heat in Phoenix.

Can anybody recommend a good map?

Thanks Andy

Andystephens97 · Jun 10, 2018

Lame question.... I know

How is the cell service in the unit?

Thanks Andy

Blackie6 · Jun 10, 2018

Wasatch is one of the biggest elk units that you will probally ever hunt. What areas do you plan to scout and hunt?

elkassassin · Jun 10, 2018

Hey Andy!

This is how a few of us TARDS do it:

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7krD/chevrolet-silverado-getting-away

I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!

Rdog · Jun 10, 2018

>Lame question.... I know
>
>How is the cell service in
>the unit?
>
>Thanks Andy

I have Verizon and service is pretty good. There are plenty of holes you can walk into where you won't have service but the strawberry reservoir area is a pretty popular recreation area so the providers have coverage there. If you don't have service where you're camped you'd probably only have a short drive to somewhere where you'll get LTE service.

Andystephens97 · Jun 11, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-18 AT 07:34AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-18 AT 07:33?AM (MST)

>Wasatch is one of the biggest
>elk units that you will
>probally ever hunt. What areas
>do you plan to scout
>and hunt?

I downloaded the unit report from the UDNR , now I am looking at the areas described, since the hunt will center around the early rifle, I would like to find areas that are "better" for glassing.

Due to the sensitivity of putting spots on the internet (even though I have no idea where these area are) I rather not say where I plan to....but I hope to find a nice area! If you have a recommendation on where to start shoot me a PM (I understand if you don't...).

As of now for my first trip, I have a map on my computer and a flight that lands at 8:00 am, I have a truck rented, a friend and I will be roaming the unit for 3 days.

The problem is I have no reference of time- how long it will take to leave one area and go to the next- distance and road condition, but a good problem to have.

Thanks for the responses on the cell service. I have the Garmin InReach, but having some service will allow me to not worry about work too much.

Thanks Andy

DBG3285 · Jun 11, 2018

Well Andy,

Without the knowledge of where you will be scouting, no one can give you accurate information of time between spots.

Also with the Wasatch there are often many times that there are multiple routes to get to each individual area, so that will also make your time vary greatly.

Good luck and have fun.

MuleyCreek · Jun 14, 2018

Pm sent

marley · Jun 14, 2018

Pm sent

Andystephens97 · Jul 15, 2018

Wanted to give an update. I just got back from my first scouting trip this weekend and had a great time. On short notice, a friend and I flew into Salt Lake and rented a truck and lived out of it for 3 days.

WOW is the Wasatch MASSIVE and overwhelming. The weather participated. We drove all over the 40/131 and down to the 6. Glassed multiple areas and saw some nice county and not as many elk as I had hoped with a couple nice bulls and one bear- of course there was no rigs with dogs to be seen (I saw quite a few guys running dogs, but of course not when I glass a bear). Saw a lot of deer- more deer than elk.

Granted my sample size is small, but Utah is on beautiful state. Strawberry and Deer Creek Reservoir are neat places....nothing like that in AZ.

I will get another trip in before Sept.

Thanks Andy

Andystephens97 · Jul 15, 2018

>Well Andy,
>
>Without the knowledge of where you
>will be scouting, no one
>can give you accurate information
>of time between spots.
>
>Also with the Wasatch there are
>often many times that there
>are multiple routes to get
>to each individual area, so
>that will also make your
>time vary greatly.
>
>Good luck and have fun.

I had looked at the Wasatch on a map multiple times, but one has to get there to see it and appreciate it. It is so massive, I did find the roads to be in good shape, one Main road was rough. Everyone was passing me on the highway overall travel time was okay.