Chalk Creek/East Canyon/Morgan-South Rich muzzleloader?

coyote2015 · Apr 16, 2015

Gentlemen;

On a spur of the moment request from a relative.

I applied for a N/R muzzleloader deer permit in the Chalk Creek/East Canyon/Morgan-South Rich zone. The information I got was that there is alot of national forest land and we can hike and hunt over a good portion of the unit.

The more I look into this area it looks like a very big portion of the unit is private land with very little hunting opportunities.

I have never big game hunted in Utah or in the western states.

When I applied I had no illusions of shooting a big mule deer. All I wanted was to have a week of hiking around with a firearm in a nice looking western state. If I saw a mule deer fine if not thats perfectly fine also. More of a vacation than a hunting trip. Possibly several nights camping out after a few miles of hiking.

What I don't want to do is wander around and find out I have been trespassing!

All of my hunting has been in my resident state of Maine. Primarily whitetail deer and moose hunting. The northern half of the state of Maine is pretty much open to hunting anywhere you choose within reason.

I guess my question is, are the national forest lands open to hunting for a non resident like me? Would a gps landowner hunting map chip be worthwhile.I have a Garmin 62s.

Or would I be better off flyfishing the Weber river and just enjoying the scenery?

Thank you

Deerlove · Apr 16, 2015

lets us know when the tag is in hand. (draw)

twopointdn · Apr 16, 2015

You will draw the tag. 80 to 85 percent of the unit is private. I would recommend having a GPS with landowner chip so you don't get in trouble with one of the many CWMU operators in the unit. The public land gets over hunted and you have to work really hard to get away from people.

coyote2015 · Apr 16, 2015

Thank you gentlemen.

Smokepole · Apr 17, 2015

Most of the public land that is available for this unit is my backyard. I've hunted it most of my life. I can give you a few places to check out. I'll PM you to get things started.

Smokepole

stillwaitin · Apr 17, 2015

If you draw the tag, shoot me a PM and I can give you some places too. That unit is tough with all of the private land but there are a few areas that can be good hunting. A landowner GPS chip is a good idea.

coyote2015 · Apr 17, 2015

Thank you.

I certainly appreciate the help!

fullthrottle · Apr 18, 2015

If your going for the scenery and relaxation, up around Whitney res in the uintas is about as scenic as it gets in Utah, and every once in a while they kill a pig in that area. Also if you are thinking of bringing fishing tackle there is some good holes in the uintas.

ridgetops · Apr 18, 2015

Are the Uintas part of the unit he put in for?.
But there are plenty of places to hunt on the Chalk Creek/East Canyon/Morgan Unit around the Wasatch Front(Davis/Salt Lake County). Less places to camp.

There's always next year

coyote2015 · Apr 18, 2015

Thanks guys.

It just might turn into a trout fishing trip, which isn't a bad thing!

IHuntNUtah · Apr 19, 2015

Part of the uintas is in the unit and isn't a bad option. Also look into the wma properties. Weekends, you'll see a lot of orange. Mid-week, you'll have a great hunt.

BrowningRage · Apr 22, 2015

Everyone has given you great advice and expectations... its mostly private and those private lands are heavily monitored (patrolled really). A GPS chip would be very beneficial.

Why did someone tell you to put in for a tag, but they don't know where to take you..??

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

heartshot · Apr 22, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Apr-22-15 AT 04:04PM (MST)[p]"I guess my question is, are the national forest lands open to hunting for a non resident like me?"

Yes, the NF is open for you to hunt it.

Your main public areas for that unit are:
The Wasatch Front mountains above Davis county cities.
Lighting Ridge area between Causey Reservoir and Monte Cristo.
Whitney Reservoir area south of Evanston WY
East Canyon Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Echo WMA

The WMA's might show as Private on the maps but they are open to public hunting.

As mentioned before, the public areas tend to get hit hard because of all the private in that unit.

kzkammo · Apr 23, 2015

Coyote shoot me a PM I will give you what I have. I no longer live in Utah but I have hunted that area a lot.

tallbuck1 · Apr 23, 2015

Hunted it as a kid and now as an adult. When I draw the unit as my 4 or 5th choice. I hunt it hard and get away from some of the more popular trails and of course roads.

This is the buck I shot last year. He was the 4th smallest of the group and the only one that presented a shot for me. Killed him at 55yards on the last day of the hunt.

PM me if you would like some help, and what type of hunting you want to do, backpack in or just day hike kinda stuff.

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Tallbuck1

coyote2015 · Apr 24, 2015

Thanks guys I really appreciate all the help!

Nice looking buck!!

lovelan9 · Oct 14, 2015

Hi everyone,

I am new to this hunt zone this year as well. I purchases land up on n evergreen rd in Huntsville so we put in for this zone to get to know it. We have done lots of research but have only been able to find moose and a few elk all on private lands of course. Saw 1 buck on private land. We have seen a whole lot of doe near our property but we need to get away from that area being that it is mostly private. Any ideas on where to go?

thepianoman · May 25, 2017

I drew for the same hunt this year, would love to get suggestions from anyone on good places to go. We are thinking up by Monte somewhere, but very open to suggestions. Thanks!