LE Late Season Muzzleloader deer - Pine Valley

hubba_3 · Oct 9, 2016

I drew that tag this year and was curious what you guys think are some good areas to hunt. I spent a lot of time in the unit last year during November-January and found some good bucks, but nothing over 200". I spent most of my time near Veyo and New Castle. I'm hoping to find a monster on this hunt and plan on hunting everyday of the season, but I'd love to hear your opinions of some areas I should check out?
PM's are preferred

Thanks!

lucky_draw · Oct 9, 2016

Congrats on the tag!! Just curious how many points did that take?

hubba_3 · Oct 10, 2016

>Congrats on the tag!! Just curious
>how many points did that
>take?

I got lucky and drew with 6. It took most people 9-12.

huntinguy · Oct 10, 2016

Why are PMs preferred? Always wondered why guys say that. If you're seeking info isn't it safe to assume others out there might benefit as well? Or is the info only for you? Ha ha

Wouldn't think too many bucks would still be hanging out around Veyo from Nov - Jan. I'd take a close look at out Utah hill, Motaqua, Paccoon Flats etc.

Good luck and make sure you post your success.

rmanwill · Oct 10, 2016

+1 to the areas hunting stated at that time of the year.

Zeke · Oct 10, 2016

Make sure you hold out for that 200 incher! Sounds like you'd be disappointed in anything less.
Zeke

deadibob · Oct 10, 2016

After the rifle hunt, the majority of deer or on Utah hill or North of there. West of Gunlock and South from there.

hubba_3 · Oct 10, 2016

>Make sure you hold out for
>that 200 incher! Sounds like
>you'd be disappointed in anything
>less.
>Zeke

Not true. I just know there are 200" bucks to be found so I might as well set my standards high

Zeke · Oct 10, 2016

>>Make sure you hold out for
>>that 200 incher! Sounds like
>>you'd be disappointed in anything
>>less.
>>Zeke
>
>
>Not true. I just know there
>are 200" bucks to be
>found so I might as
>well set my standards high
>

So, based your last statement, what part of my post is "not true"?

You either have 200" as your standard or you don't.

Best of luck to you,
Zeke

hubba_3 · Oct 10, 2016

>>>Make sure you hold out for
>>>that 200 incher! Sounds like
>>>you'd be disappointed in anything
>>>less.
>>>Zeke
>>
>>
>>Not true. I just know there
>>are 200" bucks to be
>>found so I might as
>>well set my standards high
>>

>
>So, based your last statement, what
>part of my post is
>"not true"?
>
>You either have 200" as your
>standard or you don't.
>
>Best of luck to you,
>Zeke

I have 200" as a goal... but if it comes down to it, I would gladly shoot a 180" buck. Make sense?

lucky_draw · Oct 10, 2016

6 points!!! yeah thats pretty lucky! Keep us posted that should be a fun hunt. I hope that you end your hunt happy with whatever it is you harvest irregardless of the score.

crownroyal · Oct 11, 2016

lmao!! GOALS!!!

PETA · Oct 12, 2016

Spent alot of time scouting pine valley this year and heard a rumors from a few different people that there's a 250 southwest of enterprise probably coming back and forth on the border if it is true. I didn't ever see pictures though. So it could just be a ghost story

Zeke · Oct 13, 2016

I wonder how many of us have ever seen a 250" buck. I also wonder how many guys have ever seen a 200" buck. If so, how many during the hunting season? This would be an "interesting" survey and more than a little revealing if the truth could ever be known.

It's easy to throw these number around like crazy but it makes me wonder if some guys have any idea of what they speak.

Just my ramblings and thoughts and no offense directed at anyone,
Zeke

mntman · Oct 13, 2016

>I wonder how many of us
>have ever seen a 250"
>buck. I also wonder how
>many guys have ever seen
>a 200" buck. If so,
>how many during the hunting
>season? This would be an
>"interesting" survey and more than
>a little revealing if the
>truth could ever be known.
>
>
>It's easy to throw these number
>around like crazy but it
>makes me wonder if some
>guys have any idea of
>what they speak.
>
>Just my ramblings and thoughts and
>no offense directed at anyone,
>
>Zeke

I have seen a few 200"+ deer, they were all in city limits of Colorado springs and woodland park though

I missed a big one a couple years ago, Zeke you probably remember that story... No idea on score only had a few jumps at 30 yards to see him but IF I ever seen a 200" while hunting that was him.

Closest I can know for sure is 197"

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

PETA · Oct 13, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-16 AT 12:42PM (MST)[p]Ive walked thru Cabela's trophy room like 6 times now. So not to say I'm an expert at field judging deer. But I'm an expert.

Zeke · Oct 13, 2016

>LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-16
>AT 12:42?PM (MST)
>
>Ive walked thru Cabela's trophy room
>like 6 times now. So
>not to say I'm an
>expert at field judging deer.
>But I'm an expert.

Good stuff PETA! That sounds just like me! I've seen a couple pics and been through Cabelas a few times too so now I'm an expert!

mntman, yes I remember that! Dang!

My point is that a 200"+ deer sighting during hunting season is a once in 3 lifetimes occurrence if a guy hunts a bit. He might improve those odds by hunting multiple quality areas but 200" deer are simply rare yet we throw that number around like it's common.

Zeke

mntman · Oct 14, 2016

>
>My point is that a 200"+
>deer sighting during hunting season
>is a once in 3
>lifetimes occurrence if a guy
>hunts a bit. He might
>improve those odds by hunting
>multiple quality areas but 200"
>deer are simply rare yet
>we throw that number around
>like it's common.
>
>Zeke

I agree! It would not surprise me if I don't ever see a 200" deer in the next 30 years of hunting. I sure hope I do and put one down but I know the odds...

As far as a 250" buck... lol, I will have better luck at winning the powerball with the 1 ticket I buy every 10 years.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Deerlove · Oct 14, 2016

Let's guess how many 250 inch bucks are running around here in Ut as we speak? My guess, less than 5.

Zeke · Oct 14, 2016

>Let's guess how many 250 inch
>bucks are running around here
>in Ut as we speak?
> My guess, less than
>5.

Yep, you're probably right+/- ....and I'll bet the actual number of 200" bucks is also pretty damn low compared to the overall deer population. Some guys seem to turn them up pretty regularly but most end up with some kind of game violation. haha

Like PETA said, it might be one of those ghost stories and he was simply repeating what he heard.

Oh well, we can all dream of a 250" buck!

Zeke

hubba_3 · Oct 14, 2016

I've seen a handful of 200"+ bucks... most of them were in Nevada tho. I help guide (occasionally) and this year we killed a 233" on the archery and a 201" on the muzzleloader... I saw another buck that I figure was 230"-240"... but 250" sounds too good to be true ha.. but I've seen a lot of huge bucks this year which is probably why I'm being "picky"... realistically though, I would be very happy with a 180"+ buck.

Zeke · Oct 14, 2016

That's a big basket of monster bucks! Count yourself among the fortunate few to have those experiences. That's awesome.
Nothing wrong with being picky and if you think there's a good chance at a 200" buck on your LE hunt then why not have it as a goal rather than a dream. Don't settle if it takes a 200" to make you happy.
With the luck of the Gods you might actually find that there is in fact a 250" buck down there with your name in it!
I hope you do and that you'll share your success with us.
Good luck man!
Zeke

hubba_3 · Oct 31, 2016

Just curious, does anyone know if it's legal to carry two loaded muzzleloaders while hunting in UT? Haha

BuglesNGrunts · Nov 1, 2016

>Just curious, does anyone know if
>it's legal to carry two
>loaded muzzleloaders while hunting in
>UT? Haha

Not even remotely. You could get away having a second in camp as a backup. As far as in the field, get quick on the reloads

hubba_3 · Nov 1, 2016

Ha I figured it wasn't legal, just thought I'd ask

I'll practice reloading lol.

Shadow · Nov 1, 2016

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't know that I've seen anything in the proc or regs saying I cant pack two muzzleloaders. Although I don't think it would be worth the hassle.

Zeke · Nov 1, 2016

>Maybe I'm wrong but I don't
>know that I've seen anything
>in the proc or regs
>saying I cant pack two
>muzzleloaders. Although I don't think
>it would be worth the
>hassle.

+1
I've never read or seen where a guy can't pack 2 rifles.
I agree, hardly worth the hassle but I cannot find where it's illegal in Utah.
Zeke

hubba_3 · Nov 1, 2016

Hmmm. The reason I ask is because I could have a friend carry an extra gun just in case... either way, I probably won't do it, I was just wondering.

Zeke · Nov 1, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-16 AT 12:14PM (MST)[p]uh, you might want to re-think your buddy carrying it for you. He could be considered hunting if he's packing it.

YOU could get away with 2 rifles but one each on a hunt is begging for a ticket!

You'd better re-check the regs and ask the DWR since you're getting into the grey area now.

Zeke

Shadow · Nov 1, 2016

I'm sure there's a biologist somewhere in the southern region who could....ah, nevermind.

BradN · Nov 3, 2016

>I'm sure there's a biologist somewhere
>in the southern region who
>could....ah, nevermind.

That is, undoubtedly, the funniest post of the year.

BuglesNGrunts · Nov 3, 2016

>>I'm sure there's a biologist somewhere
>>in the southern region who
>>could....ah, nevermind.
>
>
>That is, undoubtedly, the funniest post
>of the year.

+1!!

And I may have spoken too early with the legalities of two rifles. Having your buddy carry one would be considered him hunting as stated above, but you might be able to argue it if you were personally carrying both rifles. Sounds like more of a hassle than a benefit to me.
Reloading those damn smokepoles while shaking like Michael J. Fox is the most frustrating thing in my personal recent memory, especially with a trophy in your sights!

Zeke · Nov 3, 2016

>Reloading those damn smokepoles while shaking
>like Michael J. Fox is
>the most frustrating thing in
>my personal recent memory, especially
>with a trophy in your
>sights!

BnG,
Ain't that the truth. I shot a buck this year and reloaded the rifle for the recovery and I'm sure I only got a partial charge of powder down the bore. I was shaking like a aspen leaf in a wind storm! Oh well, I didn't need it and purged the bore the next day on a patch of dirt.

Zeke

mntman · Nov 3, 2016

>
>>Reloading those damn smokepoles while shaking
>>like Michael J. Fox is
>>the most frustrating thing in
>>my personal recent memory, especially
>>with a trophy in your
>>sights!
>
>BnG,
>Ain't that the truth. I shot
>a buck this year and
>reloaded the rifle for the
>recovery and I'm sure I
>only got a partial charge
>of powder down the bore.
>I was shaking like a
>aspen leaf in a wind
>storm! Oh well, I didn't
>need it and purged the
>bore the next day on
>a patch of dirt.
>
>Zeke

Yep! The bull I shot last year I was excited as all get out. Walked up to him and he started to stumble away. I was so surprised I took a halfassed shot. As he was stumbling away and I am trying to reload, I spilled about 2/3 of my quick loader. Thankfully, after I ran over the little ridge he was laying there dead. I think that round would have bounced off him like a bb gun...

Its all easy and quick at the range. Trying to pour that down the tube in the heat of action with a animal stumbling out of sight on a mountain breathing hard combined with adrenaline... lol, whole new game

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

deadibob · Nov 3, 2016

Trying to reload a muzzleloader quickly after shooting at a deer/elk is insane. The amount of fumbles and stumbles caused by adrenaline is unbelievable. I don't know if time actually stops or it just takes five times longer to do something properly. Even finding a reload in a pocket can seem extraordinarily hard, let alone pouring powder, seating a bullet and heaven forbid, priming the gun.

Has anyone found a way to replicate this process for practice, short of stepping into a lion cage at the zoo?

Zeke · Nov 3, 2016

Never happens to me but....
I'd imagine the only way to replicate the frantic feeling it to try to load your muzzleloader right when your GF says she's expecting....and you're already married! Lol
All in fun.

I'd guess the best practice would be to load with your eyes closed while your buddy screams at you to hurry up before the buck/bull gets away.
Zeke

mntman · Nov 4, 2016

Deadi and zeke those are hilarious and probably both very effective at reload practice in the heat of the moment. Sitting here laughing, imagining either of those situations

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

BuglesNGrunts · Nov 4, 2016

>>
>>>Reloading those damn smokepoles while shaking
>>>like Michael J. Fox is
>>>the most frustrating thing in
>>>my personal recent memory, especially
>>>with a trophy in your
>>>sights!
>>
>>BnG,
>>Ain't that the truth. I shot
>>a buck this year and
>>reloaded the rifle for the
>>recovery and I'm sure I
>>only got a partial charge
>>of powder down the bore.
>>I was shaking like a
>>aspen leaf in a wind
>>storm! Oh well, I didn't
>>need it and purged the
>>bore the next day on
>>a patch of dirt.
>>
>>Zeke
>
>Yep! The bull I shot last
>year I was excited as
>all get out. Walked up
>to him and he started
>to stumble away. I was
>so surprised I took a
>halfassed shot. As he was
>stumbling away and I am
>trying to reload, I spilled
>about 2/3 of my quick
>loader. Thankfully, after I ran
>over the little ridge he
>was laying there dead. I
>think that round would have
>bounced off him like a
>bb gun...

>
>Its all easy and quick at
>the range. Trying to pour
>that down the tube in
>the heat of action with
>a animal stumbling out of
>sight on a mountain breathing
>hard combined with adrenaline...
>lol, whole new game

>
>Mntman
>
>"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
>
These replies make me feel so much better about how long reloads were taking me on my bull this year! All I have to say is thank god for pelletized powder! It's saved me more than a couple of times!!

Replicating the intensity would be very difficult! Zeke's suggestion sounds like it would work!

Shadow · Nov 4, 2016

I use pellets as well but more than once I've missed the barrel trying to dump them from a quick loader because my fingers abandoned me after a shot. Something about knowing you likely only have one shot makes the nerves twitch I guess?

hubba_3 · Nov 9, 2016

Well, it was a tough hunt this year. I hunted hard for 7 straight days with very little rutting activity. Up until we found this buck, we hadn't seen a buck over 170". My goal was 200" and I think I did alright

I couldn't be happier with this buck. He's got everything you could ask for!

HalfAce · Nov 9, 2016

WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW DUUUUUUDDDDDEEEEE!!!!!!

Congratufreakinlations! I don't know how you pulled him out of my dreams but you did! My stomach turned over and got butterflies when I scrolled down over this picture. Truly a once in a lifetime type trophy! My lord.

But don't hold out on us. How wide is he? What's he score? What were you thinking when you first got eyes on him? Is he the rumored buck mentioned above?

Anyway, Ill be contacting you whether you like it or not when I draw that tag.

Well, might not draw it anymore now! Congratulations! And good luck hunting Elk the rest of your life! Might as well quit deer hunting now while your ahead. lol.

Silentstalker · Nov 9, 2016

That is a beast! Congrats!

Zeke · Nov 9, 2016

Did alright huh?
That thing is a BEAST!
You're right up there with bucks as good as they get!
Well done!
Zeke

lucky_draw · Nov 9, 2016

SWEET!! Yeah all say you did alright thats a stud buck!! Congrats!

hubba_3 · Nov 9, 2016

>WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW DUUUUUUDDDDDEEEEE!!!!!!
>
>Congratufreakinlations! I don't know how you
>pulled him out of my
>dreams but you did! My
>stomach turned over and got
>butterflies when I scrolled down
>over this picture. Truly a
>once in a lifetime type
>trophy! My lord.
>
>But don't hold out on us.
>How wide is he? What's
>he score? What were you
>thinking when you first got
>eyes on him? Is he
>the rumored buck mentioned above?
>
>
>Anyway, Ill be contacting you whether
>you like it or not
>when I draw that tag.
>

Well, might not draw
>it anymore now! Congratulations! And
>good luck hunting Elk the
>rest of your life! Might
>as well quit deer hunting
>now while your ahead. lol.
>

Haha thanks man! Well he's 33.5" wide and we scored him at 223 5/8

we had seen him a few times the days before we killed him but we didn't know exactly how big he was... all we knew was that he had a big frame. We spotted him yesterday (Tuesday) evening and I was able to close the distance on him and make a good shot and drop him in his tracks at 150 yards. We thought he had a cheater or two, but we had no idea he was that big until we walked up to him! Seriously the buck of a lifetime. I'll be completely happy if I never kill anything bigger!

And I don't believe he is that "250" buck" that people have seen around... but who knows?

It really was a very tough hunt. There was almost no rutting activity to speak of and it was very warm. I was honestly about to shoot a 170" 4x4 an hour before we killed this buck, but I decided to hold out and wait for something bigger. I guess I made the right choice

BIGJOHNT · Nov 9, 2016

Great job on waiting for a giant!!!

264mag · Nov 9, 2016

Stud Buck ! Congrats!

elkassassin · Nov 9, 2016

NICE hubba!

Utah?

Region?

GPS COORDINATES?(RAZZIN!)

[font color="blue"]She put a Big F.U. in My Future,Ya She's got a
way with Words[/font]

YBO · Nov 10, 2016

Just beautiful. Congrats

hubba_3 · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks everyone!

Zeke · Nov 10, 2016

>Thanks everyone!

You're welcome and huge congrats again!

We were merrily keeping the thread alive with our little banter and stories while you were out slogging away on your hunt. Sounds like it was tough but turned out to be supremely rewarding!

(captain Obvious)
Zeke