planning for 2018 elk

wapiti99 · Dec 13, 2017

Now that the rifles have been cleaned, clothes washed and gear stowed away, its time to start thinking about next season.
I am a DIY'er non-resident from Oregon and would like to get opinions from fellow members with Utah elk experience.
Based on past drawing numbers, i have a decent shot at drawing one of these hunts.
* LaSal LaSal muzzy
* Manti muzzy
* Book Cliffs archery
Of these hunts or any other with similar drawing odds, which would you choose.
Happy Holidays and thanks to all!

PSEbackcountry · Dec 13, 2017

Manti Muzzy I think would be your best choice, being close to that unit, it's a big unit lots of elk and from what I've herd/seen a super fun hunt.

Not sure about LaSal, Book Cliffs I here has cut down on quality a lot and numbers are down.

But that's just my Opinion.

hossblur · Dec 13, 2017

Manti is pretty crowded that time of year. Hunts, and Atv riders. Iv done late and I grew up hunting deer and elk there. Muzzy would be my last choice there.

Don't know about other units

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"

_gloomis · Dec 14, 2017

My vote would be for Book Cliffs. Lots of elk and LOTS of public land. This chunck if land is unique and would be a really fun hunt. Sure, there may be bigger bulls on the other units but I have enjoyed spending time in the Books.

Good Luck.

Deer · Dec 14, 2017

I'm in the same boat and also from Oregon

Thomas11 · Dec 14, 2017

I just think you have so much better if chance with a muzzy than bow! Not looking specifically at the units but just the weapon choice and the dates surrounding these. The archery dates for Utah are terrible and the muzzy dates are in the prime of rut and u get a gun. It's a no brainer!

wapiti99 · Dec 14, 2017

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually did the general muzzy deer hunt on the Manti this past season. I know what you mean by crowded . ? It was a zoo but mainly on the roads. Did see some nice bulls in some beautiful country. Huge unit !
I'm a bowhunter primarily but Utah archery dates aren't too friendly to us archers. I have read a lot of great posts about the Book Cliffs unit bowhunt though. Sounds like a very fun hunt.

Elkslayer2015 · Dec 14, 2017

If you want a rut experience muzzy the way to go there is hardly any rut action during archery season in the bookcliffs.

BIGJOHNT · Dec 14, 2017

How many points do you have ? If you don't draw. This year you can buy a over the counter tag and hunt all three seasons. Since you like Archery. If you get on the Manti you can see all of those big bulls you can't shoot. Well unless you draw a tag . ;-)

wapiti99 · Dec 14, 2017

BigJohn
I have 16 going into this years draw. I'm not dead set on drawing a tag this year but it's getting time to start giving it serious consideration.

Ranger1 · Dec 14, 2017

IF you have invested that much time and money I would suggest looking at the success odds of harvest. All three good units and a chance at a great bull. The archery is a harder hunt and to early in the season so prepare for a hot-dry hunt.

wildfin · Dec 14, 2017

for me any weapon will do, but I would never trade a rut hunt for a archery hunt. My wife also has 16 pts. I like your choices but would trade lasal for fishlake.

desertpointbrian · Dec 14, 2017

I would be sitting on a waterhole on the San Juan with archery tackle with 16 points or monroe

headshot05 · Dec 14, 2017

Boookcliffs archery and hire GT outfitters.

wapiti99 · Dec 14, 2017

Thanks for all the Responses! Got more options to check out.
sometimes investing all that time into one hunt can cause paralysis by over analysis. ?
I just want to be sure to do my due diligence as this will amount to a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

BIGJOHNT · Dec 15, 2017

>BigJohn
>I have 16 going into this
>years draw. I'm not
>dead set on drawing a
>tag this year but it's
>getting time to start giving
>it serious consideration.

With that many points . There are many less desirable units you could draw. Someone said Fish lake, I would say don't waste your points. My younger boy has had the archery tag twice now in the past four years. He couldn't pull himself to shoot a little bull. Had to take one bigger then his little sister.

But like you said why draw a unit you don't want to hunt just to get a tag. If you had heath issues or something?
Do you know how to pull up the draw history reports off the DNR web site? You can pretty much figure out what units you are guaranty to get a tag on. I would say if you like the Manti. Keep hunting it on the spike and deer hunt. It's a good way to learn the unit while waiting to pull your tag. Good Luck !

deerkiller · Dec 15, 2017

>I would be sitting on a
>waterhole on the San Juan
>with archery tackle with 16
>points or monroe

Haha!! What world do you live in?? No you wouldn't. 20 points was the top non res that drew a tag. And with only 2 tags given.. 16 will get you no where closer to a tag than 6 will. Same with the Monroe unit

deerkiller · Dec 15, 2017

>Thanks for all the Responses!
> Got more options to
>check out.
> sometimes investing all that time
>into one hunt can cause
>paralysis by over analysis. ?
>
>I just want to be sure
>to do my due diligence
>as this will amount to
>a once in a lifetime
>opportunity for me.

Then don't do an archery hunt for a unit you aren't familiar with.

Tikka · Dec 15, 2017

wapiti99 send me a PM with your contact info. maybe we can help each other out..

poacher were you born an azzhole or do you work really hard at being one???

desertpointbrian · Dec 15, 2017

The only thing he works hard at is being a poacher and lame selfies

wapiti99 · Dec 15, 2017

hey tikka
PM sent

Tikka · Dec 15, 2017

Got it... check your VM

deerkiller · Dec 15, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Dec-15-17 AT 05:30PM (MST)[p]>The only thing he works hard
>at is being a poacher
>and lame selfies

How would you know? You stalk me?
What selfies are you referring to? Cuz all mine have dead ##### in them... which is more than you can say

deerkiller · Dec 15, 2017

>wapiti99 send me a PM with
>your contact info. maybe we
>can help each other out..
>
>
>poacher were you born an azzhole
>or do you work really
>hard at being one???

It's takes 27 years to achieve this level of #####