Bookcliffs North or South

jhibbs · Jan 27, 2018

Can anyone tell me if there are any forms of lodging or rentals in these units within an hours drive of the hunting, or is camping the best option. I'm a non resident and it's a pain to try to travel with all the camping gear, since we usually fly out as it's a long drive from Maine.

Thanks,
Jody

elkassassin · Jan 27, 2018

If You'll be Hunting the North BookCliffs!

The Road is Paved Nearly to the Divide Road which saves quite a Bit of Time!

Depending on where you're Hunting in the Book Cliffs I'd Plan on 1.5-2.5 Hours of Driving time back to Roosevelt or Vernal and that's one Direction!

Which don't seem too Bad until you've done it for 10 days Straight!

jhibbs · Jan 28, 2018

Elkassassin,
I guess camping in country would be the best way then, or maybe a drop camp. Sitting on 16 points and looking to use them before I get to old.

Thank you,
Jody

arns · Jan 28, 2018

First of all we are talking about the rifle hunt I guess. Like Elk said it gets to be a pain in the azz to drive every day from town. This is just me talking I would fly into salt lake rent a truck drive to vernal rent a camp trailer go to Walmart .3 hour drive from salt lake to vernal and a 1-1/2 hours to the books.But This could be a pain you would have to bring your bedding, buy pots and pans to cook.It might be better to drive back and forth.They have plenty of motel and places to eat in Vernal

Horsecorn · Jan 28, 2018

Maybe I could take my 32? trailer out there for you and you could pay me 300 dollars a night to stay in it. That would be worth it to you and me.

Gator · Jan 29, 2018

2@ $100 a piece would sound better. LOL

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Toby1028 · Jan 29, 2018

Maine that is a bit of a drive. I'm a resident of Utah and I have a former resident friend living in Tennessee for 9 years now. We muzzleloader and are almost at the guaranteed to draw point with 12 and 14 points. I have done some map scouting and believe I will be going in from the south off of I-70.
I have a 31 Ft. fifth wheel toy hauler with flipped axels. It is older so I'm not worried about a scratch or some rough road for a bit. I thought I would go up to Book Cliffs Ridge Rd. I still need to scout the road and identify remote camp areas. From a map it looks centrally located to hunt the southern part of the unit. And from what I have read I think I want to hunt the south end. As a muzzleloader we can hunt the entire unit. What hunt are you applying for?
If you're going into the south end of the unit you could stay in Fruita Colorado just west of Grand Junction CO. They have easy interstate access hotels, Fuel is typically 25 cents a gallon cheaper in Co. and if you believe Google maps you can be to the intersection of Book Cliffs Ridge Rd and Indian Ridge Rd in 1 Hr. 21 Min., 45 miles. There is also lodging just off of I-70 in Utah, However I believe Colorado would be closer and more cost effective.
I'm not 100% we are applying for this unit as with our points there is 2 other units I know we may apply for. If I'm down their I could help you out with a camp on wheels.

jhibbs · Jan 29, 2018

Thanks for the replies. Toby1028, we haven't decided yet, I'm not sure 16 points will be enough for a rifle hunt, so we may put in for the muzzy hunt. We were thinking that we would also like to hunt the south side too. Good luck in the drawings and I'll keep you posted if we get lucky this year.

Jody

arns · Jan 29, 2018

If you are thinking about hunting the south side you definitely want to fly into Grand Junction and hunt from there.

schoolhousegrizz · Jan 29, 2018

Just pack a tent. Rent a truck in Salt Lake.

257Tony · Jan 29, 2018

Last year, books cliffs south took 20 points to draw for non resident, 16 was about 1% chance.

Muzz hunts are never guaranteed as their has been only 1 non resident tag last few years.

So barring some really good luck, you've still got some time to plan your hunt.

arns · Jan 29, 2018

If everything stays the same on the north rifle hunt you could draw.But most of the time guys switch and change your odds

jhibbs · Jan 29, 2018

I put in for the muzzy hunt last year and it looks like that is the only one that I have a realistic chance at this year. But like arns said, people switch up and the odds change every year. It seems like I've been right on the verge of being able to draw for 3 or 4 years now.

Jody

arns · Jan 30, 2018

Jody I looked at last years draw and there were 3 guys with 16 points for the muzzle loader in the books and all 3 drew.So good luck.Since they changed the rule that you could put any scope on your muzzie you're odds are about the same for rifle or muzzle loader.

GOOSE · Jan 30, 2018

I got you beat...
goose

jhibbs · Feb 2, 2018

I'm sure a few people will have me beat this year with points, but I'll draw sooner or later.

Jody

Hnttillmt · Feb 28, 2018

Switch to the wasatch or manti.. would simplify all your problems and there's lots of great bulls on both those units

jhibbs · Mar 2, 2018

Thanks, but I was talking about deer, I don't have any points for elk. I would be in good shape if I had started putting in for elk points back then too.

OchocoKid · Mar 2, 2018

You couldn't put in for both until 10 years or so ago , it was deer or elk or pronghorn. only one.

With 16 points I think you have a shot.

I have a pretty good chance at an early elk tag there this year. if I draw I can tell you what I saw for deer .

Stay Thirsty My Friends

jhibbs · Mar 7, 2018

Thanks OchocoKid,

I'll let you know if I have any luck in the draw. Good luck to you also.

Jody

BrowningRage · Mar 19, 2018

Hey there jhibbs.

The South unit for deer would by far be the most convenient if you are needing to access a hotel/lodging. Fruita Colorado is only about 30 minutes from hunting access on the South Deer Unit. If you want to hunt further south, you could also stay in Green River, UT and access areas like Nash Wash within about 30-40 minutes.

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OchocoKid · Mar 22, 2018

Either most of the Book Cliff is on the rez or my state map is no good. It looks as if 75% of the Book Cliffs elk unit is the rez ?

If this is correct this unit is much smaller than I imagined it.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

WhiskeyDog · Mar 23, 2018

The Book Cliffs is divided many different ways, depending on species. A large portion of the area is res. But it's still a huge unit. For elk the unit is split as the Little Creek roadless and the Bittercreek/South. The Roadless is a small portion of the area in comparison, but when you consider it's all foot or horseback travel, it seems huge when you're in there. The Bittercreek/South is a giant unit, but only about half of it holds elk. If you have more specific questions feel free to shoot me a DM.
As far as the deer split, you'll find more deer and more hunters on the North Rifle. The south has fewer tags but most of the hunting in congregated in certain areas. Both are doable to travel to the unit each day or camping.

jhibbs · Mar 23, 2018

Whiskeydog,
Thanks for the reply, I'm actually only looking at deer for this unit, since I don't have any elk points. I'm probably still at least a year away from drawing a tag, but you never know.

Jody

Gator · Mar 27, 2018

Rent a travel trailer and spend more of your time hunting, Just think what a motel room and gas will cost you going back and forth.
Crazy to spend that much time and money and points and NOT get the most out it camping close to your hunt.
Call up Horse and book that trailer.

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jhibbs · Mar 27, 2018

Gator,
Camping in country does sound like the way to go, will probably be looking into options if we draw. Hopefully I'll have some decisions to make soon.