18 points for NR elk, options

foundation · Nov 13, 2017

I know its early, but daydreaming about drawing a elk tag this year. I may be retiring for a year, so I would have plenty of time on my hands to scout the unit and dedicate a bunch of time. Waiting this many years, I'm leaning towards a muzzle loader hunt. I am a bowhunter though as well, and have taken some average bulls with a bow if I need to go that route.

So curious to hear from some hunters that used a bunch of non resident elk points. Would you do anything different, or units that didn't live up to your hopes. I have a while to research, but just like hearing options from other hunters. Thanks

Utah400Elk · Nov 14, 2017

Andy,

Unit 9 did not disappoint and I have always loved 27 and 1. Take a ton of time and any hunt will be great.

Good luck

mike111 · Nov 14, 2017

Unit 1, 27, 10, or 23 might be best

WapitiBob · Nov 15, 2017

Unlikely to draw any of those with 18 for muzzy. If you want to hunt in 2018 it'll be with a bow unless you hit a random tag.

brian390 · Nov 16, 2017

units 1, 10, and 23 produce.

Flatlander · Nov 22, 2017

As a NR you probably will have to do archery to guarantee an early tag and you would be nuts to burn 18 PT?s on any AZ late hint.

23 is not a guaranteed draw for NR?s since it has fewer than 20 tags. It it's probably the best public land elk hunt in the world if you can beat the odds.

10 was awesome this year and the bulls were huge. 1 is always good, but has lots of tags.

27 is good, big country, not as many tags as 1 but smaller area so it can get crowded too.

Trophy quality in 9 is dropping a bit. Still lots of elk just not as many 350+ bulls coming out of there.

Abiggerfish2fry · Nov 24, 2017

I hunted unit 1 last year on the late hunt and did good! with that many points i would put in for the archery hunt in 1! I scouted while the archery was going on and they where going crazy and seen a lot of nice bulls! I ended up taking a 370 bull.
good luck too you