Ogden west antlerless moose

deerkiller · Jun 24, 2017

Before I start, let me say I'm not looking for someone to tell me where to go or to give up the gps coordinates to one. I'm just asking "how hard" will this hunt be?

I checked my family application history last night on the dwr website and discovered that my dad has drawn the Ogden west cow moose tag with max (11) points. Awesome, but the kicker is he has already drawn a multi season bull elk tag this year as well. I told him to apply for a point for moose, but he went ahead and applied anyways. The season dates seem to match up pretty close to what his early rifle muzzy elk seasons are. I'm hoping we end his elk hunt on the early rifle, but things never go as you plan. I've never set foot in the Ogden west unit before, so I have no idea how tough this hunt will be. I plan to go scout and find the access points if he decides to keep the tag. He's 69 years old and I don't know how much longer he can continue to climb mountains, so I'm hesitant to have him turn it in, but at the same time, I don't want to have him have a moose tag in his pocket while he's spending the whole season tryin to fill an elk tag he's waited 21 years for. We've got a couple weekends in October where we might have a day or 2 to go hunt (worst case scenario). So I ask, how tough will it be to find success with this tag? Is it a 1 day deal? Or is this something that might take several days to kill a moose? We've got horses, atvs and motorcycles, so we should be able to access areas away from roads, just don't have a whole lot of time to actually hunt.

So for anyone with experience, do you suggest he turns it in? Or should he keep it and go hunting? Are there quite a few moose that finding one shouldn't be an issue? If you have any info on the hunt that you'd be willing to share, that would be awesome and I'll return the favor anyway I can, but I'm more so just curious if we are biting off more than we can chew this year. Thanks!

Deerlove · Jun 24, 2017

Should be a one day hunt, I live in the unit.

Deerlove · Jun 24, 2017

DK looking at your unit Cutler basin/black canyon should find one, every thing else is pretty thick and nasty. Give me call 801-860-9333 Russ

deerkiller · Jun 24, 2017

>DK looking at your unit Cutler
>basin/black canyon should find one,
>every thing else is pretty
>thick and nasty. Give
>me call 801-860-9333 Russ

Thank you! I appreciate it. I'll give you a call sometime in the near future!

treedagain · Jun 24, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17 AT 02:04PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17 AT 01:47?PM (MST)

+1 deerlove. I had the permit last year and it was a 15min deal. helped a new MM buddy and had it done by dark on the 1st day. should have been a quick hunt but I took him on a interesting SxS ride before getting serious. I did put some time finding dry cows before the season I did not want to kill 1 with a calf and you should if possible shoot one of them. you should have plenty of time to study them prior to pulling the trigger. there is some private and CWMU to work around.

let me know what your Dad needs and I will help out.

Here is the thread, he shot the perfect moose old and dry
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID30/3032.html

Deerlove · Jun 24, 2017

Tree was that Avon?

mlycrzy · Jun 24, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17 AT 06:32PM (MST)[p]Congrats to your Dad on the moose tag. Does the DWR typically update drawing status before hitting cc's for antlerless? I was hoping one of my boys would draw a cow tag but there isn't anything showing up in the application history yet.

deerkiller · Jun 24, 2017

>LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17
>AT 02:04?PM (MST)
>
>LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17
>AT 01:47?PM (MST)
>
>+1 deerlove. I had the permit
>last year and it was
>a 15min deal. helped a
>new MM buddy and had
>it done by dark on
>the 1st day. should have
>been a quick hunt but
>I took him on a
>interesting SxS ride before getting
>serious. I did put some
>time finding dry cows before
>the season I did not
>want to kill 1 with
>a calf and you should
>if possible shoot one of
>them. you should have plenty
>of time to study them
>prior to pulling the trigger.
>there is some private and
>CWMU to work around.
>
>let me know what your Dad
>needs and I will help
>out.
>
>Here is the thread, he shot
>the perfect moose old and
>dry
>http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID30/3032.html
I very much appreciate the help! I'll be getting in touch with you as well here in the next little bit. We are both pretty excited to get these opportunities that I'm sure will be a once in a life time deal for him. Not very often you get a moose tag and an elk tag in the same year in Utah!

deerkiller · Jun 24, 2017

>LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-17
>AT 06:32?PM (MST)
>
>Congrats to your Dad on the
>moose tag. Does the DWR
>typically update drawing status before
>hitting cc's for antlerless? I
>was hoping one of my
>boys would draw a cow
>tag but there isn't anything
>showing up in the application
>history yet.

This is only the 2nd time I've seen them updated the drawing history before they started charging cards. I'd say if you haven't had your application history updated yet you've still got a chance! I on the other hand went 0 for 4. My wife drew her first cow tag as well, so it should be a very busy fall

BillyBoB · Jun 29, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-29-17 AT 09:32PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-29-17 AT 09:24?PM (MST)

Deerlove is spot on.
Cutler basin trail would be the way to go. Black canyon (to the north) I'm not so sure of. It's very rugged and remote.
If you hike up cutler basin trail and run into the weather/snow station tower, you've gone too far.

Just get up high enough where it opens up and pay attention to the south.
Ive had about a dozen moose well within shooting distance of me all at one time.
The moose also will be on or near the cutler basin trail. I use the trail quite often and could help if needed.
Also, the trail is non-motorized. I'd bring a group of men with packs or bring horses. But it should be a one day deal.
PM me if you want more info or need help packing it out.
Good luck

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

treedagain · Jun 29, 2017

if you want to hike and pack out a cow moose, go for it. my boots would not touch the ground until I had one spotted and know she did not have a calf by her side. but that's me. I have shot 2 myself and helped with others.

How to start an argument online:
1. Express an opinion
2. Wait

Airborne · Jun 30, 2017

Hi guys, first time MM post here. I also drew the anterless moose Ogden West tag and am really excited about it. This is the only tag that I have this year so I will be putting some time into it. I don't think that your dad should turn his tag back in, I also had max points and even with max points we were VERY lucky to draw this tag, his chances of drawing it again would be slim.

I think that I could help out you and your dad as I will be concentrating on filling my tag in September and could give you a heads up with what I am seeing as I scout and hunt the area. Send me a PM and we can exchange numbers.

Is it ok if I contact the other guys with info on this thread regarding the hunt? It's not my thread and I don't want to be 'that guy'. I think that we can all help each other out. Let me know if that's ok.

Thanks

-Riley

deerkiller · Jun 30, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jun-30-17 AT 10:38AM (MST)[p]>Hi guys, first time MM post
>here. I also drew
>the anterless moose Ogden West
>tag and am really excited
>about it. This is
>the only tag that I
>have this year so I
>will be putting some time
>into it. I don't
>think that your dad should
>turn his tag back in,
>I also had max points
>and even with max points
>we were VERY lucky to
>draw this tag, his chances
>of drawing it again would
>be slim.
>
>I think that I could help
>out you and your dad
>as I will be concentrating
>on filling my tag in
>September and could give you
>a heads up with what
>I am seeing as I
>scout and hunt the area.
> Send me a PM
>and we can exchange numbers.
>
>
>Is it ok if I contact
>the other guys with info
>on this thread regarding the
>hunt? It's not my
>thread and I don't want
>to be 'that guy'.
>I think that we can
>all help each other out.
> Let me know if
>that's ok.
>
>Thanks
>
>-Riley

Sure! I'd be glad to help each other out. The others have been very helpful to me, as I'm sure they will be to you. I'll PM you!

Hoof_Hearted · Sep 6, 2017

Monster Muleys is a small world. I have the same tag as well, so that makes 3 of the 7 tags accounted for on this one thread. The odds of that happening are probably worse than the actual draw odds for the tags.

I'll be up there scouting for two days before the season starts next Saturday, and I certainly wouldn't mind helping others out with whatever I can find. I'll be driving a brown Chevy Tahoe with AZ plates (yes, I drew the one non-res tag). Phone number is 480-316-7063. I have a strong back and could help pack as well if you guys need it. I have 8 days for my hunt and I plan to make the most of it.

I do have a couple questions for folks more familiar with the unit, if you don't mind me hijacking the thread for a min.

-How is cell service?
-Is orange required? I know it isn't for moose seasons, but there might be other rifle hunts going on that require it.
-Is the landscape/topography conducive to close encounters? I'd like to hunt with my bow if at all possible.

Thanks, and good luck gents.

-Luke

Deerlove · Sep 6, 2017

Good cell service, im sure orange is required, and think spot and stalk would most conducive. I dont think other hunts are going on unless its goats, they all should be high.

BillyBoB · Sep 6, 2017

Don't overlook Ben Lomond trail to the south of cutler basin trail. Dirt bikes are allowed with horse corral at the trailhead.
Here's the details.

Moose are commonly seen along the lower trail. The trail ascends an east-facing slope that happens to be one of the wettest in the state and so its wild flower display is unparalleled.

The trail is used by horsemen and is also open to dirt bikes.

Ben Lomond Trailhead

(41.3712, -111.917)
The trailhead is at North Fork Park, near the town of Liberty in Ogden Valley. From Liberty, head north on 3300 East and then go right where the road forks after about 1.5 miles. In another mile, turn left at the entrance to North Fork Park and look for the signed Ben Lomond Trailhead near the horse corral at the far end of the park.

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

treedagain · Sep 6, 2017

I would not be just walking around blind......spot and stalk.....last yr it took about 30min for the 1st cow and after playing in the snow for a bit we found the next one in the 2nd spot we looked and had her down quick. Use your glass not your feet. Unless you like punishing yourself

Deerlove · Sep 7, 2017

Sorry Bob thats bad info, you can take your bike from the divide only, the trail down to N fork has been closed for 20 years, besides he's not going to find a moose bushwacking in there.

treedagain · Sep 8, 2017

Billybob....when was the last time you where in the area? You would be hard pressed to see a cow in the lower north fork area. That is where they took out 99% of the cows and sent them to colorado. Add in private and i would look elsewhere.

BillyBoB · Sep 9, 2017

I quoted a website for the Ben Lomond trail info deerlove. Although I've never taken that trail. I I go into the N Fork area approx. a dozen times each year for the past several years taking the cutler basin trail because it's used less and it's shorter. Although this year I haven't been.

I have never had a hard time finding moose in the lower N Fork area ever. No need to bushwack. Take any trail and you'll run into them.

I knew bikes were accessible by the divide trail but wasn't sure about Ben Lomond trail. The website I quoted must have bad info. My bad.

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

BillyBoB · Sep 9, 2017

Tree...
I have not been in the area this year. Although In the past several years been in the area approx a dozen times. With run ins with moose every time. No need to bushwack. Pick a trail and you'll run into them. I've had many close encounters.
I literally copy and pasted the Ben Lomond trail info from a website. I apologize for the bad info regards to bikes. I knew the divide trail was the only trail accessible by bike. I should have read the info before I pasted it. My bad.
I've never taken the Ben Lomond trail cuz it's longer and is used more than other trails.

"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt

Airborne · Sep 22, 2017

Well, I killed my Cow Moose opening day. It was a really cool hunt and I enjoyed it. Shout out to Travis for the great info that he shared with me--it was why I was successful. I appreciate Monster Muley guys for being so open and helpful. I have reached out to the OP and hopefully I can be a help to him.

Thanks Guys!