I Drew San Juan Elk at the expo

tgurn7

Member
Messages
17
So, I know everyone thinks that it's a scam but either way, I was lucky enough to draw the San Juan archery elk tag. I'm just looking for some general info about the hunt. What to expect, how many points are generally needed for it, and advice on how to hunt it. Sit water? Spot stalk?
 
>So, I know everyone thinks that
>it's a scam but either
>way, I was lucky enough
>to draw the San Juan
>archery elk tag. I'm just
>looking for some general info
>about the hunt. What to
>expect, how many points are
>generally needed for it, and
>advice on how to hunt
>it. Sit water? Spot stalk?
>

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

If You Don't know it at all I'd look for a little Help!

Just Curious why You'd Wonder How many Points it takes to Draw?

Hint:Alot!:D
 
Sit water early in the hunt. Start chasing bugles towards the middle to the end. Big bulls are shot every year over water
 
Great hunt. I was lucky and drew with 7 points in 2012 I think. It took 17 points last year so likely 18 this year.

Spot and stock is a blast. Sitting water is most successful for a lethal shot if a bull comes in, but takes patience. I tagged out I think September 4th, and I only heard a handful of bugles by then. We moved around a lot and I did spot and stalk as that was my goal. I hunted the abajo mountains and san juan elk ridge. Every spot I went to I found elk.

Good luck and enjoy. The experience will give you the best memories, not the antler size!
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-18-18 AT 09:35PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-18-18 AT 09:32?PM (MST)

Pretty sure it was the hardest rifle and archery elk hunt to draw in utah last year. I know nothing about it but when it's the hardest to draw hunt that tells you something. Congrats on the tag. I'm assuming you've never hunted elk though? It's the best rut hunt you can get so get out there and cover some ground and chase some screaming bulls.
 
You haven't heard. All the elk on the San Juan have whirling disease. Good luck with that. Congrats on the tag good luck
Rutnbuck
 
Thank you all for the info so far. I knew it was one of the premier units in the state but had heard that it had declined some. No matter what, it was a 5 dollar tag that was unexpected so no complaints here. Hell, I woulda took any tag.

Is it much of a rut hunt like you say though? Around the Wasatch the rut typically doesn't hit til the muzzy Hunt.
 
Wondering about points because I currently sit with 15 deer so trying to do the math to see if I woulda ever been able to pull this tag in my lifetime. I'm 33.
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-18 AT 10:01AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-18 AT 09:58?AM (MST)

It Hasn't declined any it still pretty tall.
Bull Elk is where you find them on that mountain they can be anywhere.
Those steep canyons are easy to set up on listen for those bugling bulls.
If it dry find a waterhole they are using and sit on it.
Glassing starts in the dark and stops in the dark,Those monsters don't stay out in the opening much after light and don't come out until almost dark/dusk.
But in the rut they will follow those cows in and out of those dark timber spots.
Super great Tag. That is a great place to hunt Bulls.


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
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>Thank you all for the info
>so far. I knew it
>was one of the premier
>units in the state but
>had heard that it had
>declined some. No matter what,
>it was a 5 dollar
>tag that was unexpected so
>no complaints here. Hell, I
>woulda took any tag.
>
>Is it much of a rut
>hunt like you say though?
>Around the Wasatch the rut
>typically doesn't hit til the
>muzzy Hunt.

What Wasatch you huntin? There's rutting bulls every year at the fall equinox, generally September 20th. Meaning archery guys get a small piece, but the rifle guys get the majority of rut action. Muzzy hunters get the left overs.


www.utahscoutingservices.com
 
I've been to the San Juan on two occasions. Just for fun, in late July. Went to scout deer on the Abajos and to see what trophy bucks were on the San Juan deer unit.

I've never seen so many giant bulls. Didn't matter where we were, we would find them early morning and evening. I'm guessing it is still the premier unit in the state.

Spot and Stalk early in the hunt, bugle later on. It's not rocket science. If you hunt the Abajos, get your legs ready for it. Plenty of steep terrain you may end up in.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
I think you've gotten the run down.
Utah's archery season is long but the rut is only starting at the end, generally after labor day depending on the year. That only gives you a week or so to hunt during some rutting activity and if you don't know what you are doing during the rut, it's sometimes tough to pull a big bull in. If you want more guaranteed success you may want to consider hiring a guide who's experienced in that area.
If you do hold off until the rut, also keep in mind that rifle hunters will start to converge on the unit to find big bulls and that can sometimes mess up an archer's success.
Spot and stalk is fun but not easy either. Wind is critical with elk.
Sitting a water hole is the most successful way to DIY hunt any archery elk hunt in Utah, but I think it's the least fun.
Any way you look at it, you have a great tag.
Best of luck.
 
>Thank you all for the info
>so far. I knew it
>was one of the premier
>units in the state but
>had heard that it had
>declined some. No matter what,
>it was a 5 dollar
>tag that was unexpected so
>no complaints here. Hell, I
>woulda took any tag.
>
>Is it much of a rut
>hunt like you say though?
>Around the Wasatch the rut
>typically doesn't hit til the
>muzzy Hunt.

I hope I don't burst your bubble, but it was/is not a $5 tag! That was just the application fee which is only $5 less than the regular application fee. You still have to pay for the hunting license ($34) AND the actual permit ($285). In any case, I also hope you have a fun, safe hunt!
 
I have hunted deer there many times as well as many scouting trips. There are good bulls all over, and we have seen a few really great ones over the years. The big ones are spooky and it is pretty hard to get into bow range, but we have a few times while we have been hunting deer. As stated, waiting at a water hole might be the most productive in dry weather, but it is not my favorite way to hunt either.
 
A friend had the early rifle tag a few years ago. He thought his guide was nuts when they let a 380 bull walk. Killed a 400 two days later!!! There be giants there. :)
 

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