Sportsman’s Tag??

[Stubaby]

If you had the Sportsman’s Tag or Governors Type tag that let you hunt with a rifle early season, would you ever tag out on a legit 190+ typical that you found on a general unit?

I know most guys that have these tags hunt the LE units and have a score in mind—-but does that fact that a deer on a general unit was able to live long enough to avoid the “patch” and be a legit record book typical trump that?

I don’t have it or know someone who has—-I was just thinking If I found a true net “booner” on public general ground, think that’s as good of or better trophy than on off the big dawg units.

 

[Founder]

Big is big. If a 190 is the biggest in one area and a 220 is the biggest in another, I’d opt for the 220. Both are deer and both are trophies for where they live, but one has more bone than the other and the more bone they’ve got, the more there is to look at and admire.
I love the challenge, but if the challenge is the same in two different places, I’ll take the challenge with the bigger trophy if I earn the trophy.
I’d probably focus all my time on units that hold the larger antlered bucks if I could hunt anywhere in the state.
It’s like winning the lottery. If the odds are 1 in 300 million for a billion dollars or 1 in 300 million for 20 million dollars, I’d rather have the billion.

 

[PRCnut]

Assuming your sportsman/governor tag is extra and you have a general tag also, I would hunt the 190 buck with my general tag! Then concentrate on the LE units for your other tag! Best of luck to you.

 

[yoteduster]

I think harvesting big bucks on general units takes more work and skill..BUT if I had a goveners or special state wide tag I'd be focused in on the units that have the better quality bucks

 

[Elknut33]

If you had the Sportsman’s Tag or Governors Type tag that let you hunt with a rifle early season, would you ever tag out on a legit 190+ typical that you found on a general unit?

I know most guys that have these tags hunt the LE units and have a score in mind—-but does that fact that a deer on a general unit was able to live long enough to avoid the “patch” and be a legit record book typical trump that?

I don’t have it or know someone who has—-I was just thinking If I found a true net “booner” on public general ground, think that’s as good of or better trophy than on off the big dawg units.

I think I can shed some light on this for you. I am in the exact situation you describe; I have the Sportsman Deer tag this year. I hunted a certain unit in North-central Utah my whole life, if I were to find a legit booner on that unit, I'd be hard pressed to let it walk even though I have heard from guides of some 220" plus bucks on some "it" units. Realistically, if the buck has the look (ie. holy $%!+) I wouldn't be mad about it.

 

[Uttaxi1]

I think I can shed some light on this for you. I am in the exact situation you describe; I have the Sportsman Deer tag this year. I hunted a certain unit in North-central Utah my whole life, if I were to find a legit booner on that unit, I'd be hard pressed to let it walk even though I have heard from guides of some 220" plus bucks on some "it" units. Realistically, if the buck has the look (ie. holy $%!+) I wouldn't be mad about it.

What fun problem to have. Good luck and make some memories!!

 

[JakeH]

If I had the sportsman's tag I'm going for the biggest buck I can find, don't matter what unit it's on. My goal would be 200+ as a minimum, but hopefully a 230+ can be found

 

[Stubaby]

Hey Elknut33, is this big enough? I think this buck is at least 190 as a typical. Based on where he is and how much pressure this unit sees—-I’d be all over it. To each their own of coarse.

 

[Bigwiffy]

I would get to killing earlier than later. Most big deer will be creamed off the top before the rut ever kicks in. I'd be looking on the premium units. 190" buck on a general unit isn't terribly uncommon. Have fun, take some time, but don't let the pressure get to you. I would start on the Henries. From what I've seen OC had the top end hammered last year. Some bucks are getting big again on the Henries. The rest of the units could produce, but my money is on the Henries kicking out a mega giant this year.

 

[Elknut33]

Hey Elknut33, is this big enough? I think this buck is at least 190 as a typical. Based on where he is and how much pressure this unit sees—-I’d be all over it. To each their own of coarse.

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Big Buck! Not sure how big, but he's intriguing.

 

[elkhunterUT]

I would definitely scout the Henries, but also consider talking with David Virostko (North Rim Outfitters) about the Paunsaugunt and based on his input either do it on your own or hire him to help you kill a monster down there.

Good problem to have trying to figure out where to kill the biggest buck. Wish I had that issue

 

[Zeke]

I just drove by the Henry's on the way to Powell and they looked nice. Does that count as scouting. LOL

Damnation, I miss that mountain! I hunter it for years when it was a general hunt and took some wonderful deer for a ride in my truck! Now I'll never hunt it again, sadly so!

Zeke

 

[Founder]

Dang @Elknut33, that's really cool that you've got that tag. not sure how much scouting and hunting time you have available, but make the most of it! I would suggest you hold off on any general season 190 bucks for now and set your sights much higher. This is your chance at the buck of a lifetime.

 

[elkantlers]

I would definitely scout the Henries, but also consider talking with David Virostko (North Rim Outfitters) about the Paunsaugunt and based on his input either do it on your own or hire him to help you kill a monster down there.

Good problem to have trying to figure out where to kill the biggest buck. Wish I had that issue

I have to respectfully disagree with hiring NRO or any other outfitter. Their hunters kill big deer but that's pretty much all they do. The dozens of flatty's they hire are the ones doing the hunting and then they radio the trigger finger to head over. I saw it firsthand on the Pauns last year. It was pathetic.
Myself, I would take my family and friends and go get the biggest buck you can all the while enjoying an experience that more than likely you will never have again.

 

[BrowningRage]

If I had that tag, I'd spend the entire month of November in the best unit in the state. By best I mean highest potential for the biggest buck as well as highest opportunity to see a lot of 'consolation' bucks.

I would do this in order to hunt the rut, which I experienced as a child, by my dad, with a muzzleloader. I think its exciting to see big bucks rutting... then take my pick of the biggest one I could find.

If someone knew where a 200" buck was hanging on a general unit, they'd go kill it themselves I think. ??

 

[Zeke]

If I had the sportsman's tag I'm going for the biggest buck I can find, don't matter what unit it's on. My goal would be 200+ as a minimum, but hopefully a 230+ can be found

It's easy to throw around those kind of numbers but I suspect that you're 100% correct.
That's exactly what I'd try to do and I'd want to do it before other "interfere" with my hunt.
Make the most of it since it'll never happen to you again.

Zeke

 

[elkhunterUT]

I have to respectfully disagree with hiring NRO or any other outfitter. Their hunters kill big deer but that's pretty much all they do. The dozens of flatty's they hire are the ones doing the hunting and then they radio the trigger finger to head over. I saw it firsthand on the Pauns last year. It was pathetic.
Myself, I would take my family and friends and go get the biggest buck you can all the while enjoying an experience that more than likely you will never have again.

I'm 100% the same way and have never been on a guided hunt and likely never will. Having said that, I have never had the sportsman's tag in my pocket with the opportunity to hunt literally anywhere I want. A lot of ground to cover with that much opportunity that will likely never, ever come again to someone.

Can't hurt to talk to some of the best out there who understand your situation and will shoot you straight - that is why I suggested talking to Virostko about the Paunsaugunt and what it has to offer this year, not necessarily hiring him to guide you.

I would much rather kill a big buck on my own and not have someone hold my hand. When I drew my Utah LE elk tag in 2020 I considered hiring a guide and almost pulled the trigger. Now looking back, I am so glad I didn't do that. Killing a good bull on my own was awesome, but the many days scouting and hunting with my brother, Dad, my boys, and friends are what I will always cherish and remember.

 

[buckhorn]

In Utah do the biggest Bucks even make it to the rut?

I suspect the cream of the crop is taken by the archers and the long range muzzleloaders.
Then rifle hunters get the best that are left.
I think most auction and raffle tag holders kill their bucks early.

It is fun too hunt in the rut and I do prefer hard horned bucks but the biggest ones will probably already be dead by then.

 

[JakeH]

It's easy to throw around those kind of numbers but I suspect that you're 100% correct.
That's exactly what I'd try to do and I'd want to do it before other "interfere" with my hunt.
Make the most of it since it'll never happen to you again.

Zeke

I think 200 is a very attainable number, but 230???? That's a tall order even with the sportsman's tag, but that would still be my goal, but when it comes down to it come September first if the biggest deer found was a 215" N/T stud I would probably go for him, the only way I wouldn't is if I had some really good credible leads on something much bigger.

 

[SS!]

Hey Elknut33, is this big enough? I think this buck is at least 190 as a typical. Based on where he is and how much pressure this unit sees—-I’d be all over it. To each their own of coarse.

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Dude you need a phone scope

 

[Bigwiffy]

In Utah do the biggest Bucks even make it to the rut?

I suspect the cream of the crop is taken by the archers and the long range muzzleloaders.
Then rifle hunters get the best that are left.
I think most auction and raffle tag holders kill their bucks early.

It is fun too hunt in the rut and I do prefer hard horned bucks but the biggest ones will probably already be dead by then.

That was the exact scenario that played out last year. Another pitfall is passing on bucks then those bucks get killed by regular tag holders. That is my suggestion is to find the one you want and get him killed early. The rut is fun, but not that much fun when the top end bucks are already in the freezer.

 

[buckhorn]

I have to respectfully disagree with hiring NRO or any other outfitter. Their hunters kill big deer but that's pretty much all they do. The dozens of flatty's they hire are the ones doing the hunting and then they radio the trigger finger to head over. I saw it firsthand on the Pauns last year. It was pathetic.
Myself, I would take my family and friends and go get the biggest buck you can all the while enjoying an experience that more than likely you will never have again.

elkantlers
I agree with you about the outfitters and guides and spotters being everywhere.
I also have seen it on the Pauns and the Arizona strip. I haven’t been on the Henry’s or the Oak Creek’s but I’m sure it’s the same on those units also.
With that being said how does a DIY hunter find enjoyment and a quality experience while competing with all that outfitter crap going on?
Is it possible for a DIY hunter to score on a top and Buck these days?
Seems to me like it would be kind of hard to enjoy the experience hunting a big bucks when so many guides and spotters are already on them.
I guess that’s the world we live in today!

 

[elkantlers]

elkantlers
I agree with you about the outfitters and guides and spotters being everywhere.
I also have seen it on the Pauns and the Arizona strip. I haven’t been on the Henry’s or the Oak Creek’s but I’m sure it’s the same on those units also.
With that being said how does a DIY hunter find enjoyment and a quality experience while competing with all that outfitter crap going on?
Is it possible for a DIY hunter to score on a top and Buck these days?
Seems to me like it would be kind of hard to enjoy the experience hunting a big bucks when so many guides and spotters are already on them.
I guess that’s the world we live in today!

The number of guides and their tactics on LE units certainly have a negative effect on hunter satisfaction. I said as much on my harvest survey.
The difference is the sportsman's tag holder can hunt a bunch of days that they can not.

 

[buckhorn]

The number of guides and their tactics on LE units certainly have a negative effect on hunter satisfaction. I said as much on my harvest survey.
The difference is the sportsman's tag holder can hunt a bunch of days that they can not.

Copy that!
I best stay on topic here and not go off on a rant lol.

 

[HornyMan]

If I had the governors I shoot the biggest sheep I can find and plead ambiguous law.

OOps wrong thread.

 

[schoolhousegrizz]

I'd be scouting the Henry's hard. The first day it opened I'd hit it with my rifle before the archery and muzzle hunters take some of the big ones.

 

[JakeH]

I'd be scouting the Henry's hard. The first day it opened I'd hit it with my rifle before the archery and muzzle hunters take some of the big ones.

Archery guys will have about 9 to 14 days (depending on the year) to hunt before the sportsman's tag can hunt with a rifle, but you can hunt with a bow right along side of them.
Can't kill with a rifle till Sept. 1st

 

[schoolhousegrizz]

Archery guys will have about 9 to 14 days (depending on the year) to hunt before the sportsman's tag can hunt with a rifle, but you can hunt with a bow right along side of them.
Can't kill with a rifle till Sept. 1st

Thanks Jake, I knew it was something like that. I'd hit it with my bow until the 1st. Maybe just go scare the piss out of all of them, scare them out of archery range to keep the big ones safe. Then come in with the rifle on the 1st.??

Kidding of course.

 

[buckhorn]

I'd be scouting the Henry's hard. The first day it opened I'd hit it with my rifle before the archery and muzzle hunters take some of the big ones.

That’s good advice!
Maybe should add that to
HELL RIGHT though?

 

[antlerradar]

If I had the governors I shoot the biggest sheep I can find and plead ambiguous law.

OOps wrong thread.

This. Find the right janitor that will say it is ok to hunt AI and go shoot a monster.

 

[hossblur]

I have the personality that I would take great pleasure killing a deer/elk with gov tag, on GS land. So to say I did.

 

[notdonhunting]

I know a guy that had the Governor tag and killed his 220ish buck on a general season unit.

 

[johnnycake]

I know a guy that had the Governor tag and killed his 220ish buck on a general season unit.

That the one that they killed when it left Camp Williams in like December? Maybe 10 years ago?

 

[notdonhunting]

That the one that they killed when it left Camp Williams in like December? Maybe 10 years ago?

No southern Utah

 

[BrowningRage]

In Utah do the biggest Bucks even make it to the rut?

I suspect the cream of the crop is taken by the archers and the long range muzzleloaders.
Then rifle hunters get the best that are left.
I think most auction and raffle tag holders kill their bucks early.

It is fun too hunt in the rut and I do prefer hard horned bucks but the biggest ones will probably already be dead by then.

You might be right Buckhorn... but I wouldn't be chasing those inches in competition with 2000 "outfitters". I'm going to experience the rut action in the best unit... Can you imagine getting to see 190" bucks fighting for the chicks? Swollen necks and posturing around.?? It'd be an experience of a lifetime...