Utah unit 9a mule deer

[goldeneagle]

Hi Guys,
My buddy and I finally got drawn for a Muley hunt in Utah, we're from AZ. We couldn't believe our 3rd choice got picked. We are clueless about this area and have had a difficult time trying to find about this unit. We are also not going to be able to get a chance to do any prescouting up there. I even tried emailing the game manager of the unit without any success. Any help, suggestions would be much appreciated. We're looking for a place to start. From our observation it looks like private land in the south with the res. running thru the middle and the Ashley National Forest to the north. We'd appreciate any help,
Thank you.

 

[Smokepole]

Unfortunately, you may end up being disapointed with unit 9a. I've hunted the South Slope for quite a few years and it has only gotten worse each year. I did not apply for this unit because of that (probably why you drew it as a 3rd choice). The Uinta Basin had a very bad winter in 2011 and there was significant winter kill. Not many deer right now. This last winter was very mild so, you may find a few yearlings.

That being said; deffinately stay away from the Res. Get at least a 1/2 mile from a road, there is some steep country and deep canyons and if you check out your maps you might find some place to concentrate. However, there could be some idiots that will ride their ATV's into some of these places that they shouldn't. I really can't say one place would be any better than another right now. Your best bet would be to hunt above Res property somewhere along the face where the Aspen is. If there is alot of snow, many of the deer will have moved onto the Res and private property.

Smokepole

 

[goldeneagle]

Thanks for your response, maybe we weren't so lucky to draw this tag after all.

 

[gaetz]

Golden-

Last year we saw some pretty good bucks compared to previous years. It seems that early, high-country snow pushed a few down. It's gonna be a tough hunt for you guys (sorry to be a little down) but you may find a shooter. It's been my experience (I've hunted up there for the past 15 years) that any deer with any length of anter gets blasted. I hope you can find a few, good luck.

 

[goldeneagle]

Gaetz, thanks for your reply. Do you think we should focus on the North part of the unit above the res.?

 

[CATMAN]

That unit is mostly private below the reservation. Deer numbers are way down, but there's always a few good bucks killed every year.