Wasnatch wrocks!

ODoyleDrools · Aug 2, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-11 AT 00:00AM (MST)[p] I'm excited about the moisture we've had this year. The bulls that I've seen this year compared to last seems almost surreal. However, This years archery hunt could be dang hard if this weather keeps up the way it has. What's your opinion on it and do you think the Rut will start the First week, middle or last for the archery guys? Also, worst case, the rut doesn't kick in full bore. What advice do you give the Archery guys? Find water...? It's EVERYWHERE though..?!..what to do, what to do?!

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Aug 3, 2011

The same advice I give archery hunters every year. Be patient and don't spread yourself too thin. Pick a spot and hunt it hard and don't pass any bull that you would be proud to hang on your wall because you "think" you can get something bigger. Also, don't let the pressure of the tag ruin the hunting experience. They very easily can and to some extent, always do.

It's always an adventure!!!

Zeke · Aug 3, 2011

+1 Mr AWHOLELOTTABULL

The Wasatch is a huge unit with bulls almost everywhere. It's always tempting to hunt the "rummor bulls" and jump from area to area which will only lead to frustration.

Remember, if you move areas too much you'll have no idea if you're moving into an area that has just been pounded to death.

I've been in 4 or 5 areas so far this year and with the help of a MM friend, we've narrowed it down to 1 or 2 areas where we'll be rifle hunting..... probably.

Good luck to all the archers but don't shoot OUR bull! LOL

Zeke

antlerrick · Aug 3, 2011

+1 to AWHOLELOTTABULL...

An archer shouldn't be as picky as a rifle hunter as there are too many variables come into play.
And I agree 100% on the comment about not letting the stress of the tag ruin your once in a lifetime dream hunt....
Just go enjoy and do your best to give yourself the opportunity to succeed!
I know a few guys who were so stressed that they didn't enjoy their hunt at all and were dissappointed in something they should have been very thankful for the opportunity.

ODoyleDrools · Aug 3, 2011

This is exactly the type of advice I needed. Awhole I couldn't agree more with you. Keep it coming. Any and all advice is very much appreciated. Thanks!

Sniper1 · Aug 3, 2011

I have been on the wasatch the past 6 weekends in a row or so. It seems like i have covered a ton of area but its very small with how big the unit is. There are a few great bulls out there. I have 3 areas i plan to hunt. One im going to hit real hard and the other two are back up.

ZEKE: How big is your bull and i will let you know if i plan on killing him or not

Zeke · Aug 3, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-11 AT 01:41PM (MST)[p]Hell Mr Sniper, every bull I've seen has been over 400"! I don't know what's wrong with all you guys! LOL

Reality time: I hate to get all hung-up on the score thing but we've found a handful of shooter bulls. Really enough said but if you pinned me down to hoof-scoring them I'd say a bunch from 280-335", a few 340" to 350"++ and only one at 370"+++ out of 37 branched antler bulls. I have about 12-15 more days afield of fun and games before we do it for real.

I guess those who are finding tons of 350"+ bulls are better at locating elk.

Zeke

Edit: "From" isn't spelled f-o-r-m. I neid ta pruf reed mi stuf.

ODoyleDrools · Aug 3, 2011

I've also been up numerous times and haven't seen anything over 340. However the amount of bulls I've seen from 290-320 had been at least twice as much as last year for some reason. Im sure the amount of veggies has something to do with it! Damn spinach does it every time!

Zeke · Aug 3, 2011

hey O'Douls,

We're seeing the same stuff with the exception of one, maybe two bulls that score well. Who knows where they'll be when the whistle blows anyway.

We all fantasize about a 380" bull but reality is a 330"-ish. That's still a good bull, no doubt.

Zeke

littlebighorn · Aug 3, 2011

Zeke,
I found that 440 bull you are sitting on and my son is going to put a stick in it in less than 3 weeks!!! LOL
I too have seen a good number of bulls. 20 in one day, in one area. But who knows where they will be when the gun sounds?

We will just have a good time!

South_slope · Aug 3, 2011

Everyone know there are no bulls over 320 on the wasatch this year. If an archer gets a shot at anything close to 300" then they should feel lucky. Rifle hunters should plan to shoot the first 320 bull they see and get off the mountain.

What me.....I will just be hunting longer because I just enjoy being on the mountain.

ODoyleDrools · Aug 3, 2011

>Everyone know there are no bulls
>over 320 on the wasatch
>this year. If an archer
>gets a shot at anything
>close to 300" then they
>should feel lucky. Rifle hunters
>should plan to shoot the
>first 320 bull they see
>and get off the mountain.
>
>
>What me.....I will just be hunting
>longer because I just enjoy
>being on the mountain.

>
I think any Archer who has a good shot at any animal feels lucky! It's a whole different ballgame. When you're that close to an animal it seems like it's a 370 when it's really only 300. But who cares about score. Shooting anything with a bow is an amazing accomplishment! If we see anything thats appealing to the eye and we have a good clean shot. It's gonna be flying! With my Rifle (if I had the tag) on the wasatch I'm going to hold out for 320+ till the last few days

Sniper1 · Aug 4, 2011

Sounds like everybody is getting into some bulls. Its going to be a fun year up there for many. The inch thing aint a huge factor. 320 bull steps in front I'm afraid the arrow will be in flight. We have seen some really cool looking bulls this year. Got to love the front end on some of these bulls. I may be chasing a big 5 we found the other weekend. Im a sucker when it comes to a big 5. Good luck Gents hope to meet some of you on the mountain.

Gator · Aug 4, 2011

I would hold out for a 350 type bull UNTIL the season starts then I would shoot the first bull that comes in range. LOL

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

ODoyleDrools · Aug 4, 2011

>I would hold out for a
>350 type bull UNTIL the
>season starts then I would
>shoot the first bull that
>comes in range. LOL
>
>"I have found if you go
>the extra mile it's Never
>crowded".

Exactly what my strategy was, I would prefer you don't pass valuable information around like that

hangfire · Aug 4, 2011

Gettin' pretty pumped myself, got a muzzy tag, what everybody is reporting is what I have experienced, lots of bulls, been seeing 8-15 bulls every trip, but very few over 340. It's going to be a good time regardless, of the score. Good look to everyone!

CALLEMN · Aug 4, 2011

I HAVE BEEN UP SCOUTING A TON THIS SUMMER AND HAVE SEEN A BUNCH OF BULLS IN THE 280 TO 340 RANGE I AM SEE ALOT OF GOOD BULLS WITH GREAT FRONT ENDS BUT SMALL BACKS DO YOU GUYS THINK THE BULLS GROWTH IS LATE ON THE BACK ENDS DUE TO SO MANY ELK HELD ON TO THERE HORNS LONGER THIS LAST SPRING OR DO YOU GUYS THINK EVERYTHING IS FULL GROWN. I HAVE A WASATCH MUZZLEOADER TAG AND I GOT A FEW HUNTS TO GET THROUGH BEFORE I CAN CHOOSE MY BULL

Prism · Aug 4, 2011

Gator-Probably the best advice ever given on here!!!

I'm seeing some of the best back ends I've ever seen on wasatch bulls. They keep this up and they might end up looking like southern Utah bulls ;-) they're getting a chance to express their genetic potential this year. Should be a lot of 300 + bulls hitting the dirt soon.

ODoyleDrools · Aug 4, 2011

My hunting buddy went up tonight and got some good pics of a bull with awesome fronts and backs (6x7) Middle was lacking a little but it's the biggest bull we've found in over a month! Still will be our plan B spot since our A spot holds 3 times the elk and we know the area won't get pounded! I'll try and get a pic in the a.m. The advice and P.Ms I've got from this thread have been awesome, I really appreciate your honest opinions! Thanks.

Knockmdead · Aug 8, 2011

Up there this weekend and ran into a couple bulls that were already starting to make noies. Going to be a good hunt this year. Should have good horn growth and the rut should be in full swing for my Archery tag. Cant wait for another 2 weeks.

Jeff

muzz · Aug 8, 2011

Hey im lookin for a spike for my rifle tag, any help?

O--one
B--big
A--ass
M--mistake
A--america

WORKNMAN · Aug 8, 2011

>Gator-Probably the best advice ever given
>on here!!!
>
>I'm seeing some of the best
>back ends I've ever seen
>on wasatch bulls. They keep
>this up and they might
>end up looking like southern
>Utah bulls ;-) they're getting
>a chance to express their
>genetic potential this year. Should
>be a lot of 300
>+ bulls hitting the dirt
>soon.

I think it's great alot of hunters are seeing alot of great younger 300-320 bull's. But....with as many tags as the DWR are currently giving out on this unit (about 600 tags). Will the Wasatch ever be able to be more than a average unit.

Cam@strawberry · Aug 8, 2011

Nope, nor is it intended to be a truly 'trophy class' unit. There will always be some truly great bulls off of it but overall the wasatch is quickly becoming the first true 'opportunity' unit in the state.