Wasatch Archery Questions

[andygrand]

I will try and keep this short and not turn this into one of the "I drew the tag and don't have the money to scout" posts.

I drew the Wasatch Archery this year some what unexpectedly (3 Pts). I have hunted this area for deer for most of my life. I have never hunted elk however, because being in the Marine Corps the last 12 years I have only chosen to come home for deer hunts. I am going to maximize my time off during the hunt and take 3 weeks off to hunt. I have friends who have hunted this unit in recent years and my brother is going to scout as much as possible in advance of the hunt. Here are my questions.

Should I take first three weeks, or last three weeks?

What is a realistic goal for this unit? I know there are some big bulls but I was thinking any 6x6 would do.

Is there any advice someone has for better success in this unit?

Thanks in advance for any info. I am not looking to be a leach or anything like that. Just looking for general info and opinions. I would love to return the favor for any help I can get, if any of you make it to AZ for some coyotes, fishing, or Coues Deer.

 

[ElkManDan]

I live close to AF canyon but haven't spent a lot of time looking for elk up there. I would definitely advise to take the last 3 weeks off for a couple reasons. First the later into September you are able to hunt the more vocal they will be and they will be more apt to come into calls. Second there is a general spike elk archery hunt that ends the week before the LE season ends so the last week there should be less archery hunters up there chasing elk.

As for size, That is something I think you have to answer for yourself. I love chasing elk with a bow and have been fortunate to take some bulls on OTC tags including one 6x6 bull. I have never been disappointed with any bull that I have taken with a bow because I have had to work so hard for each of them that that I can't help but think that each one was an accomplishment. That being said I have passed on some bulls hoping the bull behind him bugling is actually going to come in too and will be bigger. So far that strategy hasn't worked out for me. I would say unless you have been able to scout and find where some of the big boys are at that any 6 point would be a trophy.

Good luck on your hunt

 

[kawboy]

Elkmandan, pretty well nailed it. Is for sure would choose the last 3 weeks. There are elk everywhere in that unit. As far as size goes, I say if you pass up a 300 to 320 inch bull your crazy. I am a firm believer that the trophy is in the eyes of the beholder. If the mood seems right, your blood is boiling, I say shoot whatever you like! No matter what happens, you will have a blast.
Good luck.


I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

 

[middlefork]

+3 on the last 3 weeks.
I had the tag last year and hunted 18 days before I got mine. We saw lots of bulls but as was said above most in the 300 - 320 range. We saw a few bigger but were unable to get on them.

Enjoy your hunt you will have a blast!

 

[Zeke]

+4,
Listen to the guys above^^^^^
They're giving you good advice.

On score; I say damn the score and shoot what you like. Almost any 6pt will score at 280" or more and is a fine archery trophy.

I hunted it again last year for the 4th time (my oldest daughter had a rifle tag). We saw tons of bulls but VERY few were over the TRUE 320" mark. They are big animals and most guys overestimate the score by a good 20" when the bull is on the hoof.

Again, shoot what turns your crank and score be damned.

Make sure you share your experience with us regardless of the outcome.

Good luck,
Zeke

 

[nocwalker]

Congrats Andy!! and Thanks for serving!

Hey, guess what?? I drew with 3 pts also! maybe we'll run into each other up there.

I know what your going through about starting from scratch, we're coming from Pa. to try and take 2 bulls in 2 weeks. Heck, if we could take one we will feel overly successful. We'll be coming out there without scouting and we realize thats a big disadvantage, there's no way or time for us to come out there and look around.

Thanks for the advice you gave Andy, I'm learning from it too!!

nocwalker / Bill V.

 

[miner220]

For sure the last three weeks. I drew the tag last year and the elk didnt really fire up until labor day.
Hunted on the eastern side of the unit and found lots of bulls.
Passed on twelve bulls the last four days.
Like the guys above said, forget about the score and shoot the one that you want to pack out.
Good luck and thanks for all you boys in uniform do for us and this nation.

 

[hogg_65]

The last 3 weeks is what I would schedule. I bowhunt spikes on the Wasatch and the elk can be active at any time during the archery hunt. I would research areas with limited access, there are a lot of elk holed up in areas that people drive past to get to another spot. Find active wallows and hunt around them not on them. That seems to be how I find the most elk during the hunt. After it storms up there in Aug or Sept is a fun time to be in Those hills. Good luck.

 

[mountainman]

Another guy for last 3 weeks. This will really be hard but awhole lot of fun too. Good luck !!!

 

[South_slope]

I have some info. I will be hunting it for the third year in a row this year. Check out videos I posted last year and the story I wrote.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-b...thread&om=13728&forum=DCForumID12&archive=yes

Bottom line, since you are serving our country I am very willing to help all I can. Send me a PM

 

[andygrand]

>I have some info. I will
>be hunting it for the
>third year in a row
>this year. Check out videos
>I posted last year and
>the story I wrote.
>
>http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-b...thread&om=13728&forum=DCForumID12&archive=yes
>
>Bottom line, since you are serving
>our country I am very
>willing to help all I
>can. Send me a PM
>


Everyone that sent a PM, I got them and those who left a number I will be in touch with you soon.

 

[Twoshooter]

Most guys seem to think the last 3 weeks are better. I suggest something a little different. Try taking one week before the hunt scouting and the first two weeks sitting on a wallow or water. They are still in the their summer mode that first week and you can still pattern them. Hunting the last week when they are more vocal is fun though, if they are being vocal. Some years alot of guys wait for the rut to heat up and find the hunt is over and the rut hasn't really even started. Pretty dry this year and water is disapearing fast.

 

[blazingsaddle]

I 2nd the early sitting on water idea. If you don't mind sitting active wallows, this is a very effective way to kill bulls. As others stated, if the elk are not very vocal at the end of the archery hunt, it can be tough. I would take the first week and the last two weeks if I were in your shoes.
I have found at that time of year, if the elk in one particular area are not being vocal, odds are you can find elk in another area that are fired up.

 

[Verticalslope]

PM Sent. Check your inbox.

 

[HorseCreek]

I have horses and live right in the middle of the unit. If you get one down give me a buzz. Good luck!


Traditional >>>------->

 

[wildwilderness]

I would also recomend splitting up your hunt! 3 weeks straight is too much and you will loose focus or over hunt your prime areas. this will give you a break and a deadline on both ends.

I would definately hunt the first week on water, especially this year where its been dry as a bone. That is the best time for your scouting to pay off. Plus who wants to miss opening day? Plus if you kill early you could go back to work and not burn up all the leave.

Once the rut start bulls could move anywhere, maybe over 20 miles away. so I would also have the last week off for sure since that would be closest to when they would rut. divide the rest of your time between them.

 

[Elkhunter96]

The last two weeks are by far the best for chasing rutting bulls unless you are the type of person who can handle sitting in a blind over a wallow or water for crazy long hours. A few hours a day sitting over water or a wallow is the most I can handle and I find chasing rutting bulls a lot more exciting. But, that is my opinion.

 

[ElkManDan]

I 2nd what Elkhunter96 says. Sitting on water is for buck hunters Calling in Rutting bulls is where it is at. I have taken several bulls on OTC public land hunts with a bow and have never had issues calling in bulls anytime in September. I'm not saying that sitting on water can't work but for me calling a screaming bull in is way more exciting and the later you go into September the more amped up the bulls will be. I do like what some others are saying too though, If you can swing it it might be good to hunt the first week and then the last 2 weeks. Bulls can still be called in early, even though the cows are not in heat the mature bulls are starting to feel the rut coming on and are starting to establish dominance among other bulls and are willing to come in to the calls to fight.

 

[andygrand]

I appreciate all the responses and advice. I wish I could split my time, but unfortunately that is not an option. I am driving up from where I am stationed in Arizona and cannot afford to make the 10 hour drive four times.
I think that I have some good areas to start, and will be checking out some areas that have been recommended to me.
Again, thanks for all the advice and responses.