Book Cliffs questions

BigPig

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My brother drew the ML tag. We don't know the unit yet but will be there several days early and have paid for a scouting service. We have our maps and some rough ideas of where to start. I know we'll be focusing on the roaded area and near the CO border.

Some logistical questions... From what we know thus far, the unit can be pretty remote. What is the nearest town for supplies like ice and fuel? Is going into town to re-supply doable or should we plan on being entirely self sufficient for a week plus? Are things like extra tires and snow chains a good idea, or overkill? Are there designated campgrounds or can we just set up a camp where we please? If we tag out early and have a few days left, what else is there to do in the area? Fishing? Thanks for the help.
 
One hell of a haul to any good sized town. Some roads are pretty rough also. I didn't take a quad but wish I had. Gas will for sure be an issue unless you have a quad.

I didn't have tire problems but see where that could be an issue. It was dry when I was there but again I would use a quad if at all possible....and I REALLY don't like quads.

Camp anywhere you want. TONS of places.

Archer
 
Ill echo the lots of places to camp. Go where ever you want. Going back into town isnt very realistic depending on where you camp. To head into Vernal or Roosevelt will likely be a 3 hour trip. Id definitely bring extra fuel. . . I think we had an extra 20 gallons when we went. If you tag out early, not a lot of places to fish that I can remember. There is a river over on the eastern side. . . I think its the white river, but I could be mistaken. I have never tried throwin a line in so I have no idea what the fishin is like. If I tagged out early, Id just stay in the area and keep looking for deer. Its a beautiful place and always fun to spot bucks.

As far as extra tires, I wouldnt bring more than the spare. Most of the roads are pretty decent. Snow tires or chains dont seem all that necessary either to me. What you do want to watch out for is just simple rain storms. You get caught in a nasty rain storm and the roads will be worse than if they were snow covered. The rain makes those roads slick as snot. Good luck!
 
Spare tires are a must! If they have run the grader down the road then a lot of the sharp shale sticks up and is tough on tires . I have blown 3 tires in one trip before. Good luck.
 
I have the same tag and just returned from being out there for 4 days. It's a long haul coming in from Roosevelt, so I don't plan on leaving the mnts till the deer is in the truck. Will be bringing a wheeler without questions and a bunch of gas. Just swapped out my spare tire for a real tire, just in case.

If you don't mind, what guide service are you using?

Good luck!
 
BigPig

I'm sure your looking at your maps to try and decide where to go. Getting into the roadless area is a good idea but, you won't get very far into the roadless unless you plan to pack in. The country is steep and rough and day hunting the roadless will only scratch the surface of what's in there.

Plan to stay out until you tag out. Take more gas than you think you need and then bring another can. It can snow on top during the muzz hunt but, more than likely you'll have to deal with mud, slick snotty mud. ATV is a must if you plan to move around to access different places. I've put on hundreds of miles in just a few days scouting. Find a place that looks promising and stick with it. Extra tire(s) are a must. As mentioned camp anywhere you want, except on Tribal lands. If you want to fish, there are a number of small streams that provide some fast fishing for 5-10 inch trout. If you want some bigger fish, stop in at the Ute Reservation in Fort Duchesne and buy a permit to fish one of the lakes on the Reservation. You can catch some real nice fish.

The muzz deer hunt starts after the rifle elk hunt. The bigger bucks start to dissapear during the elk hunt. You'll need to get away from the roads to find the bigger bucks. However, many of the elk hunters are on horse back and they seem to get off the roads aways and keep the deer stired up.

You'll see plenty of deer, including bucks. It's a fun hunt. I had the muzz deer permit a couple years ago. I shot a nice buck and then jumped a bigger one right after that.

Good luck!

Smokepole
 
No campgrounds...set up wherever and I'd have a few spare tires and plenty of extra gas.

Good luck and have fun!

Jenn
 
or take some extra cash with ya and if the oil/gas rig workers are up there they will all be glad tomake some money off you. I had to pay some dude from oklahoma like $10 bucks a gallon for deisel for my truck cause I didnt plan well enough. Filled the truck from "E" and that was not cheap.
 
I can drive from the base of the books to Grand Jct in about an hour. Thompson springs may be closer than that but Im not sure. That might work for you if you are hunting iin the southern portions fo the Books.

If you are hunting near the border dont be cheating in on my big Colorado bucks on the other side of the line. I need them around for some buddys with tags here in CO this year. If you see something big in Utah, scare it across to CO where it belongs! :)
 
Loma, maybe Mack...Mack is about 5 miles from Ut and Loma 10. Loma has it for sure. Fruita has a Super market and hotels, tires and garages.

Rangely on the north end has all that stuff also.
 

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