utah central mntns manti LE archery bull

[0908gonehunting]

Hello, I was fortunate enough to draw a central mntns manti LE archery bull tag and was not expecting to draw it so soon! I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on a good outfitter that knows this unit and understands archery elk hunting? I just want to make a good choice since it takes so long to draw a LE tag! Thanks so much for any help!

 

[tenaciousC]

Congrats on the tag, it can be a really fun hunt. I had the tag in '07 and killed a 300" bull on the last day. I have hunted the unit every year since with a friend or family member amd have taken some really nice bulls. My buddy had an archery tag last year and we had a blast! In archery range of bulls morning and night for the entire last week of the hunt. He missed a couple nice bulls 320-330 range and we had some close calls on much larger. The second to last night he shot a respectable 5x5. This brings me to your outfitter question, when he killed his bull we ended up about six miles from the truck and hiked to the nearest road where we were picked up by a guy from high top outfitters. He was great, seemed knowledgeable about specific bulls in the area and was willing to help us pack our bull out the next morning. Seemed like a stand up guy. Hopefully that helps, if you're a resident or have time to scout you might want to try a diy. There are plenty of elk and they really arent too hard to locate. It can be a tough physically demanding hunt especially if they're not talking. Good luck and if you have any questions let me know.

 

[johnnycake]

Having done a bison and cougar hunt with HTO, I cannot tell you enough how awesome these guys are! I hunted with Brett Guymon and the guy is pure class. You cannot go wrong with these guys. Enjoy!

 

[bowhunt3r4l1f3]

There really are so many bulls on this unit you could do a DIY if you want. Unless your really wanting to fork out the big "bucks" for a guide. There are elk in just about ever drainage North and South along skyline. This is the hunting grounds where I grew up and first saw elk. It's probably one of the best archery elk tags in the state IMO. PM me if you want some pointers.

www.utahscoutingservices.com

 

[bowhunt3r4l1f3]

I think it's all relative though. It just depends on your personal means. If you have more money than other people than you will spend more money. If your more conservative you'll hold back. I had a LE Wasatch tag last year and didn't end up taking a bull because of my horrible pinkness.

Either way, I'm a poor college student, I had class every single day once school started. I hunted hard the first 2 weeks when school hadn't started and scouted before. Most days I just drove up my Honda Civic on a dirt road to save gas. I hunted for 16 days and scouted at least 10 days before the hunt. After gas and everything I don't think I spend over $1500 last year. But I was eating 88 cent hot dogs most days and didn't get any new equipment...

www.utahscoutingservices.com

 

[0908gonehunting]

Hey guys, I appreciate everyones posts so far. They have been helpful. I have done mostly diy hunting in Colorado and have taken a couple of smaller bulls in the past, and since this is a special tag I was hoping to get some chances at a good bull and was thinking an outfitter that really knows the area would be a big benefit. And since I am out of state and would not draw this tag again for years I was leaning that way. Thanks so much for the info.

 

[yak4fish]

I come from California to Utah almost every year to hunt cow elk and I spend nowhere near $5000.00 to do it. I get it done for less than $1500.00 and try to do it for less that $1000.00 not counting the price of the tag. Butcher fee's are what get me over the $1000.00 mark when I'm successful.
Sounds like you know what your doing if you where successful in Colorado and you might have the gear you need. The Manti unit is very easy to access ATV trails everywhere and Skyline drive makes it easy to go from South to North end without leaving the mountain. It took us 3 days to find elk on Manti last year, once we found them we saw 50 to 100 head a day and I hadn't been on the unit for over 15 years.
If you have camping and hunting gear a ATV or 4X4 a good friend or maybe two to go with you the Manti is the one unit I would go DIY in a heartbeat. You will see elk! Successful with archery equipment? That even with a guide it might not happen.

 

[Califelkslayer]

To each his own. IMHO a 300" bull DIY is more satisfying than a 330" bull with a guide.

I've done DIY in some really good units; Colorado Unit 61 archery, Nevada 111-115, 221, 222 muzzy and Wyoming Unit 7 archery. All great hunts. If I was going to spend $5-7,000.00, I would buy a landowner tag in Colorado Unit 61, or a choice NM unit. Just my opinion.

 

[ducksbucksandbulls]

The manti is a fun unit.
I hunted it several years back. if your in good shape you'll do fine.
I hunted the north end.
places i found elk were - Fish cr drainage, theres an old burn in this area.
C canyon, tons of aspen here.Go east out johnson ridge trail a couple miles lots of good country there.. i packed one out of there on my back.
other side of sky line to areas around lake fork, Wagon rd ridge, saw mill.Garret ridge, I camped on top there and had bulls talking most nights near camp.
Elk are most everywhere. you can drive sky line and take a lot of side roads and glass forever while scouting. I went up 5 days during summer and 5 days before the hunt. ...
good luck

 

[brettguymon]

Thanks Johnnycakes it was a blast. Your the first guy I've known to take a bison on day one of your hunt and turn around and take a very nice lion on the second! That is quite an accomplishment! Also tenaciousC I was just a little bummed I didn't get to break in the horses for the season on your elk! LOL! Glad everything worked out OK!

Congrats on your tag. It should be a fun hunt. Like a few people have mentioned, there are pro's and con's to a DIY hunt or hiring a guide. This is a unit where if you have some good boots, time to scout and little bit of ambition, you can be successful with a DIY hunt.

Either way, you should have one of the most memorable hunting experiences of your life! Beautiful big country, lots of elk, and time in the mountains! What more could you ask for.

If you opt for the guide, I would love to help you out. Get a hold of Jay at HTO and he can get you started with the info you need!
435-979-1486

If you decide on a DIY hunt, shoot me a PM and I can try to give you a few pointers in the right direction! This is my backyard.

Good luck!