Wasatch Mountain questions

ToddT

Active Member
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I am very near, if not already there, of drawing a Wasatch Mountain muzzleloader tag. I apologize that my knowledge of any Utah unit, and for that matter most western units, is not good at all. I live in North Carolina and spend all my extra money and time hunting. As for scouting, though I would absolutely love to do, is so costly - it basically equates to another hunt that I could go on, so though it could definitely be helpful, is also very problematic. So I basically learn all I can on the internet, and then on the go, once my feet hit the ground, after drawing the tag.

Now after my apology, is my question. With the number of points that I currently have, I hate to simply waste them, so I try to research as much as possible and talk to as many DOW employees that I can, prior to taking that leap. Anyway, I as mentioned, I was seriously thinking of applying for the Wasatch muzzleloader tag. For one, I really enjoy hunting with my muzzleloader, secondly, I am still a few years out from drawing a rifle tag. But for the sake of maybe this, maybe that. I ask you guys. What is this hunt like?

I mean, after a season with lots of hunters afield with archery and then rifle, can elk be found? Are they still vocal? Also, how difficult, as far as terrain is this hunt? By the way, I would plan to hunt on my own, without horses, or a guide of any kind. With that said, would a drop camp be beneficial, or even available? How is the hunting pressure? It seems lots of tags are given out for each season, so it seems like you would likely be running into other hunters on a regular basis - obviously part of the reason we play the point system is to have very little competition. Lastly, what would be a truly realistic expectation of quality? I realize anything could happen, and I believe that there are 375 class bulls in every unit, but realistically what could an average hunter,,, shall we say, not reasonably want to pass on?

Sorry for being lengthy, but as you can see, I have numerous questions. I have researched a bit, and from what I have found, this could be a fun and enjoyable hunt with an average GOOD bull being around 300 - 310. I just really wanted to hear it from some of you guys who may have actual experience with the unit.

Thanks for any help, and good luck to everyone.
 
LAST EDITED ON Feb-09-14 AT 11:11PM (MST)[p]My brother had the tag last year, but I am no pro. It is my only experience on the unit.

Yes bulls can be found. Yes they are still vocal. The terrain can be as easy or as intense as you are willing to make it. Lots of roads, but some deep, dark, nasty stuff is there if you're willing. If your expectations are realistic it could be a great hunt. Some seriously huge bulls get taken every year. But a bull in the 310-320 class is more realistic. Many shoot smaller.

In 4 days of hunting we saw probably 10-12 6 points and a 5 point that may have made a hunter happy. Nothing bigger than 330 and my brother's bull was high 320's. He shot his bull in the last hour of light on day 4, but figuring our 2 days of scouting before the hunt started it was really day 6. We hunted hard. It was a blast! My other brother hopefully will draw this year.
 
My experience is similar to Vanilla's. Dad drew muzzy in "10." Bulls were still bugling, saw lots of elk, some decent 6X6s, there is easy and hard country to hunt. And there are alot of hunters on the roads.
 
Thanks guys, that is exactly what I was asking for. I merely wondered because it seems like a lot of pressure is put on the unit, compared to other units. Also with the blackpowder being the last season, I am certain you understand my questioning. Also, I had heard that the excessive tags have been detrimental to the quality. However, even in units that do hold 350 plus bulls, I would surmise that they are neither, very abundant, nor are they easy to kill.

I probably should have added in a question of comparing the Manti unit. It seems like most agree that the Manti has a better potential for quality, but it doesn't seem to have the quantity of elk either. Regardless, I do not believe I want to wait 15 or 20 years to hunt elk in Utah, so I want to get in, and get out, so to speak.
 
The quality and quantity on the Wasatch seems to be declining compared to the Manti. At least that is my observation and most comments on MM seem to agree.
My limited experience on the muzzle loader hunt is that the bigger bulls are still talking but are herded up and pretty call shy. It also really depends on the weather and the year. Some years are much better than others.
 
4-5 + years ago, It would only take 1 day to surpass what
Vanilla was seeing..

I've been watching the south half of the Wasatch all winter,
Elk numbers are noticably down, again this year.

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Goofy spends more time a month looking at elk on the Wasatch than I have in my life. The unit is pressured. They give out a lot of tags. There was about 650 LE elk tags drawn on the Wasatch last year and over 400 harvested an animal. That is a lot of animals for one unit. But it is big, and it has a lot of elk. From what the vast majority of experienced Wasatch guys say, the numbers aren't even close. But the DWR is trying to reduce those numbers, for whatever reason. Might want to get in before it gets too out of control.

During that hunt there will also be the ML general deer hunt going on at the same time. So you will be dealing with deer hunters as well. We didn't run into any deer hunters where we were at. Too bad, because about an hour before my brother shot his bull we saw a really nice 3x4 that would make the vast majority of general season deer hunters pretty happy.

The elk were talking like crazy during the ML hunt this year, but getting them to come in was much more tricky. We had times where we were working 3-4 different bulls around us. They kept interested, they kept talking to us (and to each other), but we could never get one to come to us with the calls. We had to locate them and then try to pursue them rather than have them come to us. If you are willing to hunt hard and stick with it, you have a good chance at a nice bull on the Wasatch during any of the seasons. Just have to realize a 320-ish bull is a bull you may not want to pass up unless you're hunting something you've seen that is bigger.
 
The muzzle loader hunt on the Wasatch is a lot of fun. I have seen the bulls go crazy during the spike elk hunt every time I have been up there hunting spikes with my little brother. The spike hunt is right after the muzzle loader hunt. The only real down side to the muzzle loader hunt is that is takes place after the early rifle hunt. I don't know the average number of Wasatch bulls that are taken during the archery hunt and early rifle hunt but it is a substantial number. That said in 2012 I got within muzzle loader range of three different 6x6 bulls and several smaller bulls on opening day of spike season and they were all bugling all morning. You can plan on get a bull in the 280-325 range. There are bigger bulls than that on the unit, but they are exception not the rule. There are still a lots of elk on the Wasatch even after the thousands of cow elk and spikes that get harvested each fall. You will have fun.

Good luck,

Dillon
www.dillonhoyt.com
 
With this years hunt dates, the muzzy will be the tag to have! As for Wasatch or Manti, take your pick, they both offer MANY elk!
 
Without scouting time I don't think there is a tangible advantage to putting in for Wasatch or manti, both will give you a fun hunt and will likely culminate in a 300" bull.

Personally I wouldn't burn the 11-13 points it takes to draw and go into a hunt blind. Either hire a guide, or pony up and scout it, it is after all more than a decade of your time invested just in waiting for the permit. Jmho...

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters
 
I had the archery tag last year and unfortunately was not able to kill a bull. But it was not due to lack of bulls. If I had a rifle or ML it would have been a different story. I hunted for 13 days total and saw elk every day and had a blast.

I don't know that drop camp would be that beneficial. The area is huge but it seems like you can find a road within a mile or two of just about anywhere. At least it seemed that way where I was on the northern end. Although a horse sure would've been nice!!

I ran into a few other hunters in fact there was a group of 5 in a spot I was hoping to camp on opening weekend but they were all spike hunters. Funny thing was we never saw them while out hunting and we were kind of hunting the same canyons. I'm not sure if there are other hunts going on during the muzzy elk so you may not have that problem.

It's a great hunt with lots of elk. Too bad I have to wait 5 yrs to apply again.
 
My boy drew the muzzleloader tag on the Wasatch last year. He doesn't care about hunting that much and couldn't get away from school and work to really do the tag justice. However, it was a great hunt. Saw a lot of good bulls over three hundred and a couple of really nice ones. Had a 360 or so, 7X7 standing in the open at 70 yards looking at us, with my boy was waiting for that perfect broadside shot like they teach you to get in hunter safety.
Of course, when the broadside did come, he was moving out when he realized we weren't part of his herd of cows.
Last year the muzzle loader season was during the rut and we heard elk all over, but many of the smart bulls are really hard to find in the thick stuff. On opening day we had four inches of snow on the trees which still have all their leaves. That is really hard to spot animals in.
There are still some really good bulls in the unit, but you have to have the time and stamina to find them. Most of the good elk are in the really steep rough thick stuff by then and it takes some luck and time to find them.
Also, remember these hills are really steep and big and you may have to run the herd down to get a good shot. So get in shape.
Good luck on the draw and we'll wait for another post if you draw.
 
I had the Muzz tag last year. I scouted it pretty good to find the area that I wanted to focus on. Not to find a particular bull. I shot my bull opening afternoon. the bulls were bugeling still.

There are some very good bulls on the wasatch but average from what I have seen over the years is 320 ish, a little more work will turn up a 340-350 bull and with alot of work or alot of luck there are some really big bulls on the unit.

there were a lot of bulls taken off the unit last year with the tag increases and from what i have heard and seen the tag numbers will be the same this year. the number of bulls on the unit has gone down in the last few years. But there are still some good ones to be had.

DeadI/Jared
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