Wasatch LE Elk

rugarm77

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Well another day of scouting is in the books. I want to see as much of the unit as I can prior to my hunt. Knowing that elk move around depending on the season I think getting places narrowed down is important. My hunt starts Sept 22 with the muzz. The couple weeks prior will be the most important in trying to locate their patterns.

My question to you all is has anyone else had this tag, and how was your hunt?
 
I have had the Wasatch tag twice (rifle) I have participated in multiple other rifle 4 archery and 2 muzzy. This year you guys might have the best dates. It should be a good year. I have been seeing some really good Bulls this year. Can't wait to see what happens and how they finish out. You should have a stellar hunt.
 
I've spent an awful lot time looking at, hunting, following
around the Wasatch elk the last 35 years ....

From what I'm seeing, or not, the elk numbers have dropped
DRAMATUCALY over the last 3 - 4 years on the south half of the unit.

And YES, there still are a few good bulls, but the overall
herd numbers have diminished greatly ...
The herds of 50 with a dozen bulls running around during
the rut are a distant memory....

Now, at least were I frequent, it's more like 6 to 8 cows and
one bull running for their lives....

The ML hunt dates are GREAT this year , should help.
I've found about 20 diffrent bulls so far this year, one that is
very good, but thats it in 20+ days looking...
5+ years ago in the same areas I was finding 50+ bulls,
and TONS of cows-----Not any more.




4aec49a65c565954.jpg
 
I agree the dates should be great! Goofy a lot of folks have echoed what your saying on numbers. I didn't see elk today but I will be back up again in two weeks for another round.
 
This time of year it's tough to find elk because it's so blasted hot. Where they are now will not be where they are when your hunt starts. Two reasons for that: 1- the rut; and 2- they will have been chased and hunted for over a month straight by the time the muzzy hunt rolls around.

You shouldn't have trouble finding elk during the muzzy hunt. Numbers may be down from 5+ years ago, but there are still elk around. Depending on what your expectations are, you could see some awesome bulls. I have helped on the last two LE muzzy seasons. 2013 we saw more elk overall. 2014 we found better bulls. We were in a little different area last year than we focused in 2013. The numbers Goof shared aren't too far off from my experience the last two years. 2013 it seemed most herds were 10-15 cows, last year about the same. We did see three different herds with 20+ cows last year, but most herds we found were smaller. But also saw a couple herds with 5-8 cows as well. That was the exception, however.

If you will be happy with a 320 class bull with an okay shot at a 340-350 class bull during the hunt, you're in for a real treat. If your expectations are 370+, you'll likely be disappointed. With the age class they've been harvesting there the last few years, and the quality potential growth factor because of the spring moisture, I'd say you should be REALLY excited for your hunt. It should be a fantastic experience.
 
I had a Muzzleloader tag in 2012, it was the funnest hunt I have been on to date. I could hear bugles nearly all day long even from camp. The biggest bulls were secure with their cow by then so they would only respond to calls, but you could locate them and move in. I was so close to so many elk, it was awesome. Missed a shot at a really solid 330-340 ish bull and then killed a decent 5 point. There were much bigger elk that I chased, but I had never killed a bull other than spikes prior to that hunt and I got nervous toward the end of the week. Take your time and enjoy the rut action. The very best thing I did prior to the hunt starting, I went up 3 day prior, was to take drives at night, hike out on a ridge and bugle into the canyons. Wait for 20-30 minutes after you shut off your truck and walk just a little ways from the road. I got a good feel of where the bulls were during the night and then I would glass them in the morning. You'll have a blast good luck. PM me if you need some starting points, I grew up on that unit.
 
Also, I have seen far less elk as well in the last few years. But my brother just spent a weekend up on the unit and he say 14 bulls in a couple of our favorite spots. He did not see 1 cow however. You should still be able to find a few bulls.
 
You may have just typed it wrong and already know this, but your muzzy LE Elk hunt actually starts on Monday, September 21st. Don't want you to miss the first day of your hunt :)

Best of luck to you - it is a great year to have the muzzy tag with good antler growth and some good elk around. I am still depressed I did not draw this year!!
 
>You may have just typed it
>wrong and already know this,
>but your muzzy LE Elk
>hunt actually starts on Monday,
>September 21st. Don't want
>you to miss the first
>day of your hunt :)
>
>
>Best of luck to you -
>it is a great year
>to have the muzzy tag
>with good antler growth and
>some good elk around.
>I am still depressed I
>did not draw this year!!
>

Thanks, I noticed that date was a day off after I posted. Hope ya draw next year.
 
Hope to hear how this turns out after the season.
I have enough points to be in the running on a couple of the muzzleloader hunts in the near future. :D
Good Luck!
 
I want to say thanks for the input and advice from those who posted and PM'd. Come fall I hope to be able to provide a post, pictures and story of a nice bull down! Good luck to everyone this upcoming hunting season, I look forward to seeing and hearing from others.
 
If your info starts to run dry, hit me up.... I know some good areas. While hunting deer I get into screaming bulls regularly up there. I'd be happy to help out.



I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!
 
There's no good elk on that unit. None at all. Sorry to spoil things for you now, but you will be lucky to see a spike. You should not plan on going at all. Just stay home and lock up some criminals. It will be a better use of your time!

HA HA!! You know I am just jealous Rug!!

Good luck bro! Let us know how it turns out. Hope you get a MONSTER!!



HOOK 'EM!
_______________________________________

Since I am frequently asked about my religion on this site and others, I have created a profile that explains my beliefs. If you are interested in finding out more about my faith, please visit the link below:

http://mormon.org/me/6RNQ/
 
>There's no good elk on that
>unit. None at all. Sorry
>to spoil things for you
>now, but you will be
>lucky to see a spike.
>You should not plan on
>going at all. Just stay
>home and lock up some
>criminals. It will be a
>better use of your time!
>
>
>HA HA!! You know I am
>just jealous Rug!!
>
>Good luck bro! Let us know
>how it turns out. Hope
>you get a MONSTER!!
>
>
>
>HOOK 'EM!
>_______________________________________
>
>Since I am frequently asked about
>my religion on this site
>and others, I have created
>a profile that explains my
>beliefs. If you are interested
>in finding out more about
>my faith, please visit the
>link below:
>
>http://mormon.org/me/6RNQ/

LMBAWLZZOFF!! TY Roy
 
>Thanks kawboy, bring Kenny with ya!!
>

Now why would you want him to bring Kenny?

You get those two guys together and one of them will push you down the mountain! I'm lucky to be alive after being around those two animals!

Zeke
 
Lol..... Zeke, that was a fun day! We even found a few elk too


I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!
 
>>Thanks kawboy, bring Kenny with ya!!
>>
>
>Now why would you want him
>to bring Kenny?
>
>You get those two guys together
>and one of them will
>push you down the mountain!
>I'm lucky to be alive
>after being around those two
>animals!
>
>Zeke


LMBAWLZZOFF
 

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