Book Cliff Rifle Deer

gon4elk · May 4, 2008

Drew the above tag this year. And I'm looking for any info that I can get. Seen similar posts for the Archery and Muzzy hunts but..... The word transition area has come up in other posts. OK, where are these here transition places?? I've bben into the roadless area numerous times in early Fall for elk and have seen some "nice" bucks (nothing I'd pull the trigger on though). I assume the deer have bailed outta here by the time this deer tag rolls around(mid-October)? I have horses and am not affraid to get a way from the roads. What about the country surrounding the Thompson Springs area? Looks really rugged and good from a distance just wondering if this would be something to look into?

Any info would be much appreciated.

coalhunter · May 4, 2008

My hat is off to ya for getting in my opinion, a Great tag. Many people put down the book cliff unit. I spend a majority of the year all over this unit, and see many 180 + deer. And always 5 or 6 200 class monsters. I usually guide 3 hunters a year in this area, but am only booked with one hunter so far. I do not expect Utah natives to want to hire anyone, but I would be happy to share some good tips with you on a scouting trip. If you have no desire to reply, then my only advise would be to stay out of the roadless. Some big bucks in here, but not many on rifle hunt. Like you said "transition"

HuntinFoo · May 4, 2008

Your horses most likely wont do you any good out their, their are roads everywhere where you will be hunting that time of year. Their are good bucks anywhere, their is no specific spot I would look, just stay off the top 99% of the deer will be gone by them. If it were me I would try to cover as much country as possible and look at as many bucks as you can, that would be your best bet to find one of those 180+ bucks. They are their but if you think it is guaranteed than you will have a big surprise, I see about 30 bucks a year that come of the unit and only 1 or 2 hit the 180 mark. Most bucks are just the average 24 inch 155-165 type deer.

bonepiler · May 6, 2008

I would not overlook the roadless for rifle. For some reason, some deer hang up there. If you hunt in other parts of the unit, go lower. If weather gets bad, drop to NAsh Wash instead of the roadless.

desertbucks · May 7, 2008

Good luck on that 180+ buck. You get a 180 class buck and you are doing real good for this unit. This has turned into 140 to 150 class buck unit. I beleive Utah is rating this as a non trophy unit now, its all about the henry Mtns. Read the hunting forum on muley crazy on this subject or call Ryan Hatch he will tell you about this unit.

gdog · May 7, 2008

Coalhunter....post up some pics of those 200" Books bucks. Would love to see them!

Thanks.

ICHABOD · May 8, 2008

I hunted the Books rifle last year, and I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty... You wont kill a 200" buck if you SHOOT THE WRONG DEER!
Good Luck and have fun
------------------------------------------------------
By the way,
I live in UT.
There are a lot of UTARDS that live here.
I have also seen quite a few WYOMORONS, NEVADUHNS, COLORADORKS, ID-IOTS and AIRHEADZONANS in my travels.

JakeH · May 11, 2008

""I hunted the Books rifle last year, and I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty... You wont kill a 200" buck if you SHOOT THE WRONG DEER!""

LOL sounds like someone had a bad exsperince. LOL

Jake H. MM Member since 1999.

HornyMan · May 12, 2008

"I hunted the Books rifle last year, and I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty... You wont kill a 200" buck if you SHOOT THE WRONG DEER!"

He still took a respectable deer.