Mentor Tag: Late Nebo or Late Manti?

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

Got enough resident elk points to draw either late season nebo or manti and will mentor tag to my 14 year old. We have stomped around on both units and have seen good bulls on both. The late hunt takes place from nov 12-20th when we are usually down south somewhere filming muleys so I'm asking for some help from you guys that spend time on either unit during those dates each year. I know the nebo is not as "friendly" a unit as far as terrain goes and the manti unit holds more numbers of elk. But...what unit would provide a better opportunity at a 320 type bull in your opinion?? Or if you were taking a 14 yr old "experienced mountain goat" what unit would you hunt?

30Hart · Feb 16, 2016

Do you have horses?

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

littlebighorn · Feb 16, 2016

One of the best hunters I know had the late Manti tag several years ago. I went out on opening weekend to help and while I saw literally thousands of elk, I did not see a single mature bull. That time of year they find pretty good hiding places, often on private land, to hang out.
My friend hunted every day of the season and ended up taking a raghornish 6 point on the last day.
So if you don't know where to go, be prepared to have a hard time finding your 320 bull or know more than we did.

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

I appreciate the advice and insight. I know these late elk hunts can be tough. Thanks for the help!

30Hart · Feb 16, 2016

With horses I like Nebo a little better on the late hunt...there are some big bulls up there...I'd say you have a good chance for a 330 at the top end and worst case a 310-320.

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

Thanks 30Hart for your input.

Cam@strawberry · Feb 16, 2016

Any reason why you aren't looking at a Wasatch late tag?

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

The truth is I don't know anything about the wasatch late rifle elk hunt. Other than just driving on the asphalt through the unit I wouldn't even know where to begin.

treedagain · Feb 16, 2016

I would take berrys hint and run with it

Cam@strawberry · Feb 16, 2016

I'd do a Wasatch hunt, you'll have no issue seeing mature Bulls in cascade springs, Daniels canyon, hobble creek, south fork, and tabiona mtn. Merry Christmas! Personally I think this would provide a much better experience for a 14 yr old. But that's just my .02

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

Shadow · Feb 16, 2016

Late hunts can be good if your familier with their habits. Whatever you choose, good on you for doing the mentor thing.

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

I very much appreciate the advice berry and will take a serious look at the wasatch late hunt. Thanks for taking time to share your input.

thehighdesert · Feb 16, 2016

Thanks Shadow! We need to keep our young hunters excited about and interested in hunting. As hard as these limited entry tags are to draw it might be the only way a young hunter could have a chance at hunting more than one limited entry and once in a lifetime species in Utah.

goofyelk · Feb 16, 2016

Right now,
The late Nebo looks like the best shot for a better bull.
And would put the Manti over the Wasatch ...IMO
Im on these units almost every day-------------

thehighdesert · Feb 17, 2016

10-4 goofyelk and thanks for your input. I really do appreciate the info and advice and from someone who's out on the units as often as you are. We've glassed some nice bulls late in the season on several of those super steep oak and pine faces on that unit wondering why they don't just step off and drop down into the sagebrush and lower oak areas?? But they do what they do for a reason I guess.

Cam@strawberry · Feb 17, 2016

Having hunted the late hunt the last 3 years running on the Wasatch, I have seen and shot at, and harvested after missing, 330+ bull on a daily basis. The areas that Goof hunts on the Wasatch are DEVOID of elk, but that doesn't mean that they aren't there in other areas still.

Last years bull was a 361", the one canyon we were hunting had 6 340"+ bulls in it alone. So if you feel like the Manti can do that for you then put in for it!

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

thehighdesert · Feb 17, 2016

Sounds like you're intimate with the unit and where the better bulls are during the late hunt. I sent you a pm.

Vanilla · Feb 17, 2016

Is access with those later dates this year going to be an issue for forest service road closures? With horses, some of that might be mitigated. Something to look into on each of the units as well.

I have no experience with Nebo, a little more than zero with the Manti, and a little more than that with Wasatch. If you learn where the elk go that time of year, I suspect a 320 bull is very doable in all 3.

One thing with Berry, his experience is not everyone's. They guide the Wasatch, and know it inside and out. Plus, they have access to private lands. None of that is intended as a criticism at all. Just offering perspective that his ability to find big elk I the Wasatch is different than most others. He knows his stuff. They flat get it done on that unit.

thehighdesert · Feb 18, 2016

Vanilla, thanks for help and input. I'll get in touch with berry and discuss his services if we decide to put in for the wasatch.

Cam@strawberry · Feb 18, 2016

I returned your PM Mark, and thanks Nilla! That's a wonderful compliment I appreciate it. We do have access to private, but haven't taken a bull off of it with a guided hunter in like 5 years. I did shoot my own bull off it a couple years ago, but other than that all the bulls I've posted pics of and videos are from public land. Most of them are from land and areas easily accessed by nearly any hunter with decent shape.

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

thehighdesert · Feb 18, 2016

Thanks Berry! Looking forward to talking to you.

Vanilla · Feb 19, 2016

Some of your videos are from the highway!

I always look forward to the trail cam pics and your videos. Keep them coming! I know you have more that you're holding out on.

thehighdesert · Feb 19, 2016

hey berry! Is vanilla your booking agent or A and R rep?? I feel like I'm back in the music business....kinda being played at both ends. Just razzin ya both. I really do appreciate all the help.

Vanilla · Feb 19, 2016

Hey now! If this is true, I have not been getting my cut. Berry...you holding out?

For the record, to my knowledge I've never met berrysblaster. I don't even know what his real name is. I do know he is a part of Strawberry Bay Outfitters, and he posts pictures and videos of big elk. Which I like!

I'm not advocating hiring them. I was just trying to illustrate that most of us wouldn't be able to step on the Wasatch and have that kind of success berrysblaster does due to his/their knowledge. That said, if I was hunting the Satch and really wanted a guide, they would be one I'd call based upon their reputation alone. (I'm expecting my referral fee by next week, berry!)

thehighdesert · Feb 19, 2016

Hahahaha! Sawright with me. Again I appreciate the help and just hope now we can draw the tag!! You guys have a great weekend!

Cam@strawberry · Feb 19, 2016

Vanilla if you've been to the marina, you've probably met me. I'm here almost every day haha.

I really do appreciate the praise it's nice to hear.

We do our best to do things the 'right' way if you get my drift. All of us are avid elk hunters, we don't care for any other animal beyond just for fun.

I personally eat, sleep, and breathe elk hunting just cause it's what I love. Ask my wife haha she just says goodbye in August I'll see you come November!

I also love helping out youth hunters as much as I can, which is why I've jumped on this thread.

Hopefully high desert and son have a hunt that is a once in a lifetime experience!

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters