Help for 2017 ELK hunt for daughter

[BearCat]

My 15 year old daughter will be hunting on the mentor program next year for elk. My wife has 19 points and I am trying to do some research into some possible areas. This would be her first elk (unless she gets her cow in the next month)

I am used to hunting hard and steep, but need to keep in mind that this has to be fun and I will be taking my wife along as well as her grandfather... so any heavy hiking would be out of the question. That does not mean just driving roads, but need them to get into the areas and to have some access.

So I thought I would ask some of you out here for your thoughts. Since this is a once in a lifetime hunt for her, I figured there might be some people that would pass it on.

Looking for a place with some ATV/RZR access, looking for a good bull of course.

Feel free to PM me and we can talk. Be up to helping where I can of course.

Many Thanks in advance!
BC

 

[goofyelk]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-14-16 AT 11:09AM (MST)[p]IMO,
The Book cliffs, Bitter Creek early any weapon, would
be an awesome mentor hunt that fits what you have described.

 

[BearCat]

Thanks I will add those to my list..never been in that country

Thanks
BC

 

[BearCat]

What about Deseret? I have heard they have changed some of their guideline---anyone hunt there in 2016?

Thanks
BC

 

[JakeH]

I was going to suggest the book cliffs as well.


Jake H. BIG BONE HUNTING Page on Facebook.

 

[woodruffhunter]

>What about Deseret? I have
>heard they have changed some
>of their guideline---anyone hunt there
>in 2016?
>
>Thanks
>BC

Deseret is a a few miles from my house. Great, easy hunt. Yes, easy and perfect for a new hunter. If you want to kill a 375" bull then it probably is not the place for you. Sure, they are there but most likely you will end up with a 330-340" bull. A great bull in my book. I would think that it would be a good option.

Just my 2 cents.... Opinions vary....

 

[BearCat]

I know that most would think after 19 years we should go after a monster, but it is more important that my daughter have a great experience and get a decent bull than to make it about a monster. She has a couple of deer in her pocket, but we tried in CO for a bull and it just did not work out. She is terribly excited about next year!

On the Deseret I heard if you draw blood (even a scratch counts, and that they were looking at not guiding anymore for the draw hunters)...I was just curious what 2016 hunters experienced.

thanks
BC

 

[BearCat]

Thanks looks like a place to check out.

 

[txhunter58]

What is the Mentor program? Your wife has the 19 points, and she draws a tag, but your 15 year old daughter gets to shoot the elk? Haven't heard of that program

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[BearCat]

Utah has what they call a Mentor program. It is way in which the DWR are trying to get kids into hunting. So as a parent or grandparent you can give your tag to a child between the ages of 12 and 17. They must be with the child while hunting. You can also give your tag to a life threatening illness child and in that case only... I believe it does not have to be your child. More rules are in the handbook

My wife used to hunt more but feels like it is a great opportunity to be with her daughter and see her get something that would normally be a 20 year wait.

 

[goofyelk]

19 points will most likely not pull the Desert CWMU permit...

It Will take 20+ points to be in the bonus permits for 2017.

 

[elkassassin]

Howdy BearCat!

Where you been?









[font color="blue"]She put a Big F.U. in My Future,Ya She's got a
way with Words[/font]

 

[BearCat]

I was looking at the odds and it looked like some 19s might draw but I will check again...I might have missed something....

 

[BearCat]

I did not know anyone would notice...ha ha. Been concentrating on the kids so nothing huge but the memories!! That and after the Henry hunt kind of ruined it for me...How u doing?

 

[BearCat]

Goofy ur right looks like 28 ahead as we just had 18 this year...so probably will not draw in time for her as she has only two years possibly three depending on her birthday...thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Vanilla]

You would not be able to bring all those people if you go the Deseret route. And the scouting and preparing in anticipation for the hunt is half the fun. You won't get that there.

Lots of options for an early rifle hunt in that point pool. Only a handful that are out of the equation. Good access on the Manti, as well as the Wasatch. I've never hunted Fish Lake, but I've heard it's pretty accessible.

Some really good bulls on the Manti the last couple years.

 

[BearCat]

Vanilla you are a 100% correct on desert! It would not be for me, but I do have to think about my wife whom I want to make sure has a great time....manti has been on my list as I have some contacts that might help...by the way I think u can bring extra people...just have to pay for them... not sure desert is in the running based on my time frame..I just appreciate everyone's help..as I never thought I would have a daughter that loves to hunt!

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Wasatch or Manti premium tags would be at the top of my short list with that many points, assuming you live within close proximity and have the time to make the premium tag worth it.

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

 

[elkantlers]

^^^^This

 

[BearCat]

Thanks everyone, I know information is like gold and I have spent 48 years obtaining mine, that is why I greatly appreciate when someone will share theirs!

My daughter still has a cow tag, so we are going to get more experience, but it looks like pts are going to be the negating item as I think best case she will only get to 21 max before she times out and she also will be given a chance for moose so I got to time it just right....yes she is lucky but feel like I am the lucky one!

Thanks everyone. fell free to message me if need be as I am also looking at CWMU hunts.

BC

 

[BearCat]

Elkantlers what is ^^^^^This? Just a dumb question I am sure!

 

[elkassassin]

>Elkantlers what is ^^^^^This? Just
>a dumb question I am
>sure!


He's Basically repeating what BEAVIS Said!











[font color="blue"]She put a Big F.U. in My Future,Ya She's got a
way with Words[/font]

 

[jethro12]

If you are not hung up on it having to be a rifle hunt the Monroe Muzzleloader tag is within reach and that hunt is an absolute blast. We were into multiple bulls every day and there is some very accessible country there.

 

[BearCat]

I would not be hung up on it, but have to give my little girl the best possible so I will stay with ribles, but thanks of another option jethro!

 

[BIGJOHNT]

Manti or Monroe maybe a option. But someone mentioned Fish lake. I wouldn't give up 19 points on Fish lake. It was a tough year on Fish lake last year. Maybe it will be a better year next year. But I doubt it. Good luck to your wife and daughter. Hope they draw next year and get it done.

 

[BearCat]

Thanks BigJohnT!

We will make it fun no matter what...just trying to stack the deck in her favor. We still have a cow elk hunt to get this year and get some more experience under her belt.

D

 

[CAelknuts]

Some have already said it but I also think Monroe may be what you're looking for. Pretty easy country, lots of elk and some darn nice bulls. East side of the unit is very RV friendly.

 

[Vanilla]

Monroe early rifle tag is a long ways out. You aren't drawing that tag for 13+ years. Even the muzzy tag on the Monroe is not guaranteed at 19 points.

Not many places on earth that you can ride the roads and have a great chance at a good bull. It happens, it just takes more luck than anything. I would not want to leave 19 points and a one time opportunity on a mentor tag for your daughter to luck. I would want to stack the odds in my favor as much as possible. I totally understand the situation, though.

I would look hard at the Manti. There are a ton of elk, so going around and getting excited about seeing elk would add to the overall experience. There is a real good chance at a 310-320 type bull, with a decent shot at one much bigger. There are a lot of roads to get places, but as stated above, you're going to have to walk a little bit at least to give her a chance at the bigger elk. 19 points is beyond what it takes to draw, so you'd be guaranteed. But if you are looking for a unit with a lot of elk to see, good access, and a chance at a mature bull, I think the Manti fits the bill. Of course, the roads are usually up high and drop down into the pits of hell, so once you see one or after you shoot one, you'll have your work cut out for you. But it's a great unit.