8 Points in Utah

2pointer · Feb 9, 2017

So I have 8 points going into the draw this year. A few years ago, I was excited about having enough points to draw a decent archery elk tag. But as I got more points, I decided to hang onto them a little longer in hopes of drawing a rifle, or muzzleloader tag with a higher chance of killing a bull.

My question is this. Do I continue to collect points for another 8-10 years to maybe draw a premium tag, or do I settle for a so-so unit now and move on to collecting deer points? If I go all in this year, what unit would I have the best chance at an elk? Of course I would love a 400" bull, but realistically, I know I would shoot the 1st 320 -330" bull I could.

2Pointer
www.jglowblinds.com

hornkiller · Feb 9, 2017

Talk to bess you are way more than 8-10 years from a premium tag! With the odds getting worse every year you may never draw a tag.

2pointer · Feb 9, 2017

That's part of my concern. That is why I'm considering trying to cash in on a tag now even if it's not a Monroe tag.

2Pointer
www.jglowblinds.com

goofyelk · Feb 9, 2017

I know were I'd be if I had 8 points.
Archery, Book Cliffs.

ElwoodUT · Feb 9, 2017

If you don't want to do archery then you may need to hold off. In a few years you could draw muzzy tag on a good unit. If it were me I would hold out until then.

If you are dead set on drawing a hunt then there are only a few hunts that you could draw but it's unlikely that you'll shoot anything 320+

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SCOUT. HUNT. HARVEST. ENJOY!

bowhunt · Feb 10, 2017

You are a LONG time from a "good rifle or muzzleloader tag"

So, if you want to hunt, then go for it and get an archery tag.

elkantlers · Feb 10, 2017

Do you want to hunt elk once in your life or several times?

257Tony · Feb 10, 2017

Goofy is on to something... If you like to bowhunt, Books Cliffs is a good way to go and you may actually draw before you die.

heartshot · Feb 10, 2017

I'd cash them in, on a lesser but descent hunt, as soon as I could and then start again.

PSEbackcountry · Feb 10, 2017

Not familiar with elk draw odds anyways, but don't know if he got lucky or just bonus pool, but he drew early rifle tag for Fishlake with 10 points. So that might be an idea

WhiskeyDog · Feb 10, 2017

Seeing some folks suggesting the Book Cliffs archery convinced me to chime in. For starters, last year it took 10 points to draw the roadless archery and 7 points to draw the bitter creek archery in the bonus permits. Your 320-330 size range is a realistic goal for the Books. I feel most Bookcliffs bulls top out in the 350 range, but setting a 330 type goal is more realistic without knowledge of the land and especially with archery. The archery hunt in the Books is definitely not like a primos video with screaming bulls chasing cows all over. It's hot, the bulls aren't very vocal, and the big boys are tucked in some nasty holes. I'm not saying a big bull can't be killed, but if I didn't have a pretty decent game plan, I wouldnt cash those points just yet. If you're someone in good physical shape and have knowledge of the books or are willing to hire someone who does, the archery hunt there can be a riot. Think archery hunting bachelor herds of mulies in big, deep canyons, and that's the books archery elk hunt. It's primarily spot and stalk.

If you've decided to hold out and pass on the archery experience, you're a few years from most rifle or muzzleloader hunts, but there are a few underrated hunts that could be closer than you think.

If you want to know more about the Book Cliffs hunts, you can visit our website, www.huntwithgtoutfitters.com
We primarily hunt the Book Cliffs, and feel we offer the best hunts in the area. We'd be happy to answer any other questions you have, our contact info is listed on the website. Good luck with your decision, and hope you draw the best tag for you.

257Tony · Feb 10, 2017

If you want the ultimate challenge in a place that holds some truly monster bulls, you could draw MT. Dutton archery. Tough place to hunt, but plenty of good bulls and a chance at a real monster.

arns · Feb 10, 2017

With 8 points you could draw a few archery units like the wasatch or maybe the books and they have a lot 300 to 330 class bulls. The big boys are on the San- Juan,Monroe and unit like that and they take 12 to 16 points for archery. And most of the best units take 16 to 21 to draw a early rifle tag. The DWR screwed the archery hunt with their spike hunt.so I suggest you look at last years draw odds find a unit you can draw and go hunting

WapitiBob · Feb 10, 2017

And I'd add up the number of guys ahead of me for a few hunts and see just how many years "a few years away" might be, given the number of tags issued for those hunts.

desertpointbrian · Feb 11, 2017

Archery pahvant is where I would be focusing the next few years with that many points

ByeByeObamas · Feb 11, 2017

So here is my dilemma, me and a few buddies started getting pts 9 pts ago. Cant put in as a group and very few places that have enough tags to really make this conceivable until we have top points, which i see happening in 2035....

Its always fun to speculate.

I have pts for elk in several states so i hope (in a few years to have a good bull hunt every year for a while) oregon -10 nevada-9 utah 9 washington 13.

arns · Feb 11, 2017

You're at least 5 years out on the Pahvant.That if every thing stayed the same,and it won't so more like 7 or 8. Because the guys with 10 to 11put in for the San-Juan or Monroe then they switch back

dillon · Feb 11, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-17 AT 06:22PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-17 AT 06:21?PM (MST)

You are still a long ways out for a good rifle or muzzleloader tag. A lot of units can get you a 320 bull. If you want a 400-inch bull you need to cash in all your luck and get lucky and draw a random tag for one of the elite units in Utah.

Check out www.Toprut.com to figure out where you stand and what units are higher probabilities for you with 8 points. Look at some of the late and mid-season hunts if you want to increase your odds and still have a chance on a good bull.

Dillon
www.dillonhoyt.com