Book Cliffs in 09

huntnbill · Nov 14, 2008

Hey guys! A friend has 9 pts non res. for deer in Utah. What do you think? We were thinking that to draw sometime soon he would go to the Book Cliffs or wait until hell freezes over and go to the Henry's hopefully in the next decade? He is looking for a 180 plus Buck. This is for Rifle. Any advise would be great!
Thanks, Bill

Silentstalker · Nov 14, 2008

IMO 180+ is no easy task on the Books. Certainly possible but not the norm. I would say more like 165-170? There are tons of bucks on the Books, just not a lot of monsters! It would be a fun hunt though!

huntnbill · Nov 14, 2008

Yea we kind of heard that. Thanks for the info. I will pass it on. I checked the draw odds after the post and I think it would be awhile before he drew anyway.
Thanks again, Bill

Daxter · Nov 15, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Nov-15-08 AT 08:56PM (MST)[p]If my goal was 180+, I would probably look at other units. There are some out there, but I would say that most bucks killed in the Books are 20-24" wide and score 140-160.

huntnbill · Nov 15, 2008

Any suggestions where else to look?
Thanks, Bill

justr_86 · Nov 15, 2008

bookcliffs caught crabs bad... dont waste your points.

YukonDall · Nov 15, 2008

HUNTNBILL.....I HAVE 9 NON RESIDENT POINTS ALSO, I'M NOT SURE THAT IS ENUFF TO DRAW THE BOOKS DEER. WHAT DO YOU THINK, DOES UTAH F&G TREAT YOUR NEXT APPLICATION AS A 10 POINT APPLICATION WHEN YOU APPLY WITH 9 POINTS ??? ......YD.

huntnbill · Nov 16, 2008

YD,
No, I do not think it is enough to draw. I think based on 08 stats without change it would take at least two more years and that is saying the data stays the same. Which we all know will not.I have heard that the Cliffs is off for a good Buck that is why I thought I would ask around MM to see what would come up. I am sure I will start looking around at other units. My buddy has waited this long, he will wait as long as takes- except for a Henrys tag!
Bill

buckspotter7 · Nov 16, 2008

There are 44 NR's left with 10 pts. going in to next year! That would mean, with about 15 pref tags, at least 3 years to get through them. Not to mention the guys that switch or have been putting in for points only. I'd say at least five years for your buddy to get a Book Cliffs (any weapon) tag. He could always get lucky and draw one in the random draw though! Does he archery hunt at all?

cumminsboy97 · Nov 16, 2008

I hunted the Books this year. I wanted a 170+. I did my research and hunted the full week. In the end I ended up eating tag soup. There a ton of deer out there, but if you want a 180" you may be off putting in somewhere else. I know there are 180" bucks there I just didnt luck out. It was one of the funnest hunts I have been on, but I think you may have to pick between quality and quantity.

huntnbill · Nov 18, 2008

Thanks again guys! Ya he bow hunts but cannot get away at that time of the year because of his job. So it is any weapon only for him in Utah. I have looked at other units that we know a little about. He knows it is going to be a few more years so he will wait and to see what happens. You would think with that many small bucks running around the the Cliffs that by the time he draws it could be better? Time will tell.
Bill