Need advice ...have 8 points...what unit for MD

firemedic56 · Dec 31, 2008

I'm a newbie here and I'd like to ask your advice on where to apply for a mule deer hunt. I'm somewhat familiar with Utah's units, at least I'm not totally ignorant about them. I have 8 bonus points now and I'd like to burn them on a unit where I have a chance to take a buck in the 180s or better. I'm not really hung up on score just used that as a reference point. I have no problem with getting back off the roads and using boot leather to access an area where the bigger deer reside. I've hunted all my life and hunted mulies several times in NM. What do you guys advise? Any help will be greatly appreciated and returned if possible.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Dec 31, 2008

180 or better is a pretty tall order for anywhere but the Henry Mountains in Utah. The Book Cliffs have a few as well as Vernon. The Paunsagant has the potential too but with 8 points I think the only one you have a real chance at is Vernon. I obviously if you are willing to go with a primitive weapon you will increase your odds but I the rifle odds aren't in you favor just yet. Good luck with whichever unit you decide. You're getting close!

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

Prism · Dec 31, 2008

Odds are currently that you'd never draw a Henries tag in your lifetime.

Like Jim said that's really a pretty tall order to fill in Utah for the most part. Too bad you can't turn them in for CO points.

I'd put your time in out on the Book Cliffs if you're looking to draw in the next few years, or maybe the Delores Triangle.

Sounds like Utah is going to really increase Book Cliffs tags again, so it might be better to draw sooner than later.

If you hunt muzzy or bow that opens up a few more options like the pauns archery.

Good luck!

firemedic56 · Dec 31, 2008

Thanks Bull, I do appreciate the help. I would go with a ML, I've seriously considered it already. It's just hard to come by good, honest info about Utah's units here in Alabama. I do a good bit of research, but it's still hard to sift through the chaff to find the grain if you know what I mean. I know there are deer that I would take in some of these less than famous units, I just need to find out which ones. Everyone seems to think the Pauns is in decline pretty bad, so I'm leaning toward ruling it out now. Thanks again for the help though.

JakeH · Dec 31, 2008

If you want my advise, it will be EXTREAMLY Hard to find a 180" buck out in the books without knowing the unit atleast some, go check out my post I just started and you will see the kind of bucks the books has to offer. There are some big deer out there, but there not on every ridge.

Prism, have you herd by how much they are going to increase the tags. Will they be rifle, or archery and Muzzy tags, or all.

Thats a shame if its true, I think they give out to many tags out there as it is.

Jake H. MM Member since 1999.

AZHUNTNDAN · Dec 31, 2008

firemedic56,
Sent you an email.

firemedic56 · Dec 31, 2008

I got the email...thanks...I'll be talking with you soon,...I appreciate it.

txhunter58 · Dec 31, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-08 AT 04:37PM (MST)[p]The thing to remember is that on units with only a couple of nonresident tags, if nothing changed this year, your odds won't go up much this year vs. last year. All those guys ahead of you last year are still ahead of you. The only real shot at raising your odds will be in units that give more than a couple to us.

AND, now that you can apply for both elk and mule deer, our odds will actually go DOWN this year compared to last. Bummer.

txhunter58

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

Prism · Dec 31, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-08 AT 05:18PM (MST)[p]Jake-I haven't heard a percentage, but I've heard it could be substantial if there isn't any winterkill to speak of.

Firemed-Now that nonresidents are being baited to buy a Utah hunting license and apply for all species, draw odds could get really crapy. I wonder how many guys that have been putting in for nonres elk will now put in for the Henries deer too. Might just make a Henries deer tag the hardest to draw nonresident tag in the world.

How much experience to you have hunting muleys? Have you hunted them outside of NM? If you haven't killed a lot of big muleys and don't have to kill a 180 plus buck to be happy I really think you'd enjoy the muzzleloader buck on the Book Cliffs. You'd likely see more bucks than you've seen in your life and I'd bet that if you spend some time behind some glass and do some walking you could turn up a buck that'd make you more than happy.

firemedic56 · Dec 31, 2008

Well now this is kinda doom and gloom from where I sit.....guess I need to rethink this situation and maybe change my ideas and or save some money and get on some private land......but I do REALLY appreciate all the info guys...I mean that. Anything you can tell me will be listened to and heeded.....keep it coming!

txhunter58 · Dec 31, 2008

> I wonder how
>many guys that have been
>putting in for nonres elk
>will now put in for
>the Henries deer too. Might
>just make a Henries rifle
>deer tag the hardest to
>draw nonresident tag in the
>world.

I am certainly not a doom and gloom kind of guy, but you have hit the nail on the head with that one. Because of that, I ceratinly won't be putting in for the Henry's. Or will I? LOL Bottom line is so many people will say, well it is only $10 more, why not?

And on the flip side, all those guys putting in for deer only in the past are now going to drastically lower my chance at an elk hunt.

txhunter58

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

Blank · Dec 31, 2008

I have 13 NR points, and really don't hold out much hope of drawing a Henry's tag for deer in the next 5 years. A guy can always hope, tho.

I started with the late Pauns muzzy when it was great, and have adjusted around as seasons and structures changed over the years. Lucky just isn't my middle name!

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Dec 31, 2008

I 100% agree with Prism. You will have a better chance at a great buck on the Book Cliffs muzzy hunt if you're not stuck on a 180+. You'd be suprised at the number of good bucks running around down there.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

firemedic56 · Dec 31, 2008

Thanks so much for all your opinions and advice guys,....this is just what I'm looking for. I'm not a doom and gloom kinda guy either, but I am a realist and I don't want to wait 5 more years to draw a mulie tag. Sooooooo, my reasearch goes on but now is shifted a bit towards a more realistic goal. It's just so hard to find credible information on this when you live out East, and never get to visit these units and see for yourself what they hold. Do most of the hunters that draw one of these LE tags really get out and hunt....hard...away from the road....as in miles away from it? Or do they road hunt in hopes of seeing a monster from the truck or a 1/4 of a mile from the road?