Vernon Vs Books

D

deuce7777

Guest
I have 9 points and have been putting in for the book cliffs every year. I grew up hunting out there but havent been back out since we last drew in like 2002. I have heard the cliffs have really declined. I know it's a fun hunt and you see tons of willow horned bucks, but i know going in with thoughts of a 180" is tough. I have never hunted the vernon unit, but am hearing that my odds are better for a bigger buck. Im not asking for any "honey hole" just some honest opinions. Do ya hunt the area you are familiar with and hunt hard and hope to kick up something big, or go with the unknown vernon. Vernon is alot closer to home for scouting so i guess thats a plus.. thoughts, anyone?
 
thanks for the link.. choices, i think the books, i have no first hand knowledge of the vernon area and it sounds like numbers are down as well
 
If you want to hunt this year then go books cuz 9 pts will not get you a Vernon tag. The Vernon has gone down hill, they are killn 200 bucks a year out there. If they would cut the tags a little you could find some good bucks. A 180 buck would be real tough on the Vernon. They also tend to kill bigger bucks on the archery hunt for some reason, maybe because they get to hunt to first. I have hunted out there a lot with friend and family it's a fun hunt but tough for 170 and above bucks.
 
I think you may be talking yourself into the Vernon... With it being closer, you could probably get to know it pretty well over the summer. I think you are going to get just about even votes one way or the other...

In the end, you probably want to go with the one that you will be able to hunt the most this year. It sounds like you are going Vernon. Plus, even with 9 points, you're not guaranteed for either of them... So, if you didn't draw this year, would you for sure go Vernon next year..? If so, you should probably go this year...

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
I dont know if its me or just hearing all the banter about how bad the book cliffs have gotten over the past years. when i drew it (10 years ago) i hunted but mostly by ATV, and killed a 26" 4 point, but it was really willow horned id say a 150 class buck. Now that im older and know more about glassing etc i feel like i should be able to top that. I think as you said browningrage, thate everyone will say bigger, better quality in vernon then the next will say its the cliffs. I guess thats why its called hunting. Did anyone hunt either last year and have an honest opinion through experiences last year
 
I hunted Vernon rifle last year. I drew with 10 NR points and it was a 50/50 draw for me. I went by myself...had only scouted it once but had a frickin blast. In a perfect world, I'd have liked to scout it more but I live 14 hours away from the unit. I had a lot of input. I am not a trophy hunter and didn't hold out for a trophy. I shot a decent buck on the 4th day. I didn't see any monsters. I heard of a few good ones killed on the rifle hunt and a buddy of mine and his partner shot pretty good ones 2 days after I shot mine. Don't make it about shooting a toad. Make it about having the best hunt you can. If Vernon is a lot closer to you, it's a no brainer. Its beautiful country and there are a lot of guys here that can give you tips. I can't wait to get back there. I loved the area.

M'Balz Es Hari
 
I have hunted or been a part of hunts 3 out of the last 4 years in the book cliffs. I would say that 140-150 would be a good expectation this year in the Books. I am not saying that there are not bigger deer there, but they would be the exception. As I have said many times, if you go to the Books with the expectation of a 180" buck then there is a good chance you will be disappointed.

I can't speak for the Vernon, but if it were me and I wanted something bigger than a 150ish buck then I would go Vernon every time. You are going to want to scout either unit you choose, and with the Vernon being closer to where you live it would make the choice easier.
 
I live 45 Min. from Vernon and I can honestly say I would go with a 6hr.drive to the Books!!!!! I passed that info on to Wizz last year also.....
 
ive been on both units for the last 6-7 years. Not as many bucks on the vernon but the quality is a touch better on average then it is on the bookcliffs.


avatar_2528.jpg


who farted?
 
I HAVE NOT HUNTED THE VERNON, BUT I DID HUNT THE BOOKS 2 YEARS AGO. THANKS TO TIKKA & BROWNINGRAGE I HAD A GREAT HUNT, SAW A BUNCH OF DEER EVERY DAY. THE BOOKS HUNT IS INTERESTING, AND I DID SEE A COUPLE OF THUMPER BUCKS AS WELL. DONT OVER LOOK THE BOOKS....................YD.
 
Given the number of tags in both units and the number of 180" bucks pics that show up on this forum from either unit, I'd say your standard is lofty. You might find one from either place, but then you might tag one in a general units as well.
No information, one way or another is going to get you that buck. I'd say, go with your gut, hunt your heart out, and as Wiz preached, have a great time doing it. Best of luck!
 
My brother had a Book cliffs rifle tag last year. We seen a few heavy old 3x3's that he would have taken on the last day. We found a better than average 4x5 that scored ~165 and his hunt was over. It amazed me at how many hunters out there got discouraged after 2 days of hunting, they shot a young buck and left. Take your time on the Books, enjoy some time out there and you should be able to do better than the average.

Smokepole
 
Love the books i'd put in for books over vernon anyday. Hes above average but this is my dads buck from the books back in 05 he was taken on the muzzy hunt went 207 net and had a 31 inch outside spread
scan0006.jpg

scan0002.jpg

scan0004.jpg
 
I have to agree with Smokepole about the Books... A girl and her family camped near us in 2011 and she shot a young 3 point on Sunday morning and they pulled out at lunchtime... On opening day we had a 22" 4 point run into the road in front of us about 10am. We watched him stand there and look at us before prancing off... He didn't even tempt us, but a minute later some guys in orange came runnin out of the brush after him, lookin to shoot a young buck ASAP apparently...

While I think it applies everywhere, if you take your time, you'll have a more enjoyable hunt.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
My brother and I hunted the Vernon (archery) in 2011. It was a great hunt, I'd love to have the tag again. We scouted a ton (live close) and hunted hard, I killed my buck on the 8th morning and he killed his on the 9th.

My brother's buck was over 180", mine was not. Neither of the bucks we killed were the largest that we saw/hunted.

Having the tag was a great experience, I had a blast from the time I knew I'd drawn all the way through until the hunt was over. Lots of fun.

I've not hunted the Books but I'm sure it would also be a fun tag. Like others have said, I'd encourage you to take the experience as a whole no matter what you choose. I ended up with a deer I was happy with and a ton of really good memories from that year.

I've posted this picture before, but here is my Vernon buck.

UT2011_1.jpg


UT2011_2.jpg
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-12-13 AT 00:13AM (MST)[p]Go into the Book Cliffs roadless and u can kill a 180 no prob I see them in there all the time when i check my cows
 

Similar threads

N
What would you do ???
Replies
46
Views
2k
notrace
N
urge2hunt
Book Cliffs Deer Hunt - Limited Spots
Replies
0
Views
886
urge2hunt
urge2hunt
willfrye027
CO 66 vs 67 elk rifle
Replies
4
Views
944
Joe2Kool
Joe2Kool

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos

Member Gallery Photos and Videos!

8610A34A-4B80-4398-ABE3-704C43D7E410.jpeg
489B292E-EA4A-4875-9F1C-C7104524E7F1.jpeg
F5065D3A-62E6-4DA3-AE5D-1A85C3FD3281.jpeg
446F491D-4E13-49FC-9163-478574C795E6.jpeg
20230828_175459.jpg
20211113_132959.jpg
20200117_181442.jpg
CF40E617-EDF2-4462-B31B-DC9F961C35C5.jpeg
A245406F-69AE-42C3-BF22-7F6BC41A42B8.jpeg
6875B1D4-564D-478F-88BD-2A94F9AB3898.jpeg
D681E39F-B604-4E9D-B5A8-30FE98F695EE.png
IMG_3302.png
Back
Top Bottom