1st time hunting out west. What elevation in Utah Oct 21-29

Jimreed · Aug 21, 2017

I have killed well over 100 whitetail in my life and have never hunting for a Mule Deer or Elk. I drew my first tag this year for a gun hunt in Utah Region Central moutains Manti/Rafael. I live 21 hours away. I am hoping to get up there a couple days before my hunt and scout but I have heard differing suggests from the few people I talked to. I was able to stop in for half a day this summer while I was out there for a wedding. I drove my atv around skyline drive starting at Fairview. Some people I chatted with said go way south on skyline driver. Another told me that Skyline drive would be closed that time of year. Others have said just drive around until it looks like good hunting and park and hike.

When I was driving around it seemed that there were fences along all the roads. So I have to assume that is private property and I cannot get an ATV over the fence even if it is public. So then as I drive up into the mountains there are not any side roads to take that could lead me to a good hunting area. I am only seeing highway type road an either at the skyline drive area or in the valley or I guess you guys call a canyon. So I am confused on how to find a good area for a mature mule deer. Can anyone help me? Also, I need to mention that I am over 300 pounds so I cannot hike long distances. So I will bring my ATV. Thank you for any help you can give a fellow hunter

BuglesNGrunts · Aug 21, 2017

This tag and season will depend largely on the amount of snowfall at the peak elevations. My recommendation would be to take the huntington canyon road up to the skyline drive and check the snow levels at that time. Then hunt anywhere below the snow line for the most part. I would suggest taking the miller's flat road off of huntington canyon south, if the snow hasn't caused the DWR to close access by then.
The main road can support truck travel the entire length to Joe's valley reservoir. There are a plethora of ATV trails for you to explore, but know that big mule deer get very wary when they hear motors of any type. So don't expect to see much but smaller deer from the roads/ATV.
If the higher elevation roads are closed to travel because of snow, then you may need to travel closer to the towns of Mount pleasant, Ephraim, Manti, etc... to find access to huntable land at lower elevations. Unfortunately for your physical stature, the west was not built for the type of hunting that is conducive to your build. It may take a lot of luck for you to harvest a mature buck, but best of luck to you!

Jimreed · Aug 21, 2017

Thank you for the tips. Where can I get maps that show theae roads you mentioned.?

idhunters · Aug 22, 2017

Get the BLM surface management maps for the area you are hunting. Call any Utah BLM office and they will mail them to you. This will show roads, public and private lands. Fences don't mean its private there are fences all over the BLM and Forest. Then get a travel management map from both the forest service and the BLM that shows what roads are open to travel and which ones have restrictions. Good luck to you.

wstrntines · Aug 22, 2017

If you have a smartphone or a gps onx maps may help you out as well it will show you private and public and has many different layering tools in it. Good luck hope that helps. You have along time until october my suggestion is start walking for exercise and then get to jogging then maybe running with some weight training as well. Maybe some trail running will help as well. You can do it even if you are 300 lbs. Will it be an easy change no it will be tough and you may not be 190 by hunting season but you can definetely make some progress that will make you feel 100 times better come deer season in higher elevation making you more mobile and increasing your odds at a nice buck.

DeerHunter53 · Aug 23, 2017

I shot lots of deer in Huntington canyon when I was a kid. Everyone kept going to the top but when the shooting started they would run down.

I always went high in Huntington Canyon and would hike up a draw and sit and wait until shooting hours. Once the shooting starts you will see deer and maybe get lucky and see a shooter.

bowhunt3r4l1f3 · Aug 23, 2017

Skyline won't be closed that time of year. I've gone up/down skyline much later, even for the late Nov LE bull hunt. Skyline is a good bet if you don't know the area well. Private property has to be posted in Utah, it's the law. Most of those fences up there are for the cattle or sheep.

I'd try Skyline, Bear and heading down towards Fish Creek if you want to hunt off your ATV. Still gonna have a hard time finding a mature buck that time of year, they'll be holding up and hiding out as much as they can till the rut.

www.utahscoutingservices.com

ICMDEER · Aug 30, 2017

I don't know a thing about that area. But at 300+ guy, how you hunt might as important as where you hunt. Most eastern guys I've seen want to ride around or hike and don't spend nearly enough time glassing. Make sure you don't look just in tree-covered country. Mule deer also spend a lot of time in the brush areas.

First thing you need to do is make sure you come with good optics. Get good binoculars; at least 10 power. And then get a quality spotting scope and put it on a good tripod with a fluid head. Then spend lots of time looking, especially early and late, but also mid day. You'll do more good by looking, finding a buck, then slipping in on him than any other thing you can do.

Even if you have to borrow the binos and scope, it will be a big help. Get to a good vantage point and do some serious glassing.