Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

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outdoorfreak

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Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

I currently have 21 deer bonus points this year. I have a decent chance I can draw the Henrys Muzzleloader tag this year or I have a decent chance I could draw the Paunsaugunt premium limited tag. I am wanting your opinion based on what you know about one or both of these units. I have basically been waiting for this tag half my life. I am a realist. I have 4 sons and I am looking for some good memories with them and I am looking for a unique deer in the 180-200 range. Any educated opinion would be appreciated. I have spent many trips down on the Henrys. My son had a management tag there 4 years ago. I have only been to the Pauns a couple of times. We are not afraid to hike...

Thank you for help,

Tough Decision
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

That is a very tough decision, no doubt. Both are amazing units with some very big deer. With the Paunsaugunt seemingly trending upward on quality of bucks and being able to hunt all of the hunts on the premium tag, I think I would lean toward the Pauns. The more time in the field you can get the better to try and kill a 180-200? deer, and the premium Pauns tag would certainly give you that.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Seriously? Henry Mountains for sure! I have hunted both and my Dad has a cabin on the Paunsaugunt. Spent lots of time in both places and both are awesome. I would be willing to bet the largest Paunsaugunt deer is better than the largest Henry Mountain deer overall but you probably will not find him. I would take a Henry tag over anywhere else in the West.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

I am going to display a great deal of ignorance here, but would your resident/nonresident status impact your odds for either? Can you expect to draw with 21 points as a nonresident?
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

I have not been to either unit, but just thought I would share my thought. If you have a ton of time off then I would think pauns. If you have limited time I would think Henrys.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

bullskin
I thought exactly the same thing until I went back and carefully reread his post. IHe does say he is a resident.
I did send him a PM but haven't heard back yet.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

LAST EDITED ON Feb-17-18 AT 06:17PM (MST)[p]>bullskin
>I thought exactly the same thing
>until I went back and
>carefully reread his post. IHe
>does say he is a
>resident.
>I did send him a PM
>but haven't heard back yet.
>

Edit above post. He didn't say resident he said realist. My bad
Isn?t that Henry?s muzzleloader a premium limited tag as well as the Pauns. Or am I missing something here?
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

He's clearly a resident. 21 points was 100% draw on the Henrys for muzzleloader last year and 43% with 20 pts. I think it's a no brainer to hunt the Henry's during that season. Youll be able to scout all summer and look over a lot of bucks in my opinion.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Thank you for your responses. Yes I am resident and it is a very tough decision for me to make. Please feel free to give me your opinion. I hear that the Paunsaugunt number of bucks and quality of bucks are really on the increase. I'm really not sure if thats the case on the Henry's.

Thanks again,
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Outdoorfreak,
One recommendation you might think about before making a final decision is to give Adam Bronson a call with Bronson Outfitting/Epic Outdoors. He personally bowhunted the Henry?s last year and knows it as well as anyone. He also used to be a biologist for the UDWR & covered the Paunsaugunt. I would trust his opinion on both units above most.

I have also heard that the Pauns is trending up while the Henry?s is holding even or maybe even trending down a bit on overall quality of bucks. Adam could confirm that for you I think.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

What an incredible problem to have!

I think either will provide an incredible experience. Two very different experiences, but both awesome. So which would you prefer?
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

If you hunt hard on the Henry's you will kill a good buck. You can hunt hard on the Pauns and not end up with a giant. At the same time you can run into a giant opening morning, but with your sons along, my guess is you will not have the time for the three hunts on the Pauns. I would go with the Henry's. Good luck either way.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

If you are antsy to burn your points, and you don't want to wait for the Henry's rifle tag, then let's talk serious.

If your expectation is to have the entire family along for the hunt, for the duration, then the Henry's would be the way to go. (Though honestly, even with 21 points, you are not a guarantee for that Muzzy tag.) If you get that tag, all your sons can go at once, and you can experience that. Knowing someone who did just that, with their sons, and having killed a 185" Gross buck on the Henry's, I know you would have a lot of fun. I'd say, given your knowledge of the unit, you may be well suited to do that hunt.

However, the Multi-Season tag would allow you a lot of flexibility with who is hunting with you and when. Maybe with everyone's schedules you could spread out who is with you during which hunt. Of course, that's assuming you could hunt every season.

If you can't hunt every hunt on the Paunsy, then go with the Henry's tag. I'm certain you will see more bucks in the range you are talking about. You just have to get close now... :)

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>Applied in pains 21nr points I
>hope I draw.


Very Good odds, ND. Good luck to you! 21NR drew tags last year...you thinking archery, muzzy or rifle?
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Easy answer.... Henry's. No question in my mind.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com
on Facebook!
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

After reviewing the information, I would rather have a Paunsagaunt multi season tag than a Henries 1 season only tag.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>Thank you for your responses. Yes
>I am resident and it
>is a very tough decision
>for me to make. Please
>feel free to give me
>your opinion. I hear that
>the Paunsaugunt number of bucks
>and quality of bucks are
>really on the increase. I'm
>really not sure if thats
>the case on the Henry's.
>
>
>Thanks again,

Listen to Jay Scott podcast. He did Utah a week or so ago had outfitter talking pauns and Henry's. Might be a good listen for you


From the party of HUNTIN, FISHIN, PUBLIC LAND.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

What a fun problem to have!!

If killing the biggest buck is your primary goal then I think you have a better chance on the Henry unit - the bucks can be spread out all over the Paunsaugunt and while you'll see lots of deer you'll probably see fewer of the top end bucks. Biggest downside is you have one relatively short hunt that can be cut shorter by bad weather or other unfortunate circumstances.

If your primary goal is to share the hunt experience with family the multi-season hunt gives you more flexibility. You will still have a very good chance at a 180+ buck. If you take this route you'll have a lot more country to cover as the deer will be migrating down the mountain as the seasons progress - summer scouting will be harder because the deer will only be where you'll find them during archery season - you'll won't see many deer in the areas where they will be in the later seasons.

Go with what sounds most exciting to you. I read a great article in the newest Epic Outdoors about a guy from the South that had a big bull elk on his bucket list - when his chance came he was genuinely excited for the experience. I think we get caught up in the biggest and best and we miss out on the most important part of hunting which is being excited and grateful to be there. Either tag will be fun.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Thank You Everyone who offered your opinion on my 21 point debate. I truly did take all of your words to heart when making this decision.
Either way I don't think would have been a bad decision. I appreciated Elkhunters reply to get a hold of a outfitter that had a similar tag on the Henrys last year was great advise. From my experiences on the Henrys over the past 10 years I don't see as many unbelievable bucks that I used to see but I know alot of the mountain ranges down there. Hunting all 3 season on the Pauns would have been a heck of a fun time. If you can't tell I decided to do the Henry's. Hopefully opportunity will cross paths with preparation. Please email mail me with any thoughts you may have on this hunt. I realize its still not 100% guarantee to draw this tag.

Thanks again,

Outdoorfreak,

[email protected]
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

good luck I dont thin you could have made a bad choice on either tag! let us know if you draw!
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

You definitely had 2 really good options-I hope you draw that Henry?s tag & shoot a monster.

Let us know if you draw & keep us updated on your hunt if you do draw!!
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

LAST EDITED ON Mar-11-18 AT 03:40PM (MST)[p]I love them both,
But,
The Paunsy takes WAY more time to learn.

Henry's is easier for someone that's never spent much time on either one.

That said,
Id do the Paunsy,
Just because I like that country better.

4aec49a65c565954.jpg
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

You should do the Hunt Adventure Challenge so we can all follow along :)


I don't think there is any other quality
so essential to success of any kind as the
quality of perseverance. It overcomes
almost everything, even nature.
-John D. Rockefeller
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

The past two seasons on the Pauns has blown the Henry's out of the water for 200+" bucks.
When there is a big buck on the Henry's, it's been seen and is being watched by many eye's because of the steep terrain makes them much more visible.
The Pauns is relatively flat and holds many more deer and a higher percentage of "big" bucks, but is much tougher to find a big buck and pattern him.
Being in the right place at the right time is what kills the giant's of the Paunsaugunt.
I'd take another tag there if given the chance, heck yes!!
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Well I hope this is the year for me. I switched from applying for the Henry?s and put in for the pauns with my 21 points this year. Hopefully I am at the top but it's not likely. Anybody else in for the pauns muzzy with more than 21 nonresident points this year?
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>Listen to slamdunk. He knows.

Really? I think it's easier to kill or even see a 200" buck on a few general season units than the pauns.
I would be going to the heneries, if I had the choice.

(Get ready for change because it's going to happen!)
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

One look at the bucks Virostko has taken in the last two season's proves my point. He guides on public lands on the Paunsaugunt and has put some incredible bucks in the dirt.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>One look at the bucks Virostko
>has taken in the last
>two season's proves my point.
>He guides on public lands
>on the Paunsaugunt and has
>put some incredible bucks in
>the dirt.

I was talking about the average guy heading down to either unit with no experience on either. I believe you could find more 180" + bucks on the henries than the pauns. and of course a guide will have no problem finding 200" bucks on either unit.


(Get ready for change because it's going to happen!)
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

I believe the only realistic advantage public land guides have over the average "good" hunter are man hours in the field. By that I mean having eye's on a unit......and lot's of them.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

Sorry buckhorn I too switched to the Paunsy with 24 nr points. I had the Henrys tag last year and turned it in! I know some people will think that's crazy but as a max point nr you can only draw the rifle. Last year and lately the bigger bucks are getting killed on the archery and muzzy hunts!
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

muleycrazytwo
Thanks for posting up that info. I knew it would happen and wasn?t getting my hopes up too high. Am I correct in assuming you put in for the pauns muzzy Hunt? I am afraid even with twenty one points I'm SOL on either unit for quite a few years now.
I'm curious what Hunt on the henrys you drew and what made you decide to turn the tag back in? PM sent
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>One look at the bucks Virostko
>has taken in the last
>two season's proves my point.
>He guides on public lands
>on the Paunsaugunt and has
>put some incredible bucks in
>the dirt.


Public land on the Henry's and Pauns is a relative term. Yes it's public, but it's public that is unhuntable for 99.9% of hunters due to the limited number of tags. I feel like anybody that guided there and put the time in could consistently put big bucks in the dirt
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

That'd be a Tough Choice!

The Henry's would be Easier To Hunt on the Earlier Seasons!

(((Steep SOB but at Least you can see them once in a While!)))

The Paunsaugunt is Tough after they Start Migrating!

(((Being Lucky works better than Skill after they start Migrating!)))

They Like to Haul-Ass to Arizona!

Seen a few Buck Tracks on the Pauns that'd make a Guy Sick!(No I Didn't see the Bucks Making them!)

I Think in Both Units once them Big Ole Wiley Bucks drop in to them PJ's/Lower Country it's gonna be Tough!











It Ain't Easy being Me!:D:D:D
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

LAST EDITED ON Apr-10-18 AT 09:44PM (MST)[p]Good problem to have! Henry Mountians or Paunsy tag?...? If you hunt the Henries, then archery and muzzy hunts are your best bet in my opinion. Big bucks are being targeted and taken well before the rifle season rolls around. As others stated, the Pauns has been getting better and better the last few years., and you have a good chance at a slammer, providing you have the time to dedicate to the hunt. FWIW, I applied for the Pauns tether than the Henries this year!

Either hunt, is a dream hunt and one I hope to experience before too long! Good luck and enjoy your hunt! Horns are awesome, but the experience is priceless! Good luck
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

You EXPERTS of the Pauns. make me laugh. Each year is different and the fence made a complete difference. If you are a guide, spend all night spotlighting and have cameras at every waterhole you should get a nice buck and even have him pre-named. If you are not, go to the Henries.
 
RE: Paunsaugunt vs. Henry's

>You EXPERTS of the Pauns. make
>me laugh. Each year
>is different and the fence
>made a complete difference.
>If you are a guide,
>spend all night spotlighting and
>have cameras at every waterhole
>you should get a nice
>buck and even have him
>pre-named. If you are
>not, go to the Henries.
>

Lmao.....you don't think what you described isn't happening on the Henry's?
C'mon man.....
 

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