Help!!!!! Which Utah unit should I pick?

[Bozeman]

I applied last year for the first time for a non res. elk tag. I know that is about impossible to draw, but could you give me any advice on possible units that might have better odds or lower hunting pressure. I applied for the West Desert last year. That was probably not the best one for odds. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[schmalts]

Just look at the draw odds, and you can decide what you want between chances of drawing VS quality. With one or no points it really is just pure luck in any one of your choices, but you never know! i looked at the results from last year and saw a couple guys draw awsome hunts with one point. Someone has to draw and it can be anyone.

 

[ELKOHOLIC]

COME BACK AND ASK US IN ABOUT TEN YEARS.

 

[DR_DEATH]

If your name Bozeman as in Bozeman MT why would you want to hunt in Utah? I guess only killing 1 trophy bull per year isn't enough.

 

[Bozeman]

I guess I'm just greedy. We are really spoiled up here with 6 weeks of archery and about 6 weeks of rifle to chase elk. My father grew up in Utah and would love to return to hunt someday, so we have both started putting in. He talks about the "Dutton" alot. I think that's were he did a lot of his hunting. Anyway I was just wondering if there may be a better spot than the West desert as far as odds go. I feel sorry for you guys in Utah in that you have to wait to draw tags to have a quality hunt. I hope Montana doesn't get to that point. Anyway you do have some great bulls!!

 

[kevclyde]

do you hunt around the park. have you saw the numbers from the survey the fish &wolves (had to say that) has done elk numbers down 6 percent a year since 1994. 9214 elk in 2002 8315 in 2003. seems like the decline started about the time more wolves were intro to the park . there were already wolves there a park service employee told me face to face years ago. he said there are going to be problems with the wolves. idon't think we have even started to problems yet.if this keeps up you won't have many elk in montana to hunt. so find a good spot in utah they don't have wolves yet.lets hope they keep it that way.i should say not transplanted wolves yet. they have a few wolves i hear. i hope they shoot every one they see.

 

[StickFlinger]

You are correct The West Desert Unit is impossible to draw for a nonres. tag no matter how many bonus points you have. The West Desert does NOT offer a tag for nonresidents. Check the proclamation to make sure Nonres tags are available for your units of choice. Good luck.

 

[Bozeman]

Yes the wolves are definatly making an impact on the elk. For example we are seeing way more elk in the open valley throughout the year than before. When they are hazed off the ranches they refuse to run up on the mountain. Try and tell me that they aren't afraid to go to the hills. They feel safer in the open and in larger groups, that explains why they are down in the valley. I am for having wolves back, but they are to the point that they need to start controlling (hunting) them. If the gov. doesn't the hunters/ranchers will. Wyoming ranchers/hunters are already doing this and it is a well known fact. Anyhow thanks Stickflinger for your advice. I didn't realize that the West Desert didn't have non res. tags.