Monroe Bulls - Archery

jerkee · Aug 29, 2005

Here's the deal. I got a phone message today from Utah DOW stating that I'm the alternate (nonres) for the Monroe Elk hunt that is already open (hunt 322) and that they need me to call by tomorrow if I want the hunt. This is a weird/new situation for me because I normally have time to research and scout before a hunt but this time around the hunt is already open. Obviously I want the tag but I've never hunted the area before but I'm prepared to head out in a matter of days and hunt through the end of the season if necessary. Can anyone offer advice on areas to focus or just some general advice on the country, terrain, etc. Although I'd like to kill a slammer bull my expectations are realistic and I wouldn't pass on a 350 bull. Thanks in advance! Brandon

Prism · Aug 29, 2005

I'm no Monroe expert, but I've spent some time down there.

I'd say if you can make it work then do it!

The best hunting is yet to come. Who knows how long it will take you to draw another archery elk tag in Utah as a nonresident.

How many points do you have?

Good luck with your choice. I'd love to have your problem!

www.neverenoughbiggame.com

antlerrick · Aug 29, 2005

I'd grab that tag in a heart beat. You have the best part of the hunt still a week or so ahead of you. There are a lot of bulls on the Monroe. I took my Monroe Archery bull 2 years ago on the last night of the hunt, and passed on numerous shots before that. If you have any idea of what you are doing, you should have no problem taking a nice bull. Watched a nice bull wallowing last night for quite a while on the Monroe at 40-45 yards. He could have cared less that I was even around.
If you decide to go for it, PM me and I can suggest some good areas if you are interested. Here is my bull from 2003.

GOOD LUCK!!!

A bad day hunting is better than a Good Day at Work!!

ktc · Aug 30, 2005

I am not a bow hunter, but I will say the LE I have scouted the bow hunt has not even strated yet in terms of rut activity. If you decide to go you have not missed anything in terms of hunting. Yes, you did miss the scouting, but the elk are not in the rut areas? I would take the tag, ask the MM faithful for help, and call a biologist in the area.

RuttCrazed · Aug 30, 2005

Ask Cass, he knows that area pretty well (probably guide you into a bull).

Rut

B_F_E · Aug 30, 2005

Be aware that the general season archery hunt is going on up there until the 16th of sept. last week & this coming weekend the place will be a mad house, but after that it will quiet down. You'll hear many people bugling recreationaly in the middle of the day.
Good luck, sent you a PM.

jerkee · Aug 30, 2005

Thanks for the comments. I contacted UDOW this morning and got the permit...almost had to pinch myself, guess I'm pretty lucky. Finally managed to get ahold of my friend that knows the area and the elk fairly well so I'm feeling a bit more confident about the situation.

BOWUNTR · Aug 30, 2005

Brandon, Congrats on the tag, what an opportunity. I have a bunch of buddies that are hunting Monroe Mt for deer right now. I got a call from one of them today and he said that it has never been more crowded with archery deer hunters. I'll call him back and ask him about the elk situation. The elk are thick up there. When does the deer season close? Hopefully soon. Good luck. Ed F

http://community.webshots.com/user/bowuntr

jerkee · Aug 30, 2005

Ed- Thanks! I figured it would get hammered for deer but hopefully it'll slow down real soon. I think archery deer closes on the 16th. I also have a deer tag so I'll take that along too. Anyway, with sny luck, my hunt will be as successful as yours went here in the valley! I'll talk to you later. Brandon

Cass · Aug 30, 2005

I'm trying to get the Last week of the deer hunt off work so I can head back up to monroe. If you really have a hard time finding good bulls, gimme a holler, I'll ring ya in on some Great bulls.

-Cass

400bull · Aug 31, 2005

Like most people have already said the best part of the hunt is yet to come. In fact after hunting the Monroe in 2000 with my bow I would strongly incurage anyone that drew the unit to hunt the last two weeks of the hunt hard. It's not until then that the elk realy start to get reved up and singing.

Good luck on your hunt. If things aren't working out for ya drope me an email and see if I can get some information for you. Both my dad and uncle have cabins down there and should be whiling to say where they have been seeing some good bulls at.

400bull

BiggDogg · Aug 31, 2005

Lucky Dog

I've hunted deer up on monroe my whole life until the last few years.(moved)

I've watched some big bulls over by Barney Lake and Manning Meddow Resevior. Another Great place is just East of Monroe Peak. It's mostly private. Alot of it is ours. But my cousins would kill me if I gave permission to hunt that area. Sorry!
Another great area is around Fitzgerald Park on the west side of Monroe Peak.

These are just a few of the areas I've seen bulls and some nice ones at that. Good Luck!!!!