Utah Elk

[Prism]

Elk hunting should be fresh on our minds. We've either been or we're shortly going.

Here's my question for you draw odds experts. I've got 10 bonus points. I've done my due diligence and got the bonus point odds book memorized and know what tags I may stand a chance at drawing next year.

Do you guys think that a lot of people are going to change what they're putting in for-say go from early to late or early to muzzleloader or archery? With 10 points it looks like I could have my pic of a lot of archery, muzzleloader, and late hunts, but don't want to get my hopes up too high.

Holy crap only 7 months until draw results come out and I'm already stressing!!!!!

 

[Silentstalker]

I am not an expert by any means but it seems that the odds change slightly from year to year. Your premiums like san jaun etc. don't change that much. You might want to try San jaun archery or hold out for that rifle/ muzzleloader tag. You would be a front runner for most archery tags for sure. It is a tougher hunt but very enjoyable! Good luck to you. I drew out last season for the archery Manti and had a great hunt. I took a decent 6 point but could have taken a much bigger bull with a muzzleloader. I don't regret it for a second though. It was an awesome hunt and experience.

Chad

 

[c3]

LOL! Prism, you and I are in the same boat. I've seen it all go around and come back a few times in the last 5 years. I've thought I was a lock at drawing my archery permit any number of times to see a bunch of folks switch that year. Then I try to outsmart them and switch back the next. No luck no matter what I do.

I'm simply sticking with a particular premium limited entry unit and will live or die by how many folks with those extra three points switch over to archery to get a permit.

It may be next year or 5 years, maybe more, but I'll get one some day.

There's no hope for a rifle permit on these units with only 10 points, but then again I've always been a bowhunter since the very beginning for me in 1976. I don't think I've had the 270 out for 15 years or more.

In any case, I wish you luck in your quest. My suggestion is to put in for the unti you really want to hunt and simply wait, painful as that may be each unsuccessful April. It's been 20 of them for me so far, what's a few more

Cheers,
Pete

 

[RUTNHARD]

Prism,I'am no expert, but if you switch from rifle I would choose muzz. With the achery hunt if there not talking your going to have a long hunt. Most units you might get one week the last week they start talking, but there not hot! So you have a few days of real good hunting, but it can change every year, but its risky switching what your comfortable with, and the unit you now. Good Luck !

 

[ktc]

Holy cow Pete. I was under the impression you had max points. I do not think the picture is as grim as you paint it. Only 3000 people are in front of you. Less than that if you do archery hunts. Even less if you steer clear of Pahvant, San Juan, or Indian Peaks.

I am going out next year come hell or high water.

 

[rutnbuck]

Well tell ya what all u guys with 10 or more points need to draw as soon as you can. Even if you have to change your draw tatics. Hell drawing the tag is tougher then killing the beast. And the hype is just darn near as fun. The way things are changing and the odds increasing,more hunts, more tags on limited areas age objective being lowered and harvest percent going down, More tags being offered to . That and the fact if you draw you have to wait 5 years. Ok I had 12 points this year and finely drew. 12 plus 5 years wait it will be 17 years till i can draw again you don't want that. If you go 17 years hell it is a once in a life hunt. I am not sure if i will be up to it in 5 more years when I can put in with o points. That and 5 more years the odds will be out of this world. The number of hunters makes the quality drop.
I studied the odds up down back and forth fast and slow. I even put it on a spread sheet to include things like age abjective, harvest stats, odds to draw and seasons. I talked to all the CWMU owners all the game bioligists, Studied all the elk on the winter range, I started with a unit with the best odds to kill a muture bull and best odds. As my points incresed I put in for a little better unit with better bulls. I finaly ended up with enough points to draw a unit that produced great bulls 350+. Well the odds still suck if you pick the rifle and rut season. Say for units that produce the biggest and best. Not that I couldn't kill a bull with a bow or Muz. But I didn't want to give up the rut hunt or If I say seen the bull 380-400 at 400yds I didn't want to be standing there with a stick flipper. I know they kill em every year but more often then not they run over the hill and someone else kills him. Or you see him only once and couldn't get the shot. Time is of essance. Do you have the time. Hope so. Well with the odds still tough for the units like San Juan Ind Peaks Monroe and so on. I went with a CWMU cut my odds in half. And I ended up having a lot more points then most. My picks would be to beat the odds on a good unit. Or cwmu
So many good CWMUS. I took my Moose on CWMU and My elk this year on a CWMU. And the Host were great. What ever you do kill a big one and good luck I know how your mind is playing tricks on ya Good Luck!!! I need to post more pics and a story I have had a truck load of people ask for pics. I posted it before but ya got to love it.
Rut

 

[Prism]

That is a great bull. I'd think well worth the 12 years

I know a few guys with the new late rifle hunts. Should be interesting to see how they do. I'm thinking if we don't have some serious snow, they're in for one tough hunt. I'm thinking they're gonna be all broke up to-not that I'd pass on 350 bull just cause he was broken up. I've got a good taxidermest!

I really enjoy archery hunting, but I also would HATE to see that bull of several lifetimes out there at 70 yards just laughing at me. I've killed a few elk with the bow, but don't feel confident enough (today) to use up all of my points-maybe on the SanJuan, or Monroe, but that's about it.

Good luck to us all-we need it!!!

 

[rutnbuck]

Ya know Prism
I don't know if I would under estamate the Manti, Wasatch, Pavant. So many great bulls killed on the Pavant with the new State Record a couple weeks ago. Then the Wasatch and Manti producing the new # 2 or 3 for Utah. I have taken 6 guys in on the Manti and all killed great bulls 350 - 386 1 that went 386 a few years back. I think if a guy draws the tag and has the time to scout they are there. I still like the CWMU they don't get the pressure. Just make sure ya talk to the land owners and make sure ya get the right season and what works for you. One thing on Pilot Mt and Indian Peaks they have been hammered by the drout. Elk #S down 45% according to the bioligist. That is unless 350 is good.
Rut