Northern Utah Gun Hunt

[j0hnj0hn]

Again I am trying to brave the deer wars and hit northern utah. Last year I hunted west of Randolph. I saw plenty of elk and tons of does but not one single buck (I saw well over 100 does the three days I was out). So I may go back there again, but I was also looking at the middle fork area around pine view, and if I have to I will go to Monte Cristo. Now to the questions.

Has anyone hunted the Smithfield canyon area? If so how is it? What about the mountain ranges around tremonton. I know grouse creek gets slammed, so I am looking for something on the cache valley side of the mountains close to the Utah/Idaho border. I am not looking for the next world record, but I would not pass it up, I am just looking for a "meat" deer this year because my venison supply is gone. Any help is appreciated.

John

 

[Daxter]

All the places you mentioned get hit pretty hard during the rifle hunt, during the week you might have a little more room to breathe than on the opener and the 2nd weekend. If you are just looking for a meat buck you could probably find one in those areas. Maybe above Tremonton in the wellsville range you could get away from the crowds, but that is because it is a steep rugged range. Just choose an area and make sure you are out before the sun comes up and don't go home until it is down. These high pressure areas have lots of almost noctural deer. Good luck.

Dax

 

[ralphie]

I used to hunt the wilderness area east of logan. If I was sitll there I would be tempted to forget about going opening morning. From my experience everyone is out there in the morning but by 1:00pm they are all gone and don't come back out. Get far away from trails. There are still a few nice deer in those areas. The head of smithfield is a nice place. Most of those canyons are, just do what Daxter said.

 

[Adnaram]

The Logan area is not a bad area around. I have hunted around elk valey several times and always see little 2 and 3 pointers but nothing big. I dont usually see alot of people there either btu like Ralphie said if there is people there they will start to dissapear around 1 pm.
I got a 4x5 27 incher last year in Monte, but there is a lot of people there opening day, your will see the green trees and brush turn hunter orange first thing in the morning, but it dont last. Get out and hike if you can get 1000 yeards or so away from the road you wont see many hunters if any.
Good Luck on your hunt