Pauns Archery Deer

Zim · Feb 2, 2012

I have the points to draw the one NR Pauns deer tag this year and would like to consider it. I am stuck in SFW draw pool hell for the rifle tag, and I enjoy archery better anyway. I've never archery hunted for mulies, but have done a lot successfully for elk. Can anyone tell me about the archery deer hunt there? Thanks.

big6 · Feb 2, 2012

How many points do you have i am guessing 9-11 dont kbow a ton about the archery hunt but there have been some toads killed this year down here but i do know the rifle hunt is awsome especially if you get a little weather the first of october hunting muleys on the pauns with archery tackle would be in my opinion nothing like elk other then getting close and staying hidden

Muley_73 · Feb 2, 2012

What is the SFW draw pool hell????

PleaseDear · Feb 2, 2012

With your 15 non-ressy LE Deer points you should be a lock on the Paugns bow buck.....if they do 2 non-ressy tags again this 2012 draw year.

I do not think you can go wrong with a Paugns bow buck tag Ken.

Robb

Zim · Feb 3, 2012

>How many points do you have
>i am guessing 9-11 dont
>kbow a ton about the
>archery hunt but there have
>been some toads killed this
>year down here but i
>do know the rifle hunt
>is awsome especially if you
>get a little weather the
>first of october hunting muleys
>on the pauns with archery
>tackle would be in my
>opinion nothing like elk other
>then getting close and staying
>hidden

As Robb mentions, I have 15 points. The NR tag went to a guy with 13 last year.

Zim · Feb 3, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-03-12 AT 11:54AM (MST)[p]>What is the SFW draw pool
>hell????

That's where just when you have enough points for your target tag, SFW steals more tags from that unit and adds 3 years to your wait. So there's a line cutting fat cat or raffle tag holder hunting instead or you.

Zim · Feb 5, 2012

Yikes, just checked average temps for Panguitch in late Aug/early Sept. Highs of 80, lows of 40? Sound right? Not excited about hunting in those kind of temps.

foundation · Feb 5, 2012

Ya that sounds about right as far as the temps . I have been there bow hunting in the area and have had higher temps . I also usually plan on some rain .

marvin_j · Feb 6, 2012

Zim, I hunted that hunt last year with the guy who had 13 points (Brandon)and we had an awesome hunt. Your 15 should get you that tag off the top. Really a great hunt but it was difficult to find the bucks in the low country. They would literally move for only a few precious minutes in the early morning and late evening and would be bedded down for the rest of the daylight hours. We hunted for eleven days early took a break and came back for the last week or so at the end of the hunt. Some days the temps were well into the 90's by noon. Some nights were tough to sleep in the heat. It was still well worth it - just to meet the people in the unit. I can honestly say that I have never meet better people on any hunt I have ever been on. The locals were very helpful and friendly and genuinely had an interest in helping out on the hunt. We saw a few fantastic bucks and had a few good chances at deer but Brandon held out for a giant. He ended up not getting a buck but we really had one of the best quality deer hunting experiences ever. On a side note, it was really discouraging when talking with other hunters who had drawn tags there in the past complain about how the number of deer has dramatically dropped in the last few years. It must have really been something years ago!! Good luck in the draw if you decide to put in for the tag.

Hunter

Zim · Feb 7, 2012

marvin,

I have quite a few questions:
1. How many encounters did you have per day, with what size bucks?
2. What size bucks did Brandon pass on?
3. Is this hunt suitable for a solo guy with no posse?
4. Did you have any problems with posses?
5. Do the bucks bed in any open areas so you could glass and stalk in their beds? What did you guys do there all mid-day?
6. The heat is a major concern for me. I physically don't do well. (My name actually translates to "cold" in Polish

)
Sleeping is a problem for me in any heat. I'd say showering every night would be mandatory for me to sleep. I am thinking I'd need to camp at a very good water source and plan on buying a real camp shower setup of some kind for this to work. How did you guys handle this? Thanks much.

Zim · Feb 7, 2012

One real positive aspect of this hunt for me is it would expand my entire 2012 hunting season. It takes place during dates (late Aug/early Sept) I would not normally be hunting, and would not take time away from any of my regular annual hunting trips.

huntinfanatic · Feb 7, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-12 AT 06:42PM (MST)[p]If heat is an issue for you camp and hunt up higher. Tropic Reservoir would be a good starting point. Posses wont be an issue and you could fish midday if you wanted to.

theox · Feb 7, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-12 AT 06:52PM (MST)[p]there is higher elevations on the unit like stated before tropic res area is a good place on the bow hunt. and you could fish. the reservoir is at like 7800 ft and there is higher elevations there its not all low country with 90 degree temps. Would be an awesome hunt solo or posse. there are some peaks over the 9000ft mark

marvin_j · Feb 8, 2012

Zim,

PM sent

abqbw · Feb 9, 2012

I'm they guy that drew the non-res Pauns Archery tag on bonus points last year (13pts). It was a great hunt. As my friend that went with me for part of the hunt posted above, I didn't get a deer. I saw plenty of deer that most normal people would have shot and passed on one at 26 yds that I probably should have shot. I saw four or five bucks above 200 " that I woulda shot if I coulda but couldn't quite get into range and/or position. One of the bucks I was chasing was shot in the rifle season in the same area I had seen him. He scored 209. I got within bow range of him once, but unfortunately I spooked him out of his bed and he was going 600mph at a 45 degree trajectory when I first saw him. kinda tough to shoot with a bow...

It was a great hunt. One of the best I have been on (and I have been on some pretty special hunts...) Based on my conversations with the biologist and other hunters with prior experience in the unit, last season was a tough hunt. Apparently it was such a late and wet winter that habitat was so good and water so plentiful that deer didn't move out of cover much. I'd see a great deer once and never see it again or see it 3 days later 2 miles away.

The local and resident hunters and ranchers that I met were the nicest, friendliest people I have ever met hunting. Super people and I thank all of them. It was a great experience. I would go back if I could but that is unlikely due to points required. If I had 15 points, i'd put in if I were you. I think you are about where I was last year, enough points for pauns archery, but prob never "catch-up" for the Henry's. Good Luck!!

Zim · Feb 9, 2012

Thanks, I did go ahead and submit my Utah application today. I hope nobody throws in the rifle towel and jumps in. Had to alter 10 other applications to clear the road for this one so I better draw. I would take the entire 4 weeks off from work. Would hunt hard.

Coffinmaker · Feb 9, 2012

Try for the henrys

Zim · Feb 9, 2012

>Try for the henrys

I prefer to hunt, not just dream while funding Don Peay's ponzi scheme.

Drnaln · Feb 16, 2012

I've been thinking the same thing & have decided waiting for the Henry's non-resident archery tag might take more years then I have left to hunt! Might use my 17 points this year or next & go hunting before I'm too old!
David

Zim · Feb 16, 2012

You'd be guaranteed the Pauns rifle and highly likely to get the muzl with 17.

Drnaln · Feb 19, 2012

Zim, I won't be putting in for the archery tag since I drew Dall sheep in Alaska! Good luck if you draw!
David

Zim · Feb 19, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-19-12 AT 04:53PM (MST)[p]Congrats on the tag. Must have been long odds. You live in AK or need a guide to apply for that?

Well the Pauns pools will be cleaned out for you more for 2013.

Muley_73 · Feb 19, 2012

Well if you draw you should see some really nice bucks. The Pauns is my fav place to be from July thru Nov!!!

The effort to improve the Pauns seems to be starting to show through. I wonder how much the extra dollars from the fat cats have helped this effort? Maybe you ought to ask a few of the local gurus when you are down on the Paunsy for a month.

coondog · Feb 27, 2012

the best hunt on the paunsaugunt is the archery since they moved the other hunts around . the henrys is better but until they give more than 10% to the non-res your in with everyone else . If you really want a chance at a nice buck and a great hunt i would do the paunsaugunt archery .

Tikka · Feb 27, 2012

>Well if you draw you should
>see some really nice bucks.
>The Pauns is my fav
>place to be from July
>thru Nov!!!
>
> The effort to improve the
>Pauns seems to be starting
>to show through. I
>wonder how much the extra
>dollars from the fat cats
>have helped this effort?
>Maybe you ought to ask
>a few of the local
>gurus when you are down
>on the Paunsy for a
>month.

I'm sure Zim has helped in the effort....