Bookcliffs Muzzleloader or Rifle???

woodpile53 · Nov 9, 2006

Which hunt would offer the best chance at a quality deer??Not looking for a monster just a nice buck.

elk_horn · Nov 9, 2006

rifle

wehunt · Nov 9, 2006

I think the rifle is the way to go. I drew in 04 on the rifle tag and passed up a bunch of nice bucks and shot a 188 typical 4X4 and I was only there 3 days.

huntindude · Nov 9, 2006

From what you read on MM next year might be tough? I don't know but this year sounded rough on the bucks, to wait a year or two might be the number one question.

elkhunter4 · Nov 9, 2006

my wife had the rifle tag this year. we saw a bunch of small bucks but only one descent buck. I was a little disappointed we didnt see more mature bucks. She did shoot a heavy horned 4 point, that was 27 inches wide, but this was the biggest buck we saw. she is very happy with her buck.

EH4

fuzzyvelvet · Nov 9, 2006

My brother had a ML tag this year and hunted hard the whole season. He was quite disappointed saw mostly 140-150 type bucks. He did see one buck that would probably go at least 185 but he couldn't get a crack at him. He ended up taking a 165 inch 4x7 with a 21 inch spread; not what he was hoping for.

BLU · Nov 9, 2006

I would choose rifle. If next year is like this year with all the weather and snow early, you will not only see a "decent" buck, but chances are you might run into a hog.

woodpile53 · Nov 10, 2006

Thanks for your ideas guys,i have about 9 bonus points here in Utah and I am just looking for a good place to put in for.Any body here anything good about the crawford mountains latley??

crimedog · Nov 10, 2006

Thats how the Books are managed. While there are some hogs your mostly going to get a 140-160 inch deer. It is not a Trophy Unit like the Henry's and the Pauns. People need to remember this. It is a great unit with a chance at a nice deer, and maybe even a hog, but it is not a trophey unit.

crimedog · Nov 10, 2006

With 9 give the Henry's a crack who knows you may get lucky.

huntindude · Nov 10, 2006

I hunted Elk Ridge in '97 and it was awful, has it come back any since then?

Gator · Nov 10, 2006

9 points Henry's tag would be the ticket.

YukonDall · Nov 11, 2006

THE HENRYS.....WITH THAT MANY POINTS.....GOOD ADVICE. YD.

HuntElk4Fun_ · Nov 11, 2006

With 9 points last year you would have drawn both Bookcliffs hunts guaranteed. With 9 points on the Henrys you had .85% odds of drawing. Unless your max on the Henrys, you really don't have much of a shot no matter your points.

http://www.huntodds.com/utah.asp?Unit=Henry+Mountains&Type=R&Weapon=R&EType=PLE&Submit1=GO&S=D

ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com