LE Wasatch Archery (Non Res)

[kyelkhunter]

I was fortunate to draw this tag and am reaching out for a little help from anyone who may wish to share some information on this unit. All help will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[goofyelk]

I would guess elk LE archery?

If so, in all honasty, The southern half of the unit IS NO were
near what it used to be !!

I've made 10 trips now to 'honey holes' that for many years
held VERY good numbers of elk .... Now, there's only a hand full.

Most concerning is the cow numbers on the southern Wasatch,
Just WAY,WAY to many antlrtless permits has taken it's toll ..

Normally ( 2-10+ years ago ) in cayons I've watched for 30 years,
I would see groups of bulls this time of year that were amazing.

No More!!-----And Very few cows ..


These are the two best bulls I've found so far this year on
the Wasatch------5 years ago, I had 15-20 this good or better
found by the end of May ...

I would look north, AF canyon, Cascade springs, Currant creek.

 

[kyelkhunter]

Thanks goofyelk, yes elk sorry left that out. How has the weather been so far,looks pretty green, antler growth so far looks good.

 

[goofyelk]

Spectacular weather, a little too nice, snowpack melting fast.

Quaking aspens leafing up quickly!

Grass growing at 8,500 feet ...

Long range weather forcast calling for weter than normal
Jun/July,,,,,, Hope their right!

 

[kyelkhunter]

That sounds great goofyelk!

Lets just hope the moisture continues into the summer months.

Why do you think the elk numbers will be better in the northern part of the unit? Less hunting pressure? More remote? Just wondering.

 

[goofyelk]

Too many permits issued the last 5 years .....

The Wasatch was top notch unit for many years---No more.
YES there will still be a few nice bulls harvested in 2014,
BUT it's a FAR cry from what it was ...

Unlimited general archery elk tags from Aug 16 thru Sept 5,
Spike or cow --- That hunt will be going on during your LE hunt ...
(Plus 3k archery deer hunters)---It is a BIG area though...

The reintroduction of the November LE bull permits has/will
contiue to take the older class bulls out ...


(2014)
753 LE mature bull permits...
Spike Archery, Rifle , muzzle loader hunting
PLUS cow control permits ANYONE with an antlered permit can
buy and fill during their antlered hunt is JUST TOO MUCH ....

 

[kyelkhunter]

Wow! Did not know the unit was getting hammered like this.
You are right just too much. Why are they giving out so many
tags? When will it stop?

 

[goofyelk]

The antlerless permits were sopposed to end this year.
Most of the draw cow permits were elimated throgh the RAC meetings,
BUT then, when the wildlife board was setting 2014 permit
numbers , they added control permits on the Wasatch units ....
About the dumbest, worst managment I've ever witnessed!

I've been raising cain about this probblem for a couple years
now only to watch it get worse!!!!!

 

[deerslayer88]

I was up AF canyon today, hiked back in to do some high country fishing. The area I went to used to hold a ton of deer, and fish. Today I seen 1 cougar half way up and got some fish, the tag numbers need to be reduced on this unit and quick.

 

[kyelkhunter]

What was the wildlife board smokin? do they have something out
for the wasatch unit, tryin to destroy it? Makes no sense.

goofyelk keep up the good fight, maybe they will get their head out of their butt and start making better decisions.

Deerslayer88, that don't sound good, no deer, one cat, how about elk? I was pretty stoked about this tag, not so much now.

Anybody else seeing the same thing?

 

[Trail]

This is still a great hunt. Don't let all the negative comments get to you. I watched a lot of elk this year even after all the hunts. If you put in the time you won't be disappointed.

 

[deerslayer88]

Only that cat and fish. I usually see Mountain Goats in the area and a moose or two, and sometimes elk.

 

[kyelkhunter]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-01-14 AT 06:51AM (MST)[p]How about meat processors who would you recommend? In case I score.

 

[deerslayer88]

I have never used a processor, however Springville Meats is good, and Fords Locker in Provo makes some mean jerks so either of those two.

 

[Cam@strawberry]

Just search Wasatch on here brad and you will find plenty of info, or pm me, or click the link below and contact me through that route

https://www.facebook.com/strawberrybayoutfitters

 

[kyelkhunter]

Thanks deerslayer, nothin like some elk jerky.

Berrysblaster, I searched the forum read all the info I could find (alot of good info). Just trying to narrow a few places down that may hold elk.
Such a large unit, a man could spend a lot of time in a unproductive area.

 

[kyelkhunter]

How are the forest service roads on the wasatch, should I bring a atv, to keep from beating up the truck.

 

[ironranger]

Brad1, send me a pm with your email address if you don't mind and I'll see if i can send you a few maps of an area I hunted back in 2009. The area I hunted was probably more conducive to rifle hunting but did get into some nice bulls during archery hunt.

 

[kyelkhunter]

PM Sent, thanks for the offer ironranger

 

[MuleyCreek]

What is your plan of attack? Will you be hunting the full hunt or just the last 2 weeks?

 

[kyelkhunter]

Plan on going the last 3 weeks. If its hot and dry, may sit water or wallows, hopefully the last couple weeks we get some weather to get them talkin, then chase the bugles.