LAST EDITED ON Jan-23-09 AT 11:42PM (MST)[p]I'm not sure what a 'wallhanger' is and I'm not sure the bulls really now they are on private ground. But I will share some of my thoughts.
If one is looking for a 360+ bull which I think is very doable on the AR/ML/early rifle, I would say your chances on the late hunt are significantly less. However, if a nice 2-3 year old bull would make you happy then I would say you would have a reasonable chance of accomplishing this task. The late season hunt is a difficult hunt (period). To me its more like looking for a big mule deer buck during the general rifle season--they are there but its as much getting lucky and putting in your time as anything. Those big bulls are very good and disappearing that time of year. Certainly one can increase his chances of killing a bigger bull with a bunch of help whether it be a guide(s) or a bunch of buddies--but make sure they know the type of bull you are looking for. Here's a few other things to consider.
1--I would NOT recommend putting in for the SJ late if I had more then 9 points. If I had 6-8 points and was just wanting to draw i would try the SJ late. In my opinion, there are many better units for the late hunt then the SJ.
2--as was pointed out many of the bulls especially those that come of the Abajo/blues portion of the unit will be down on private land (which one can get access typically for a fee), on the CWMU (private land non-huntable)or off the unit completely.
3--because the SJ has a high bull to cow ratio you can expect that many of the mature (5+ year old) bulls will have broken points even missing portions of their entire main beam.
4--If you do put in and draw, look to the elk ridge portion of the unit and concentrate on the lower benches and mesas. Typically there are a few bulls at the end of these points but be advised that many of the bulls on elk ridge especially those on the south end will go south of highway 95, again off the unit.
Good luck--a fun time of year trying to decide what to do. If you draw, we would be more then happy to take ya
Todd Black
BTO