Utah LE archery elk - 2023

[SPAZ]

Which place would be best to throw in for as a mega millions type shot in the dark? Lowest pressure, high numbers, scenic, public land, accessible without horses, glassable, good numbers of bulls - big old ones, with the outside chance of something crazy huge for some great hunting action for a hunter going unguided, likely alone and would spend the entire season, with maybe a 3-4 day scouting trip in the summer? Easy enough to read all the $100/year publications to narrow it down to a handful, but what's the consensus here on this Utah heavy hunting forum?

 

[SPAZ]

Hell of a run-on sentence if nothing else..

 

[Shiras]

Lots of units fit that description.

 

[elkhunterUT]

Based on your criteria, I would say San Juan for an archery hunt. Beaver and Boulder are up there too, but not as glassable overall.

 

[SPAZ]

I’m waffling between Boulder and San Juan, but having never stepped foot in either , I have no clue. I have creeping up on 3 decades worth of points and want to get out after a fun couple weeks in Utah. Both those units have bonus point permits and I’d have been about 50-50 last 5-6 years on drawing, had I applied for the archery. I suspect many will be doing it this year, so I’m not getting too hopeful.

Beaver has no bonus. I applied panguitch lake last year - early rifle - total random odds that SUCK.

 

[Bigwiffy]

That's easy if you are a gun hunter. Manti Premium or Nebo Early. Not necessarily in that order.

If you want the ultimate Utah archery elk hunt then San Juan. Boulder is tough if you don't know it.

 

[elkhunterUT]

I’m waffling between Boulder and San Juan, but having never stepped foot in either , I have no clue. I have creeping up on 3 decades worth of points and want to get out after a fun couple weeks in Utah. Both those units have bonus point permits and I’d have been about 50-50 last 5-6 years on drawing, had I applied for the archery. I suspect many will be doing it this year, so I’m not getting too hopeful.

Beaver has no bonus. I applied panguitch lake last year - early rifle - total random odds that SUCK.

Boulder is a great unit, but very thick on the west side. The east side offers a bit more glassable country, but Boulder can be a tough archery hunt without some knowledge of the unit.

Based on all the criteria you listed, I would go San Juan. You will have a great bowhunt and an opportunity to kill a giant. You will also get 4 extra days into September this year to get it done

 

[SPAZ]

Friend of mine got a ridiculously awesome bull hunting Wasatch, rifle. I’d be way more than happy with one like she got, but I’m hoping for less pressure.

Thank you for the input.

 

[hossblur]

Wasatch is huge. Same with Nebo or Manti.

Do you want the experience or inches?

Personally Id avoid the San Juan, Beaver, Dutton because of all the "professionals" roaming around.

But reality is the reality, the "pros" are there for a reason

 

[SPAZ]

Wasatch is huge. Same with Nebo or Manti.

Do you want the experience or inches?

Personally Id avoid the San Juan, Beaver, Dutton because of all the "professionals" roaming around.

But reality is the reality, the "pros" are there for a reason

Understood. I’m going for the “experience”. But part of the experience is being in the presence of bulls that will make my heart skip a beat. I’ve hunted elk every year in my home state since 1988, and in a couple other states. The experience I’m looking for is an great one, even if that means coming home without an elk. I’d prefer to bring an elk home, no doubt. Doing an archery hunt in Utah means not doing an archery elk hunt in MT that I would likely see a few 350 class bulls, but I’d like a change of scenery and to get the Utah hunt over with before I get too old and Utah changes the rules enough to where I’m looking at single digit percentage odds to even archery hunt a place that may be no better than a few hour drive from my house.

 

[SPAZ]

Sorry for more run on sentences ..

 

[Shiras]

Nebo ain’t no cake walk. And without a lot of prior experience, you’re gonna have to work pretty hard to kill a bull the size of one that you’re after. Not to mention, it’s pretty unforgiving country. There’s better options.

 

[Bigwiffy]

Nebo ain’t no cake walk. And without a lot of prior experience, you’re gonna have to work pretty hard to kill a bull the size of one that you’re after. Not to mention, it’s pretty unforgiving country. There’s better options.

I agree with you, some of the biggest bulls in the state have come off of Nebo the last few years. Early rifle in the middle of the rut is very doable imo. Better than Boulder, Dutton, Pang Lake.

 

[hossblur]

Check ATV events.

Manti gets bombarded by SXS all summer and into fall. Other units do too.

Just another tip

 

[smokepolejohnson]

Check ATV events.

Manti gets bombarded by SXS all summer and into fall. Other units do too.

Just another tip

I’ve got agree with hossblurr those jamborees are horse shid on a LE hunt for sure with the high ATV/SXS traffic, I hit the pahvant hard on the Paiute trail this year on a lil modified overland rig pulling trail cams and saw it first hand.

 

[middlefork]

Amazing that some think they should have exclusive use of a mountain range at any given time.

 

[hossblur]

Amazing that some think they should have exclusive use of a mountain range at any given time.

Are we talking about outfitters now?

 

[JakeH]

Are we talking about outfitters now?

I think he was referring to the people being mad about the recreational sxs traffic on some units.

 

[hossblur]

I think he was referring to the people being mad about the recreational sxs traffic on some units.

I know.

If they are mad, sucks for them. My point was simply there are areas where SXS/ATV bring tons more revenue to the counties, so they promote the crap out of it. I assumed he was from Montana and might not be aware of those areas in factoring what unit he wants.

 

[Muley_73]

I agree with you, some of the biggest bulls in the state have come off of Nebo the last few years. Early rifle in the middle of the rut is very doable imo. Better than Boulder, Dutton, Pang Lake.

Are there still some of the big bulls left on Nebo. Ive heard there was a reason for those couple of giants to be there.

 

[SPAZ]

I ended up drawing Beaver East archery. Looking forward to trying a new place, just wish it was a little closer to home. Gas bill is going to suck it.

 

[smokepolejohnson]

I ended up drawing Beaver East archery. Looking forward to trying a new place, just wish it was a little closer to home. Gas bill is going to suck it.

Congrats. Hopefully you have a hunt of a life time.

 

[BrowningRage]

Good luck man. New unit, far from home.? Maybe you can get some direction where to start, but making at least one scouting trip to find roads, access, and camping will make your hunt a little more enjoyable...

 

[SPAZ]

I’ll likely be down there several times before the season opens. Will be hunting the first week and last two weeks.