Which unit for muzzle loader

Spottnknob 51 · Feb 19, 2020

Hi all,,,,been reading all the great posts and humor on here for a long time and figured I would join in on the forum. Just curious on y'all's opinion with 20 resident points for elk which unit for a chance at a 360 plus bull would you choose? Phavant,San Juan, boulders? And for muzzle loader.. still a long shot for drawing but hopeful lol. Thanks.

fullthrottle · Feb 19, 2020

Any of those would be a good choice.

StraightSix · Feb 20, 2020

Strictly looking at the odds... your chances of drawing this year would be best on the Pahvant.

Founder · Feb 20, 2020

One of these days I need to cash in my elk points and go hunting. I think I'm probably at 20 or more. A muzzleloader hunt could be a good one. Those 3 units you mentioned are right at the top of the list for best units in the state.
My buddy says I should apply for Desert. He guides up there and says they guide you, feed you, set you up in a nice place, pack the animal out, etc. It makes a guy think, hmmmmmmm.......

Cam@strawberry · Feb 20, 2020

If I was founder I’d make sure I requested FStop to guide him ?

Solotude · Feb 20, 2020

You still maybe a point or two away but with that many points invested, I would consider the Manti Premium tag. Depending on your age it may be a OIL hunt....

Spottnknob 51 · Feb 20, 2020

Solitude there is no doubt the age is a factor for sure. 51 so definitely a OIL LE elk for me. Killed several nice bulls over the years with my bow on general tags so I'm swinging for the fences on this 20 plus year tag. Go big or tag soup. Just hope the point creep will let me draw before my butt is 60. A pack with a couple water bottles will feel heavy at that age ??

safari_bound · Feb 28, 2020

Having hunted the Pahvant LE in 2019 i would suggest taking that unit off your list.

elkhunterUT · Feb 28, 2020

safari_bound said:
Having hunted the Pahvant LE in 2019 i would suggest taking that unit off your list.

safari_bound-I sent you a PM

Butts · Feb 29, 2020

Founder said:
One of these days I need to cash in my elk points and go hunting. I think I'm probably at 20 or more. A muzzleloader hunt could be a good one. Those 3 units you mentioned are right at the top of the list for best units in the state.
My buddy says I should apply for Desert. He guides up there and says they guide you, feed you, set you up in a nice place, pack the animal out, etc. It makes a guy think, hmmmmmmm.......

Desert doesn’t sound like your cup of tea.. you seem like a guy that would be happier with a 350 bull DIY than a 370 guided. I meet some of your relatives during a hunt this year. Good people.

slamdunk · Mar 1, 2020

Founder said:
One of these days I need to cash in my elk points and go hunting. I think I'm probably at 20 or more. A muzzleloader hunt could be a good one. Those 3 units you mentioned are right at the top of the list for best units in the state.
My buddy says I should apply for Desert. He guides up there and says they guide you, feed you, set you up in a nice place, pack the animal out, etc. It makes a guy think, hmmmmmmm.......

Deseret is a dang good hunt Founder, I've guided many many hunts up there and the accommodations are second to none.

I second what Berryblaster said....get Fstop to guide you if he's still affiliated with DLL.
I haven't been up there since about 2012 so I'm not sure who is still up there.

slamdunk · Mar 1, 2020

safari_bound said:
Having hunted the Pahvant LE in 2019 i would suggest taking that unit off your list.

Unless you're able to hunt the private lands, Pahvant would definitely not even be my 5th choice.

Dr_Hunter · Mar 1, 2020

I haven’t looked at odds but would Monroe or Beaver be an option? Those two units would be on my list.

typical_hunter · Mar 8, 2020

I would take san juan off your list the place is all out of elk

Bocephus · Mar 9, 2020

slamdunk said:
Deseret is a dang good hunt Founder, I've guided many many hunts up there and the accommodations are second to none.

I second what Berryblaster said....get Fstop to guide you if he's still affiliated

I haven't been up there since about 2012 so I'm not sure who is still up there.

I'm not so sure driving around in a truck, shooting from the roads is Brian's cup of tea. You dont need somebody to hold your hand Brian. Find a unit you are interested in, find a good bull and kill him just like you always do on your hunts. More fun and rewarding than being guided.

slamdunk · Mar 9, 2020

Bocephus said:
I'm not so sure driving around in a truck, shooting from the roads is Brian's cup of tea. You dont need somebody to hold your hand Brian. Find a unit you are interested in, find a good bull and kill him just like you always do on your hunts. More fun and rewarding than being guided.

That's funny.....I've never seen an animal shot from a road on Deseret in all my years ?

Bocephus · Mar 9, 2020

I'll give you 50 feet

Founder · Mar 9, 2020

Honestly, I don't think Deseret would be for me. I've been saving the points for a year when I run out of deer hunt options and have all summer to scout. I don't think I'd get to scout Deseret much and even if I found a huge bull, I doubt I'd get to hunt it. What sounds so good about Deseret is the accommodations and someone tough like Slamdunk or FStop taking care of the elk and packing it out, as I believe they do up there even for public hunters...???????

I live here in the state, have the time to scout and hunt and so what's best for me is to do it all on my own. But anyone is welcome to help cape, butcher and pack it out with me.

Bocephus · Mar 9, 2020

That sounds more like Founder haha. If you find yourself on Dutton like you mentioned, I'd be happy to haul a couple quarters for you.

txhunter58 · Apr 5, 2020

typical_hunter said:
I would take san juan off your list the place is all out of elk

I don't have time to hunt in Utah this year, so I put in for San Juan! Even though I have quite a few points, I don't have a snowballs chance..... to draw. But if I were picked, I would figure out a way to go!