Hello, Hunt Talkers!
Although I am a long-time information thief, I am new to posting in Hunt Talk. Because I live in Texas, and I only have one season of experience in the west, I have never felt like I had any valuable information to share, so I consistently cruised through threads (even before I joined) in search of information on different units to which I apply. I know how poorly it can be perceived when folks jump on here for information, but never seem to contribute otherwise, so I hope this thread doesn't come across as greedy or selfish. I have always planned to acquire a few years of experience in western units before trying to contribute to the forum, thinking that I would only ask for help after I had helped others. After all, it should take at least a handful of years to draw a Limited Entry tag worthy of asking for help on anyway, right? Apparently not...
I am very lucky to be one of 3 (assuming no change from 2018) nonresidents to draw an archery bull tag in the Southwest Desert Unit of Utah... FOR MY FIRST EVER ELK TAG... and I drew it (I know this will anger some people) with 2 points. I am well aware of the poor drawing odds in Utah; I believe the drawing odds for this tag were around 0.6%-0.7% with 2 points last year. In fact, two weeks ago I was just thinking about taking Randy's advice to make Utah my lowest priority, possibly removing it from my 2020 applications.
I have been building points in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming for several years now, but the time requirements of graduate school have limited me from going on a hunt until last year, when I went on an archery deer hunt in southwest Colorado. I have been making plans all spring to go on an OTC deer/elk hunt in Idaho this fall, thinking I am still several years away from drawing a Limited Entry tag... and that's about when I got a slap across the chest from my wife asking, "What did you spend $800 on from Utah Big Game Permit?"
Because it may be 25 years before I can elk hunt again in Utah, I want to make sure I do this hunt the proper justice, and that means turning over every rock I can in search of information. I plan to take a scouting trip sometime in July/August, and I have already spent lots of time e-scouting the unit; I have camping spots, glassing points, and roads mapped out on OnX. I have several friends willing to come along to help glass/scout, but none of us has any connections or experience in the area. If anyone has any leads on who to talk to, what the road systems are actually like (learned the hard way in CO), or what elevation to try in early September, I would be very appreciative.
Given the poor draw odds and trophy potential (especially with this year's moisture) in this unit, I have not completely ruled out hiring a guide, but I would much rather make the trip with my buddies. I know I would have more fun with them, and that success would be much more gratifying, but I am also not naive enough to believe that I can be as lethal as a local, especially on my first elk hunt. Mostly, I just don't want to go get skunked. Asking for thoughts and opinions; I will do my best to return the favor whenever possible. Thank you all, and best of luck as application season winds down!
Although I am a long-time information thief, I am new to posting in Hunt Talk. Because I live in Texas, and I only have one season of experience in the west, I have never felt like I had any valuable information to share, so I consistently cruised through threads (even before I joined) in search of information on different units to which I apply. I know how poorly it can be perceived when folks jump on here for information, but never seem to contribute otherwise, so I hope this thread doesn't come across as greedy or selfish. I have always planned to acquire a few years of experience in western units before trying to contribute to the forum, thinking that I would only ask for help after I had helped others. After all, it should take at least a handful of years to draw a Limited Entry tag worthy of asking for help on anyway, right? Apparently not...
I am very lucky to be one of 3 (assuming no change from 2018) nonresidents to draw an archery bull tag in the Southwest Desert Unit of Utah... FOR MY FIRST EVER ELK TAG... and I drew it (I know this will anger some people) with 2 points. I am well aware of the poor drawing odds in Utah; I believe the drawing odds for this tag were around 0.6%-0.7% with 2 points last year. In fact, two weeks ago I was just thinking about taking Randy's advice to make Utah my lowest priority, possibly removing it from my 2020 applications.
I have been building points in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming for several years now, but the time requirements of graduate school have limited me from going on a hunt until last year, when I went on an archery deer hunt in southwest Colorado. I have been making plans all spring to go on an OTC deer/elk hunt in Idaho this fall, thinking I am still several years away from drawing a Limited Entry tag... and that's about when I got a slap across the chest from my wife asking, "What did you spend $800 on from Utah Big Game Permit?"
Because it may be 25 years before I can elk hunt again in Utah, I want to make sure I do this hunt the proper justice, and that means turning over every rock I can in search of information. I plan to take a scouting trip sometime in July/August, and I have already spent lots of time e-scouting the unit; I have camping spots, glassing points, and roads mapped out on OnX. I have several friends willing to come along to help glass/scout, but none of us has any connections or experience in the area. If anyone has any leads on who to talk to, what the road systems are actually like (learned the hard way in CO), or what elevation to try in early September, I would be very appreciative.
Given the poor draw odds and trophy potential (especially with this year's moisture) in this unit, I have not completely ruled out hiring a guide, but I would much rather make the trip with my buddies. I know I would have more fun with them, and that success would be much more gratifying, but I am also not naive enough to believe that I can be as lethal as a local, especially on my first elk hunt. Mostly, I just don't want to go get skunked. Asking for thoughts and opinions; I will do my best to return the favor whenever possible. Thank you all, and best of luck as application season winds down!
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