Utah Elk

[wyomingtim]

I was looking on the big game forums on the Utah Division of Wildlife page tonight and there are a lot of pictures being posted of 400+ bulls. What gives? I know that there are a few game farms that will sell you a shot at HUGE bulls, but some of these people are saying that these elk are being taken out of the imited entry units. Anyone know how legit these are? I will incude the links to the boards (if I am allowed) and you guys see for yourselves. I would just post the pics, but I haven't done that, and I don't want to take the time to learn right now.

http://wildlife.utah.gov/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14834
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/6722.html (an outside link)
http://wildlife.utah.gov/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14794
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/forums/album_page.php?pic_id=1971
http://wildlife.utah.gov/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14740 (thread)
http://wildlife.utah.gov/forums/album_page.php?pic_id=1966 (pic)


You guys that know more than the rest of us about judging elk, let's hear it. If the 400 bulls are coming off the mountains in this number, Utah will end up like AZ too soon and it will be harder than heck to get a tag.

 

[AZ402]

The boulder bull looks like a lock to be 400+. The non-typ pic has been all over the net, not sure what to make of it.

UT has had more B&C entries the last few years than any other state (lot of early rifle hunts). As far as I know UT is already just as hard to draw as AZ.

There won't be many of 400's coming out of AZ this year. The rain didn't come soon enough for the top ends to grow very well. I'm hearing from our guys out in the hills, that the bulls are already getting busted up.

 

[1_pointer]

'Tis the case. Plenty of HUGE bulls in UT, just not too many tags. Groups like RMEF, FNAWS, and SFW are making it even harder for NR's to get tags. Every tag they get to sell or raffle comes out of the NR pool. Heck, the odds are about as bad for Residents....

 

[TheTone]

Utah definitely has it going on lately for turning out monster bulls on a fairly consistent basis. It all comes down to limiting the tag numbers significantly thus allowing bulls to live long enough to reach their potential.

 

[wyomingtim]

1 Ponter - that is why I am relying on you to lead me to that promised land

Seriously though, I figure I better start putting in now for preference points for sometime down the road.

What is the consensus opinion? Will the same areas (Pahvant, Dutton, Boulder, Manti, etc.) remain the hot areas to get drawn, or are there other areas that are considered up and coming?

Tim

 

[1_pointer]

IMO, just about any of the limited entry units will produce big bulls. Some of the ones you listed are more prominent for producing truly special bulls. San Juan and the Southwest Desert units have had alot of 400" +/- bulls in the last few years as well.

Start getting points ASAP. However, you are a bit behind the 8 ball as the regs are changing for next year making it a bit more expensive to get points. Not the $5 it has been for some time. I think they are taking a page out of WY's book. One good thing about UT is that you can draw any year! A guy I work with drew a Mtn Goat tag in only his second try, while others have been trying for 10+ years. Beings that you'll be a resident, applying for a CWMU wouldn't be a bad idea either. Though I'm not a big fan of the program, many of them produce a goodly portion of the big critters you see coming out of UT, especially moose and elk.

PS- When did you move to UT? IIRC you went from WY to NE.

 

[wyomingtim]

Yep, went from Wyoming to Nebraska and got to UT late July this year. it's 6 months in UT for resident right? That makes it late January for me. Just in time to make the mid-February deadline for the draw (based on this year's date).

 

[Tuffbucker]

Wytim,

There are definitely some MONSTERS coming out of Utah this year. Start getting points ASAP, but remember, you can always get lucky and draw no matter how many points you have. I drew with 2 or 3 a few years ago(Manti), so it does happen. THere are even a few guys with no points that draw each year. Just keep praying to the tag gods and you never know what might happen!

 

[schmalts]

Yes, UT is the place if you can get a public tag. Groups like SFW would rather you pay for them at an auction though. I have 11 points and still doubt i will draw soon...

 

[Tuffbucker]

Dont give up hope Schmalts....next year is your year!

 

[Wally Dog]

As these monster stories get twisted..............I just got an email from another fella saying that the huge non-typical bull pictured in the link ending 1971 was shot in the Selway Bitterroot of Idaho. Says green scored 575 and nets at 530...........If that bull was actually shot on a fair chase hunt and does score 530 net it'd make it the highest scoring bull ever taken with any weapon...........I'm inclined to say BS.
WD