Utah Hunting: Beginners question

[jcase16]

I am going hunting for my first time and am looking for Deer and/or Elk. 

Just so I understand, about how close are you to other hunters who are not in your hunting group?  How often do you see them as you are walking around looking for game?

Also, if you just want meat and the experience, how much easier is it to get a Cow/Doe than it is to get a Bull/Buck?

Just trying to know what I'm getting into.

 

[turbo1967]

Im in Montana but similar im sure,all depends on your area they are all different.Where im at I will typically see from none up to 20 hunters on a day walk on a weekend.normally will see 20 does for each buck and maybe out of 50 bucks will see 1,150inch plus buck. for elk during bow season 50 cows for every 1 brow tine bull (brow tine only area) and after  first week of rifle season maybe 200 cows for every 1 browtine  bull.bull success rate each year about 5%,cow success rate about 75 %.so with out a doubt if you want meat go for does and cows.

 

[lang]

I've been out of Utah for some years, but rifle was always crazy.  I did more archery and once you get 2-3 miles from any trail/road we were usually by ourselves. 

 

[ghost]

Jcase16,



Unfortunately archery in Utah is not what it used to be 6 or 7 years ago. The state put enough restrictions and shorten the rifle season to the point guys had it and they started looking into bowhunting as our season was so much longer. We use to hunt state wide without having to draw for bucks and was all OTC tags. Elk was a draw for the better units but still was a lot easier to draw. Now, as the result of having so many more archers, the state has reinvented the wheel again and as you know, you have to draw for a buck tag and you have to pick a unit. No longer can you hunt taste wide with your buck tag.


So now that I stopped ranting, I will answer your question. You will run into a lot of hunters when you hunt in Utah, unless, you get in great shape and do what the elk do. Go to the gnarliest areas once the hunting season starts. I have scouted elk all summer long and right into the hunting season and as soon as the hunting season starts they are on the move to areas where most hunters won't go to. You can also leave most hunters behind if you find elk 2-3 miles away from any vehicle accessible road. You will still come across hunters but you will leave 95% of them behind road hunting. The drawback to this is you are at least a couple of miles in to get your elk out, so plan ahead.


DO NOT GET DISCOURAGE though, you can be successful even in these conditions and as far as experience and meat you can hang your tag on an animal every year if you wish. Doe's are pretty much everywhere in the state. As far as elk goes look around the Strawberry lake area. Lots of elk on the aspens there, look at what they call the drainages in that same area. You can shoot a cow or a spike in the area if I remember correctly.


Once you get your feet wet sort of speak, you can find other areas that are worth looking into for bigger bulls, including other states like Idaho and Colorado. It will require a lot more planning though.


Good luck and PM me if you need some help with anything else.

 

[Kmbingham92]

Lots of great options depending on how much money you want to spend. Hard to buy general deer and elk unit tags and have much success unless willing to get off the roads about 3-5 miles. If you do this there are some good options.