I have been applying for 11 years now for Utah elk - I have 11 elk points in Utah. In those first couple years I envisioned the monster elk that were coming out of the state and I applied for the few very well known trophy units. Obviously that didn't work, so I started to apply for "decent" units. At the head of the pack was the Wasatch. Manti was running a close second if not even, as far as desirable units. As a whole, I have 38 elk points spread out between Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Arizona, and I have grown tired of playing the points game. Of course I don't want to just throw what I have built up away, but I would like to cash in and go on a few good hunts.
The problem right now is with all of the late cow hunts on several decent units, I am fearful that these hunts have decimated the possible quality of a hunt there. The three hunts I have looked seriously at are Wasatch, Fish Lake, and Manti. Actually Wasatch is at the top of the list, but it seems I have heard more feedback that the late cow hunts have really hurt the numbers, and the quality of the hunt. Plus, due to my desire to hunt the muzzleloader hunt - I guess desire is an inaccurate term and the most likely due to points required would be a better statement - it is a concern that Wasatch puts out more tags than any other unit, followed by Manti, to the early rifle hunters. So after being pushed so hard, it is tough to think that this would be a fun and quality hunt - but I seem to hear that it is an enjoyable hunt from most who have hunted those units during those
Anyway, I guess what I am asking is, is there anyone out there that could offer good advice? A private message might be best, but whatever you are comfortable with. As mentioned, I would prefer to get out of the points race, but the only reasonable way to do this would be to draw a decent unit. The biggest reason that I want to be careful this year is, with each passing year, the population of elk on some of these units will only get worse, then, if I choose wrong right now, it will be almost 3 years before I go hunting, and would rather hunt sooner than later.
So, any help is greatly appreciated. I am also open to other suggestions, but feel that at my point level, the three mentioned are probably the most likely to draw - though anything is possible, as last year there was one person with 11 points that applied for Wasatch that didn't draw, and then, one of the three with 10 points did draw a top point tag - which made no sense to me, the fact that someone could not draw in their point pool to then have someone in the next lower level point pool draw, and all of these tags were top point pool tags, whatever they are called.
Thanks for your time and any help, Todd.
The problem right now is with all of the late cow hunts on several decent units, I am fearful that these hunts have decimated the possible quality of a hunt there. The three hunts I have looked seriously at are Wasatch, Fish Lake, and Manti. Actually Wasatch is at the top of the list, but it seems I have heard more feedback that the late cow hunts have really hurt the numbers, and the quality of the hunt. Plus, due to my desire to hunt the muzzleloader hunt - I guess desire is an inaccurate term and the most likely due to points required would be a better statement - it is a concern that Wasatch puts out more tags than any other unit, followed by Manti, to the early rifle hunters. So after being pushed so hard, it is tough to think that this would be a fun and quality hunt - but I seem to hear that it is an enjoyable hunt from most who have hunted those units during those
Anyway, I guess what I am asking is, is there anyone out there that could offer good advice? A private message might be best, but whatever you are comfortable with. As mentioned, I would prefer to get out of the points race, but the only reasonable way to do this would be to draw a decent unit. The biggest reason that I want to be careful this year is, with each passing year, the population of elk on some of these units will only get worse, then, if I choose wrong right now, it will be almost 3 years before I go hunting, and would rather hunt sooner than later.
So, any help is greatly appreciated. I am also open to other suggestions, but feel that at my point level, the three mentioned are probably the most likely to draw - though anything is possible, as last year there was one person with 11 points that applied for Wasatch that didn't draw, and then, one of the three with 10 points did draw a top point tag - which made no sense to me, the fact that someone could not draw in their point pool to then have someone in the next lower level point pool draw, and all of these tags were top point pool tags, whatever they are called.
Thanks for your time and any help, Todd.
