Any unexpected winter kill in top Utah Elk Units?

[ELKFEVER]

Anyone in the S. Utah area have any info on the snow pack and winter kill this year? Seems like all of Utah is getting big storms this year and I'm curious if you're hearing of winter kill problems in any of the top elk units?

With my 14 points I'm thinking I have a good chance at an limited archery draw in one of the top units and would hate to cash them in if one of the top 3 units has been hit so hard with weather this year it's leading to higher than average winter kill.

 

[elktaker]

Winter ranges in southern Utah do not seem too bad. A lot of snow but not any long periods of really cold. we get snow then it melts and repeats, I do not suspect a lot of winter kill for elk.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I think in southern Utah you won't likely have winter kill issues. I have not heard of it being an issue in 20+ years I have followed that state, but there are guys on this forum that would know far better.

As a side note, I just want to make sure you are making the best use of your points. Did you realize if a unit only offers a single tag, your points don't give you the best leverage, and you would only draw in the random draw which would still have very low draw odds in the top units? I am of course assuming you are a non-resident due to the type questions you are asking. You mentioned you were looking to "cash them in for one of the top 3 units". The top units are typically seem to be San Juan, Boulder, Pahvant and Beaver as they are managed for older age class bulls. The draw odds with 14 points for a nonresident archery tag in those units still stinks.

2015 Nonresident archery draw odds:

San Juan: 0.5% with 14 points (Hasn't had a second tags since 2013, there were 14 applicants ahead of you)

Pahvant: 1.5% with 14 points (Hasn't had a second tag since 2014, there were 7 applicants ahead of you)

Boulder: 1.2% with 14 points (Has a second tag but that took 18 points to draw with 13 applicants ahead of you)

Beaver: 1.8% with 14 points (Hasn't had a second tag since 2010, there was 1 applicant ahead of you)

There are units one tier under these, that you would be in the thick of drawing.

If you are a resident, of course you are in a much different situation.

 

[Silentstalker]

Great points UH.

So far we have had an average winter. Seems like a lot of snowfall but that is because the last 5 years has been below average. I would not worry at all about winter kill. I would research the unit I wanted to hunt or units I could draw and go for it.

Keep in mind when your reading the draw odds for Utah, if you have 14 points now, you are in the pool with 13 points under last years draw odds.

Good luck!

 

[Elkhunter96]

Don't overlook some of the other units. They can be awesome big bull hunts too. As long as the rut kicks in a bit before the archery season ends.

 

[lang]

I'm in same boat, and am about to jump to a second tier unit to get a hunt in while my dad can still be there. Not sure anything will change in the next few years and my dad is slowing down yearly.

 

[ELKFEVER]

Thanks for the fantastic info UH. I'll give the "second tier" units a look as you suggest.

 

[mtnrunner260]

umm it is a rare year that a winter has an effect on an elk herd. especially that far south. Hope you draw the tag your after. This is the year for Utah archery.

 

[4pointmuley]

I've got 15 points for elk as a resident. Where would be best unit to apply for a 350 or better bull on a early rifle hunt?

 

[JimP]

A unit that you know and not a unit someone told you to put in for.

There are 350 inch elk in every LE unit in the state. You just have to hunt harder in some.

 

[kidoggy]

A unit that you know and not a unit someone told you to put in for.

There are 350 inch elk in every LE unit in the state. You just have to hunt harder in some.

good advise. go find the 350 bulls before you waste your points on a crapshoot.