Elk, Northern Slope of the Uintas?

[schlaggerman]

Hunted Utah many times but never in this area for elk. The area is referred to Northern Slope Summit / West Daggett. I will be hunting the early archery season, last week of August. Anyone familiar with this area? How are hunter numbers? Does one need to backpack in or can you access good elk numbers from a drive up base camp? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

 

[JimP]

I have fished it but not hunted it.

From what I have heard you are going to have a tough hunt. There are animals there but they are spread around.

 

[dadams41]

There are good elk but I would be away from any roads if I were you. I personally would be backpacking in. There are a lot of people camping in the area up there that time of year.

 

[schlaggerman]

dadams, Can you suggest a more remote area? If we were to go west of the Spirit Lake area, away from camp grounds? Or perhaps east, closer to Colorado near Mt. Lena area.

 

[Uinta]

I cut my elk teeth in the Unitas, and have had good success on the north slope. Just be prepared to hike, hike, hike, and then hike some more. You can go days without even seeing an elk, and then there are times they are everywhere. Success will depend on persistence until you have an area dialed, and how hard you are willing to work. I recall a solo trip and took a cow about 4 miles from the nearest trail and 8 miles from the trailhead. Plan on deboning and hanging the meat quickly as it's usually still very hot during that time. They do get pressured by hunters, so I have found it best to call very conservative, but be sure you give your set up enough time to work, they often come in silent, and are not talking a lot. Good luck