MRS write up on Utah Elk

[Elkoholic307]

First off, I just want to say I've always been a fan of Eastman's and subscribe to it for help on states I hope to hunt in the future. Now, I have to question their write ups in all states. I am not one to criticize, but I couldn't hold my tongue on this one.

The blue chip units listed for UT elk are way off. Fish lake in no shape way or form is a better unit than pahvant. W desert deep creek is not a blue chip unit. I'm guessing w Deseret deep creek was mixed up with the SW desert unit?

For archery, Wasatch and south slope diamond mtns are not even close to being on the same level as San Juan, Monroe, pahvant, etc. Actually, diamond mtns is one of the lower rated hunts in Utah, even if you buy access to private land. Wasatch is a 280-320 class bull hunt with a very few bigger bulls taken.

I could go on and on.

I've had the same feelings about the WY MRS for years. I'd still like to know how 47 continues to be green.

 

[25contender]

I don't play the points game anymore but I look at the MRS as a starting point for those that play the points game. The thing is you really need to do your own research which is pretty easy. I hunt pretty much the same areas every year but like to look at the entries to P/Y & B/C over the past three years to see what is going on in Montana. I really dont look back further than that. One thing I have learned is there is not really a consistent pattern over the long term. There might be one or two counties in the whole state that have produced entries somewhat consistently over the past 20 years in the Elk category but not many.Short term there seems to be areas that are good for a few years then nothing entered in for P/Y & B/C for multiple years. So you have to take really look at all the information as a whole then make a informed decision. You also have to take into consideration the animals that are never entered. I have seen great bulls and have one myself some that are never entered in the books.The MRS in Eastmans should just be one tool. I think if one looks close enough you would be surprised how many record book animals come from those general tag areas at least in Montana.

 

[quicknick]

I for one think the MRS section is fantastic. Although i dont take it as the bible. I use it as a reference to my other research which i think is how it is meant. The mrs section is going to be subjective in some degree. You dont have to agree with the opinions of the eastmans staff. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Kevin W]

I for one think the MRS section is fantastic. Although i dont take it as the bible. I use it as a reference to my other research which i think is how it is meant. The mrs section is going to be subjective in some degree. You dont have to agree with the opinions of the eastmans staff. Just my 2 cents.

Agree'd +1

 

[goforbroke]

I'm going to agree that Utah was way off this year, to the point of being bad. I know Utah as I live here and hunt on many of the LE units. I agree, do your own research, but I don't have time to research 8 different states every year and I don't have friends to call in many of those states. I rely on Eastmans MRS for many of my application strategies and now I wonder if they are just as far off in those states as they are in Utah. The other thing I question is why so much staff turn over. Seems like once they get someone that is doing a great job, that person moves to something else.

 

[Musket Man]

Are there decent hunts you can actually go on in Utah? Looking at the MRS if you didnt start building points well over a decade ago you might as well not bother with the state.

 

[Bonecollector]

MM; I was wondering this very same thing...

Are there decent hunts you can actually go on in Utah? Looking at the MRS if you didnt start building points well over a decade ago you might as well not bother with the state.

 

[MWScott72]

Are there decent hunts you can actually go on in Utah? Looking at the MRS if you didnt start building points well over a decade ago you might as well not bother with the state.

Archery is the way to go if you want to LE elk hunt as a non-resident in the next 10 years. If you didn't start building points 10 years ago, the muzzleloader, and rifle especially, are a very hard draw. You can up your odds by applying for the units that have the most tags available, but it's still a hard draw.

There are several any bull (General) units in the state that can produce 300+ bulls, but they typically take some time to learn and then there has to be some luck thrown in. The Uintah's come to mind, but most people I know that hunt there have had to hunt it several years before learning the animal patterns - and those first couple years learning can be depressing with lack of animal sightings. It's thick, rugged country, and the elk are spread out, but there are good ones in there.

 

[Elkhunter96]

If you are just starting out, forget about the early rifle hunts, those are out of reach. As others have said, look at archery hunts in true green chip areas or the late rifle hunts on some of the average to better units. A little harder hunts, but can produce some great memories.

 

[Fastphin]

Archery is the way to go if you want to LE elk hunt as a non-resident in the next 10 years. If you didn't start building points 10 years ago, the muzzleloader, and rifle especially, are a very hard draw. You can up your odds by applying for the units that have the most tags available, but it's still a hard draw.

There are several any bull (General) units in the state that can produce 300+ bulls, but they typically take some time to learn and then there has to be some luck thrown in. The Uintah's come to mind, but most people I know that hunt there have had to hunt it several years before learning the animal patterns - and those first couple years learning can be depressing with lack of animal sightings. It's thick, rugged country, and the elk are spread out, but there are good ones in there.

This is my plan for 2015, and Im sure your point on patterns and depression are correct. Without giving away too much information what areas would you avoid to stay away from those hunters using ATV's and would you know where the popular hiking spots are? Talking with a biologist there told hikers frequent red castle lake and I figured flaming gorge area would have hikers too, where would you point someone to narrow their google earth search?

 

[RUTTIN]

Every trailhead in the Uinta's will be busy with hikers everywhere, except the harder to reach trailheads. But after Labor Day they fall off drastically. My advice is stay high in elevation, during the first part of the hunt, the bugs are bad and the heat is great so the elk tend to stay high.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MWScott72]

This is my plan for 2015, and Im sure your point on patterns and depression are correct. Without giving away too much information what areas would you avoid to stay away from those hunters using ATV's and would you know where the popular hiking spots are? Talking with a biologist there told hikers frequent red castle lake and I figured flaming gorge area would have hikers too, where would you point someone to narrow their google earth search?

General areas would be in the Kamas - Norway Flats vicinity in the west, or areas around the Red Cloud Loop or Flaming Gorge on the east. As stated it's rugged tough country, and the elk are spread out. You'll find them where you find them. One area I would avoid is Soapstone Basin. It's seems to be popular, but for the life of me, I don't know why. Rarely do I hear of much success in that area. Good luck if you decide to hunt the Uintahs. It's gorgeous (except for all the beetle kill), and if you get an elk, you'll likely work hard for it which will make it well-deserved.