San Juan or Beaver For Elk?

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
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North Umpqua, Oregon
I know that the San Juan is the best of the best for elk in Utah, but here's my predicament (if you can call it that). I am at the top of the non-resident point heap in Utah for elk, and its taken a very very long time to get there. I would likely draw the early rifle Beaver tag this next year or I could draw the early rifle San Juan tag sometime in the next six years (there are still six of us competing for the one tag going to the max point holder). I know the San Juan is amazing and a no brainer as far as being a great elk unit to hunt. But the Beaver also produces a handful of big bulls each year. I really want to do this hunt on my own, since I've taken two bulls over 350 with a guide. I will put a ton of time, research and effort into the hunt and typically do much better than the average unguided hunter on a unit. Does anyone have experience with the Beaver and how it has been looking the last couple years, particularly in 2011? One of my concerns is the bull to cow ratio on the Beaver, it appears quite low. Do bulls have a strong rut on the Beaver? Also how physical is it to hunt, as my wife really wants to go with me and experience the hunt. My goal is a 360+ bull with a legitimate shot at a 380 class bull. We are in our mid forties.
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
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61
North Umpqua, Oregon
headn4hills: Thanks for your note. Some of my earliest memories were on the Beaver unit. My dad used to deer hunt up near Kents Lake back in the late 60s when I was 4 or 5 years old. I'd kinda like to hunt the unit just for the memories. What are your thoughts on the unit and the quality of the bulls there? How has the burn affected the unit?
 

deadasdisco

New Member
Feb 29, 2012
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I was just curious, did you put in for the Beaver? I was also interested in that unit as well. How many points did you have?
 

deadasdisco

New Member
Feb 29, 2012
2
0
I am in the same boat, I have 17 points going in to the draw this year. I was hoping for a San Juan tag this year too but after looking at the draw odds I just don’t want to wait that long for a tag. I got in for the early rifle beaver hunt. Hopefully I can pull a tag this year or next, after this long I’m ready to go hunt!

I am going to try and do some scouting down there this summer.
 

rsess32

Member
Apr 5, 2012
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0
Riverton, Utah
thanks! I had a blast down there and I am very happy with the results! i feel like i left a part of me down there ha! its a hard hunt but definitely well worth it!
 

rsess32

Member
Apr 5, 2012
52
0
Riverton, Utah
I don't want to sway you any on where to apply if you don't draw this year but if you want i can send ya a bunch more pics of some big bulls we ran into down on the dutton!
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
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North Umpqua, Oregon
Hey Rsess. My best bull is a 367 from New Mexico and I would really like to top that in Utah, as Utah will probably be my best opportunity in my lifetime to do that. Did you see any bulls on the Dutton in the 370+ class? There are only 6 non-residents left in the point pool I an in so I am willing to hold out a few more years for the best tag possible.

I would like to hear more about the Dutton. My wife is also applying in Utah for elk but does not have as many points as I have. The Dutton is one of the units I have considered for her to apply in. She does not want to hunt a unit that is overly physical though, and from what I have heard the Dutton can be a pretty physical hunt. She would be THRILLED with a 310 to 330 class bull.
 

rsess32

Member
Apr 5, 2012
52
0
Riverton, Utah
last year down on the dutton we saw tons of 350- 360 class bulls! i would say we saw maybe three that were 370+ but i know they're in there. im going down again this year to check out some other canyons i wasnt able to get to last season. Mine i tagged last year was a 7x8 that scored 355 4/8. I heard of two during the archery season that broke the 370s. The dutton can definitely be a rugged hunt if you just go in there without knowing the area really well, and even if you do know it, it will still make you tired but i am 100 % confident you could walk away with a 350 bull! if i can figure out how to pm ya i will send you pics of a lot of the bulls we were getting into down there.
 

rsess32

Member
Apr 5, 2012
52
0
Riverton, Utah
New mexico is a place i have wanted to hunt elk in for a while now but im not to sure of how or when to apply for the hunts. Do you have any tips or advice for it?