Utah Bear suggestions

[bux4brainz]

I have 15 bear points for Utah as a resident but can't decide what unit/hunt/season to apply for. Up until last year I have only applied for points. I think I can draw just about any bear tag in Utah, aside from a couple of the multi-season hunts. I can't afford an outfitter so I'll be going at it DIY & most likely just spot & stalk. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[JimP]

I have seen more bear out in the Book Cliffs than I have any other place in Utah.

There are also quite a few up on the Manti.

 

[bux4brainz]

Thank you Jim. Perhaps I'll do the multi-season tag there. Have you personally been on a bear hunt on the Bookcliffs?

 

[JimP]

I haven't been on a bear hunt but I have been on plenty of deer and elk hunts out there and just about every time out there I have seen bears. I have always seen bear sign when I didn't see the bear. One of the biggest black bears that I have ever seen I saw out there but that was back in 95, I watched him as he made his way through some oak brush and when he would stand up on his hind legs it appeared that he was pushing 8-9 feet tall. I also saw one track years ago of a bear that we pushed out of a draw while deer hunting. The only track that I have seen that would compare to it was a grizzly track that I saw up in British Colombia.

Also when I was on my LE elk hunt some hounds men turned their dogs loose on a bear shortly after I had shot my elk.

 

[bux4brainz]

I too have been on some deer & elk hunts on the Bookcliffs. That is one of my favorite places to go. I love it down there! Some trips I saw several bears. Other trips I saw zero. I'd sure like to see your bull from the Books if you're willing to share it.

 

[JimP]

Book Cliffs LE bull

He is a 6x6 with the devils horn on the right antler. He scored 343 gross. I shot him at 7:05 on opening morning

 

[bux4brainz]

Beautiful bull. Congrats. Thanks for sharing. I love that devil tine. What weapon did you use? I have 15 elk points & am always tempted to apply for the Bookcliffs, mainly because I know it but, I keep ending up applying for some of the top tier units instead. I've seen some great bulls on the Books.

 

[JimP]

I used my 340 Weatherby shooting 225 grain X bullet at 3000 fps. I shot him at the head of Wiilow Creek just north of Ten Mile Knoll