Well, the draw gods smiled on my hunting buddy this year and he drew an archery elk tag in the Bookcliffs Bitter Creek unit of Utah. We have over twenty years of experience bowhunting elk but mostly on the South Slope North of Vernal. Needless to say we haven't got a clue as to what to expect in the Bookcliffs. I have searched most of the forums on the subject but still have a lot of unanswered questions. Was wondering if folks in this forum could give me some info about this unit and what to plan for. Since I live over a thousand miles away, scouting is going to be difficult. I am going to try and come out during the last week of July and get some boots on the ground. I mainly need advice on how best to access the area and narrow down my scouting focus. I also would like to know what tactics to use early in the season versus later into early September. We are planning to hunt opening day and stay to the end of the season if necessary. We are in our mid 60's and this may be our last chance to get on a real trophy bull. Thanks in advance for your help.
Utah Bookcliffs Bitter Creek
- Thread starter ArkieElk
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
You need to drop down to the new member section and introduce yourself.
Now as for access there are two ways in really. If you want to drive out on I-70 all the way you can come in from the Westwater Exit just inside of the Utah Border from Colorado then up either East or Hay Canyon with about 35 miles of improved dirt road to the top. From the north off of HWY 40 you will come in through Oray, which is a oiled road 99% of the way to the top Divide Road.
As to what to expect. I have seen bulls out there that will go over 400" but the vast majority of them will be in the 300-375 range. Lots of pinon pine and cedars down low and a lot of pines and buck brush up high and in the canyons. Mind you the high point is only around 8500'. I shot a 343 bull during the rifle hunt back in 2001 in Sweetwater Canyon just north of Ten Mile Knoll across the road from the road less area. This area burned in 2002 but has come back real well.
One nice thing if you drive out in July is that you can take just about any finger road off of the Divide Road which runs from the Colorado border west along the top is that you will spot elk. Not just a few of them but lots. It is then just deciding on what area you want to hunt. I like the area from where Mc Cook Ridge Rd comes into the Divide road east or over to where the Oray road comes in from the north. You won't want to hunt to the south, lots of ledges and deep canyons but they hold elk.
One thing for you to know when you come out to scout is that there are a lot and I mean a lot of bears out there so figure accordingly. Also if you have a side by side or ATV you might want to bring it. There are lots of roads to run them on and it keeps from beating your truck up. As for your truck if you only have light duty tires on it you might want to bring 2 spares. The fix-it shop is a long ways away.
Now as for access there are two ways in really. If you want to drive out on I-70 all the way you can come in from the Westwater Exit just inside of the Utah Border from Colorado then up either East or Hay Canyon with about 35 miles of improved dirt road to the top. From the north off of HWY 40 you will come in through Oray, which is a oiled road 99% of the way to the top Divide Road.
As to what to expect. I have seen bulls out there that will go over 400" but the vast majority of them will be in the 300-375 range. Lots of pinon pine and cedars down low and a lot of pines and buck brush up high and in the canyons. Mind you the high point is only around 8500'. I shot a 343 bull during the rifle hunt back in 2001 in Sweetwater Canyon just north of Ten Mile Knoll across the road from the road less area. This area burned in 2002 but has come back real well.
One nice thing if you drive out in July is that you can take just about any finger road off of the Divide Road which runs from the Colorado border west along the top is that you will spot elk. Not just a few of them but lots. It is then just deciding on what area you want to hunt. I like the area from where Mc Cook Ridge Rd comes into the Divide road east or over to where the Oray road comes in from the north. You won't want to hunt to the south, lots of ledges and deep canyons but they hold elk.
One thing for you to know when you come out to scout is that there are a lot and I mean a lot of bears out there so figure accordingly. Also if you have a side by side or ATV you might want to bring it. There are lots of roads to run them on and it keeps from beating your truck up. As for your truck if you only have light duty tires on it you might want to bring 2 spares. The fix-it shop is a long ways away.
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JimP, I was thinking about tent camping when I come out in July. Do you have a recommendation where to set up camp. Your warning about bears got my attention.
JimP
Administrator
There are a couple of slightly improved campgrounds if you would call them that up on the Divide Road a few miles west of where Mc Cook Ridge road meets the Divide Road or a few miles east of where the Oray road comes in from. All they really have are some benches and perhaps a fire pit, but at that time in July the whole state might be on fire restrictions.
I have ten camped up there more than I have camped in a hard sided camper and have never had a problem with bears. Perhaps you can call me lucky or something else but I am also aware of them. A lot of other campers will also tent it and I have never heard of any problems with bears but there is always the first time. I just wanted four you to be aware of them.
As far as other places to camp, anywhere you like. The camp grounds up on the Divide road are in the trees that might provide some shade from the heat of the day.
I'll send you a PM with some locations.
I have ten camped up there more than I have camped in a hard sided camper and have never had a problem with bears. Perhaps you can call me lucky or something else but I am also aware of them. A lot of other campers will also tent it and I have never heard of any problems with bears but there is always the first time. I just wanted four you to be aware of them.
As far as other places to camp, anywhere you like. The camp grounds up on the Divide road are in the trees that might provide some shade from the heat of the day.
I'll send you a PM with some locations.
gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,207
- 772
I'll PM you, MZ hunted it in 2015. Lots of good spots to camp on both sides. You should have a great time!
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The book cliffs archery elk tag is a fun tag to have. There are lots of elk and lots of areas to hunt. Most of the hunters take bulls in the 300 to 340 range but there are always a few bigger ones taken. The books have some large canyons and for me they always seemed to be about halfway up. There are lots of roads and an atv is essential to cover lots of area. The archery season is early starting in august and usually hot. They generally don't make much noise so you may have to spot and stalk or try to sit water. There is also spike elk hunters running around calling and this can mess you up at times, but if you work at it you will be fine. If you would like to try calling I would suggest that you make sure you have the last week of the season off as this will be your best chance at any rut activity and no spike hunters to contend with. Good luck and stick a big one!
Big thanks to everyone for your advice. We are really looking forward to this hunt. We know it's not going to be easy but we are more than willing to put in the time and all the effort necessary to have a successful hunt. We also know the agony of defeat but enjoy the hunt too much to let that bother us much. [emoji2]
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Elkhunter96
Active Member
Love the mount! My hunting buddy has the tag and is looking for a good taxidermy shop near the Books just in case. I told him it is best to be prepared. We know it's not going to be easy but at least he has a chance! [emoji1]
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JimP
Administrator
Jim, let me know the name of the shop. I may be going through Grand Junction next week. Would love to check it out. [emoji2]
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JimP
Administrator
The plan is to do a DIY hunt. You never know, hit me with a PM if you remember the guy's name. Thanks!
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Silentstalker
Active Member
You have been given some great advice! You will love it! I too hunted it in 2010. Shot a nice 5x5. Saw some even bigger bulls! Good luck!
Fine looking bull, SS! Did he come in to a call or did you spot & stalk?You have been given some great advice! You will love it! I too hunted it in 2010. Shot a nice 5x5. Saw some even bigger bulls! Good luck!
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Silentstalker
Active Member
Thank you. I actually shot him over water. I never heard a bugle the first week. I shot him on I think the 5th day of the hunt.
They get way more vocal the last week of the hunt.
They get way more vocal the last week of the hunt.
JimP
Administrator
When I was down there for the rifle hunt in 2001 we didn't hear a single bugle during the 3 1/2 days before the season opened. We were there starting September11. Yep that's right just after the planes hit. Then we had a huge hail/rain storm Thursday afternoon and that evening we went for a ride and they were screaming all over the place. I called in a raghorn 4x4 while we were watching a couple of herd bulls on the other hill side. We then drove about a mile and watched 2 more bulls chasing cows.
It seamed like that hail/rainstorm kick started them.
It seamed like that hail/rainstorm kick started them.
Great bull, Jim! Sounds like we need to pray for a hail/ rain storm! LOL!When I was down there for the rifle hunt in 2001 we didn't hear a single bugle during the 3 1/2 days before the season opened. We were there starting September11. Yep that's right just after the planes hit. Then we had a huge hail/rain storm Thursday afternoon and that evening we went for a ride and they were screaming all over the place. I called in a raghorn 4x4 while we were watching a couple of herd bulls on the other hill side. We then drove about a mile and watched 2 more bulls chasing cows.
It seamed like that hail/rainstorm kick started them.
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Does anyone know of a meat locker they can recommend near Grand Junction that will freeze the meat for us if we get lucky? I guess I am too much of a boy scout but I like to be prepared. I am kinda of anal about getting meat froze as quick as possible.