Hey guys...I've been doing some research but I figured I'd throw this out to all the seasoned Utah veterans. So I'll have 2 points for Elk in Utah this year. I'd like to do an archery Elk hunt and I don't really care if the unit is a trophy unit as long as it has Elk in it. I've never hunted Utah and I'll probably be hunting by myself. The units look like it's going to take a lifetime to draw an Elk tag. Anything out there I can draw with just a few points for an Archery hunt? Any info will be appreciated guys...thanks.
Utah Elk...should I even try
- Thread starter NavyChief
- Start date
Navy Chief,
In my experience it takes 6-7 points to be in the game for the archery limited tags. With 6-7 you can have a chance at the Cache and North and South Slope units. As you've seen, it takes quite some time, 13 years or so, to have enough points to have decent odds to draw one of the more premium units for non-resident archery and much longer for non-resident rifle. There may be options for a general tag that a local may be able to point you towards.
Good Luck!
In my experience it takes 6-7 points to be in the game for the archery limited tags. With 6-7 you can have a chance at the Cache and North and South Slope units. As you've seen, it takes quite some time, 13 years or so, to have enough points to have decent odds to draw one of the more premium units for non-resident archery and much longer for non-resident rifle. There may be options for a general tag that a local may be able to point you towards.
Good Luck!
tdub24
Veteran member
In 2014 I drew a muzzleloader UT bull tag with 2 points so there is always the chance. Since you are not overly concerned with the trophy units I would look at what units give you the best odds of drawing and apply. You may need to do plenty of homework as far as elk numbers for those units go though.
Tough draws for Premium or LE tags but many other options are available if your serious about hunting Utah. In 2010 I drew a late rifle LE elk tag with only 3 points,(pure luck of the draw). I enjoyed the hunt and the area but knew it was a 5yr. wait before I could even apply again. I like hunting and eating elk so I applied for a cow tag in that unit the next year and drew the tag. Drew the cow tag again the following year. I was successful in taking game on all tags up to this point. Successful draws in other states took me elsewhere for the next year but returned again with a cow tag in 2014 and filled it. I didn't draw the cow tag in 2015 so I purchased an OTC spike elk tag. Success odds were at 12% but after 8 days and now knowledgeable in the unit, I was able to take a spike. These were all rifle hunts but take a good look at archery OTC tags also. Lots of opportunities exist to get in the field and hunting while building points for the hard to draw Utah hunts.
luckynv
Active Member
Hey Chief, as others have said you got to be in it to win it! Pick a unit that you are really interested in for your LE tag and put in for it. Then buy a spike and or put in for a cow tag or general archery(I think on the archery) and learn the unit. Scouting while hunting!! Utah is a lot like Texas "big" but a lot is quite rugged and vertical and will take time to learn each drainage and the animal's patterns. Good luck and God bless
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Go in with your eyes open and decide if the 15 to 20+ year wait is worth it to you. You might hit earlier, but you might also win Powerball if you buy tickets. When it comes to hunting apps, I am a strong proponent of deciding if the risk (money spent) is is worth the reward (the tag drawn).
Thanks everyone for the great responses. I think I may try the OTC tags just to learn the unit while I keep applying/building points. Got lots of homework to do now on Google Earth. Thanks again guys...I'm a big fan of the support from fellow hunters you get on this site. True Sportsmen.