Hello fellow elk hunters...I pulled a Southwest Desert 2nd rifle tag this year. I have been hearing/reading quite a few conflicting reports on the elk in that unit (bull quality is way down,still good bulls to be found). What are your thoughts on the unit and type of bull a guy should expect to find. Would be great to hear from a couple of last years tag holders and folks that spend time down there. Pics would be great. Thanks!
Utah Southwest Desert Elk 2nd Rifle
- Thread starter WYCubie
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
If you see a 350" bull shoot him.
The area can be a tough hunt after the rut. The elk will move down off of the hills and into the cedars and flat land and only venture out into the grassy meadows after dark.
The area can be a tough hunt after the rut. The elk will move down off of the hills and into the cedars and flat land and only venture out into the grassy meadows after dark.
Alabama
Veteran member
Southwest desert elk tag is still a great tag. I hunted it for archery in 2015 for 16 days and killed a 380 gross score bull. That being said it was also the biggest bull we saw. We did see a few more that would have broken the 350 mark. I would say the average bulls taken fall in the 300-340 range. Most of the bulls have awesome front ends and there are some huge five points. The sixth points on most bulls are not generally huge, but with good feed and moisture that can help. There are some great bulls on the unit but they are not everywhere. It is also one of the largest units in the state with many mountain ranges making it difficult to really scout all areas in the unit in one season. There are lots of cedar/juniper trees for the elk to get lost in, but they are there. You can catch them in the valleys or burn/chained areas in the mornings but the get to the trees early. Your season may be different as it is in November I believe. Good luck and I hope you get a nice one.
Thanks jsc! I drew this permit on my first try so I am scrambling for information on the unit. Figured I would have plenty of time in the coming years to learn the area a bit but have to fast track it this year...I am not complaining one bit! I'm headed down tomorrow for the first time and I believe you are right with the unit being so big it will be tough to look all of it over. I have seen some pics and videos of the big 5 pointers out there and they intrigue me, we just don't get big 5 points like that in Wyoming. Thanks for the comments on what to expect!
Thanks JimP! I've been hearing that 350" is a great bull for that unit, sounds like there are a few bigger but with the unit as big as it is and with such low elk numbers finding one bigger is pretty tough. I drew this license with zero points so I am rushing a bit to find info and learn the area. With me living in WY, and the unit being so big I just don't think I have the time to see it all. I've talked with two biologist out of Cedar City about the unit and have their thoughts on the unit but I am looking to hear from a couple of folks who know the area. Any chance you could give me a general area or two that I should make sure to check out? Anymore help would be greatly appreciated!