Utah Elk

[TangSafetyM77]

My father and I have kicked around the idea of an elk hunt for years. It is not getting any cheaper, and this year our schedules and our finances finally worked out. I was in charge of booking the hunt. I took advice gleaned from this board and booked through Atcheson's. They gave us several options, and we chose Northeastern Utah east of Ogden on a 10,500 acre private ranch. We will hunt mid-October and we were told to expect 280-320 class bulls at the end of their rutting period. Anything over 300 would be a trophy for me.
As dedicated whitetail hunters, we know nothing about elk. I was once told that elk "have no habits." I would appreciate any pointers you folks could offer on what to expect in this area. Terrain? Elevations? Expected range of shots? Weather during mid-October. I checked the weather for October for Henefer, UT and it showed a temp range of 30-60. That is a pretty wide range, and I was wondering if snow would be something we might be dealing with in the higher elevations? Any general comments for a first time elk hunter would be appreciated. This may be the only time I do this...it is becoming cost prohibitive.

 

[yorec]

Sounds like you've got a memorable experience ahead - one way or the other!!

Henefer is in the canyon bottoms and will be warmer than where the elk will be, plan for 10-15 degrees cooler with the chance of much colder temps and snow. In fact, hope for snow - elk move more when it does and it makes them easier to locate and spot... Dress in layers, you can alway shed if it's too warm, but if it's too cold you just shiver...

Terrain will be steep and mountainous. Exercise and get in shape starting now until the day you go. It is probably THE most important thing you can do to get ready. The elevation will make this even more obvious as you'll be dealing with 7500 - 10000 ft elevations. (probable spend most hunting time in the 8000-9000 ft range)

Range of shots will be close if your lucky (under 50 yards) out to as far as you can hit. (Edge of vision on the next ridge as the herd runs the other way!) Be responsible, take good shot selections - nothing will ruiin your day like a crippled elk. Practice like mad.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Polishrifleman]

Tang,

Sounds like a great trip. a buddy of mine and I looked into going to Utah for another hunt last year and the Utah Division of Wildlife has a forum that might work better for your question. Other than that ditto above and good luck.

Keep us posted on the MONSTER BULL.

http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/forums/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=08086ba51a40d82ff642738c7c0e7ec0

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Ask your guide and booking agent

For elevation you have good topo maps available and might want to look at them - they'll give you exact information for the exact place you will be hunting. I used to get aircraft photostrips for land I was unfamiliar with but I bet without actually checking that satellite pictures are available on the web - I'd bet a topo map coordinate could be used to access satellite pictures - anybody know?

Pictures and advice should be available from the booking agent, guide and land owner. Ask for names and addresses of other hunters on the same land - successful and unsuccessful then ask them what worked and what didn't.

On our land - and per Geist and some other experts - the elk mostly do have habits - down in the evening up in the morning - BUT the rut disrupts the habits. Some places elk are hunted like white tail to include kicking them out of brush where they lie up on the north faces for example. I'll second the get in shape to include things like running stadium steps toe in and toe out in boots - maybe with a load of rocks on your back - better to approximate the hunting experience than to be a world class swimmer say and call that good shape.

 

[G-30]

Tang, are you hunting a CWMU? There is also a wildlife manegent area there that is public OTC tags. I hope you are hunting private.
Here is a pic of what the wasatch front looks like. This isn't Henifer area but it is part of the same mountain range about 20 miles south.

It is steep. The Widow maker is held in henifer each year. It is a motorcycle hill climb. They climb 600 vertical feet in 900 liniar feet.
300-320 class bulls are great! I haven't killed a 6 point bull yet. Here is my largest to date, killed last year.


Weather? Yea, expect everything that mother nature has to throw at you. If you don't she surley will. It always snows around the 3rd week of October. It doesn't last but for a day or two but it is wet and heavy. Temps can be below freezing at night and up to 70 during the day.

Anyway, you will have a great time for sure. If this is your first time hunting the great wapiti, I seriously doubt it will be your last. I bet you go again within 5 years, it's that addicting!

Good luck and kill a big one.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

One last thought - don't wear denim

The only folks I know who met the fool killer worked up a sweat in denim on a bluebird day.

 

[TangSafetyM77]

Thanks for all the replies

We are hunting private land with guaranteed landowner tags. The pictures are great, G-30. I will get as much info as I can from the outfitter, but wanted to get other people's impressions as well.

I hear you on the proper clothes/gear. Having been to Alaska a couple of times, I have a lot of wool and fleece already. Gore-Tex has its limits.