Big Game Hunting > Out Of State Hunting
Utah Manti/San Rafael area advice
RadSav:
I have been offered a landowner deer tag to go along with my Manti elk hunt. Land owner tells me there are a lot of 160 class bucks running around, but that 180 bucks are dang hard to come by. I'm torn as to what to do. On one hand I want to put all my attention into elk. But last time I did that in Idaho I had the biggest buck I've ever seen come in to a cow call. Was horrible to know I could have toasted him at 30 yards if I hadn't been a cheap bass bird.
What date are you going to start your hunt? If the same as me maybe we can get a bit to eat in Price or Huntington before we meet up with our crews.
swashington2128:
I will be meeting my guide on the afternoon of the 22nd of August and we will go sent up camp. He is bring an RV out that we will base camp with. After that he is going home for the weekend and we start Monday morning. I requested a couple of days just to enjoy the quiet and get my bearings. If you are in the area that weekend I would definitely like to meet for some chow and conversation.
As to your question, tough call. I am going for the mule deer but am going to pay the extra for a cow tag just in case. A 160" buck is plenty good to me. The mule deer tag was $265 if I remember. Not really steep and yes, what a kick in the pants to see a good 180 class buck and not have a tag. Matter of fact, don't get the tag and take a camera so you can take a picture of him. Not having a tag is the most sure way of seeing the OIL trophy. Since I will only have a cow tag I expect to see a huge 6x6 bull standing still at 5 yards broadside while I wave my hands around trying to shoo him away so a cow will come closer. That's usually how things turn out in my life.
Also, I will have to check the towns you are mentioning. I have never been to Utah so I am not familiar with where I am going and how far a way the towns are.