Utah Manti/San Rafael area advice

[swashington2128]

Hey all, I drew a mule deer tag for the Manti/San Rafael area (1503). First time going to Utah and was wondering if anyone has hunted that area before and could give me some advice about what to expect. I am in fairly good shape but definitely not a marathon runner. I am going with an outfitter so at least getting lost is not an issue.

Anything insight you can give would be awesome.

Thanks,

[baldopepper]

I've not hunted that area in years now, but it is a huge unit.  Mostly beautiful deer/elk country and it really depends where your outfitter is going out of.  Most of that unit is bisected by what used to be called the Skyline Drive-it goes north south right down the heart of the unit with connecting roads coming up virtually every major canyon. Big country with many deep pine/quakie canyons.  Text book deer country that has kicked out a lot of huge bucks over the years.  Pretty heavily hunted.  You'll have a great time.

[swashington2128]

Thanks for the info, I am kind of panicking now about my cardio. Gonna be a big challenge to be ready for this one if it is steep as I have heard. My normal hunting is for whitetail on the east side and I climb hills all the time but this sounds like a whole new ball-game.

[baldopepper]

I'm sure your outfitter can advise you what kind of country he'll have you in.  Going as early as you are I suspect it'll be up in the higher country, so you might want to try to get in some altitude workouts.  (I'm guessing you'll  be anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000' up)  Really that unit has some real variations in landscape.  If you up out of Ephriam or Manti it's pretty much alpine areas.  If you are going in from further south you could be more in juniper/sagebrush country.  Late September down there can be a real mix of weather, even including snow at the higher elevations.  Last few years of the ML hunt when I've been down that way we were literally in shorts and t-shirts. If you're outfitter is using horses you won't be needing to worry about getting in that good of condition, but if you're going on foot into some of canyons you better be in shape.  We used to hunt elk out of Manti when I was young (and dumb) and I can promise some of those canyons are very, very tough.  If you aren't fussy about what you're gonna shoot, you probably won't have to get to down and dirty to get a buck. Hopefully the sheep won't have it grazed down to nothing, that used to be a big problem there in the fall.  You found the deer/elk in the few pockets the sheep hadn't eaten down to dust. (herds or 4,000-5,000 sheep aren't uncommon in that area).  That area has lots of fond memories for me, but it's been long time since I hunted it.  We've moved on down to the LaSalles around Moab now-easier hunting on old bodies!  Good Luck.

[baldopepper]

Just brought up Skyline Drive-Utah on my computer, has some very nice pictures of what kind of country you'll be in (I also didn't realize it was that high, some parts are 9,000-10,000')

[swashington2128]

Ok, hitting the gym in the morning. Try to get a couple of hundred flights of stairs on the machine before I collaspe. Should be a good start. Some lypo-suction to lose 20 lbs and a therapist to figure out why I waited till I am almost 50 to try it.

So much to do with so little time.

Thanks for the info, sounds like it is going to be a heck of an experience.

[Bean Counter]

Isn't that a November hunt? You have almost half a year if so. I would ease into it and be sure your doctor monitors your cardiovascular progress. 

[baldopepper]

Isn't that a November hunt? You have almost half a year if so. I would ease into it and be sure your doctor monitors your cardiovascular progress. 

Late August-early Sept. hunt.  Many of the outfitters there for that early hunt are "water hole" hunters.  Won't need to be in great shape to sit in a stand over a water hole, best to get with the outfitter and ask  how he hunts.  But, getting in good shape is never a bad thing regardless of how you hunt there.

[bearpaw]

I've hunted that area for many years, there is diverse terrain. Like others have mentioned it's a huge area and depending where your outfitter plans on hunting your physical condition may or may not be an issue. You will have a lot better luck talking to your outfitter and asking him what to expect and asking him if you need to be in top physical condition. Outfitters deal with people of all types of physical condition on a regular basis and usually have a plan for how to best hunt their hunters who are not in top condition. Good luck, it's beautiful country, I see decent bucks there every year, you should have a great time. Remember, sometimes the biggest bucks or best hunting is where you least expect, but your outfitter already has a plan for how to hunt the area successfully. 

[swashington2128]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Made it two and half miles uphill last night with 30lbs in the pack. Hated every minute of it but got there. Found out the downhill is almost as hard as the uphill. Getting the calves and shins in shape.

Spoke with my outfitter and he has a plan and I am trying to not over emphasize my abilities. I would rather exceed his expectations than disappoint. He has to have a good time too for it to be a great experience.

Bearpaw, thanks for some advice I got from you last fall about a taxidermist. I got my first whitetail up in your area and appreciate the input. Get that nice handsome little buck back in a few weeks.

[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.