Bearpaw's OIL Utah Elk Hunt

[bearpaw]

I finally drew an elk tag after 19 years of applying. I call it an OIL hunt because after I wait the required 5 years after drawing the odds are I will never draw a good elk tag again in Utah.

In Utah half the tags are random draw and half go to random applicants. I have been holding out for one of the top units for big bulls but point creep keeps pushing the max points for the top units just a few years out of my reach and I haven't been lucky enough to draw one of the random tags. This year I decided I wanted to hunt, looking at draw history it appeared I probably had enough points to draw a premium tag in a mediocre unit, meaning I would be able to hunt all the seasons in that unit. Because my fall is very busy taking care of our hunters that seemed like a good choice, I should be able to hunt at least a few days in each season and still run my business. We have killed numerous bulls in this unit for hunters that have ranged from 320's to 350's, the largest bull I know of taken in this unit is a 389 bull, so it's not a unit for 400 class bulls, I would like to find a 340 or better bull but will take a bull based on how I think he'll look on my wall not how high he scores. I plan on taking horses because I can't hike the mountains like I used to and it's so much easier to get elk out with horses.

Archery Season
A long time friend "John" in Utah called and told me his oldest son Cairo drew an archery tag for the same unit, he is going to put out trail cams this summer to watch for big bulls in a part of the unit he has hunted for years and knows very well. We are planning a one week hunt during the archery season Aug-Sept, we'll work around Cairo's schedule, we are both flexible at that time.

Early Rifle Season
This is one of the best seasons, mid September, it catches the rut and bulls are usually bugling good. There's a lot of big open country and I've got a new 338/378 set up with a 5x30 Huskemaw, I'll start getting loads figured out with data posted by other members in the 338/378 topic. I'm going to block out time in our fall schedule for my son and I to hunt the first week of the early rifle season.

Muzzleloader Season
This is late Sept and early Oct, I can hunt at least 3 to 5 days, another friend in Utah has a top quality scoped muzzleloader set up to Utah specs that he said I can borrow, I'll take one of my guides with me to help spot and call, calling works so much better with two people.

Middle Rifle
Early to mid October, this opens the day after muzzy closes, I can probably hunt a couple days if there is a big bull I saw but didn't get in muzzy season.

Late Rifle
This is a mid November hunt, I can probably hunt for a week, this is my backup meat hunt, I'll shoot a lesser bull on this hunt so that I take meat home, we enjoy eating game meat and I want to fill the freezer with this hunt even if I don't see a bigger bull.

I've been looking forward to this elk hunt for many years, I'm pretty excited about finally getting a tag.

[X-Force]

Following!

Congrats and good luck

[NoBark]

Congrats Bearpaw!  This will be awesome.  Son Drew Utah in '11 and took a 357" bull in the Archery season.   Go get 'em!

[bearpaw]

I didn't apply for any antlered hunts in any other state, not even WA, I want to be focused on this hunt. I'll probably apply for cow elk in Utah, that's another good hunt for the freezer.

[stlusn30-06]

 
Awesome. Good luck!

[2MANY]

Hopefully all the moister this year and a poor last year will equal more inches of bone!!!

[WapitiTalk1]

BOOM!  That is awesome Dale  .  Will be following you along on your Utah hunt(s) vicariously though Hunting Washington.  Man, wishing you nothing but the best of luck putting a big, stinky, snot nosed, mud caked, red-eyed, Utah bull's nose in the dirt! 

[bearpaw]

BOOM!  That is awesome Dale  .  Will be following you along on your Utah hunt(s) vicariously though Hunting Washington.  Man, wishing you nothing but the best of luck putting a big, stinky, snot nosed, mud caked, red-eyed, Utah bull's nose in the dirt!

 

Wow, just reading your post gets me more excited! 

[Rainier10]

Tagging along and for what it’s worth I’ve hunted with Dale he can still do pretty well in the ultra steep mountains of Idaho. I’m sure you will be fine.

Congrats man.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[Brushbuster]

This will be a awesome hunt to follow. Congrats on hanging in there & drawing a great tag! 

[RB]

Wow right on perseverance pays off! Congratulations on drawing a good tag best of luck!

[Machias]

Oh, this one will be a lot of fun to follow, good luck and have a GREAT hunt!!

[hunting4sanity]

Congratulations on the tag and best of luck on the hunt!
Looking forward to pics and a report on your hunt. I obviously didn't have any luck with the draws this year in Idaho (or anywhere else) or you'd have heard from me to line up your help.

[huntnphool]

 Congrats Dale, looking forward to following along.