anyone know when Utah

[Roger]

So with that, fist choice was West Desert, Vernon. 

[Bigshooter]

So with that, fist choice was West Desert, Vernon.

How many pts did you have?

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Weird, I thought they would have hit my cc for my henry mountains muley hunt by now ;-)

[Roger]

I had 10.

Anybody know anthing about the area, I was looking on Google Earth last night and looked over the country. Have to start getting the maps and making some phone calls.

[baldopepper]

If you've never been to Vernon, Utah-let me just say it's not the most scenic area in Utah.  Desert country, sage brush with heavy oak brush canyons here and there.  It will undoubtly be a dry camp, figure to take lots of water with you.  Havent been there in years ( I grew up in Utah and used to go out on the west desert quite a bit)  I can't think of any country in Washington that would be close to what you'll be hunting there.  Used to be you had to see 100 does before you saw a buck in that country, but it's probably changed. Take a good long range shooting rifle.  Kind of curious why you'd pick that unit?

[Bigshooter]

I had 10.

Anybody know anthing about the area, I was looking on Google Earth last night and looked over the country. Have to start getting the maps and making some phone calls.

I know that the last couple years it has been hit very hard by poaching.  A lot of guys on mm were worried about the poaching effecting the trophy quality of the hunt.  I see a few bucks posted on mm from here every year.  Most are 150-160" with a couple that will push 170".  I'd go see what you can find out over on mm.

[MtnMuley]

I had 10.

Anybody know anthing about the area, I was looking on Google Earth last night and looked over the country. Have to start getting the maps and making some phone calls.

Not to sound like a dick, but you burned 10 ten years worth of points toward an area you know nothing about?

[RubblesPH]

"Not to sound like a dick, but you burned 10 ten years worth of points toward an area you know nothing about?"

How much in your opinion should you know about the area?  Is there some sort of sliding scale that you live by?  I put in for several states a year for multiple species that I have a very general knowledge of the quality of animals/access/terrain. Then if I'm drawn I do further research.  Been a pretty successful approach for me.  Can't know every road/animal in every unit in every state.

[Buckblaster]

Check out this website for Utah hunt info.  The locals might give out info to NR hunters by private message that they wouldn't give to their RES competition.
http://utahwildlife.net/forum/index.php

[TheHunt]

I know on MM they don't help the out of staters much.   I do like the folk that say you should know the unit before you put in for a unit.  I put in for units to get drawn and I do the google earth scouting.   Call the biologist and see if anyone can on the internet can give any opinions. 

I schedule a plane at the nearest airport to the unit through my flying club and fly the unit with my GPS and my knee board with MOB numbers.  Then just hit the MOB and write down what I see next to the specific number.  Pretty simple and you can all lots out on a unit very quickly.  Of course you cannot hunt the same day you fly so you go down a few days before the season starts.  You should have enough information to put your camp and get your plan together.   

[Roger]

Thanks for the couple of forums and responses. Spent several hours on the sites this evening and was able pick some info.

This will be a new adventure and look forward to it. I do go to new areas all the time and have a great time doing it.

[Buckblaster]

I have found that if you draw a great tag, it doesn't take a wildlife bio to find the critters.  Do your scouting covering the unit either just before or during your hunt.  Once you find out where the biggest concentrations of animals are, start there and expand as needed.  I hunt new areas frequently that I have never seen before and have not been disappointed.  If you put in your time, you will do okay.  It never hurts to get some good knowledge from others but if you don't, do not sweat it.

[boneaddict]

It never hurts to get some good knowledge from others

It all stems on the word "good"

[boneaddict]

I think Utah draws deer and elk first then the OIL.   This rings a bell because once you draw a tag you are ineligible for anything else.    I'd sure hate to draw a deer tag the year I was going to draw a moose. 

[Roger]

I have found that if you draw a great tag, it doesn't take a wildlife bio to find the critters.  Do your scouting covering the unit either just before or during your hunt.  Once you find out where the biggest concentrations of animals are, start there and expand as needed.  I hunt new areas frequently that I have never seen before and have not been disappointed.  If you put in your time, you will do okay.  It never hurts to get some good knowledge from others but if you don't, do not sweat it.

That is exactly what I do with my travels to new areas. Will be getting maps shortly and do that study. Plan on getting there up to week in advance to start looking the are over, and have my camp fairly mobile so that I can move easily if needed. I'm sure it will be a great experience.