Utah Cow Elk

[usadaytrader]

I am looking to apply for an Elk Hunt in Utah. The 2008 Utah Big Game Catalog only lists Bull and Spiked Elk on the menu. It also says anterless tags will be available in May. Does anyone have the fees for cow elk? Are they easier than Bull Elk or Deer? Thanks

 

[DanD]

I'm assuming your a Non-resident

Antlerless elk tags were $213 last year, not sure about this year.

This year you will also have to buy a hunting licences to put in for the draw, that will be $65 for a NR.

Good luck

 

[usadaytrader]

Thanks! Do you go there often? I might just put in for a deer tag. I still haven;t shot either. What do you suggest? I mean which is easier?

 

[DanD]

Easier? Well that's hard to say, a lot of variables in place.

Many of the deer herds in Utah are not in the best of shape right now, a lot of the state has been down to a 5 day from a 9 day hunting season the last few years.

The cow tags are what the state uses to control the population of the elk herd in a specific area, so these vary from year to year. These hunts also take place in Nov, Dec & Jan so weather plays into the equation.

I will say if you are successful in taking an animal its a lot easier to pack out 150 lbs of deer than 500 lbs of elk.

As for eatin' in my book there's not much better than an elk steak!

 

[usadaytrader]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DanD @ Jan 16 2008, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm assuming your a Non-resident

Antlerless elk tags were $213 last year, not sure about this year.

This year you will also have to buy a hunting licences to put in for the draw, that will be $65 for a NR.

Good luck[/b]

I'd have to buy a license and the tag? Is this new? Thanks

 

[usadaytrader]

Hey Dan. What part of Socal are you from? I am from there too. Still trying to decide wether or not to go for Elk or deer. We'll be heading to the Panguitch area. Are you familiar with that? Is the deer population declining that much? Wonder if I'll have a better chance with Elk. Thanks!

 

[Dubya D]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (usadaytrader @ Jan 21 2008, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

...Still trying to decide wether or not to go for Elk or deer. We'll be heading to the Panguitch area. Are you familiar with that? Is the deer population declining that much? Wonder if I'll have a better chance with Elk. Thanks![/b]

Since you have to puchase a license before you can apply, I suggest you look at the drawing odds for specific hunts you would like to apply for. Even though these are '07 odds, it still gives you an idea what you are up against:

http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/bigga...iggame_odds.pdf

Also, look at the DNR site for information on herd conditions:

http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/

 

[usadaytrader]

Thanks for the reply and the link. How do you read the first column? I am looking hunting Panguitch (south Utah) for deer. I assume its Hunt #989 (Southern) page 49 of the big game book. Would this be "GN-Southern" in the biggameodds link you sent me?

 

[Dubya D]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (usadaytrader @ Jan 21 2008, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Thanks for the reply and the link. How do you read the first column? I am looking hunting Panguitch (south Utah) for deer. I assume its Hunt #989 (Southern) page 49 of the big game book. Would this be "GN-Southern" in the biggameodds link you sent me?[/b]

You are correct

 

[wmidbrook]

Just keep an eye out @ the DNR website for the when they post the antlerless proclamation. Cow hunting is not a slam dunk although some hunts have higher success than others for both the draw and harvest. You won't draw Southern Deer with 0 preference points. You should study the website for draw odds and study the proclamation to learn how the preference point system works for both general deer and antlerless.

How did you piick Panguitch? ...just curious. There are units with much higher densities of elk...not sure what non-resident draw odds on cow tags are...there were only 8 tags and it's a real, real late hunt starting 12/8 - 1/13....lots of private fields down low...access could be a big issue.

I'd recommend looking into the Wasatch Mtns and Central Mtns hunts for cow elk...lots of elk and it's not much further up. The southern elk units just don't have the populations that the areas I mentioned do.

 

[usadaytrader]

Thanks wmid.

I put in for deer this year just to get a feel for it first. I think I'll go for Elk next year. My buddy knows the Panguitch area so thats where we go to check out. I got a 1 in 3 chance...So wish me luck!

 

[DanD]

wmid nailed it, deer in the southern zone with no points is going to be a tough draw. I would not count on getting a tag this year.

If you are looking to hunt cows in panguitch that is also a tough draw, it's been around 10 - 15% the last couple of years. They have also gone to prefrence points for the cow hunts, but you have a much better chance of drawing a cow tag some where in the state than you do a southern deer tag with no points. The antlerless addendum will be out in late spring. Odds for last years draw is up on there website you can see what are some of the easier zones to draw.


Good luck!

 

[wmidbrook]

Good luck whether you're putting in for Dutton or PL for elk & deer. Any unit you decide to go to in southern holds deer. I've had a lot of fun exploring a bit in most units in the southern area since I've moved here...beaver, panguitch, pine valley, zion, pahvant, boulder, and the paunsagaunt. Haven't made it up into Dutton yet but it's on my list along with a couple others like Monroe and the other fish lake units....I've seen deer in them all...I'm sure some spots are better than others so good luck but I'd have to imagine that all of them have honeyholes...ditto for the other regions.

 

[usadaytrader]

Shoot. I made a huge mistake. I now need to pay the $25 amendment fee+notorize fee to change my application. Sucks! Thanks guys

 

[wmidbrook]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Shoot. I made a huge mistake. I now need to pay the $25 amendment fee+notorize fee to change my application. Sucks! Thanks guys[/b]

Wait! You may not have made a mistake if you understand preference points.....

a) make sure you have picked your hunt
b) check to see how many preference points are required to draw

If it's a sure thing it takes more than 1 preference point to draw BOTH the hunt you put in for (by accident I'm assuming), and the hunt you want, you don't need to change a thing...you'll just get your preference points.

 

[usadaytrader]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wmidbrook @ Jan 23 2008, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Shoot. I made a huge mistake. I now need to pay the $25 amendment fee+notorize fee to change my application. Sucks! Thanks guys[/b]

Wait! You may not have made a mistake if you understand preference points.....

a) make sure you have picked your hunt
b) check to see how many preference points are required to draw

If it's a sure thing it takes more than 1 preference point to draw BOTH the hunt you put in for (by accident I'm assuming), and the hunt you want, you don't need to change a thing...you'll just get your preference points.
[/b][/quote]


Thanks wmid. I need to read up on what preference points are. Basically I put in for general season southern zone which has a 1 in 2.8 chance of being drawn. I made the mistake of not putting my second choice. So I made an amendment for southeastern zone. I think I'll get preference points if I am not selected for my first pick?

 

[wmidbrook]

No, if you draw your second pick you won't get preference points. Check out page 19 of the 2008 big game proclamation..

 

[usadaytrader]

your right. Geez big game hunting is so confusing. I'll be there next year for Elk with my 338 Lapua

 

[garsrene]

Great advices from the last post, but from my experience ( I draw a cow tag this year) the southern part of Salt Lake city is not bad ( Stansberries Mountain) there is a couple of coppers mine there just don't go on there land they will arrest you!
I misssed a shot at a cow this year she crossed th road 30 yards from me going uphill pretty fast but the achery season is early and very hot by the way I only payed 260$ witch is not bad....

 

[Huntr Pat]

That sounds like a fun hunt I dont mind at all harvesting a cow. Good thing about it is no taxidermy bill and the great meat supply. Spot and stalk Archery!!!