Ruggs ranch elk camp was a collection of comfortable wall tents situated deep in the rolling mountains of the 80,000 acre property. Antelope densities fluctuate from yeartoyear based on climatic conditions and the amount of predation exerted upon the herd by the plentiful number of coyotes. I have 14 deer points, and plan on hitting the bc in the next couple of years on the archery hunt, but certainly wasnt expecting to pull a bull tag for another decade or more. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Limited entry book cliffs bull elk hunts and wasatch bull. Search for a hunt by wildlife species including buck. Lots of elk, and good rutting action towards the end of the hunt. Elk archery and deer archery seasons run simultaneously and allow for a great combination utah archery hunting experience. If you are hunting where there are book cliffs or large cliffs above the fields.
The down side is that 90% of my time is spent in a pickup today i saw a buck that i had seen only once before. We have trophy bull elk hunting in the book cliffs. Jul 07, 2014 2012 limited entry book cliffs bull elk hunt. I have killed way more elk looking up the mountain instead of straight in front of me where the tracks are headed. Utah is producing some of the largest trophy bull elk. This is only a concern if you know that there are domesticated cattle nearby. A cow elk and a woman have one thing in common that men dont have. The animals have food, water, cover, and larger tracks of land to roam around.
Double c guides elk hunts and elk hunting in the roadless. Nov 27, 2006 book cliffs buck post by 79ford sun aug 07, 2011 1. Access throughout the unit is very good with many oil and gas mining roads. It is a ruminant species, with a fourchambered stomach, and feeds on grasses, plants, leaves and bark. If you cant chase rams in the breaks, bull elk are the next best thing. We got up to a spot we wanted to be in and a big bull was bugling right above us. Colorado parks and wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. This is a story about my brother in law who like me had been putting in for an elk tag for the book cliffs in utah for what seamed like forever. Utah hunt planner utah division of wildlife resources. Black elk speaks cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. In 1995, the elk hunting world shook once more when an antler buyer purchased a head that he had seen in the back of a pickup truck. Two utah families convicted of poaching over a dozen elk. As the largest members of the deer family, mature bull moose create tracks that are at least 6 inches long.
For an added bonus, more record book bulls come out of the 16s than any. Every year, some of utahs biggest mule deer bucks and bull elk come from this remote place. Because of this, when looking at an elk track, if the top track is on the outside of the bottom track, its usually a cow wide hips. Double c guides mule deer hunting book cliffs, henry. One guide per hunter, lodging meals and transportation. This is exceptional big game trophy hunting and we are sure you wont be disappointed. Frank young utah bison hunt 2017 frank young waited twenty two years for the opportunity to hunt bison in utah, and on may 31st 2017, he finally drew his onceinalifetime tag. A small band of elk, say five to six, will often include a spike but seldom a mature bull.
We held tight as another small bull was pushing cow along. Rule out the possibility the tracks were made by cattle. During the summer, elk eat almost constantly, consuming between 4 and 7 kilograms 8. It produces 310340 bulls yearly with a few bulls 340 plus taken each year. This is an extremely remote unit that holds a great herd of mature bucks.
We cut their tracks as they went through the trees and off the back side of the hill. The book cliffs is a beautiful place to be in the fall. Billy confessed to poaching four bull elk, four cow elk and two buck. In summer herds of deer roam the long, grassy valleys like wildebeest, and in the fall the air is alive with the music of bugling bull elk. The book cliffs bitter creek south is a good elk unit. The utah division of wildlife resources utah hunt planner is an interactive map designed to help hunters research hunting units. I cant wait to share the journey with the hunt talk crowd. Archery elk and archery deer season in utah is one of only a few times where it is possible to hunt two species at the same time.
Elk are the second largest of the deer in north america. Analysis this chapter represents the tragic situation of those indians who are making a lastditch effort to avoid agency life. The first time was last month and he was pushing 2830 wide and had almost no height to him at all. Tracks can give you an idea of the sex and size of the animal. Black elk tells black road of his vision, and black road advises him that he must perform the duty he was given in his vision and that first he must hold a horse dance. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorados wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Oil clashes with elk in the book cliffs high country news. The book cliffs are well known for being a sought after hunting destination, and for good reason. Research hunts and units before you apply in the big game drawing, and any of utahs other hunt drawings. We all may have been a little excited to finally see an elk stand still long enough to shoot. We hunt the book cliffs, rattlesnake, nine mile and san rafael units. The world record elk of dark canyon the john plute bull. Genetically speaking, most bulls simply wont grow antlers that big.
Deep canyons filled with thick oak brush provide excellent mule deer habitat. Apply for hunts with the utah division of natural resources. Last year was a banner year for antler growth across much of the west, with great feeding conditions, three consecutive mild winters, and other factors that allowed elk and deer to achieve their best potential growth. In fact, the largest nontypical elk on record, the spider bull, was shot in utah in. Team 3t book cliffs utah 2016 archery elk hunt duration. I happened to accidentally stumble upon the herd feeding in an open field. Predators, new roads, overhunting and poor fawn crops had decimated the previously plentiful deer to the point that the area was closed to hunting 19962000. The way that it looks is that the hunt includes both a and c in the any weapon hunt. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Add some of utahs best backcountry fishing in the mix and you have the makings for an amazing utah outdoor hunting experience. Now the fun begins staring at th computer, shooting the smokestick, getting in better shape, and dreaming. Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife. If you want to hunt a recordbook antelope, this is the place. From the high elevations where the goats run wild, to the cliffs and crags.
Our years of hunting,working, playing, and living in the book cliffs, year round. The plute bull was the world record for over 30 years, and many thought that it would never be beaten. Oil clashes with elk in the book cliffs high country. Any legally killed elk in wild elk habitat is an accomplishment to be respected. Few elk winter in areas sampled by the south book cliffs range trend studies. It can be tough to differentiate elk sign from young cattle tracks sometimes, once they get mixed up on the same trail. The area offers excellent opportunities for hunting. A young cattle track might be the same size as an elk s, but the tips of cattle tracks are more rounded.
We are the oldest and largest hunting ranch east of texas with 3 square miles of land and hundreds of miles of game trails. Frank made two scouting trips to the book cliffs early in the season. Book cliffs roadless has a high hunter success rate 50% to 81. For more information on elk hunting at high adventure ranch, please call 314 2099800 or fill out our contact form.
How do you tell the difference between a cow and a bull. Deciding whether you must hunt for a record bull elk, or if a nice tasty cow elk will do, will influence how and, possibly, where you hunt. Elk that know they are being followed will do their best to use wind to their advantage. We specialize in hunting and guiding utah mule deer, elk, antelope pronghorn, cougar mountain lion, black bear, rocky mountain goat, desert bighorn sheep, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, moose, bison and turkey. I would recommend getting packed in there especially for elk. Many years ago, when bugling to attract bulls was still a novelty, a.
Swenson helped authorities track him down after he posted a photo to. Limited entry book cliffs bull elk hunts and wasatch bull elk. In the stateowned book cliffs roadless area, where bull elk permits are limited to 30 per season, the hunter success ratio is 75 percent. Unit 10 arizona species information antelope overview. Made some great friends and saw lots of elk and scenery.
Our hunters will usually get the opportunity to look over dozens of 4x4s while they search for that one special buck. Moose tracks largely resemble the tracks made by other members of the deer family the simplest way to identify them is by measuring the size of the tracks. Book cliffs, bitter creeksouth the bitter creek portion of the book cliffs is a huge area that holds a very healthy population of elk. I had drawn my tag the year before and had taken a nice 7x6 bull at 7. Search for a hunt by wildlife species including buck deer, bull elk, bison, mountain goat, bull moose, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, cougar, black bear, wild turkey, greater sagegrouse, sharptailed grouse and sandhill crane.
Archery season in utah is one of only a few times where it is possible to hunt two species at the same time. If you havent been to the book cliffs you should check it out. Two utah families convicted of poaching more than a dozen elk. How to identify elk tracks gone outdoors your adventure. Jul 06, 2017 the bull and his cows were in a box canyon surrounded by vertical cliffs, with us blocking his escape. Abundant wildlife and rugged beauty have made the book cliffs wilderness one of.
Book cliffs little creek, book cliffs bittercreek south, book cliffs south cisco and the oquirrhstansbury. I watched a big bull elk make tracks a few minutes later but, sorry, i suddenly became too busy to take pictures. We are gt outfitters, specializing in eastern utah big game. A herd of 10 may indeed have a 6point bull among it. We hunt and guide big game in the majority of utah. The altitude ranges from around 8000 feet to 4500 feet, the differing altitude providing a variety of colors and smells. Biggest bull elk taken in the state of utah in the year of 2011 duration. Sep 21, 2010 team 3t book cliffs utah 2016 archery elk hunt duration. Many years ago, when bugling to attract bulls was still a novelty, a pal insisted on shadowing a herd bound for. The bull and his cows were in a box canyon surrounded by vertical cliffs, with us blocking his escape. We specialize in trophy bull elk, mule deer, bison, bear and lion.
We offer elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, buffalo, cougar and bear hunts. They are magnificent animals to observe in the wild and prized hunting targets. It took some looking but we got her and jared kelsey smoked her. He saw a few bison, but none of them were mature bulls that piqued his interest.
How to identify moose tracks gone outdoors your adventure. Book cliffs get threeyear reprive backcountry hunters and anglers. Book cliffs the book cliffs holds the potential for a giant mule deer. A young cattle track might be the same size as an elks, but the tips of cattle tracks are more rounded. After a 4 year wait, the book cliffs area of northeastern utah had finally opened for mule deer. The blm, usu, and the dwr have cooperated in the design of a new study to look at impacts of herbivory to aspen stands in the book cliffs. My friends dad rifle hunted it last year and they really enjoyed their hunt. The size of the area, and difficult terrain, can make it a very challenging place to hunt. Overall cow tracks are wider at the top and bottom, the toe area on an elk is much thiner. One of utahs most famous hunting areas is the book cliffs, a 200milelong. The widest point of a cattle track is near the center, while the widest point for an elk track is lower. In the stateowned book cliffs roadless area, where bull elk permits are limited to.
The elk is a large animal of the ungulate order artiodactyla, possessing an even number of toes on each foot, similar to those of camels, goats and cattle. Even more easy if it is a cowcalf operation the big moo cow tracks will be with the little moo cow. Wyatt said that as the book cliffs elk herd increased since 1994, most of the elk moved from the stateland allotments to wyatts grazing allotments, decreasing the forage available to his cattle. Bull elk tracks present a somewhat square outline as compared to the cow elk or domestic cattle. Learning how to identify and track elk increases the likelihood of viewing one or bringing home a trophy. Scouting and heavyduty glassing are the methods to find big bucks. Jan 11, 2020 the plute bull was the world record for over 30 years, and many thought that it would never be beaten. If elk have used the area, you will find tracks and droppings to indicate their visit. Flying j outfitters began in the book cliffs with its founder lawny jackson clear back in 1970 and. Rocky mountain elk hunting elk hunting at high adventure. The book cliffs provide scenery ranging from the red rock often seen in southern utah to the usual green color of the northern alpine regions.
The only hunts that i know of that split the road less area off into its own hunt are for the elk hunts. When they first saw elk, the early settlers thought the animals were moose, so they called them elk which is a british word for moose both bull and cow elk have a distinctive lightcolored rump patch. Elk and deer archery seasons run simultaneously and allow for a great combination utah hunting experience. Shane scott outfitting is a guide and outfitter located in richfield, utah. The utah hunt planner also provides the legal hunting boundaries approved by the utah wildlife board. We know the 100s of thousands of public land acres like no one else could. If you have a chance, pick up a book called seasons of the elk. For more information on elk hunting at high adventure. Baylor hatch is with jared kelsey and branson hatch at book cliffs.
This means that you should be able to hunt the road less area also if you would like. The glory days of elk hunting appeared to be long gone, after all, or were they. Next thing we know the big white bull comes running in to the meadow below us at 200 yards. We saw turkeys, elk, wild horses, and tons of deer. Oct 31, 2004 a small band of elk, say five to six, will often include a spike but seldom a mature bull. Nov 01, 2004 a small band of elk, say five to six, will often include a spike but seldom a mature bull. Mature bull elk tracks are about four to four and a half inches long, not accounting for the dewclaws. Hiking past elk early puts you where elk dont expect hunters to be.
All methods of elk hunting accepted including bow, handgun, rifle and black powder. My first thought when i saw antlers was young bull elk, then i quickly realized differently. Based on my cc charge, it looks like i lucked out on a random book cliffs bull elk tag in utah, for the late hunt. These vehicle ways are twowheel tracks with mature shrubs growing. Bulls scoring 320340 are reasonable expectations with a moderate possibility of a bull exceeding 350. Cattle tracks have a more circular appearance than elk tracks.
The parks ungulate species elk, bison, pronghorn, etc. Flying j outfitters began in the book cliffs with its founder lawny jackson clear back in 1970 and although many wildlife laws and policies have changed, one thing still remains the same in this remote northeastern section of utah and that is. The elk is also known as the wapiti, a shawnee word meaning white deer. I dont recommend trying to get close to these animals, however. I was just thinking that it might be helpful to some newold elk hunters to be able to identify a cow elk track from a bull how to you tell the difference when you didnt see what made it.
There have been concerns about the current number of elk on the unit and impacts to aspen communities and limited summer range. A 400class bull elk is about as rare as a 7foot man. Whether your bucket list is a giant bull elk in utah, or a arizona strip buck of. This tag was an any weapon hunt, but frank committed early on to taking a bison with his bow.
1256 570 896 444 747 1414 214 1225 1214 1398 1329 1281 436 1401 524 144 240 781 1489 314 1545 1454 32 1260 675 714 570 1347 1085 1375 60 634 1590 869 414 95 306 536 389 822 1242 131 723 552 1205 1345 701 420 220 1360