Is $400 for a cow Elk tag too much?

[mtnpull]

mtnpull, I was not trying to bag on you or what you did in anyway. I think it is great you got some of the best meet in the world for your family. From reading your past post and seeing the pictures I know you are not a couch potato hunter.

I was not trying to bag on the ranch in anyway either. As I stated, if I could afford it I would love to do it some day. My claim of it being more of a social affair came directly from the Ranches web site where they state “this is a gentlemen’s hunt” and they talk about the comforts of the tower blinds. That is all.


Sweet, Again I agree the regular season elk hunt is way too early. As for passing animals, that is your right and I am all for people who choose to try and shoot big animals. I personally prefer elk meet on my table so I am much less picky especially on public land. If, like this year, I have a cow tag and the any bull tag I will look for a nice bull as I know I can fill the freezer with the cow tag. Every hunter has there own opinion on how the elk herd in Utah should be managed. I personally think they should let each hunter take one animal a year. If a hunter doesn’t take an elk with the bow let them BUY a rifle tag, if they don’t take one with the rifle let them BUY a muzzle loader tag. Just think of the revenue that would generate for this fish and game. Of course that would mean the state would need a much better reporting system to ensure people weren’t taking three animals instead of one and I am not sure how that could be managed.

edit: Now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be that hard to manage. The DWR already tracks who has what tag, so lets say you have an archery tag, in order to get a rifle tag you would have to bring your un-used archery tag to an authorized license shop, they would destroy your archery tag and issue a rifle tag. Easy as that……

I didn't think you were bagging on me and no offense was taken. Just wanted to state what the "hunt" was like for me.

I will be the first to admit that my elk management plan is purely my selfish ideal to get me more hunting time. The simple fact is that 10 years ago it was a rarity to hear of someone shooting a 300 class bull and today 400 plus is the standard for limited entry bulls. Utah has done something right with the elk herd. Numbers are up state wide and people are shooting monster bulls every year. What’s more is that people on general hunts are shooting high 300 bulls from time to time. So they must be doing something right. Of course like everything else I spew this is just my .02

Now if they can just figure out how to manage the deer herds.

 

[NewMTNsldr]

Don't you think the winters are what has raised h e l l with the deer herds? We hunt deer up around your area and I know for a fact two winters ago kicked the snot out of the deer in that area. I think the elk winter better / are a hardier animal than the deer.

 

[mtnpull]

Don't you think the winters are what has raised h e l l with the deer herds? We hunt deer up around your area and I know for a fact two winters ago kicked the snot out of the deer in that area. I think the elk winter better / are a hardier animal than the deer.

Yes winters are a factor, but only one factor. I do think the dwr allows waaay too many deer to be taken each year. I would be all about a shutdown of the state for two years to allow the deer to rebound. I would even still buy (donate) the money for the tags for those two years. Won't ever happen, but I would be all for it.

 

[SWEETXPBEATCH]

I do donate to Utah! I am a bow hunter in UTAH!

Yes winters are a factor, but only one factor. I do think the dwr allows waaay too many deer to be taken each year. I would be all about a shutdown of the state for two years to allow the deer to rebound. I would even still buy (donate) the money for the tags for those two years. Won't ever happen, but I would be all for it.

The Archery Hunt sucks in Utah and is not focused on getting "hunters" in the woods.

 

[mtnpull]

I hear ya. The bow hunt is my favorite as well, but Utah could use some help with the dates. I still love to be out though.

 

[BBD91]

I know who I will be following this elk year. 6 out of 7 is a great record. And on public land to boot.

 

[NewMTNsldr]

OK all but 1 was on public land....