Very few elk on public ground.
Montezuma Canyon Elk
Hey guys,
I'm planning an elk trip to Utah for the general rifle season. I have 7-10 days and have been considering the Montezuma Canyon unit because there are good elk numbers and little hunter numbers. I see very few bulls are harvested there. Why is that? I have been reviewing maps and it seems like a tenacious hunter could hike way back in the BLM in the canyons just off ranch land and find elk. Is this so? I would appreciate any strategy advice or overall info on elk in that unit!
I'm planning an elk trip to Utah for the general rifle season. I have 7-10 days and have been considering the Montezuma Canyon unit because there are good elk numbers and little hunter numbers. I see very few bulls are harvested there. Why is that? I have been reviewing maps and it seems like a tenacious hunter could hike way back in the BLM in the canyons just off ranch land and find elk. Is this so? I would appreciate any strategy advice or overall info on elk in that unit!
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Ive hunted some of Montezuma canyon the elk like to stay on the private land, and much of the public land is locked behind private land with no access and the private land owners aren't willing to give permission unless you are the Hush crew or have very deep pockets or both. I know there are some places that you can access the public but elk are few and far between. The Hushin guys and Chad Mendes hunted it a few years ago and did a video for every day of the hunt. It took them a full week to find elk and only then after they talked to some guides that know the area and they told them about a piece of public land right on the highway that is on the border of the unit. It is a tough hunt and you will have to work hard to have success. Here is a link to one of the hush videos I know Chad Mendes also did videos on his youtube channel as well.
Hahaha I absolutely love this time of year when the new members think they have discovered some secret website that other hunters will willingly give out their good hunting spots! This is the best time of year in this forum.
I hunted it in 2016 on a depredation bull hunt. Anywhere there was elk, they were standing behind a fence or a locked gate with a no trespassing sign on it. So unless you have a connection to ground down there or you’re Erik from muley freak and no trespassing signs don’t apply to you, I’d look at other options
I hunted it in 2016 on a depredation bull hunt. Anywhere there was elk, they were standing behind a fence or a locked gate with a no trespassing sign on it. So unless you have a connection to ground down there or you’re Erik from muley freak and no trespassing signs don’t apply to you, I’d look at other options
That country sure looks familiar.
Your best bet is to ask the local biologist these questions your asking.
Best of luck.
Your best bet is to ask the local biologist these questions your asking.
Best of luck.
These guys are 100% correct. I just moved up from AZ and I can say way different in Utah. In AZ most of the ranches never leave gates locked. They all have signs saying close the gate behind you. Some are fine with you hunting on their land and some wont but will let you drive thru to access the other public areas. The State of AZ helps with this as they frown upon access to public land being inaccessible mainly for fire services. But in Utah ive found you can look at OnX maps and say wow theres roads all over but then take them and locked gates everywhere. My advice is pick several spots and call Utah dept of wildlife resources and speak to a game officer and ask them about access. They are usually very helpful.
The big reason that there is no access to the ranches in this area is that they are enrolled in a CWMU which gives tags to the operators in exchange for allowing hunters onto their property to hunt if they are able to draw a tag. This is usually a win win for the ranch owners and the hunting public.
This area was also homesteaded very heavily since the surrounding area is fairly flat and could be used for agriculture, there is actually very little public in the area.
This area was also homesteaded very heavily since the surrounding area is fairly flat and could be used for agriculture, there is actually very little public in the area.
See I learn something new everyday. What Critter said makes tons of sense now. Still seems like an awesome hunting state but one I will spend years figuring spots out on my own. I drew a dedicated Wasatch East tag. And I know it has alot of private land. Going to be work for sure.
Actually that's a pretty decent tag.You should have no problem harvesting an elk on Wasatch East.See I learn something new everyday. What Critter said makes tons of sense now. Still seems like an awesome hunting state but one I will spend years figuring spots out on my own. I drew a dedicated Wasatch East tag. And I know it has alot of private land. Going to be work for sure.
There aren't any CWMU elk areas in this gs open bull area. Kinda defeats the purpose of the program when anyone can buy the tags over the counter.... the actual San Juan unit is a different story thoughThe big reason that there is no access to the ranches in this area is that they are enrolled in a CWMU which gives tags to the operators in exchange for allowing hunters onto their property to hunt if they are able to draw a tag. This is usually a win win for the ranch owners and the hunting public.
This area was also homesteaded very heavily since the surrounding area is fairly flat and could be used for agriculture, there is actually very little public in the area.
I'm sure he's talking about deer. There isn't such a thing as a dedicated elk tag that you apply and draw forActually that's a pretty decent tag.You should have no problem harvesting an elk on Wasatch East.
Yes dedicated deer. Man I wish dedicated bull how sweet would that be lol
Yea there's no Wasatch East unit for bull elk. It's simply "Wasatch" and covers it all, honestly, it likely should be divided up. At least by the highways separating it.
Weird statement from someone who had their own legal issues, Shaun.So unless you have a connection to ground down there or you're Erik from muley freak and no trespassing signs don't apply to you, I'd look at other options
There may not be right in that area(within 5 miles there are), but there are CWMU bordering many general units. I wouldn't say it defeats the purpose. Some of the best elk CWMU in the state border GS Any Bull units. Private land that's a sanctuary for the animals still makes for a good CWMU. Same with all species.There aren't any CWMU elk areas in this gs open bull area. Kinda defeats the purpose of the program when anyone can buy the tags over the counter.... the actual San Juan unit is a different story though
Check out Spring Creek/DodgeThere aren't any CWMU elk areas in this gs open bull area. Kinda defeats the purpose of the program when anyone can buy the tags over the counter.... the actual San Juan unit is a different story though
The difference between that clown and me, is I learned the first time. I also didn't lose my big or small game hunting rights. He lost his hunting rights in 2007. He also got caught trespassing in 2015 and was cited for it. In September 2017 he was caught on the same property, twice. He was asked to leave once and then charged with illegal trespass the last time, when he lost his privileges again.. That's 3 different times on the same property he was caught in there. Ironic for someone who was sponsored by onX. It's also been rumored that there are other open cases where he's being charged for other violations in other states.Weird statement from someone who had their own legal issues Shaun.
Anyways, if you still want to discuss what I did 7 years ago, feel free. I've never tried to hide anything about my deal or ever deny any wrong doing. If you want specific information about my case or his, feel free to PM me.
I don't have anything to discuss. You paid your dues, as will he. I don't think taking a random dig at someone who isn't even on here made any sense though.The difference between that clown and me, is I learned the first time. I also didn't lose my big or small game hunting rights. He lost his hunting rights in 2007. He also got caught trespassing in 2015 and was cited for it. In September 2017 he was caught on the same property, twice. He was asked to leave once and then charged with illegal trespass the last time, when he lost his privileges again.. That's 3 different times on the same property he was caught in there. Ironic for someone who was sponsored by onX. It's also been rumored that there are other open cases where he's being charged for other violations in other states.
Anyways, if you still want to discuss what I did 7 years ago, feel free. I've never tried to hide anything about my deal or ever deny any wrong doing. If you want specific information about my case or his, feel free to PM me.
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