Just moved to SLC from Alaska, literally been here one night. I've been busy doing so much other stuff but I really want to start figuring out how and what to hunt here. I literally know next to nothing about the area or regulation etc. Any Advice or information about being a hunter in Utah is appreciated. I looked at the regs and it seemed confusing compared to Alaska, do I buy a general hunting license and then have to pay for a tag for every species, are some of them lottery draws only? Is there anywhere within reasonable distance of SLC that has decent hunting or trapping opportunities? I'm used to being grizzly alert but are people worried about cougars? Any comments are appreciated guys and I'm interested in hunting anything big or small, predator or grass eater.
New to Utah, Any Advice or info?
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Welcome to the forum dbill27! You're too late for the big game opportunities for this year, but small game and waterfowl are abundant! Get a hunting license, and a duck stamp, and read the guide books cover to cover. that'll answer most all of your questions. (at least for "this year")
http://wildlife.utah.gov
http://wildlife.utah.gov
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You can get a general elk tag this year still.
I'm headed to 26b for caribou in a little over a week.
I'm headed to 26b for caribou in a little over a week.
^-- this is true
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How:
http://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting-in-utah/guidebooks.html
What and when:
http://wildlife.utah.gov/calendar.html
Where:
http://dwrapps.utah.gov/ram/start2
Upland game starts 9/1! Rabbit stew time!
http://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting-in-utah/guidebooks.html
What and when:
http://wildlife.utah.gov/calendar.html
Where:
http://dwrapps.utah.gov/ram/start2
Upland game starts 9/1! Rabbit stew time!
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Hunting
Bear - Draw / Harvest Objective
Cougar - Draw
Deer - Draw - Limited Entry / General Season
Elk - Draw/ OTC
Moose - Draw
Bison - Draw
Sheep - Draw
Goat - Draw
Swan - Draw
Sage Grouse / Sharptail - Draw
Pine/Ruff Grouse - Small Game
Cottontails / Snowshoe Hares - Small Game
Ptarmagian - Free Permit
Chukar / Hun - Small game
Pheasant - Small game
Ducks/Geese - Small game
Doves - small game
Quail - small game
Bobcat - Buy Tag - I think - not sure
Coyote/skunk/fox/jackrabbit - No Closed season No limit
Crane - Draw
I think I got them all, but others can add more.
Draw times are different throughout the year, so if you are tuned into the forum - someone will inevitably remind you of the draw coming up.
Trapping for Mink can be decent on the Weber River in Morgan/Summit counties depending on how many escape the farms.
Cougars? I think you are way more likely to have a heart attack nearly stepping on a pine grouse than seeing or being stalked by a cougar. They are there in good numbers, but they are very recluse.
Edit: Speed Goats aka Pronghorn - Draw
You going up the haul road? I was just there two weeks ago all the way to deadhorse and back and didn't see a single caribou. You using rifle or bow? I did see one car along the road with a fresh velvet rack strapped to the top and a bow target next to it so he must have had some luck with his bow somewhere up there.
I made the same move just over 8 years ago and don't regret it one bit. The other guys have given some good advice. You can't beat the OTC bull tags and cow elk tags (either drawing or OTC control tags) for opportunity, as long as you hunt hard.
As for being cougar alert, most of the time they know you are there already, so I wouldn't worry about it. I did have a cougar follow my tracks last archery season, but luckily I saw it before it saw me.
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Yes then getting dropped off by a plane out of Wasilla. Not sure what lake we will be on but looking forward to it.
Going with a rifle but brother will have bow so may grab his if we see enough. I've shot it enough to feel confident.
Got any tips for a first timer up there?
Well I've been up there only once so I'm no expert on the arctic circle but my number one piece of advice and I'm sure you've probably read this already, bring bug spray and or bug nets. The mosquitos won't be as bad as they were a few weeks ago but once you're past the timberline up there they'll be bad if you're not prepared. Hiking around on the tundra can be a lot more physically taxing than it looks, it's super spongy in some places and it's going to wear you out. Sometimes I prefer a lighter weight hiking shoe that's breathable. It will get wet but it will dry fast too. The heavier hiking boots don't seem so heavy until you're taking thousands of steps in a day, particularly on tundra.
I know on the Dalton Highway you can shoot caribou right by the road as long as you're off the gravel on the side so it's good that you guys have the one bow in case you get lucky. I did see two really nice bears from the road up there so if you're interested in bears and you can get tags it's worth it. The road is pretty well taken care of so you don't need to be to worried about having multiple spare tires like some people take. There's some good arctic grayling fishing in jim creek if you have a fly rod or a small spinner if you're interested. You might even come across some salmon in the Yukon or the koyukuk rivers up there.
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lol!
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