9 years and no elk tak in utah?

Utah LE elk is a tough, tough draw. The Non-Resident quota is set at 7.5% of the total tags, so there aren't many to begin with and with the current trend of pumping out 400 class bulls there is a lot of competetion for the few tags that are offered. There's no guarantee that you'll ever get a tag. All I can say is stick with it and hope for better luck.

I know guys who've been putting in since before the current point system began that haven't gotten an LE elk tag as a Utah resident!

I'm content to hunt OTC in CO until it happens for me in Utah. Maybe you could do some OTC hunts in the meantime?
 
I gave up on it and the price has gone way too high as well, looks like Utah is trying to make hunting here a rich mans sport only !
 
I've got points for LE deer elk and antelope, but once I burn those it's over for me in Utah.

I've bought NR Deer tags for the past 3 years. But it's getting to be too much money and too much BS associated with the hunts for me to keep going back. If it wasn't for the fact that I grew up in Utah and know a lot of the country I wouldn't even be applying there to begin with.
 
Utah's draws suck. They give all the good tags to sell to the rich guys, more big animals are killed by guys who payed thousands in Utah than guys that put in the time and drew. It'll be a long time, at least 4 years or so I would say. My dad has 12 and should draw next year.
 
As it has already been said, Utah LE Elk draws are really tough to hit on a tag but Colorado still has over-the-countertags for bull during the 2nd and 3rd season or you might want to apply for some points in Colorado and draw a better area tag.
Have fun!
 
The residents can't even get the good tags, but you're right smsnyder, the NR quota is only 7 1/2% of the total number of tags for a given unit, and in some units there are no non-resident tags for certain hunts.

In CO there are a lot of units that run 40% or more going to Non-Residents. And even then a lot of non-residents were upset when the quality units were dropped to 20%.
 
It is frustrating! I have been after a LE archery tag for 8+ years and still nothing. I may bail out on my goal and try a different hunt with my points. They say good things come to those who wait. I'm tired of waiting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
News flash guys, hunting is a rich mans sport EVERYWERE. Sme places are worse than others, but its all pricey. Utah tags are hard to get. The new youth programs arent making it any easier. I know what they SAY they are doing. But I dont think they KNOW what they are doing. I cant even get a turkey tag, so dont think only NR are getting the shaft. Justin
BTW smsnyder,I am a Snyder and my grandfather was from Pennsylvania.
 
Utah draw rates are terrbile, but the quality of elk is unbeatable. If you look at Utah, Arizona, or Nevada all the odds are terrible. You just have to make the best of it when you do finally draw. You are putting in for a couple of the toughest areas to draw. Utah is doing a good job of managing their elk herd for quality. They may be letting too many tags out to auctions but I think they are putting most of it back into the habitat. Just my $.02.
 
Utah did get sheep but they came from montana dont know what the deal is with colorado but I sure cant seem to draw a cow moose tag.
 
You guys have said "Utah draws stink". That's true - all draws stink, but without them we wouldn't have any big elk to brag about. Maybe we shouldn't worry about getting a "400 class" elk, and just settle for having a good time hunting a "good, mature bull". It took my brother 12 points before he drew a LE elk permit. He got a nice "350 class" bull and was very happy with that. I went with him, and the experience was almost as good as doing the shooting myself. (I'm still waiting for my chance).

I drew a moose permit with only 8 bonus points, I didn't take the biggest moose I've ever seen, but I got to go moose hunting and it didn't take 20+ years to draw. Be flexible on which hunts and which locations you're willing to apply for. Check the draw odds reports each year. It's not a fool-proof way to get permits because "draws stink", but it helps. My brother got a bison permit with 8 bonus points. I hunt with 2 brothers, and having one of them draw a tag is nearly as good as drawing my own. Maybe we're just lucky?

Share the hunt, enjoy the experience! Stay away from hunts with poor drawing odds. Other hunts with better odds have excellent quality game, they just don't get the same amount of press. The bottom line is to keep trying, whether its Utah or some other state.

I've been trying for a turkey permit for 8+ years, and finally drew one. Except for the travel, I can get non-resident OTC turkey tags in Washington state for about the same cost as my Utah resident turkey. Shop around for better deals in neighboring states.

A few websites like Away Hunting and Bighorn Outdoors have "Swap Hunt" forums. Maybe that works too. The two biggest problems I have are time and money. The third problem is finding acceptable partners for new hunting experiences. My brothers are great hunting partners for Utah deer and elk, but they're not interested in a lot of other things that I may want to do.

It was also said that hunting is a rich man's game. Also true - and its one reason to hunt predators, upland game and waterfowl. Find ways to make the money you have do the most it can.
 
Quote:
did you utahns see that the fish and game gave our cow moose to colorado???



And we are taking more..... And maybe even a few more after that. I love it. Thanks Utah.
 
You think thats bad, try putting in for Oregon, which is not even hardly a quality elk state. I"ve been putting in for 8 yeras and no bull tag. Its freaking pathetic...I hate Oregon...
 
ras53, turkey. heck i had 40 of them in my driveway today. just come to pa. so many turkeys i have to blow the horn to get them off the road.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top