Utah Elk First Timer

Hello I am new to this site and wanted to get some advice on archery Bull Elk Hunting in Utah.

A little bit about myself...
I just moved to SLC, UT for Pharmacy school a year ago from Arizona. I started hunting with my friends about 5 years ago. I have hunted Varmint, Dove, Quail, and Deer. I have just purchased my first Archery Elk Tag OTC for Utah any area. Since I have moved here I have enjoyed so many outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and running. I especially like fly fishing since there are so many creeks, rivers, and lakes within a 45 minute drive from home. Anyways, I am a first generation hunter and I am learning everything from scratch. But I love being outdoors and the wildlife.

So the Hunt is from Aug 21 to sept 17. I have not heard much about where to go around here except for the Pahvant area. But Im not looking for a trophy just yet. I just want to see some Bulls and be able to call some in. This should be around thier rut season so I hope to get some Bugle action in. My Hunters Ed instructor kept talking about the Uintah range area also. He said somewhere by the WY/UT border he could find herds of 50 Bulls at a time. Id prefer to go somewhere near SLC since I start school again before the Hunt starts, but I dont mean to be a chooser after I just begged.

So thats what Im all about. I cant afford a scout to help me out right now, so I would appreciate any help. Thanks, and good luck to everyone out there who haven't tagged a Bull Yet!
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amp713
i live right next to the uintahs and that is a very broad specturm, there are alot of elk and deer out here but it does take alot of work! there is also alot of private and indian so if you try to come here be careful where you start flinging sticks! lol If you do not find anywhere promising close to the slc are and decide to head out here pm me and i might be able to help you out a little...
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a_bow_nut
My first question would be are you aware of the rules for archery elk hunting here? By that I mean have you read the rules about the open bull and spike units? The pahvant is only open to spike only general season hunting which means you can only harvest a spike or cow elk on that unit. If you are going to hunt on the spike only units there are many options that are within an hours drive of where you are. If you are planning on hunting the open bull units there are fewer options of where you can hunt but there are still oprotunities right on the east of the salt lake valley. The open bull hunt tend to be more challenging but the payoff can be very rewarding.

There are a few places around here on the spike only units that I could show you if you plan to hunt these areas. I don't know as much about the open bull units.
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ridgetop
There are elk up every canyon on the Wasatch Front in Salt Lake County. In the summer, they will be very high and on the open ridgelines. Most of them are a long ways back in away from the roads. You mentioned calling in bulls for fun and I do agree it is fun to do. I would avoid doing it on the Limited Entries while someone is hunting their once in a lifetime big bull. You are bound to piss someone off and be prepared to be confronted.
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I thank you for the replies so far. I do plan on hunting the any bull areas instead of the spike only units. I think the wasatch front might be a good choice for me since it is not a limited entry area until you get down south of Provo and Heber. Plus, the Wasatch Front is part of the Extended archery program which would allow me to get more familiar with the area throughout the Fall.

I know I have to be respectful of other hunters. I dont want to be around people while I am hunting either. It is going to take mcuh knowledge of the hunting tables and proclamation so that I don't interfer with them and them with me.

I do want to hear more about east of Salt lake towards the Wyoming line though. I for sure want to go for a Bull, and it looks like most of that area is not spike only or limited entry. Ha, I just noticed that All of the any Bull Elk units are not even an option for LE Hunters. SO I wont get in thier way even if I tried. =; I plan on backpacking away from the roads and hopefully other hunters. But, Its going to take alot of buddies to help me pack out a Bull if I get one. Has anyone else had to do that before? Thanks for all your feedback.
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A couple things come to mind. Archery hunting is hard. Shoot a lot. Scout a lot. The Wasatch Front does hold elk, but they are call shy and from what I've experienced will get out of dodge at the sound of a call. And if you are going to hunt the Front, get in shape, it's steep. And I would think It would be a tough proposition to go anywhere with a bow without having scouted or having a previous knowledge of the area and hope to kill a bull. Just my opinion based on unfilled tags. Get out and scout, scout, scout...

I know a guy who always hunts the Unitas for elk with a bow, and every year he and his two buddies are successful. However, they hike in 12 miles one way. They have been hunting there for years therefore know the area. And they bone out their animals and hike them out together. Big job without horses. But they do it, and they are successful. Your success will be dependent on how much effort and time you are willing to dedicate.

Just my 2 cents...

FYI - The Limited Entry areas along the Front start southward at the Point of the Mountain, or Lone Peak. In other words the mountains east of Alpine are Limited Entry.
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Ive been archery shooting for about 6 years now. I will be getting my archery skills in order for the hunt all summer long. I am decent up to about 50 yards right now though. I am going to scout until the extended archery season starts mid september. Then I cant hunt the big bulls in the canyons south of I-80.

I want to hike in from the roads to explore as much country as I can. But I don't know of people that would come hunting as much as I do, to help pack an elk out if I get one though. Well, I guess I could call some buddies after If I get one and have them meet me in the mountains to help.

My question is, how long can an elk stay fresh after it has been killed? Im talkin pre-snow weather.

Also, I am still really interested in the Uintah's. I just dont know where to start looking for elk in that area.
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amp713
just stopping by to check back in. as far as the uintahs go you have alot of area. just to name a few that have elk: dry gulch (you have to drive through alot of indian to get to where you can hunt and the indian roads are not well taken care of) actual Uintah canyon (going up the small canyon towards ubar ranch may hold some on the river but you could try hikning up past there i have heard a few good things but most people stay on the right fork and head up elk horn loop), dry fork is closer to vernal and i have never hunted that area, if you head up towards flaming gorge you have alot of options on the way there (range study, red cloud, but you have to be careful this area is next to the diamond mtn. limited entry area), you could also go above altomont towards moon lake which i have heard is a great place to hunt but you will be working your but off and you will be in and out of cell phone range plus a long drive to get there.....
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pm sent let me know if you have any more questions
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