Paunsagunt Archery

Zim · Jul 28, 2024

Although this will be my 10th mule deer hunt, I still don’t feel experienced. I know tree stand hunting is not popular out there, but it’s my preferred method due to physical issues. But I also plan to mix in some stalks on my upcoming Paunsagunt deer hunt. I’m wondering if when stand hunting if it’s generally better to sit water tanks, or set up on major trails between bedding & burns. On several Kaibab hunts I never saw a mature buck when I sat water. Much better observations hunting the trails. But my sample size was not huge. Just wanting to get some opinions. Thanks.

BrowningRage · Jul 28, 2024

I can't imagine sitting in a stand or blind without knowing a buck is moving through there would be any better than sitting in a truck and driving around..? If you have a buck located, and know his pattern to and from water or bedding, a stand or blind could work. But, you do miss out on seeing the landscape of the Pauns which is incredible and unique.

GeorgeE · Jul 28, 2024

Zim, you have to remember that on water the more mature Bucks will be in at last light, first light…Also, sometimes middle of the day! If you’ve got a good idea where they’re coming from, I’d set up well into that area, as they may just stage or poke around there before getting to the water…Muley’s are weird though and lil nomads doing their own thing….

Zim · Jul 28, 2024

BrowningRage said:
I can't imagine sitting in a stand or blind without knowing a buck is moving through there would be any better than sitting in a truck and driving around..? If you have a buck located, and know his pattern to and from water or bedding, a stand or blind could work. But, you do miss out on seeing the landscape of the Pauns which is incredible and unique.

I will be trying both stalking & sitting depending on what I see. If I feel confident in a setup after scouting, will decide based on terrain. The wife will fly out after my hunt to do three national parks.

Zim · Jul 28, 2024

GeorgeE said:
Zim, you have to remember that on water the more mature Bucks will be in at last light, first light…Also, sometimes middle of the day! If you’ve got a good idea where they’re coming from, I’d set up well into that area, as they may just stage or poke around there before getting to the water…Muley’s are weird though and lil nomads doing their own thing….

Ya if I can pinpoint a bedding area I will set up close.

Founder · Jul 28, 2024

Many years ago, a person could catch bucks during archery season making their way up into the pines from the river bottom in the mornings, but I think people activity along that road has put an end to that.
When I was down there in 2012 archery hunting I searched hard for spots to set a stand, but never found anything I had high confidence in.
Once you get down there I’m sure you’ll come up with ideas of how to get after them.
Maybe you can find a big buck or two living just off the main road and setup a stand in a spot where a good buck or two are living.

pauns08 · Jul 29, 2024

Don't sit in a tree stand at all you're just limiting yourself from seeing the unit get out and see it it's beautiful down there and there are roads everywhere, and you'll see alot more deer from the road than sitting in one spot in a stand. I feel the very best way to hunt that unit is road hunt and glass open enough areas that you can and plan stalks accordingly.

PleaseDear · Jul 29, 2024

Whatever hunting style you decide to hunt your buck with, Ken, have fun and enjoy as it was what? 28 years of points to draw the dang tag.

Travel safe,

Robb

Mallardsx2 · Jul 29, 2024

I want to say that 28 years to wait on a deer tag is crazy, but I am sitting at 13 deer points in Colorado, so I am almost halfway to crazy. lol

Best of luck on your tag Zim. Can't wait to hear the story!

Zim · Jul 29, 2024

pauns08 said:
Don't sit in a tree stand at all you're just limiting yourself from seeing the unit get out and see it it's beautiful down there and there are roads everywhere, and you'll see alot more deer from the road than sitting in one spot in a stand. I feel the very best way to hunt that unit is road hunt and glass open enough areas that you can and plan stalks accordingly.

Yes just siding this route. Keep in mind both my Achilles are torn, one very painful, recent torn meniscus in right knee swells up, plus heart failure.

yoteduster · Jul 29, 2024

^^^^^^
wow Sounds like its going to be tough on you no matter how you do it zim..good luck to ya..I'm sure you'll find one or two decent ones you'll be able hunt easy enough

cannonball · Jul 29, 2024

With all that going on it looks like you have no choice. Geez forget the tree stand and get a blind with an easy chair. There are trails where the deer frequent, but a whole bunch of area where they are sparse. That is big country. Scout, scout, scout. Had some friends come out from back East one year. The only way they liked to hunt was in a tree stand. Got them set up where the deer were passing thru. Saw the little ones, but no big ones. They said it sure isn't like hunting Whitetail. Not nearly as much activity. All that said, in your predicament, I may see what is around the Pink Cliffs area. That may be one of the better bets for blind hunting. Just remember one thing, Pauns deer have more intelligence than the average Mule Deer.

ElmerFudd · Jul 29, 2024

Zim, Just enjoy and have fun. Honestly, too many people put too much pressure on themselves to do that. Good luck no matter how you hunt it!

elkhunterUT · Jul 29, 2024

As others have mentioned and I have told you in this thread and several others previously, your best bet is going to be slow-cruising the roads on your e-bike given your health issues. You will see more deer this way and increase your odds. Much more so than sitting in a treestand.

I would still take your treestands and set them up in some likely areas so you have multiple methods to hunt, but slow rolling the roads on your e-bike is really a great way to cover country and see bucks.

elkassassin · Jul 29, 2024

Hey Zim!

Just A Little Something To Think About!

There's Still Some Big Bucks On The PAUNS!

I'd Pay Some Close Attention To The Tracks Down There,You May Not See The Bucks But I'm Telling You When You See A BIG Buck Track You're Gonna Know It,There's Still A Few Of Them BRUISERS Around!

One Of The Last Places/Units I Know Of In This State That Are Still Packin Some Body Weight To Them!

pauns08 · Jul 29, 2024

Zim said:
Yes just siding this route. Keep in mind both my Achilles are torn, one very painful, recent torn meniscus in right knee swells up, plus heart failure.

Wow that does sound rough and painful, is it more painful to climb in and out of a tree stand or cruise around in a truck or sxs? Not sounding ignorant just asking I would think climbing would hurt the Achilles pretty bad. Or is it the possible stalk you're worried about if you saw one from the truck? I've seen numerous 180 type bucks down there that have let me get out of my sxs and draw back on them right from the road. Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing what you end up harvesting.

Zim · Jul 29, 2024

pauns08 said:
Wow that does sound rough and painful, is it more painful to climb in and out of a tree stand or cruise around in a truck or sxs? Not sounding ignorant just asking I would think climbing would hurt the Achilles pretty bad. Or is it the possible stalk you're worried about if you saw one from the truck? I've seen numerous 180 type bucks down there that have let me get out of my sxs and draw back on them right from the road. Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing what you end up harvesting.

It’s not a problem for me to ascend a tree in my Lone Wolf Assault climber. It would if I used stix.

My last two hunts were CO & WY for elk, and both were quite difficult for me. Nothing like my prior hardcore DIY hunts. My solo backpack days are definitely over with. I’ve altered most my applications to grampa units. On my CO hunt I biked in two miles, hiked another two, and got on a 400” bull w/6 satellites & 30 cows. And my legs were in such pain I could only shuffle around that bull like Joe Biden. It was beyond frustrating. I’d only seen two other elk that size in 30 years.

Zim · Aug 3, 2024

Got a few last minute supplies in the mail last few days. One being a mini-Starlink. Last item is a portable generator to arrive Monday. Visited bow shop again for new bow sight tuning. Will start packing truck Monday. Can’t believe it’s already time to go. Departing Thursday morning.

elkhunterUT · Aug 3, 2024

Zim said:
Got a few last minute supplies in the mail last few days. One being a mini-Starlink. Last item is a portable generator to arrive Monday. Visited bow shop again for new bow sight tuning. Will start packing truck Monday. Can’t believe it’s already time to go. Departing Thursday morning.

Let us know how it goes. Best of luck!! It is an amazing place to visit and hunt.

yoteduster · Aug 3, 2024

Best of luck...and have fun

ElmerFudd · Aug 3, 2024

Have fun and get a monster!

PleaseDear · Sunday at 3:22 AM

Travel safe.

Ya got my phone # just in case.

Robb

Founder · Sunday at 2:43 PM

Wishing you success and a great time.

GeorgeE · Sunday at 9:42 PM

elkantlers · Sunday at 10:20 PM

Good luck.
Check out the clear cut areas on the mid level. When I had my Muzzleloader tag a few years ago I was down scouting the opening weekend of the archery hunt and I saw several shooter bucks out feeding in the clear cuts. I also saw lots of the outfitters in that mid level. I figured there must be a reason they were there.
The mid level is also pretty mild as far as terrain goes. You should be able to do some spot and stalks without over exerting yourself.

Zim · Tuesday at 11:10 PM

So I was packin today and noticed I only got my deer tag and no license. Because last year was my buy year so I didn't need to get one to apply this year. I've not drawn in Utah for 20 years. I'm assuming I need to buy a 2024-25 gen hunting licence, but is there anything else, like a habitat stamp or something?

pauns08 · Tuesday at 11:14 PM

Zim said:
So I was packin today and noticed I only got my deer tag and no license. Because last year was my buy year so I didn't need to get one to apply this year. I've not drawn in Utah for 20 years. I'm assuming I need to buy a 2024-25 gen hunting licence, but is there anything else, like a habitat stamp or something?

You shouldn't need a hunting license to hunt since you had a valid one when you applied for the tag, all you need is your deer tag. Good luck kill a giant.

JakeH · Wednesday at 9:23 AM

Zim said:
So I was packin today and noticed I only got my deer tag and no license. Because last year was my buy year so I didn't need to get one to apply this year. I've not drawn in Utah for 20 years. I'm assuming I need to buy a 2024-25 gen hunting licence, but is there anything else, like a habitat stamp or something?

You don't need it unless you are wanting to hunt small game or birds, or go fishing. For your deer hunt you only need your deer tag.

AZ4life · Thursday at 11:13 AM

You can also fish with your deer tag only.

Zim · Thursday at 11:21 AM

AZ4life said:
You can also fish with your deer tag only.

Oh thanks that’s interesting. I postponed departure a day to tune bow, and am packing today. Just looking thru my fishing gear. Good to know as that’s the only other activity I might do. Will also scout for a local in Zion if I tag early.

elkantlers · Thursday at 12:11 PM

AZ4life said:
You can also fish with your deer tag only.

I don't know if that's true. I would check first. I've never heard that about Utah.

juice · Thursday at 12:17 PM

We will there as well for most the bow hunt. If you need something flag us down. I have a blue silverado and my brother has a white one.

elkhunterUT · Thursday at 2:13 PM

elkantlers said:
I don't know if that's true. I would check first. I've never heard that about Utah.

Pretty positive what AZ4life said is not true - Utah has permits and licenses and they are different. Zim has a deer permit, but will be required to purchase a non-res fishing license to fish legally in Utah.

pauns08 · Thursday at 2:51 PM

elkhunterUT said:
Pretty positive what AZ4life said is not true - Utah has permits and licenses and they are different. Zim has a deer permit, but will be required to purchase a non-res fishing license to fish legally in Utah.

You are correct if he wants to fish he'll need a non resident fishing license or combination license

Zim · Thursday at 3:14 PM

pauns08 said:
You are correct if he wants to fish he'll need a non resident fishing license or combination license

If so I may or may not. I think my Colorado license includes trout and I’ll be visiting my son there en route home.

Horniac · Thursday at 3:16 PM

Good luck on your hunt Zim. Shoot straight and be safe!

Horniac

pauns08 · Thursday at 3:17 PM

Can't wait to hear a report on your hunt, good luck.

Zim · 2024-08-09T00:13:24-0600

My new PSE M34 bow is performing great. Best I’ve ever shot. Got a new sight from CBE vertical 3 pin slider. Slider has one yard increments I can shoot out to 100 yards. I’ve never done this. Check out my last shot.

Zim · 2024-08-09T14:22:30-0600

Also tried my regular fixed Thunderhead 100 broadheads out to 40 yards and they are patterning same as my field tips. This surprised me as my prior bows have always planed low right. Will try at some longer yardages when I get out there.