Pauns cactus bucks?

txhunter58

Long Time Member
Messages
8,741
Getting tired of chasing regular deer units and wondering what can be expected from the cactus buck hunt. Success rates are 40-60% which is decent, but curious if most of those are smallish or are some decent sized bucks killed? I don’t need a 180” buck to be satisfied. Just a decent cactus buck would be interesting. Or do most people just shoot the first buck in velvet they see?

I have done a search and seen some decent bucks were killed in the past. Is that consistent or has quality gone down over time?

Also success rates were in the 60% range. Now in 40-45% range last couple of years. Is this a real downward trend, or just a couple of down years?
 
Last edited:
True that. 😂 I guess I’m just mainly wondering if the numbers are being thinned down over time. Dont want to spend my points on an 25% success hunt. And are essentially all the bucks over yearling stage now being killed each year. Or are they here for evermore?
 
Last edited:
I hunted the Paunsagunt a couple years ago and saw several hundred different bucks and only 1 cactus buck.

Screenshot_20240817_122553_Gallery.jpg
 
I think the pic elkantkers shared is about “the best” you realistically should expect.

But again, this hunt is not about “trophy” cactus bucks.

If I were doing this hunt I would go into it with the mindset of hunting a really cool place and killing a buck strictly for management purposes only. It is way more about where you are hunting than what.

If you’re looking for something different than that, don’t burn your points. You’ll be disappointed.
 
It's a tougher hunt than you might expect.
The majority of cactus bucks reside on private lands within Johnson Getting permission is the key.
The PLO's generally have one particular buck on their land but usually already have given someone permission to harvest it.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time on this hunt again, the size of the bucks aren't worth it.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. Just frustrated. Will prob look elsewhere

It’s just that Pickens is pretty slim for those with less than 25 points
 
I would guess that a good 180 cactus buck would be taken by a handful of general hunters. They wouldn't just let him walk for the cactus buck hunter.
 
I have seen plenty of cactus bucks on the pauns, but most of them only grow to be about the size of the one elkantlers posted. Wether they are young or old they just don’t get big, May have a lot of points but often small framed, you would have much better odds finding a 180 buck on the worst LE unit in the state than trying to find a 180 cactus buck. But with that said, there is some cool cactus bucks to be had. Here’s ones of the biggest ones I’ve seen/ has on cam on the pauns. Biggest body I’ve ever seen
IMG_7495.jpeg

IMG_7496.jpeg
 
When I hunted the muzzy hunt a couple years ago, I probably saw well over 100 bucks, but never a cactus buck. Scouted 4 days before, then the entire season.
 
Bearpaw Outfitters

Experience world class hunting for mule deer, elk, cougar, bear, turkey, moose, sheep and more.

Wild West Outfitters

Hunt the big bulls, bucks, bear and cats in southern Utah. Your hunt of a lifetime awaits.

J & J Outfitters

Offering quality fair-chase hunts for trophy mule deer, elk, shiras moose and mountain lions.

Shane Scott Outfitting

Quality trophy hunting in Utah. Offering FREE Utah drawing consultation. Great local guides.

Utah Big Game Outfitters

Specializing in bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, mountain goat, lions, bears & antelope.

Apex Outfitters

We offer experienced guides who hunt Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope, Sheep, Bison, Goats, Cougar, and Bear.

Urge 2 Hunt

We offer high quality hunts on large private ranches around the state, with landowner vouchers.

Allout Guiding & Outfitting

Offering high quality mule deer, elk, bear, cougar and bison hunts in the Book Cliffs and Henry Mtns.

Lickity Split Outfitters

General season and LE fully guided hunts for mule deer, elk, moose, antelope, lion, turkey, bear and coyotes.

Back
Top Bottom