Paunsagunt Archery

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So Is He Dead Zim?

A Pic?

Zim said:
Not sure how to estimate mule deer rack width. If a buck has two full ear lengths on each side when alert & facing me, 7” + head 6” + 7” + 7” + 7” = 34” ? Does that sound right?
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You have to be careful estimating those Pauns bucks by "general" estimates on ear width.

Those bucks have some of the largest heads mule deer have ever possessed, and can make you under-estimate the width if you use the "ears are 20-24 inches wide" general guidelines.

I know from experience!
 
elkhunterUT said:
Not sure, but did you shoot him? :oops:
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I passed on him three times, but the first two he did not face me. The third time he did so I could finally see the full width. I still passed at 45 yards. Not sure. But I been practicing broadheads at 50 yards with new bow 5 for 5 this afternoon.
 
Zim said:
I passed on him three times, but the first two he did not face me. The third time he did so I could finally see the full width. I still passed at 45 yards. Not sure. But I been practicing broadheads at 50 yards with new bow 5 for 5 this afternoon.
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To each his own, but you may want to check your head for passing a buck if he was truly that wide. What was the rest of his antler config like (straight 4 point, trashy buck, etc.)?

Totally your hunt and you get to choose the experience you have, but as the days pass those big bucks will not stick around in the open as much. If you are intent on killing a good buck, I would get to stick flippin on a good buck like that!
 
elkhunterUT said:
To each his own, but you may want to check your head for passing a buck if he was truly that wide. What was the rest of his antler config like (straight 4 point, trashy buck, etc.)?

Totally your hunt and you get to choose the experience you have, but as the days pass those big bucks will not stick around in the open as much. If you are intent on killing a good buck, I would get to stick flippin on a good buck like that!
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He has only 3 points on the drivers side, and 4 on right but the rear is a crab claw, so more like a 3x3.
 
SO HE IS ONE FULL EAR LENGTH WIDER THAN HIS EARS??
Zim said:
Not sure how to estimate mule deer rack width. If a buck has two full ear lengths on each side when alert & facing me, 7” + head 6” + 7” + 7” + 7” = 34” ? Does that sound right?
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If that buck is six inches outside its ears on both sides, it’s probably 32” or better. HUGE mistake to pass up, unless you are seeing bigger ones.
 
BTW - I failed to update last few days because I went down in a deep canyon and up the other side and really pissed off my left Achilles. It was barkin something awful and I needed to recover. It’s much better today, all stretched out too. So I had two close encounters yesterday but blew stalking attempts to where I totally gave up that option. Now it’s either vehicle drive by solo jump out style, or my Ghost Blind in a saddle. Also wanted to mention, I had a young Mossback guide flag me down to talk. He drove me to some nearby bucks he glassed and explained their travel pattern. Showed me their saddle route. I don’t think he ever met a regular state lottery permit hunter before? Guy was super helpful. I emailed their office to compliment him, and leave my cell number in case he wanted to take a client there.
 
Zim said:
BTW - I failed to update last few days because I went down in a deep canyon and up the other side and really pissed off my left Achilles. It was barkin something awful and I needed to recover. It’s much better today, all stretched out too. So I had two close encounters yesterday but blew stalking attempts to where I totally gave up that option. Now it’s either vehicle drive by solo jump out style, or my Ghost Blind in a saddle. Also wanted to mention, I had a young Mossback guide flag me down to talk. He drove me to some nearby bucks he glassed and explained their travel pattern. Showed me their saddle route. I don’t think he ever met a regular state lottery permit hunter before? Guy was super helpful. I emailed their office to compliment him, and leave my cell number in case he wanted to take a client there.
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The couple of times I've crossed paths with Mossback guides, they've been as cool and as helpful as can be.
 
Tikka Is Perty Close On Northern/NorthEastern Type PISSCUTTERS!

But There Are Still Some BIG BODIED BASTARDS On The Pauns!

If He's Got 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Ears I Think I Woulda Been Releasing!:D
Tikka said:
Not always, I try stick with 20-22" range...
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elkassassin said:
Yes JakeH!

But The Way Zim Is Talking 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Real Ears Might Make Me Not Care How Many Points A 60" Wide Buck Has!:D"D:D
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He said 2 ear widths past his ears, so one ear width on each side past his ears. Still probably easily over 30" wide and probably closer to 35+
 
elkassassin said:
Tikka Is Perty Close On Northern/NorthEastern Type PISSCUTTERS!

But There Are Still Some BIG BODIED BASTARDS On The Pauns!

If He's Got 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Ears I Think I Woulda Been Releasing!:D
Click to expand...
IMG_2860.jpeg
This buck had 21” ears at 9 years of age…
IMG_8495.jpeg
This one had 23” ears at 7 years old…
 
Zim, I would say your looking at a 32 inch wide buck or better as you described it. I go with and average of 20-22 inches on most bucks for ear to ear (I'm with Tikka here). If he is another ear length past each ear he is at that 32 mark conservatively.
 
Hey Tikka!

Several Years Ago I Let A 28" Buck Walk A Couple Different Times Because Back Home In DRATville We Go about 20"-21" Average On The Ear Width!

I Finally Took Him & He Just Didn't Look Right!

He Had a 27" Ear Span!
 
elkassassin said:
Hey Tikka!

Several Years Ago I Let A 28" Buck Walk A Couple Different Times Because Back Home In DRATville We Go about 20"-21" Average On The Ear Width!

I Finally Took Him & He Just Didn't Look Right!

He Had a 27" Ear Span!
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That’s what’s so fun about judging mule deer, you just never know…
My wife’s buck had 26” ears but he was a no brainer on judging him… He went 33” wide…
 
Yep. Average is what I go by, but there is always that exception. I judge off my conservative way and have always been pleasantly surprised/happy with the results without the OH $hit ground shrinkage.
 
Does Ms Tikka Still Hunt?

That's A Dang Nice Buck!

Tikka said:
That’s what’s so fun about judging mule deer, you just never know…
My wife’s buck had 26” ears but he was a no brainer on judging him… He went 33” wide…
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Ya!

Well Let Me Clue you In On Something Tikka!

That Same Kinda Stunt Got Me In Alot Of Trouble One Year!

A BC Buck Tag Showed Up In The Mail One Year!

(((No, It Wasn't Mine!:D)))

We Had Fun & My Kids Had A RIOT!

But That Was The Icing On The Cake!:D

Tikka said:
Well now that we’re somewhat empty nesters she’s slowly getting back into it… She drew a cow elk tag this year, she didn’t know about till it came in the mail…😂
She’s a stone cold killer when it comes to trigger pull though…
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Like I said, some of those Pauns bucks have GIANT heads and it would not be wise to assume 20-22 inch ears on those bad boys.

But Zim has to be happy with what he kills. For me, assuming Zim wasn’t stoned while looking at it, I’d have let arrows fly on that buck he described. No doubt!

But dang I admire him for his willingness to hunt.
 
Here is a thread that has pictures that might be worth looking at to estimate spread.

Widest Buck You've Ever Seen? And Taken? | Mule Deer

This thread is not just a Poll, but also a photo sharing thread. First of all, of all the bucks you've seen in the wild, what's the widest you think you've ever seen? Secondly, let's see photos of the widest buck(s) you've taken. Short stories behind the bucks are fun too! Or even pics of the...
www.monstermuleys.info www.monstermuleys.info
 
The year I had my mzl tag, there was a 3x5 that was 35" wide and about 12" tall. It was ugly and didn't have any mass to speak of.
My daughter watched a guy shoot at it 5 times one evening with a muzzleloader while glassing a big clear cut that had some other deer we had been keeping track of. I'm pretty sure he had a management tag.
As far as we know, he never hit it.
 
Zim. Photo for you to sleep on. Buck on the right is right at 30 inches and is a 3X3. He won't score close to 180, but I would kill him again in a minute (Unless your see so.e great 4's or non typicals. Big 3's are rare. A lot of us have the bigger 4X4's. Just some to mess with your mind.

20141127_132051-1.jpg
 
You'll have company this Holiday wknd for sure.


Each day the Bow Elk hunters will be showing up as the 'elk rut' starts getting closer.


Plenty of eyes for ya to talk to.



Enjoy,


Robb
 
PleaseDear said:
You'll have company this Holiday wknd for sure.


Each day the Bow Elk hunters will be showing up as the 'elk rut' starts getting closer.


Plenty of eyes for ya to talk to.



Enjoy,


Robb
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There isn't an archery elk hunt on the Pauns thanks to good old Wade Heaton pushing his personal agenda. Unless your referring to people showing up for the general rifle opener a month early there won't be any elk hunters on the unit.
 
BIG Wiff Isn't Wrong!

Scouters Start Showing Up In Droves For Pre-Scouting & Etc!

It's A Migratory Herd!

And When They Start Moving All The Pre-Scouting In The World May Not Do You Much Good!

But That Won't Stop Anybody!



Bigwiffy said:
There isn't an archery elk hunt on the Pauns thanks to good old Wade Heaton pushing his personal agenda. Unless your referring to people showing up for the general rifle opener a month early there won't be any elk hunters on the unit.
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Better start thinking about getting a buck killed if you want one, I've seen this more than once on the pauns where guys will pass really good bucks waiting for a giant then those really good bucks wise up and are alot harder to kill. Good luck keep at it.
 
pauns08 said:
Better start thinking about getting a buck killed if you want one, I've seen this more than once on the pauns where guys will pass really good bucks waiting for a giant then those really good bucks wise up and are alot harder to kill. Good luck keep at it.
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This is true..and when those old ones get to rubbing their fuzzies off its going to get even tougher for a bow hunrer
 
pauns08 said:
Better start thinking about getting a buck killed if you want one, I've seen this more than once on the pauns where guys will pass really good bucks waiting for a giant then those really good bucks wise up and are alot harder to kill. Good luck keep at it.
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I saw the same thing happen back when there was the late muzzy hunt on the Pauns. Each day the size of bucks we were looking for dropped to what we saw the day before but also each day the size of bucks we were seeing dropped an equal amount. It was a frustrating circle.
 
Had an interesting morning. Set up Ghost Blind in saddle. Had a deer come in silent from behind and snort 20 yards behind me. Startled me! Then later two bucks moved thru but nothing big. But I did nock my 2nd arrow! During my hunt I glassed a nice 190” across the canyon, but no way my Achilles would allow me a stalk there. So I texted the Mossback guy and he sent his buddy, who I showed where he was and he found him bedded with his good quality scope. So that was cool. He had scouting photos of that buck. Buck bedded over a private property fence line but they may set up below him in case he feeds back on the public this evening.
 
Hey Zim?

You Know What It Means When They SNORT,Right?



Zim said:
Had an interesting morning. Set up Ghost Blind in saddle. Had a deer come in silent from behind and snort 20 yards behind me. Startled me! Then later two bucks moved thru but nothing big. But I did nock my 2nd arrow! During my hunt I glassed a nice 190” across the canyon, but no way my Achilles would allow me a stalk there. So I texted the Mossback guy and he sent his buddy, who I showed where he was and he found him bedded with his good quality scope. So that was cool. He had scouting photos of that buck. Buck bedded over a private property fence line but they may set up below him in case he feeds back on the public this evening.
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tick tock……… the migration clock is running.

One of these mornings…….. very very soon, those mule deer are gonna disappear, out of the aspens and the pines………. into the junipers and piñons, to make their home in the sage and sand, for until next spring. They are the early snow birds.

With in reason, you can just about set your watch by it every fall.
 
True that B-Wiffy



My bad



Utah Hunt Planner -- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Utah Hunt Planner is an interactive map designed to help hunters research hunting units. The Utah Hunt Planner also provides the legal hunting boundaries approved by the Utah Wildlife Board. Research hunts and units before you apply in the big game...
dwrapps.utah.gov



Thanks for the heads-up.



Robb
 
Has my best day of the hunt so far yesterday morning. Decided to give up that road hunting method entirely. Hated it anyway. Found hunting saddles in my Ghost Blind was the best way to go for me. After some software problem delayed my start, set up and and at 8 am had six does and one fork move thru the saddle all at 38 yards. None saw me. So that was a nice change. Then at 8:30 am saw a flash of antler. He went down in elevation then I seen him approach thru a juniper but he was on my right side. I failed to prep that side as the cover shielded me from the sun. Buck stepped out at 26 yards, a 180” 4x4 not deep forks but 30” wide. He stared me down for ten minutes before moving on. And he’s followed by the shooter 190” I glassed the morning before. Deep forks but only 28” wide. I tried to reposition for a shot but got busted by a third 180” type buck. All in my range, but just couldn’t draw. After all this ended I spent an hour studying my setup, trimming shooting lanes, and adding high cuttings for more shade. It should work now.
Returned to blind this morning but wind is wrong despite a good forecast. Morning thermals? Were fine yesterday. Anyway, getting closer yet.

IMG_3032.jpeg


IMG_3046.jpeg


IMG_3044.jpeg
 
It seems this will be the lost three day weekend. Minions everywhere and I mean everywhere. None with tags. Just truck after truck glassing only. However, they picked a good day to start because I was in my blind pre-dawn and there was a 1 mph wind from every direction. I had deer coming in twice but they winded me and bounded off. It was a lost cause. These are the days to try a change of pace to escape the minions. So I’m thinking of going to the top of the knob, where many bed, and look for a setup until Tuesday.
 
LIK2HNT said:
You waving with just one finger, or your whole hand? :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Wish you luck, been waiting for the grip and grin photo.
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I’m not angry at them. I knew it would happen. I actually feel sorry for them. I told that to the Mossback guides. These are passionate young people who had these tags taken from them. Instead they get to serve the wealthy purchasers. They deserve better. It’s depressing to me. A bad system.

They may not know it, but most of the deer have hunkered down due to the increased traffic. The minions are glassing at nothing. The deer will again be visible Tuesday. I will just make some adjustments next three days. Change strategy.
 
Zim said:
I’m not angry at them. I knew it would happen. I actually feel sorry for them. I told that to the Mossback guides. These are passionate young people who had these tags taken from them. Instead they get to serve the wealthy purchasers. They deserve better. It’s depressing to me. A bad system.
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Don’t feel too bad. It’s providing a living for something they love to do.
 
Muley_73 said:
Don’t feel too bad. It’s providing a living for something they love to do.
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Turning your passion into a career is a terrible idea.​


Everyone says to find your passion and make that your career and you'll never work a day in your life
I have hobbies I'm really passionate about, but one of the things I like about them is they are relaxing and an escape from work and I can do them when/how I want.
The day I am forced to do my hobby so I can pay my bills and make a living is the day it ruins the fun.
Instead, get a decent job that provides you the time and money to enjoy your hobbies properly.

(This is my theory. And I’m fortunate to have such a job that I can spend five weeks on my Pauns hunt. But I understand to each their own.)
 
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If some of the bucks Zim has talked about are truly as big as he’s said, I’d have sent death apparatuses multiple times by now.

But it’s not my tag, Zim has to be happy about what he’s doing. It sounds like he’s having a great time, which in the end, is what this really SHOULD be about.

Keep at it Zim! Thanks for taking us along.
 
It's A Young 2 Niller!

If He Lives Another 2-4 Years He Gonna Be Worth Somebody Putting A Tag On Him!

You Shoot Him Now!

You'll Never Know:

WHAT COULD OF BEEN!

You Sure You Wanna Notch A Tag That Took You 25+ Years To Get On Him?



Vanilla said:
If some of the bucks Zim has talked about are truly as big as he’s said, I’d have sent death apparatuses multiple times by now.

But it’s not my tag, Zim has to be happy about what he’s doing. It sounds like he’s having a great time, which in the end, is what this really SHOULD be about.

Keep at it Zim! Thanks for taking us along.
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Glassed up another shooter this evening away from the two tracks. Will set up there tomorrow evening far from the minions.

These little lizards scampering on my Kodiak tent are kinda cool lol. They keep me company.
 
Just went from bad to worse. Glassed up a giant 230” monster Saturday evening. Unfortunately, one of the minions also saw him, and called in the cavalry. So the circus is now a traffic jamb of minions. What a system. Not sure if any of these dudes will leave Tuesday with the rest of the Labor Day crowds.
IMG_3082.jpeg


IMG_3087.jpeg
 
I say this.

You have one of the most sought after tags in the western United States.

You knew there were going to be people looking for big bucks. Whether or not they have a tag,or a hunter with them, or are scouting for a later time matters not.

You have seen, had and passed Opportunities on very nice deer.

From an outsider's perspective, this has not been a bad hunt, and regardless of others, would have a hard time not being a great hunt.

Ignor the "minions."

They're just people. Hunt the deer.
 
Zim said:
Just went from bad to worse. Glassed up a giant 230” monster Saturday evening. Unfortunately, one of the minions also saw him, and called in the cavalry. So the circus is now a traffic jamb of minions. What a system. Not sure if any of these dudes will leave Tuesday with the rest of the Labor Day crowds.View attachment 156311

View attachment 156312
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Economic 101…….. too much demand for not enough supply.

The current system has no empathy for mature mule deer opportunity hunters. Every bureaucrat fashioned survey will bare that out…… 70 out 30 times, when they ask.

The human pressure will drop after today but not to previous levels…… the muzzleloader and rifle tag holders will get more serious, with eyes on the unit, as their hunt dates approach. One chance in their life time too, at least for many of them.

All the best K.
 
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Unfortunately, the hyper pressure pushed the deer out of my favorite setup, which was more vulnerable to traffic. My plan would have been to sit there and wait for one of the 190's. But since they pushed me out, I will throw my hat in the 230" ring and give them some direct competition.
 
Zim said:
Unfortunately, the hyper pressure pushed the deer out of my favorite setup, which was more vulnerable to traffic. My plan would have been to sit there and wait for one of the 190's. But since they pushed me out, I will throw my hat in the 230" ring and give them some direct competition.
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It's really tough for a DIY guy to compete with all the outfitters and spotters unless he also has a lot of qualified help.
It's unfortunate but that's the way it is on these top end units.
I hope Elmerfudd is paying attention to this thread
Good luck Zim
 
buckhorn said:
It's really tough for a DIY guy to compete with all the outfitters and spotters unless he also has a lot of qualified help.
It's unfortunate but that's the way it is on these top end units.
I hope Elmerfudd is paying attention to this thread
Good luck Zim
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I can still walk into one of the 180/190 bucks where I am. Had five bucks within 120 yards yesterday here. I’m not holdin out for the 230” at this point.
 
Hang Tough Zim!

How's Ms Zim Handling It?

We Were Down On Dutton One Year & Right In The Middle Of An LE Elk Hunt A F'N ATV JAM-BOR-F'N-REE Came Through With I Don't Know How Many Side X Sides & Wheeler's!

Hope You Don't Endure One Of Them!
 
elkassassin said:
Hang Tough Zim!

How's Ms Zim Handling It?

We Were Down On Dutton One Year & Right In The Middle Of An LE Elk Hunt A F'N ATV JAM-BOR-F'N-REE Came Through With I Don't Know How Many Side X Sides & Wheeler's!

Hope You Don't Endure One Of Them!
Click to expand...
Same thing a few years ago. At least it was only general season muzzy. They hit every road with their big utv's and flew their drones a bit. At least it was just one day and they didn't leave their UTV's.
 
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