Are some LE deer hunts too easy?

txhunter58 · Aug 27, 2024

Not trying to start an argument. Just curious if some of Utah’s hunt have become too easy. Antelope island is the biggest example; and has already been discussed in that way, but what about some other LE archery deer. Seems to be in some instances.

Places like the Henry’s, Paunsagut, and even San Juan. Hunters talk about driving around spotting a big buck and climbing out and making a successful stalk. Even after the deer knows they are there.

Dont get me wrong, I would gladly take any of those tags if drawn, but are we really hunting those units enough if they are as easy as I have heard some to be? Sure, everyone doesn’t want to lower the quality, but some seem as easy as hunting over bait. And that with the shortest range legal weapon we have.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe have just read threads which make them sound easier than they really are. But if some are that easy, wouldn’t make sense to increase archery tags a bit to get deer more afraid of hunters?

Again, I’m an outsider and don’t really know the dynamics like residents do, but just seems pretty easy if you can shoot a bow well. So if I’m wrong, school me

gundog2 · Aug 27, 2024

I used to think that the LE early rifle elk hunts were too easy, but my perspective has changed big time. For one thing, the nearly-statewide general season spike hunts have reduced the number of bulls on the landscape and put some general pressure on all the elk. The overlap of deer and elk hunts in many units puts more hunters on the landscape than you might think. I think the proliferation of guides, outfitters, friends and family of hunters with LE tags has increased. Everyone wants to name a big buck or bull and create their own YouTube safari. People are chasing these deer and elk all year round, even if the number of tags is relatively low. The pressure on most LE units is much higher than you might think, especially when outfitters and guides start using helicopters and other dubious techniques to be more successful and attract the high-dollar clients. Rest assured that the DWR is getting all the money they possibly can out of the big game herds, one way or another.

goforbroke · Aug 27, 2024

Everyone I know of that hunts those units, hunt hard and for a long time. I have known two archery hunters on the Henry's, that hunted every day and came home with a 160" deer. They had chances, but still tough to get it done. With the exception of Antelope island.

Blackie6 · Aug 27, 2024

I’ve been on LE rifle elk hunts that did almost seem to be too easy. Shooting a rifle at rutting bulls with little pressure, tends to be a good time.

But on the opposite side, I’m currently hunting one of the top LE deer units with a friend. We are hunting really big deer, but noting about it has been easy.

Muley_73 · Aug 27, 2024

txhunter58 said:
Not trying to start an argument. Just curious if some of Utah’s hunt have become too easy. Antelope island is the biggest example; and has already been discussed in that way, but what about some other LE archery deer. Seems to be in some instances.

Places like the Henry’s, Paunsagut, and even San Juan. Hunters talk about driving around spotting a big buck and climbing out and making a successful stalk. Even after the deer knows they are there.

Dont get me wrong, I would gladly take any of those tags if drawn, but are we really hunting those units enough if they are as easy as I have heard some to be? Sure, everyone doesn’t want to lower the quality, but some seem as easy as hunting over bait. And that with the shortest range legal weapon we have.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe have just read threads which make them sound easier than they really are. But if some are that easy, wouldn’t make sense to increase archery tags a bit to get deer more afraid of hunters?

Again, I’m an outsider and don’t really know the dynamics like residents do, but just seems pretty easy if you can shoot a bow well. So if I’m wrong, school me

You’re wrong. Most guys end up getting their butts kicked and shoot decent bucks but not the top end age or genetic bucks. There are a few exceptions but overall it’s usually a lot tougher than most expect going into it .

bighamr · Aug 27, 2024

You gotta remember too, most of what you see are the handful of the top bucks in each units posted, you’re not seeing all the smaller bucks taken that grossly outnumber the big bucks. My guess would be you’re not seeing the other 85-90% of bucks taken.

Muley1414 · Aug 28, 2024

I’m currently helping a hunter on the Henry’s archery hunt and I can assure you it’s not that simple. We’ve made several attempts at the same group of bucks and haven’t got it done yet. It is fair to say you can see these deer from roads often, but even getting in bow range is difficult.

Now I also hunted the Henry’s on the rifle management hunt 10 years ago, and that seemed like shooting fish in a barrel… just my experience, I’m sure it’s not like that for everyone.

elkassassin · Aug 28, 2024

So?

Is The Buck In Your AVATAR Your Henry's Buck?

Ya!

When The Bucks Are Still Buddied Up It's Way Harder!

Muley1414 said:
I’m currently helping a hunter on the Henry’s archery hunt and I can assure you it’s not that simple. We’ve made several attempts at the same group of bucks and haven’t got it done yet. It is fair to say you can see these deer from roads often, but even getting in bow range is difficult.

Now I also hunted the Henry’s on the rifle management hunt 10 years ago, and that seemed like shooting fish in a barrel… just my experience, I’m sure it’s not like that for everyone.

elkassassin · Aug 28, 2024

Hey tx!

I've Been WRONG Before!

Just Wanted To Get That Out Of The Way!

You're Thinking It's Easy!

And On Rare Occasion It Can Be!

There's A Few Things I'm Not Sure You realize About This State!

Especially On LE & MONEY Hunts In This State!

It Doesn't Matter Which Unit Or Where In This State!

Just About All Big Bucks & Bulls In This State Have A Name!

And A Price Tag On Their Heads!

You Are Not Gonna Compete With Guides & Outfitters In This State!

They'll Kick Your Butt Nearly Every Time!

They Have Become Very Efficient With What They Do!

You're Only Seeing The CREAM OF THE CROP For The Most Part!

You're Thinking Alot Like Alot Of Other Hunters Do Thinking Now That It Took Them 20-30 Years To Draw The Tag And They Think They're Guaranteed A Top End Trophy & Some Of Them Have Never Stepped A Foot On The Said Unit!

They've turned The "WHAT DOES THIS BUCK SCORE"?

In To A JOKE!

I See It Every year In The Book Cliffs!

They Go In With The Attitude Of:

"I'm Not Shooting Anything That's Less Than 30" Wide Or Less Than 180"!"

By Day 3 PISSCUTTERS Start Hitting The Dirt!

Don't Get Me Wrong,There Are Some Nice Bucks Taken Every Year Out There!

Some Are Dumb Luck!

Some Are By GOOD/HARDCORE Hunters Not Giving Up & They Ain't Afraid To Go Home Empty After They Gave Their All!

Just Think About All The Pictures That Were Not CREAM OF THE CROP You Never Got To See!

It Ain't As Easy As It Might Seem To You!

BEST OF LUCK NO MATTER WHAT THOUGH!

txhunter58 said:
Not trying to start an argument. Just curious if some of Utah’s hunt have become too easy. Antelope island is the biggest example; and has already been discussed in that way, but what about some other LE archery deer. Seems to be in some instances.

Places like the Henry’s, Paunsagut, and even San Juan. Hunters talk about driving around spotting a big buck and climbing out and making a successful stalk. Even after the deer knows they are there.

Dont get me wrong, I would gladly take any of those tags if drawn, but are we really hunting those units enough if they are as easy as I have heard some to be? Sure, everyone doesn’t want to lower the quality, but some seem as easy as hunting over bait. And that with the shortest range legal weapon we have.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe have just read threads which make them sound easier than they really are. But if some are that easy, wouldn’t make sense to increase archery tags a bit to get deer more afraid of hunters?

Again, I’m an outsider and don’t really know the dynamics like residents do, but just seems pretty easy if you can shoot a bow well. So if I’m wrong, school me

BrowningRage · Aug 28, 2024

Hunting is a lot like climbing Everest...

1953-

2019-

Muley1414 · Aug 30, 2024

elkassassin said:
So?

Is The Buck In Your AVATAR Your Henry's Buck?

Ya!

When The Bucks Are Still Buddied Up It's Way Harder!

Negative. That is a general buck. The management hunt was another family members.

pauns08 · Aug 30, 2024

Definitely not easy, yes you're seeing the handful of really big bucks that get killed from the road. I think on a few units you can shoot a 160" buck from the road fairly easy but after waiting 15-25 years you'd want to expect to see decent deer from the road. Also after waiting that many years for a tag guys spend a ton of time scouting as well and that helps with killing better than average bucks.

Vanilla · Aug 30, 2024

Muley_73 said:
You’re wrong. Most guys end up getting their butts kicked and shoot decent bucks but not the top end age or genetic bucks. There are a few exceptions but overall it’s usually a lot tougher than most expect going into it .

I agree completely.

elkassassin · Aug 30, 2024

There Are Exceptions Though!

Hossy & Nilly Are Gonna Shoot That 2!

The Buck Is Young & There's A Perty Good Chance He Might Turn In To Something Perty Good If Given The Chance!

BOOM!

He's Dead!

Awe But The Opportunity!

pauns08 said:
Definitely not easy, yes you're seeing the handful of really big bucks that get killed from the road. I think on a few units you can shoot a 160" buck from the road fairly easy but after waiting 15-25 years you'd want to expect to see decent deer from the road. Also after waiting that many years for a tag guys spend a ton of time scouting as well and that helps with killing better than average bucks.

LIK2HNT · Aug 30, 2024

elkassassin said:
Hey tx!

I've Been WRONG Before!

Just Wanted To Get That Out Of The Way!

You're Thinking It's Easy!

And On Rare Occasion It Can Be!

There's A Few Things I'm Not Sure You realize About This State!

Especially On LE & MONEY Hunts In This State!

It Doesn't Matter Which Unit Or Where In This State!

Just About All Big Bucks & Bulls In This State Have A Name!

And A Price Tag On Their Heads!

You Are Not Gonna Compete With Guides & Outfitters In This State!

They'll Kick Your Butt Nearly Every Time!

They Have Become Very Efficient With What They Do!

You're Only Seeing The CREAM OF THE CROP For The Most Part!

You're Thinking Alot Like Alot Of Other Hunters Do Thinking Now That It Took Them 20-30 Years To Draw The Tag And They Think They're Guaranteed A Top End Trophy & Some Of Them Have Never Stepped A Foot On The Said Unit!

They've turned The "WHAT DOES THIS BUCK SCORE"?

In To A JOKE!

I See It Every year In The Book Cliffs!

They Go In With The Attitude Of:

"I'm Not Shooting Anything That's Less Than 30" Wide Or Less Than 180"!"

By Day 3 PISSCUTTERS Start Hitting The Dirt!

Don't Get Me Wrong,There Are Some Nice Bucks Taken Every Year Out There!

Some Are Dumb Luck!

Some Are By GOOD/HARDCORE Hunters Not Giving Up & They Ain't Afraid To Go Home Empty After They Gave Their All!

Just Think About All The Pictures That Were Not CREAM OF THE CROP You Never Got To See!

It Ain't As Easy As It Might Seem To You!

BEST OF LUCK NO MATTER WHAT THOUGH!