2023 Paunsaugunt muzzleloader

mcbrady22

mcbrady22

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13
My dad was lucky enough to draw a Pauns muzzy tag this year and we are super excited! The hunt is Sept. 27-Oct. 5 and I am planning to be down there scouting quite a bit throughout the summer. I'm just looking for any advice I can get, where to start looking? Will the bucks be starting to move down in the unit that early or will we be hunting the higher parts of the unit? Are the bucks going to be pretty pattern-able? I understand it's not just a walk in the park hunt and we're definitely going to be putting in some time and boot tracks to get prepared but anything helps! Thanks
 
Good luck against the outfitters... ??

Also, Founder gave you all the advice you need.

My best advice? Familiarize yourselves with the type of buck he wants to take, and hold off until you find it... If you've never hunted for big bucks, this will be important so you don't shoot the first 24" 4 point scoring 150"-160" (not that score matters to some). Know what you're looking at before you guys say, "Shoot that buck!" Congrats on what will be an amazing experience for you guys. I hope you'll keep us informed ??
 
Great year to have that tag! Even the low country down there is green as can be right now. Congrats to your pop's! Definitely make as many scouting trips as you can, it's a spectacular place for a deer hunt.
 
BrowningRage said:
Good luck against the outfitters... ??

Also, Founder gave you all the advice you need.

My best advice? Familiarize yourselves with the type of buck he wants to take, and hold off until you find it... If you've never hunted for big bucks, this will be important so you don't shoot the first 24" 4 point scoring 150"-160" (not that score matters to some). Know what you're looking at before you guys say, "Shoot that buck!" Congrats on what will be an amazing experience for you guys. I hope you'll keep us informed ??
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haha thanks for the advice, I am definitely nervous about that! We haven't had much experience hunting this class of deer so not the best at field judging them! Hoping the summer scouting will help me have a good idea what we're after so we don't leave with regret.
 
Scouting the Pausagunt is pretty useless.. where see them now upto openers.. it changes drastically.. just familiarized with the area high and low..
Jester
 
The only thing to add on what has been said. Just remember three things for that unit: They always shrink when they are on the ground, weather changes things, and if you are where the guides are you are in the right place. They ought to outlaw guide service on that unit. I was there in the Millcreek area one year when it rained for days during that time period and ran into some seed gathers. One ask me if I was hunting deer and I told him no, I didn't have a permit. He told me he just saw two giant buck cross the road. Those are very migratory herd at that time of year. And lastly, a 24" four-point look like a giant some times. You and your Dad need to look at a lot of pictures of buck on the hoof. Seen a lot of disappointed people who spent days sifting thru two to small four points, only to have a giant buck come by, which turned out to be a 24 incher(or smaller).
 
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I scouted the top, when I had the muzzleloader tag, and I can tell you that THAT year they'd moved off. Hunted hard up top for 3 days and saw a handful of little bucks. Wasted 3 days but it was still fun.
Some years- maybe, maybe not up top.
It's a magical place when you find them, however.
You and your pa have fun!

Zeke
 
TALK to the cowboys if they are around when you are scouting you might find a one that will point ya in the right direction
 
Get familiar with the country high and low, if you don't find bucks quick like as in one day up high on the muzzy hunt move lower. I've seen them move off the top as quick as the second weekend of the archery hunt.
 
I had the muzzy tag last year and I'm not sure I can be of much help. Due to the number of guides down low, I spent much of my 11 days of scouting just before season and the first part of the season on top. I had some great info and leads from others that had the tag within the last couple of years. I was seeing deer up on top during my scouting and then during my hunt, but not nearly what we saw back in the late 1990s. With three days left to hunt I headed south to where the nightmare of guides were in the early part of the season thinking that there'd be more deer down there with the days getting shorter and below freezing temps up on top. Over those three days I never saw another hunter and saw deer, but not many. I was shocked at how few deer I saw up on top and then down below. The only think I could think of is that they were spread out due to all the summer rains and incredible vegetation growth. Still stings a little having burnt 25 pts to never see a good buck, but hey I got some good picts!

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I cant say what reason you would not go guided, but of the 2 muzzy hunters I herd from they did not have a shinning experience. I also had the tag last year, and I went with a guide , they killed 5 bucks that everyone is dreaming of right know, I never saw other guides that effected us at all, very low pressure ,I would not even think of looking high and I saw nothing short of maybe up to 400 bucks, that may seem unrealistic but it is not, I saw a group of 28 bucks together and many more each day. the guide was not going to be happy with any thing that wasn't going to be in the 200 in range, and there were many close to that. I have hunted deer for 50 years without a guide with plenty success but I don't think I would have started in all those deer if at all without one. Ethically I would not discuss where I was , and was asked not to , enjoy, there is a reason those tags sell for 50,000.00. By the way there was one dummy that kept the count at 5 and not 6 that was me blowing a easy shot wounding the monster and then a sudden rain storm washed the blood away and 2 days of searching came up empty.
 
MAN THAT IS HEARTBREAKING!!
wildfin said:
I cant say what reason you would not go guided, but of the 2 muzzy hunters I herd from they did not have a shinning experience. I also had the tag last year, and I went with a guide , they killed 5 bucks that everyone is dreaming of right know, I never saw other guides that effected us at all, very low pressure ,I would not even think of looking high and I saw nothing short of maybe up to 400 bucks, that may seem unrealistic but it is not, I saw a group of 28 bucks together and many more each day. the guide was not going to be happy with any thing that wasn't going to be in the 200 in range, and there were many close to that. I have hunted deer for 50 years without a guide with plenty success but I don't think I would have started in all those deer if at all without one. Ethically I would not discuss where I was , and was asked not to , enjoy, there is a reason those tags sell for 50,000.00. By the way there was one dummy that kept the count at 5 and not 6 that was me blowing a easy shot wounding the monster and then a sudden rain storm washed the blood away and 2 days of searching came up empty.
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Any Chance you Were In Arizona?

(((RAZZIN OF COURSE!:D:D:D)))

wildfin said:
I cant say what reason you would not go guided, but of the 2 muzzy hunters I herd from they did not have a shinning experience. I also had the tag last year, and I went with a guide , they killed 5 bucks that everyone is dreaming of right know, I never saw other guides that effected us at all, very low pressure ,I would not even think of looking high and I saw nothing short of maybe up to 400 bucks, that may seem unrealistic but it is not, I saw a group of 28 bucks together and many more each day. the guide was not going to be happy with any thing that wasn't going to be in the 200 in range, and there were many close to that. I have hunted deer for 50 years without a guide with plenty success but I don't think I would have started in all those deer if at all without one. Ethically I would not discuss where I was , and was asked not to , enjoy, there is a reason those tags sell for 50,000.00. By the way there was one dummy that kept the count at 5 and not 6 that was me blowing a easy shot wounding the monster and then a sudden rain storm washed the blood away and 2 days of searching came up empty.
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Bwht4x4 said:
I had the muzzy tag last year and I'm not sure I can be of much help. Due to the number of guides down low, I spent much of my 11 days of scouting just before season and the first part of the season on top. I had some great info and leads from others that had the tag within the last couple of years. I was seeing deer up on top during my scouting and then during my hunt, but not nearly what we saw back in the late 1990s. With three days left to hunt I headed south to where the nightmare of guides were in the early part of the season thinking that there'd be more deer down there with the days getting shorter and below freezing temps up on top. Over those three days I never saw another hunter and saw deer, but not many. I was shocked at how few deer I saw up on top and then down below. The only think I could think of is that they were spread out due to all the summer rains and incredible vegetation growth. Still stings a little having burnt 25 pts to never see a good buck, but hey I got some good picts!

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At The end Of that Rainbow Lays The Biggest Pile Of Apples You've Ever Seen!


Bwht4x4 said:
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Apples, trail cams, more guides per square mile than anywhere on earth. Good God the famous Pauns. has finally gone silent.
 
It's called "Grand Staircase" because the land is actually layered in steps, or tiers.

The deer are already on the move during the muzzleloader hunt and can be found on the second and third "step" on their way to 4 & 5.

They tend to move at night and hole up during the daylight hours.

Best advice I can offer is those deer take the same routes annually.
If you're seeing a few bucks in a certain area one day, you will see more in the days to follow.
Finding a transition route is key.

If you go down early to scout, concentrate on learning road systems and boundaries on the 2nd and 3rd tiers even if you're not seeing deer........you will, come hunt time.
 
huntnrich said:
I would never hire a guide on that hunt. Spend a little time and the whole hunt there and you will do great. Realize what you got and put the effort in, it might be the best tag you will ever have for mule deer.
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I agree ? ?
All a guide will get you is 25 additional sets of eyes, but that's why they need so many, the deer are always on the move down there.
 
during the archery and muzzy very few are on the move and if you think you can compete with guys that grew up watching those deer, and have family and friends out elk hunting and many other types of recreation with eyes and ears open, and the guide knows the name and wear the buck is he wants you to get ,than go have fun and hope for the best. Guided was expensive ,but I had a very small chance at best to be hunting more than a few 200 plus from the start to the finish. If a nice buck is okay for you than your in luck , I saw many. If I had the tag again and could not watch the deer starting last month up to the opener I would be forced to go guided if I wanted to hunt the top end. Remind your self that you will have something like 1600 square miles and 4or5 steps of elevation to look through, nothing wrong with having the right help for the job, unfortunately the right help costs.
 
I hunted it a few years ago with guide. Hunted a couple of giants. One wounded and lost by another hunter. They started moving later in the Muzzy hunt. I would not go unguided if you want a chance at a monster. If you don't care just go and have fun.
 
I would for sure not hunt on top. Every single buck by September 1st is loooooong gone. I wouldn't even burn any gas scouting up high. I would hunt that nasty desert country down south in the dust and sage, backpack into Timber Mountain for the first 8 days of your hunt..........leave the top for the tourists.
 
Bigwiffy said:
I would for sure not hunt on top. Every single buck by September 1st is loooooong gone. I wouldn't even burn any gas scouting up high. I would hunt that nasty desert country down south in the dust and sage, backpack into Timber Mountain for the first 8 days of your hunt..........leave the top for the tourists.
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Bigwiffy is pretty accurate, based on my experience. My Looong is not quite as looooooooong as his but gone is gone, and September 1, is absolutely the top of the bell curve for deer moving off the top. Not all cross Timber Mountain after leaving the top but a whole bunch certainly do. They have too….. to get down to Bold Knoll, Mill Creek, Nephi Pasture, and Skootumpaw so I’d make sure and talk to him more about hunting Timber Mountain, in as much as it’s a major funnel.
 
2lumpy said:
Bigwiffy is pretty accurate, based on my experience. My Looong is not quite as looooooooong as his but gone is gone, and September 1, is absolutely the top of the bell curve for deer moving off the top. Not all cross Timber Mountain after leaving the top but a whole bunch certainly do. They have too….. to get down to Bold Knoll, Mill Creek, Nephi Pasture, and Skootumpaw so I’d make sure and talk to him more about hunting Timber Mountain, in as much as it’s a major funnel.
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Bigwiffy said:
I would for sure not hunt on top. Every single buck by September 1st is loooooong gone. I wouldn't even burn any gas scouting up high. I would hunt that nasty desert country down south in the dust and sage, backpack into Timber Mountain for the first 8 days of your hunt..........leave the top for the tourists.
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I'm no expert on the Pauns and can only say what I saw last year. I left the top on Oct 4th on last years muzzy hunt and went down and hunted the Bald Knoll area for the last 3 days. I saw more deer on top of the plateau those last few days than I did around all of the Bald Knoll area. Two of the tag holders I spoke with from previous years hunts both killed their deer on top at the end of the season. One guy shot his during a light snow flurry on the last day of season.

Also, Bald Knoll and Mill Creek are both northwest of Timber Mtn by 10 miles. Deer have to pass through those areas before they even get to Timber Mtn.
 
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Bwht4x4 said:
I'm no expert on the Pauns and can only say what I saw last year. I left the top on Oct 4th on last years muzzy hunt and went down and hunted the Bald Knoll area for the last 3 days. I saw more deer on top of the plateau those last few days on top than I did around all of the Bald Knoll area. Two of the tag holders I spoke with from previous years hunts both killed their deer on top at the end of the season. One guy shot his during a light snow flurry on the last day of season.

Also, Bald Knoll and Mill Creek are both northwest of Timber Mtn by 10 miles. Deer have to pass through those areas before they even get to Timber Mtn.
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The only thing left on top after September 1 are beer cans from the Vegas crowds, bovine, and 12" dust bowls. Ugly country up there, that low desert is the place to be if you want a biiiiig buck.
 
Bigwiffy said:
I would for sure not hunt on top. Every single buck by September 1st is loooooong gone. I wouldn't even burn any gas scouting up high. I would hunt that nasty desert country down south in the dust and sage, backpack into Timber Mountain for the first 8 days of your hunt..........leave the top for the tourists.
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Couldn't disagree more.
 
Bwht4x4 said:
I'm no expert on the Pauns and can only say what I saw last year. I left the top on Oct 4th on last years muzzy hunt and went down and hunted the Bald Knoll area for the last 3 days. I saw more deer on top of the plateau those last few days than I did around all of the Bald Knoll area. Two of the tag holders I spoke with from previous years hunts both killed their deer on top at the end of the season. One guy shot his during a light snow flurry on the last day of season.

Also, Bald Knoll and Mill Creek are both northwest of Timber Mtn by 10 miles. Deer have to pass through those areas before they even get to Timber Mtn.
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Yep, you’re right, I was wrong. Skootumpaw is too. Sorry about that.

Regarding Bigwiffy’s Sept 1. Statement. A gentleman that guided on the Paunsaugunt unit has told me the hunt’s on the Alton ranches are finished their hunts by the First of Sept.because the bucks have all moved south, of the ranches by then.

Take it for what it’s worth. These other gentlemen have mostly likely had different experiences……… Maybe call the taxidermist shop in Glendale and see if they have a suggestion.
 
Could be wrong but I think the rifle hunts on Alton begin Sept 1st. I read or heard once , dont remember, that 40 percent of the bucks of the Pauns deer herd summered in the Alton area. That elevation and the oaks , mostly private, will hold bucks for the muzz hunt. That kind of terrain is also the first place they pass through from the top. The private is why the guides are helpfull.
 
I'll come clean there will no doubt be good bucks up top during the muzzy hunt. This year will be interesting though, there really isn't a necessity for them to migrate all the way to the top. In fact there are just starting to be deer on top. You could easily run into a good buck from the north border clear to the southern border of the unit. The funnest part of having that tag is covering as much country as you can until you find one you like. Don't limit yourself to the desert, mid, or top. They will be scattered throughout the whole unit with as much feed and water there is.
 
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Bigwiffy said:
If those bucks didn't interest you I can see why you may have been disappointed in your hunt. Realistic expectations are important, the Pauns hasn't been kicking out that next level buck in numbers for quite a few years.
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I'm still not sure if I'm disappointed in the Pauns or myself. I spent 21 days on the unit and didn't see a big buck. Is that because I didn't hunt hard enough? Is the Pauns just not pushing out the numbers of big bucks like it did? All I can say is that I was there on an archery hunt in late 1990s and IMO there is no comparison to what the unit was and what it is today.
 
This is really depressing reading all the outfitter comments. I have 27 NR points and always had my eyes on the archery tag. Didn’t know what a bounty hunter was back when I began applying in 1998. Can’t afford an outfitter, and my best skills are for elk. Plan right now seems to be take my wife out there for a scouting/vacation August 2024 & try to draw it 2025. Doc says my heart is going downhill.
 
Bwht4x4 said:
I'm still not sure if I'm disappointed in the Pauns or myself. I spent 21 days on the unit and didn't see a big buck. Is that because I didn't hunt hard enough? Is the Pauns just not pushing out the numbers of big bucks like it did? All I can say is that I was there on an archery hunt in late 1990s and IMO there is no comparison to what the unit was and what it is today.
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Big buck meaning 200"+ aren't there in any numbers. Legit 180-190 is doable, but not easy. In 21 days you would have seen what's there for the most part. It's nothing like it was in the 90's. The last 5 years or so the Pauns hasn't kicked out many legit 200+ bucks. In my opinion there are 3-4 better units for top end quality right now. Maybe this will be the year with the feed and moisture.
 
Bigwiffy said:
Big buck meaning 200"+ aren't there in any numbers. Legit 180-190 is doable, but not easy. In 21 days you would have seen what's there for the most part. It's nothing like it was in the 90's. The last 5 years or so the Pauns hasn't kicked out many legit 200+ bucks. In my opinion there are 3-4 better units for top end quality right now. Maybe this will be the year with the feed and moisture.
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My expectations were that a 200"+ buck was unlikely, but knew they are clearly there. I did expect, maybe stupidly, to find/see at least one 180-190" buck during season, even if it was a passing glimpse. I passed on a lot of smaller bucks during the hunt, but in all honesty, not nearly as many as I thought I would have seen. Either way it was an interesting hunt.
 
Here's a couple rifle bucks we took last October, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding bucks like these if you work for em.

Both bucks were taken in the same exact place, two days apart.
We saw about 10 others this caliber in the same area.
Like I mentioned earlier, those bucks are habitual.
If you're finding mature bucks in an area, stick with it.


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Summer pic of the 33" from up on top.
 
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When do they remove the cattle off?
I know that that will move deer around also seems to move the deer around also so where you saw deer one day they are gone the next.
 
There are a brazillian moo cows up there now, just moved them in a couple weeks ago. Went from pristine feed, to cattle shiz real quick.
 
mcbrady22 said:
My dad was lucky enough to draw a Pauns muzzy tag this year and we are super excited! The hunt is Sept. 27-Oct. 5 and I am planning to be down there scouting quite a bit throughout the summer. I'm just looking for any advice I can get, where to start looking? Will the bucks be starting to move down in the unit that early or will we be hunting the higher parts of the unit? Are the bucks going to be pretty pattern-able? I understand it's not just a walk in the park hunt and we're definitely going to be putting in some time and boot tracks to get prepared but anything helps! Thanks
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Thanks for all of the replies and information. I have made a few scouting trips already just trying to familiarize myself self with the unit. I have only spent time in what I believe is the mid section and have seen a handful of good bucks but not the number of deer I would like to be seeing. I think my next couple trips will be to the top to learn that area a little bit better.
 
mcbrady22 said:
Thanks for all of the replies and information. I have made a few scouting trips already just trying to familiarize myself self with the unit. I have only spent time in what I believe is the mid section and have seen a handful of good bucks but not the number of deer I would like to be seeing. I think my next couple trips will be to the top to learn that area a little bit better.
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I spent yesterday out on Tropic Reservoir road, tried to drive to the south end (where they’ve been cleaning up the road) out to where you can look down on the Deer Creek Ranch property but got rained/hailed out in the greasy red mud. Saw a herd of cow and calf elk in Whiteman Bench, by the Park bounder. No bulls. It was midday so never saw any mule deer, not one. That surprised me a little.

All the best on your hunt. It’s sure is beautiful down there right now.
 
Zim said:
This is really depressing reading all the outfitter comments. I have 27 NR points and always had my eyes on the archery tag. Didn’t know what a bounty hunter was back when I began applying in 1998. Can’t afford an outfitter, and my best skills are for elk. Plan right now seems to be take my wife out there for a scouting/vacation August 2024 & try to draw it 2025. Doc says my heart is going downhill.
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looking at this years draw odds you should be able to get the tag next year. The most points a NR had applying for archery was 26 and he drew the tag. 1 out of 4 drew with 24 points and 1 out of 59 with 6 points. So you should draw it. From this years draw odds you'd have a really good chance at archer, muzzleloader or Rifle.
 
slamdunk said:
Here's a couple rifle bucks we took last October, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding bucks like these if you work for em.

Both bucks were taken in the same exact place, two days apart.
We saw about 10 others this caliber in the same area.
Like I mentioned earlier, those bucks are habitual.
If you're finding mature bucks in an area, stick with it.


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Summer pic of the 33" from up on top.
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Those would be nice bucks for general season bucks! Sad if that’s what the best deer unit in Utah is producing these days.
 
2lumpy said:
I spent yesterday out on Tropic Reservoir road, tried to drive to the south end (where they’ve been cleaning up the road) out to where you can look down on the Deer Creek Ranch property but got rained/hailed out in the greasy red mud. Saw a herd of cow and calf elk in Whiteman Bench, by the Park bounder. No bulls. It was midday so never saw any mule deer, not one. That surprised me a little.

All the best on your hunt. It’s sure is beautiful down there right now.
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If I have told you once, I have told you a million times Lumpy, you cannot see buck in the middle of the day. Early morning or late night. Dinner will wait!
Geez Seniors :)
 
cannonball said:
If I have told you once, I have told you a million times Lumpy, you cannot see buck in the middle of the day. Early morning or late night. Dinner will wait!
Geez Seniors :)
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I alway hope and look for anomalies…….. life is more optimistic that way…….. you should try it….???
 
2lumpy said:
I alway hope and look for anomalies…….. life is more optimistic that way…….. you should try it….???
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That is why you never see anything. That clan always have to be home before dark. The sun has be up before they open their eyes. The animals sleep during the day. Trip wasted - - unless you count lunch at Ruby's. Those Seniors - I detest their action(s). They even block the isles in the grocery stores. It takes them a hour for a five minute job. They never check the weather before going to the Pauns. Why can't they get it straight. JUST WHY.
 
cannonball said:
That is why you never see anything. That clan always have to be home before dark. The sun has be up before they open their eyes. The animals sleep during the day. Trip wasted - - unless you count lunch at Ruby's. Those Seniors - I detest their action(s). They even block the isles in the grocery stores. It takes them a hour for a five minute job. They never check the weather before going to the Pauns. Why can't they get it straight. JUST WHY.
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Certainly all true for me……… WHY? I hope for anomalies!
 
Bwht4x4 said:
My expectations were that a 200"+ buck was unlikely, but knew they are clearly there. I did expect, maybe stupidly, to find/see at least one 180-190" buck during season, even if it was a passing glimpse. I passed on a lot of smaller bucks during the hunt, but in all honesty, not nearly as many as I thought I would have seen. Either way it was an interesting hunt.
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BWHT4x4 I could be wrong but my explanation is that you were hunting that unit during the worst drought in the recorded history of the State. Based on your comments, you did that tag right and you did the best you could. I'm not saying nobody killed big bucks down there last year, but hardly anyone killed big bucks down there last year. I saw guys with $20k+ tags putting them on 150' bucks. The big bucks were there they were just hidden by their stunted racks!
 
Well quick update as we approach the hunt, we’ve been down scouting almost every single weekend. Seen some great bucks, but still nothing special. Last week craziest thing happened. I got a call from the DWR saying someone had turned back their Pauns Muzzleloader tag and I was next in line to receive it. WHAT ARE THE ODDS!? So now both my dad and I have a tag. Anyone have any updates on how things are on the Pauns this year?
 
mcbrady22 said:
Well quick update as we approach the hunt, we’ve been down scouting almost every single weekend. Seen some great bucks, but still nothing special. Last week craziest thing happened. I got a call from the DWR saying someone had turned back their Pauns Muzzleloader tag and I was next in line to receive it. WHAT ARE THE ODDS!? So now both my dad and I have a tag. Anyone have any updates on how things are on the Pauns this year?
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That’s pretty wild. Good luck on a great trip For father and son.
 
WOW!!! That is so LUCKY!!! Good luck. From what I have seen in my experience down there, come Oct 1, they migrate or are gone off the top by then, for the most part. Several years ago I talked to Dennis Winch about down there. He said to hunt the south end of the top, bring a comfy chair and sit and wait. They will walk by all day long. We did see deer on top the last week of Sept, but most were all in the middle by then. Everything I have read I have seen down there. Go after and give it your all! Good luck!
 
Robiland said:
WOW!!! That is so LUCKY!!! Good luck. From what I have seen in my experience down there, come Oct 1, they migrate or are gone off the top by then, for the most part. Several years ago I talked to Dennis Winch about down there. He said to hunt the south end of the top, bring a comfy chair and sit and wait. They will walk by all day long. We did see deer on top the last week of Sept, but most were all in the middle by then. Everything I have read I have seen down there. Go after and give it your all! Good luck!
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This is accurate. I know of several routes off the top that many, many deer migrate along in early October.
 
I wouldn't take the tag. Concentrating on one good buck would be priority. Learn the unit and do it again another year, but that's just me.
 
The youth elk hunt was a zoo down there and kanab creek road is washed out.. There are ponds that didn't exist other years. I think because of the many elk hunters down there this year and the extra water, the migration may be earlier. Don't know, but you may have to throw out the window some of things people are telling you and try different areas. Who knows! It is sure going to be interesting for you. I think if it were me I might try south of the Alton - Johnson Canyon dirt road. Most are not usually that low on the ML Hunt, but that is the only place where the elk hunters would not have been. Wished I had a permit this year of all years.
 
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I’ll throw in an update it’s been very slow seeing for me. Weathers warm, the chainings and grinds activity was nil for the opener and 4 days before that. 15 minutes before light enough the movement in the oaks ends and the deer seem to beeline for cover all small anyway very few deer seen around the knolls in 5 days. Same thing in the evening.
I moved up top see what’s happening 50 deer an evening but still only small bucks except one shooter ran across road after dark lol.
I’ll move again when the weather hits.
 
cannonball said:
The elk hunters didn't do you any favors. It certainly moved the deer away from the roads. Seems the archers get what they want and the muzzleloader hunter gets the shaft.
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The Pauns didn't even have a general archery elk hunt on it or a LE rifle hunt. The youth elk hunt ended on the 24th. You literally have the entire unit to yourselves and still find a way to complain? "They've been pushed off the road" haha I like that excuse. If a guy can't find a good buck on the Pauns this time of year it's not due to pressure.
 
cannonball said:
The elk hunters didn't do you any favors. It certainly moved the deer away from the roads. Seems the archers get what they want and the muzzleloader hunter gets the shaft.
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You really stepped in it with that comment, there wasn't, or shouldn't have been a single archery elk hunter on the unit as the wildlife board didn't approve the general archery elk hunt for the pauns.

Yep those damn archers get everything they want!
 
cannonball said:
The youth elk hunt was a zoo down there and kanab creek road is washed out.. There are ponds that didn't exist other years. I think because of the many elk hunters down there this year and the extra water, the migration may be earlier. Don't know, but you may have to throw out the window some of things people are telling you and try different areas. Who knows! It is sure going to be interesting for you. I think if it were me I might try south of the Alton - Johnson Canyon dirt road. Most are not usually that low on the ML Hunt, but that is the only place where the elk hunters would not have been. Wished I had a permit this year of all years.
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Funny I asked last week same question, and you said sorry can’t help you.
 
Bigwiffy said:
The Pauns didn't even have a general archery elk hunt on it or a LE rifle hunt. The youth elk hunt ended on the 24th. You literally have the entire unit to yourselves and still find a way to complain? "They've been pushed off the road" haha I like that excuse. If a guy can't find a good buck on the Pauns this time of year it's not due to pressure.
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You don't think the zoo of youngsters down there hunting elk had an effect? Everybody and their dog were there this year and they were all on the road. It was quite a sight with the kids in camp chairs in the back of trucks riding up and down the roads. When did the ML hunt start, maybe three days after that hunt. I am not hunting down there and frankly I could care less for myself, but I do see what has happened and feel for others. If you think they are by the roads on that unit anymore, you have an eyeopener.
 
Heathen said:
Funny I asked last week same question, and you said sorry can’t help you.
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Heathen, You ask help where the deer were. I really can't tell you because I don't know. Too many people down there. I would if I could, but the place was a zoo down there this year.
 
cannonball said:
You don't think the zoo of youngsters down there hunting elk had an effect? Everybody and their dog were there this year and they were all on the road. It was quite a sight with the kids in camp chairs in the back of trucks riding up and down the roads. When did the ML hunt start, maybe three days after that hunt. I am not hunting down there and frankly I could care less for myself, but I do see what has happened and feel for others. If you think they are by the roads on that unit anymore, you have an eyeopener.
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Were they killing any elk?
 
cannonball said:
You don't think the zoo of youngsters down there hunting elk had an effect? Everybody and their dog were there this year and they were all on the road. It was quite a sight with the kids in camp chairs in the back of trucks riding up and down the roads. When did the ML hunt start, maybe three days after that hunt. I am not hunting down there and frankly I could care less for myself, but I do see what has happened and feel for others. If you think they are by the roads on that unit anymore, you have an eyeopener.
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Hmmm that's weird I'm here now, seen several good bucks off the road. Not the main East Fork road but from a road. Have crossed paths with a couple tourists, but haven't seen another hunter.
 
Are you going to shoot one are you just Wiffin.:) and if you're not where the guides and hunters are you are not where the big ones are.
 
cannonball said:
You don't think the zoo of youngsters down there hunting elk had an effect? Everybody and their dog were there this year and they were all on the road. It was quite a sight with the kids in camp chairs in the back of trucks riding up and down the roads. When did the ML hunt start, maybe three days after that hunt. I am not hunting down there and frankly I could care less for myself, but I do see what has happened and feel for others. If you think they are by the roads on that unit anymore, you have an eyeopener.
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I am sure glad members here are feeling sorry for Paunsaugunt tag holders! Sure wish I was the lucky hunter you felt sorry for!
 

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