Book Cliffs Combo Hunt

Lonebilly52

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21
Hey all:

I'm not new here but haven't posted in a long while, forgot my login and prior username, and my email address changed, so just registered as a new user. This year I'm cashing in my points on a combo archery deer and elk hunt in the Book Cliffs. I've hunted it before for elk a few years back, and actually made a donation for the elk tag since I'm still in my waiting period. I realize I don't have the deer tag in hand, but I had plenty of points so I should be a lock.

Putting aside all of the doom and gloom talk about the BC aside, I am curious as to what 12-17 day period you would pick to hunt. I'm inclined to pick the last half of the season, but am also considering splitting up my time between the first week and the last 8-9 days. Not looking for anyone's secret spot. Just curious what some of you that have spent a lot more time out there than I would do if you had this rare combo hunt opportunity.

Many thanks.
LB
 
The first couple days of the archery hunt is by far the best for deer due to pressure and the fact they haven'thad everyone chasing them, for elk the last week would be best for rutting action.

If you are really wanting to combine and hunt both I would do the end of the season, hunt deer first, and if the bulls kick in and fire up you can switch over and hunt elk on those days.
 
The first couple days of the archery hunt is by far the best for deer due to pressure and the fact they haven'thad everyone chasing them, for elk the last week would be best for rutting action.

If you are really wanting to combine and hunt both I would do the end of the season, hunt deer first, and if the bulls kick in and fire up you can switch over and hunt elk on those days.
What Jake says seems like the best logic to me.
 
I second elkhunterUT. Really does depend on your priority. The first week for deer is by far the best. I hunted it a few years ago. It was unreal how many deer were up top. When I went back for the 3rd week most of the deer had moved down a ways into thicker cover. I did see a couple herds of elk at water during that hunt but there was zero rut action.
 
The only priority I have is to spend some good times away from daily life and enjoy my time in the hills. Killing a 330+ bull and a 170+ buck would be a bonus. If I have to eat tag soup, I will.

I have never tried to kill a muley in archery season before, and wanted to burn my points this year, so decided a combo hunt sounded like fun. Nothing beats archery elk, not to mention how great they taste, but maybe I'll get hooked on archery deer after this year.
 
Drew my deer tag with 19 points. As a NR I was never going to draw the Pauns, so the planning phase begins. I’ve decided to get there early for scouting and hunt the first 4 days and then return for the last 11.
 
Congrats and best of luck to you! That should be an amazing time hunting both deer and elk out there. I like your plan to focus on deer for the first 4 days and then elk the last 11 (and deer if not successful early).
 
I Can’t offer any better than what has already been said.
You have a great hunt(s) planned and the Bookcliffs are about as good as it gets for a great hunting experience.
Congratulations!
 
Thought I’d share the results of my hunt.

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That is awesome! Congrats on a great hunt and year!

Give us some details. I'd love to hear the stories. Pics are good too though.
 
Let’s hear the details of your hunts, it must have been a blast. You must have shot the last good buck out there from all the doom and gloom some report on this site. Great archery bull also. Congratulations, the Books are a special place, you’re a lucky man.
 
Hunted the first 3 days and came back for the last 12. Killed on the latter trip. Saw a ton of critters every day. It was a blast, but was hard to find a shooter buck. Saw 42 different bucks one day, and 13 different bulls another day.

Made three stalks and notched 2 tags. Both animals were taken by covering a lot of ground, getting off the roads, glassing, putting them to bed, using the wind, getting in position, and then hours of waiting for a shot. Cows and does almost cost me on both animals. The Books are indeed a special place.
 
Did you literally end up killing a 170" buck and a 330" bull after you mentioned both of those scores months ago..? Are you a prophet or something.? :LOL:

Great job on both of these animals. I'm sorry that buck won't be around for my rifle hunt out there in October... Congrats man.!!
 
Hunted the first 3 days and came back for the last 12. Killed on the latter trip. Saw a ton of critters every day. It was a blast, but was hard to find a shooter buck. Saw 42 different bucks one day, and 13 different bulls another day.

Made three stalks and notched 2 tags. Both animals were taken by covering a lot of ground, getting off the roads, glassing, putting them to bed, using the wind, getting in position, and then hours of waiting for a shot. Cows and does almost cost me on both animals. The Books are indeed a special place.
When you say the “Books are indeed a special place” you should have seen it when it was a two track road into there…
You did fantastic, most folks don’t kill those kind of critters with a rifle tag, so a big congrats are in order….
 
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When you say the “Books are indeed a special place” you should have seen it when it was a two track road into there…
You did fantastic, most folks don’t kill those kind of critters with a rifle tag, so a big congrats are in order….
Was that two chins ago ??
 

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