Elk unit indecision

Hunteraj44 · Jan 20, 2017

I really thought I had made up my mind and put in for unit 16-1. But after reading more and more glum stories of Q creek rounding up cattle and stirring up the elk right before the rifle opener,the elk mostly being on their property I'm not so sure I made the right decision. Can anyone who's hunted 16 in the last few years give me some insight on what it's really like up there after opening day of rifle season. We will be bow hunting earlier in September and hope to connect there but I know bow hunting and success rates so have to really plan on rifle hunting. Would unit 24 be a better option? Please help! Shoot me a PM if need be. Thanks

jims · Jan 20, 2017

The Q is definitely something to contend with. Unfortunately they bought one of the better chunks of the Beer Mug Ranch a couple years ago.

If you take a look at the regs there are 200 rifle cow tags that start in 16 starting August 15 (during archery season). There are another 300 cow tags that start Oct 1 when the type 1 rifle season starts. If you include the 200 either sex tags that's 700 total elk tags (in 2016) and a heck of a lot of hunting pressure. Pretty much every corner in 16 that isn't public is owned by the Q. You can guess where the elk go once there is hunting pressure. The elk also know exactly where the property lines are because cows are hunted from August through January 31 each year.

With that said, there are some good bulls in 16. Unfortunately you may be watching them from the wrong side of the fence!

Hunteraj44 · Jan 21, 2017

Doesn't paint a very rosy picture. Kinda what I thought. I believe the pressure in 24 is probably similar but at least we wouldn't have the Q to deal with. Anybody else?

Triple_BB · Jan 21, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-17 AT 09:54AM (MST)[p]The resident and non resident draw odds and harvest stats for 16 tell a different story. Its one of the best LQ areas in the state and very few people would pass up a chance to hunt the area if they could. My cousin archery hunted it last year and was in elk the entire time. He ended up with a nice 6x6. I took a family member hunting three years ago and we had no trouble finding elk on the mountain well after the season had opened. Didn't Eastman's list it as their top elk area in the state this year?

Hunteraj44 · Jan 21, 2017

Thanks for the info guys. Any info is very helpful. Nothing more useful than boots on the ground Intel. If anyone would like to talk in more detail over the phone my number is 308-760-6875. Ask for Aaron. Thanks

Hunteraj44 · Jan 21, 2017

I take info from Eastmans with a grain of salt. I enjoy their magazine but but some of their info on hunting units is a little off I think. That being said I know 16 is a quality unit. My biggest concern is hunting pressure.

treedagain · Jan 21, 2017

Unit 24 is a solid choice. A 300 to 320 bull is very doable. From what i can see is the potential is better in 16.

jims · Jan 21, 2017

If you have the cash buy a guided hunt on the Q! Just wait for all the public guys to spook elk into your lap! Oops, you probably won't need to wait because they will already be there!

UtahMountainMan · Jan 21, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-17 AT 06:19PM (MST)[p]I hunted it last year. If you can afford to buy a guided hunt on the Q you will see hundreds of elk every day. I watched them from the public side and finally had to stop looking because it was driving me crazy lol. Would probably be about the easiest bull elk hunt in the west. THey literally are out in the open fields grazing and bedding all day and this was during archery season before the shooting and pressure started.

If I had that many points again it would be nice to have more land to choose on which to hunt.

You sure you know how to skin grizz,
pilgrim?"

bigjake · Jan 21, 2017

I had a similar experience to Triple BB. Thought it was a great unit. Lots of elk and all three hunters in our group killed good bulls. Of course we hunted during September with bows so maybe that helped. Most of the elk we saw were on the fringes of private ground but they moved back and forth enough that we were able to be into elk every morning and every evening ok public ground.

Hunteraj44 · Jan 22, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-22-17 AT 08:03AM (MST)[p]Thanks for all the info guys. Anybody want to share more specifics? Like what part of the mountain you hunted,where and how you camped,road access,four wheeler traffic,did you see a lot of other hunters/non hunters during archery season, were the elk talking a lot,what dates did you hunt ,etc...

treedagain · Jan 22, 2017

You want a bow on that early christmas gift? It is a great unit. Look at the online map and you can see plenty of ground to hunt as well as where you have access. Draw the tag....go on a scouting trip or 3 and with enough time you will have your shot at a good bull.

Hunteraj44 · Jan 22, 2017

Thanks again for all the info. Every little bit helps. Good luck in the draw everybody!

30Hart · Jan 22, 2017

Eastmans are spot on 16. Archery is one of the best in the state. Yes private land can be a problem, but this area is one of the best for an archer who will go back for rifle. Clue...Archers rarely do!