San Juan Deer ?

[Robiland]

So I have the points, or close to it) to draw in the next year or 2 (maybe more) and want to do some research on San Juan elk ridge deer LE unit, since I know I wont draw the Pauns any time soon with my 17 points. I cant decide if I should do the archery or the rifle.

What I am looking for is Quality of deer and Quality of the hunt. Did you see lots of deer or just some here and there. How were the roads, camping and so forth.

If you did the archery or the rifle, I'd LOVE to hear from you.

Thanks

Landon

 

[iluvrax]

Pretty sure the quality of deer is down quite a bit, but I think the quality of the hunt is still there. You’ll look through lots of bucks on both hunts, probably a lot more on the archery. Your expectations will dictate the “quality” of bucks you’ll see…
Roads could get nasty with bad weather, but with a atv/utv, not much would be off limits. Endless places to camp with a tent, lots of places for trailers as well, but coming in from Bears Ears, you can’t really get past the Notch with any sizable trailers, if any. Coming in from the Causeway, you can bring pretty much anything, just a long haul. The Bears Ears way in is no short trip, so I would definitely plan on staying/camping in the unit.
My brother had the rifle tag in 2014 or 2015, and I had the rifle tag last year. Both great hunts! Both done opening day…
Good luck!

 

[BrowningRage]

I hope a few people respond with their first-hand experience hunting the area.

However, since you are interested in the experience, you just have to decide if you want to chase almost docile deer, with velvet, in the heat... Here's a great video from Youtube you might like about that...

Or, do you want to chase the slightly-spooked, hard-horned, maybe rutty bucks in the cool fall weather, despite them being a bit harder to find...

There's your experience difference. Great opportunity for trophy bucks on either hunt.

 

[Robiland]

I hope a few people respond with their first-hand experience hunting the area.

However, since you are interested in the experience, you just have to decide if you want to chase almost docile deer, with velvet, in the heat... Here's a great video from Youtube you might like about that...

Or, do you want to chase the slightly-spooked, hard-horned, maybe rutty bucks in the cool fall weather, despite them being a bit harder to find...

There's your experience difference. Great opportunity for trophy bucks on either hunt.

Awesome Video!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[bergy]

I hope a few people respond with their first-hand experience hunting the area.

However, since you are interested in the experience, you just have to decide if you want to chase almost docile deer, with velvet, in the heat... Here's a great video from Youtube you might like about that...

Or, do you want to chase the slightly-spooked, hard-horned, maybe rutty bucks in the cool fall weather, despite them being a bit harder to find...

There's your experience difference. Great opportunity for trophy bucks on either hunt.

Whoa! Somebody has some serious film making skills! One of the best videos Ive seen in a long time. Nice buck too! Well done all around!

 

[grizzly]

So I have the points, or close to it) to draw in the next year or 2 (maybe more) and want to do some research on San Juan elk ridge deer LE unit, since I know I wont draw the Pauns any time soon with my 17 points. I cant decide if I should do the archery or the rifle.

What I am looking for is Quality of deer and Quality of the hunt. Did you see lots of deer or just some here and there. How were the roads, camping and so forth.

If you did the archery or the rifle, I'd LOVE to hear from you.

Thanks

Landon

Shoot me a PM with your number, I'm happy to give you some info

 

[Ranger1]

I hope a few people respond with their first-hand experience hunting the area.

However, since you are interested in the experience, you just have to decide if you want to chase almost docile deer, with velvet, in the heat... Here's a great video from Youtube you might like about that...

Or, do you want to chase the slightly-spooked, hard-horned, maybe rutty bucks in the cool fall weather, despite them being a bit harder to find...

There's your experience difference. Great opportunity for trophy bucks on either hunt.

Well done, congrats all around.

 

[Wapitiwilly]

Wow what a video.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[brutus54]

There’s a couple of monsters on the Utah hunting fishing and camping Facebook page. They say come off the San Juan this past week. Ones a non-typical.

 

[legacy]

I know of 2 toads that were killed down there on the archery hunt so far. Either one of those bucks would be worth my 20 points.

 

[Muleman1]

Nice video and buck how wide

 

[D33RHNTR]

You’re gonna want the archery tag. By the rifle hunt, they have already started pushing off the top headed for lower country. At that point, it can turn into a giant guessing game on where they are… that’s not a game you want to play after investing 15+ years on a tag.

 

[Tikka]

You’re gonna want the archery tag. By the rifle hunt, they have already started pushing off the top headed for lower country. At that point, it can turn into a giant guessing game on where they are… that’s not a game you want to play after investing 15+ years on a tag.

I agree with D33 you definitely want the archery tag…

 

[elkassassin]

Where You From Robi?

 

[BrowningRage]

Whoa! Somebody has some serious film making skills! One of the best videos Ive seen in a long time. Nice buck too! Well done all around!

Yeah, wish it was my video... and my buck.!

 

[Robiland]

Where You From Robi?

Orem

 

[RoadlessHunter]

Way down, my bro has an archery tag this year and my sister in law has the multi season. I might post a picture of the one she missed from 12 yards with the story later in the hunt. I don't want people figuring out the location until we have it on the ground with the muzzy. Too many hunter will recognize us with pictures and they know where we were hunting. Way too many people out combing the roads for bucks all day long. Spike elk hunters cruising everywhere. It's obvious everyone knows the few good spots on the mountain. One group alone has about 10 to 20 guys circling the best areas. At least 2 tags were turned back in just before the hunt. My brother took one of them.

 

[AZ4life]

Based on the big'uns killed already on the archery hunt I've seen, I would say it isn't doing so bad for trophy potential...

 

[roadrunner]

The Elk Ridge unit is rough and wild - good bucks definitely hang out there. The San Juan side is up/down and more steep. Good bucks hang out up high.

Guess it depends on what your looking out of the hunt. Challenge or increasing your chances of filling out by being able to reach across and tap one at 300 yds.

A solid 175" deer is a real expectation.

 

[elkassassin]

OK!

We Have a LR Out Here As Well!

I'd Hunt The Early Archery Hunt!

They've Took a Couple Of Nice Bucks Already This Year!

Same BS every Year Though!

90% of The Hunters & Guides Camped on a Couple of Bucks!

Find Out Where They Are & Go Hunt Somewhere-else & Get away From The BS that goes on!

As The Velvet Comes Off It Gets Tougher in That Country!

Orem

 

[prozachuntr]

I sent you a message

 

[Robiland]

OK!

We Have a LR Out Here As Well!

I'd Hunt The Early Archery Hunt!

They've Took a Couple Of Nice Bucks Already This Year!

Same BS every Year Though!

90% of The Hunters & Guides Camped on a Couple of Bucks!

Find Out Where They Are & Go Hunt Somewhere-else & Get away From The BS that goes on!

As The Velvet Comes Off It Gets Tougher in That Country!

So you would definitely hunt it hard early then. Try to get it done the 1st week. Where do all the people sit/camp for the bigger bucks?

Landon

 

[RoadlessHunter]

My brother didn't get a deer on the archery.

 

[BrowningRage]

My brother didn't get a deer on the archery.

But he passed smaller bucks I'm assuming.??

 

[Robiland]

My brother didn't get a deer on the archery.

If you dont mind sending me some details about the hunt, maybe in a PM. Like BrowningRage asked, I am assuming he passed on smaller bucks?

 

[RoadlessHunter]

When I get some time I will send some details. He missed a couple nice bucks, but the unit is full of management bucks. We still have have a multi season hunter and will be headed down for the muzzy hunt.

 

[roadrunner]

When I get some time I will send some details. He missed a couple nice bucks, but the unit is full of management bucks. We still have have a multi season hunter and will be headed down for the muzzy hunt.

I'm more curious why lundellhunting7 thinks it's funny...

 

[Robiland]

When I get some time I will send some details. He missed a couple nice bucks, but the unit is full of management bucks. We still have have a multi season hunter and will be headed down for the muzzy hunt.

Good luck! Keep is posted. I was told that on the opener, there were a ton of guides. That makes it hard and ANNOYING!!!

 

[RoadlessHunter]

He's probably laughing about the management buck comment. 95 out of every 100 deer that are wider than their ears on the San Juan are management bucks. Occasionally you find a good one. This is the buck that my sister in law missed from 12 yards. Major buck fever and her first ever hunt.

 

[LIK2HNT]

Boy, look at the right rear fork!!!
Talk about a deep fork.
Wish you guys luck.

 

[RoadlessHunter]

Ya nothing symmetrical about this deer. Left front point flares way up right front point corkscrews down. GIANT backs on the one side. He's not a scorer, but a looker. I think he's over 30" across his fronts. Just a crazy buck. ?

 

[Unsy]

I had the archery tag this year, it was a fun hunt and frustrating at times. The deer I killed was being hunted by a couple different guides. I seen 4 deer pushing 200 or over, lots of 160 class deer. It took me 18 points to draw. Definitely a fun hunt and beautiful country.

 

[elkhunterUT]

I had the archery tag this year, it was a fun hunt and frustrating at times. The deer I killed was being hunted by a couple different guides. I seen 4 deer pushing 200 or over, lots of 160 class deer. It took me 18 points to draw. Definitely a fun hunt and beautiful country.

Let's see some pics! Congrats on the tag and deer.

 

[Tikka]

I had the archery tag this year, it was a fun hunt and frustrating at times. The deer I killed was being hunted by a couple different guides. I seen 4 deer pushing 200 or over, lots of 160 class deer. It took me 18 points to draw. Definitely a fun hunt and beautiful country.

Congrats on a great hunt… Let’s see your buck?

 

[Unsy]

Congrats on a great hunt… Let’s see your buck?

 

[elkassassin]

There Was 2 Nice Bucks Harvested The First Part of Archery Season!

Unsy's Buck is one of them!

View attachment 88277

 

[elkhunterUT]

That is a stud buck-love his mass and those eye guards?
Congrats again!!

 

[Tikka]

View attachment 88277

Great buck!!! Congrats and thank you for sharing it with us…

You care to give us any details on the hunt? We don’t need any location, just your highlights…
Thanks

 

[Unsy]

There Was 2 Nice Bucks Harvested The First Part of Archery Season!

Unsy's Buck is one of them!

There were actually 2 opening morning killed that was over 200, and mine wasn't one of them.

 

[elkassassin]

Not Arguing!

I'm Sure there Were Some I Didn't Know About!

Nice Job!

There were actually 2 opening morning killed that was over 200, and mine wasn't one of them.

 

[Unsy]

Not Arguing!

I'm Sure there Were Some I Didn't Know About!

Nice Job!

Thank you, probably some I don't know of as well.

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Unsy?

Did you Happen To See A Black/Dark Colored Toyota With CHAPDOG On The License Plate While You Were Down There?

Thank you, probably some I don't know of as well.

 

[Unsy]

Hey Unsy?

Did you Happen To See A Black/Dark Colored Toyota With CHAPDOG On The License Plate While You Were Down There?

I don't remember seeing that truck.

 

[elkassassin]

OK & Thanks!

Just Curious On How The Hunt Went For Him?

I Seen A Decent Bull 150 Yards From CHAPDOG'S Tent One Morning & I Think He Hunted Right From His Tent That Morning,He Wasn't At His Tent But Both Vehicles Were in Camp!

I don't remember seeing that truck.

 

[elkassassin]

One More Thing Unsy?

Did You See The Guy Running Roads On His Wheeler With a Nocked Bow in One Hand & Driving The Wheeler With His Other Hand?

 

[Unsy]

OK & Thanks!

Just Curious On How The Hunt Went For Him?

I Seen A Decent Bull 150 Yards From CHAPDOG'S Tent One Morning & I Think He Hunted Right From His Tent That Morning,He Wasn't At His Tent But Both Vehicles Were in Camp!

Yeah, I don't remember seeing that rig. I spent most my time on the south end of the unit. I was basically hunting one deer the whole time I was there.

 

[elkassassin]

That Makes Sense!

We Were Up On The North End For The Most Part!

 

[Unsy]

One More Thing Unsy?

Did You See The Guy Running Roads On His Wheeler With a Nocked Bow in One Hand & Driving The Wheeler With His Other Hand?

Yep I did see him, I think everyone seen him. He stopped and talked to me, he had an elk tag. Haha

 

[elkassassin]

I Couldn't But Help Wonder & Invision All The Possibilities Of An Accident With That JOKER!

Yep I did see him, I think everyone seen him. He stopped and talked to me, he had an elk tag. Haha

 

[elkassassin]

All I Know For Sure is When It Happens That's Gonna HOYT!

 

[BradA]

Dang great buck love the character! Congratulations. Bucks like that are hard to come by.

 

[rmanwill]

Very nice. You did extremely well. Congrats. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Unsy]

Very nice. You did extremely well. Congrats. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks!!

 

[SoloHNTR]

Hey here is a pic of your buck still on the hoof.

 

[SoloHNTR]

This is from around July 20th

 

[SoloHNTR]

Here’s another

 

[Unsy]

Here’s another

View attachment 88429

Thanks for the pics. I have tons of pics from this summer, up until I killed him.

 

[SoloHNTR]

What a great buck! Sorry about losing all the meat. It’s a bummer when you can’t find em quick.

 

[elkassassin]

Coyotes?

Or Bear?

 

[Tikka]

Maggots

 

[Unsy]

Coyotes?

Or Bear?

Coyotes

 

[Unsy]

Maggots

No maggots

 

[Unsy]

What a great buck! Sorry about losing all the meat. It’s a bummer when you can’t find em quick.

Yep it sucks, was happy to find him though.

 

[SureShot]

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

 

[elkassassin]

Nice Job!

Looks Like A Remington With a Dreaded Scope!

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

 

[LIK2HNT]

A lot of character to that buck. Nice job.

 

[elkhunterUT]

Cool buck-congrats SureShot!

 

[Uttaxi1]

Awesome bucks, congrats

 

[Tikka]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

Nice buck sureshot!!! How wide, 33”?
I love it!!!!

 

[SureShot]

Nice buck sureshot!!! How wide, 33”?
I love it!!!!

Good guess. That's exactly what he is.

 

[Unsy]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

Great buck, I hunted alone also no help. Congrats on your buck!!!!

 

[BradA]

Cool buck love how wide he is congratulations

 

[Unsy]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

What part of the unit did you kill him on?

 

[SureShot]

The south end.

 

[littlebighorn]

Did he have a Wide Load sticker on his butt?
Those SJ bucks can sometimes throw crazy racks.
Congratulations. Very cool buck.

 

[deaddog406]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

 

[SureShot]

That is definitely him! Thanks for sharing.

 

[deerlevi]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

Sweet buck!

 

[prozachuntr]

View attachment 88565View attachment 88566

I found this one on the muzzy hunt. Since I didn't run trail cameras or have a posse helping me (crazy, right?), I'm wondering if anybody else happens to have any photos or video of him alive.

Thats an awesome buck. Hope you had a great time. We ran into each other I think the weekend of the Archery opener on the north end.