Paunsaugunt Elk with my son

hadmonster

hadmonster

FNG
Joined
Jun 13, 2020
Messages
3
Location
Washington, UT
Hello All,

I am new to this forum and am hoping someone has some insight they'd be willing to share. I moved to Utah from Nebraska a few years ago and shooting an elk is very high on the bucket list for my son and I. He is 14 years old and we both drew Paunsaugunt elk rifle tags this year - mid September. This is his first ever tag so I'm hoping to get in to some bulls and make this a memorable experience. The problem is I am starting completely from scratch and I've never really hunted elk (been hunting whitetails from a treestand too long!!) so I'm reading up and doing as much research as I can. I wish two noobs equaled someone that knew what they were doing!

It is really overwhelming when I look at the size of the unit. Is there anyone on this board that has knowledge of the area and might point me in the right direction? I figure we'll never hunt in this area again. This is a once in a lifetime chance for my son and I to do this while he is young. I really want to make this a positive experience that will hook him for life on the outdoors.

I really appreciate any help anyone is willing to share. Thanks!
 
Haven’t been there. But I would suggest the elk 101 course and also chris roe or elknut. Rifle in September...wow
 
Just hire an outfitter, you'll be going to elk college with the right guy.

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That’s a great deer unit. Not sure about the elk. How many points did it take to draw?


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The suggestions to hire an outfitter are good ones if you can swing it. That unit is not in the same ball park as most the other LE elk units. The elk numbers are not as high and they will get pushed onto private land pretty easily. Success rate last year was 57%. This is second hand info as I have not hunted it but I have looked into it for my wife and decided its not the unit I want to burn my wife's points in.

@Jardo The tag he got was almost guaranteed at 11 points, 5 of 6 drew. The mid season tag was guaranteed for 5 points and the late season tag at 8 points this year. There is a reason the points needed are so low compared to the other LE hunts.
 
Randy Newberg gives some great info on where you will find elk during different times of the year. I recommend his channel. There is a lot out there to help you learn about hunting elk. A guide isn't a bad idea if you can justify the cost. They can run anywhere from 2-20K. I have never used one so I cant speak first hand. Not because I haven't wanted to but its an expense I haven't been able to justify. I am sure you will find people that have a good knowledge of that area. It is far better known for trophy deer so you know some guys spend a lot of time in there.
 
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback!! Unfortunately a guide isn't an option. I am going to scout the unit this weekend and more to come!
 
Yeah, thats a coveted tag and i would highly suggest an outfitter as well.
The Pauns is on my bucket list.
I have never used an outfitter, but for that i would in a heartbeat
 
JRMiller said:
Yeah, thats a coveted tag and i would highly suggest an outfitter as well.
The Pauns is on my bucket list.
I have never used an outfitter, but for that i would in a heartbeat
Click to expand...
Pauns is a coveted tag for deer, not so much for elk. OP if you can't afford an outfitter you should seriously consider paying a trespass fee on private.

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sneaky said:
Pauns is a coveted tag for deer, not so much for elk. OP if you can't afford an outfitter you should seriously consider paying a trespass fee on private.

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Click to expand...
You are correct, my bucket list tag there is a mulie tag
 
Not a lot of elk. Contact some outfitters to see if they offer a scouting package as they will be scouting and hunting Mule Deer and will have a good idea where there is some elk. A few might have elk hunters that they are guiding or sub out. Find one that doesn’t but guiding deer hunters. IMO
 
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