Utah Archery vs September Archery

[Jc213]

Hello - I am looking for more info on how people feel about the archery vs September archery hunts in Utah. I suppose the tactics vary by having the option of August vs the later half of September. There are also more units for the standard archery tag, but still some good looking options in the September tag. In my limited elk hunting opinion, having the full month of September to hunt just seems better? I’m also curious why the state set up these full September hunts? The success rates are also much higher.

I guess my question is which would you go for? I have nearly two weeks of vacation banked for when I draw this tag, so with Labor Day, I can go for nearly 18 days if I need.

The two specific units I am debating applying for are Manti vs barney top/Kaiparowits.
I have 4 points as a resident and am hoping to draw one of these in the next few years. With this being my best chance at a 340+ bull, I am pushing to achieve that. At the same time, any mature bull with my bow and I am going to be happy.

I also shot my first archery cow elk in the wasatch this year, was an incredible experience and I am hooked. Can’t wait to get a good bull tag!

 

[realunlucky]

Id guess it's because on one hunt you can use compound bows and the other one you are restricted to traditional archery

Edited this wasn't the new hams hunt I thought he was talking about

 

[Jc213]

Id guess it's because on one hunt you can use compound bows and the other one you are restricted to traditional archery

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That would make sense, but I don’t see any restrictions for using compound bows on the September archery hunts. Could be wrong but I can’t find anything on it

 

[realunlucky]

That would make sense, but I don’t see any restrictions for using compound bows on the September archery hunts. Could be wrong but I can’t find anything on it

I looked up the hunt and it looks like 9 resident tags and 1 non resident tag. Plan planner says low elk numbers on Barney top. I look closely at the unit boundaries before committing

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[Jc213]

I looked up the hunt and it looks like 9 resident tags and 1 non resident tag. Plan planner says low elk numbers on Barney top. I look closely at the unit boundaries before committing

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Negative, just the standard tag. Link to DWR tag below.

Utah Hunt Planner -- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Utah Hunt Planner is an interactive map designed to help hunters research hunting units. The Utah Hunt Planner also provides the legal hunting boundaries approved by the Utah Wildlife Board. Research hunts and units before you apply in the big game...

dwrapps.utah.gov

 

[OPSCWAL]

I hunted Utah this year and one thing to consider is the extra hunting pressure around Labor Day.

With you being a resident, that provides you a massive advantage in being adapt to different scenarios while non residents are SOL for being locked into what is often times a consecutive 5-7day hunt.

In general, even though hunting during the pre-rut and rut in September "typically" creates more opportunities to be on Elk, I'd caution translating this as higher success — correlation doesn’t equal causation, and success rates aren’t guaranteed.

What matters is your hunt plan and the total amount of time/access you have.

 

[Jc213]

I hunted Utah this year and one thing to consider is the extra hunting pressure around Labor Day.

With you being a resident, that provides you a massive advantage in being adapt to different scenarios while non residents are SOL for being locked into what is often times a consecutive 5-7day hunt.

In general, even though hunting during the pre-rut and rut in September "typically" creates more opportunities to be on Elk, I'd caution translating this as higher success — correlation doesn’t equal causation, and success rates aren’t guaranteed.

What matters is your hunt plan and the total amount of time/access you have.

All good points! The one common denominator I see the most in archery success is time in the field. Borderline willing to quit my job once I draw one of these limited tags

 

[HunterGatherer]

I don’t know why they start the LE archery hunts in Utah so damn early, unless it’s to accommodate the muzzy and rifle hunters to still be able to hunt the rut, which seems the most logical explanation. I archery hunted UT from Aug 17 until I killed on Sept 8. The rut didn’t really kick in until Aug 29. I really enjoyed all the time I spent there early in the season, taking it easy, scouting, shooting, but I had the luxury of a bunch of time off. If I only had a week or two to hunt I would wait until September to go next time.

If you draw a unit that is conducive to glassing maybe the early part would be better but my unit was all thick country which made it very difficult to find bulls until they finally started talking