Utah Non Resident Elk hunt leftover tags

Looks like I get to go Elk hunting after all!!
I Haven't been drawn in Arizona for Elk in a while, neither has Dad. Something had to be done. So Dad and I started looking out of state. We settled on Utah as the most promising and the least expensive for us. I was able to get licenses and tags for me and my Dad when they went on sale this morning. We both now have tags for any Bull in the General Season rifle (ALW) Oct 5-17.

We were thinking of going around Panguitch, Utah. But we decided when we got back home we might as well put in for Bull, so now we have different areas to look at.
We've only scouted once so far, as I said earlier, around Panguitch, but that's a spike area... is there any areas anyone on here would recommend for Bull?

Thanks in advance!

Note: Had to edit and add for clarity and accuracy. Was super busy when I posted and left half the info out.

Grads wish you both a great hunt..

wildcat455 said:

Looks like I get to go Elk hunting after all!!
I Haven't been drawn in Arizona for Elk in a while, neither has Dad. Something had to be done. So Dad and I started looking out of state. We settled on Utah as the most promising and the least expensive for us. I was able to get licenses and tags for me and my Dad when they went on sale this morning. We both now have tags for any Bull in the General Season rifle (ALW) Oct 5-17.

We are thinking of going around Panguitch, Utah.
We've only scouted once so far, is there any areas anyone on here would recommend?

Thanks in advance!

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I used to see elk quite a bit North of Vernal going towards Fleming Gorge area. Their is a dirt road North of Vernal that goes to the Green River (swinging bridge) Browns Park Co. That N/E corner of Utah.

The Grey areas are open to our tag.

Muleskinner1, thanks for that!

Will I be wasting my time scouting Zion and Pine Valley in the Southwest of the state? I ask because of its proximity to Arizona, where I'll be coming from.

More clarification, Dad is 80 and still out there hunting, but I want to find an area he can watch and wait, not necessarily be out hiking around with him? I'll be 56 in a month, so no spring chicken, but I get around OK..

wildcat455 said:

View attachment 141772


The Grey areas are open to our tag.

Muleskinner1, thanks for that!

Will I be wasting my time scouting Zion and Pine Valley in the Southwest of the state? I ask because of its proximity to Arizona, where I'll be coming from.

More clarification, Dad is 80 and still out there hunting, but I want to find an area he can watch and wait, not necessarily be out hiking around with him? I'll be 56 in a month, so no spring chicken, but I get around OK..

Click to expand...

North on 191 out of Vernal to 2804 aka N. Diamond Mountain Hwy go east. Turns into E. Diamond Mountain Hwy. Continue to N. Crouse canyon. When you come to the Green River there is a suspended bridge cross that and you are in Brown's Park Colorado. I used Google Maps. I lived in Maybell, Co. one time pushed cows in Browns Park Dinosaur area. Would take that road to go to Vernal. You can also google Swinging Bridge Browns Park Colo. I went to a Topo map looks like you cross over into Colorado about a mile or so before the bridge. Brings back a lot of memories. That bridge is really something to see.

wildcat455 said:

Looks like I get to go Elk hunting after all!!
I Haven't been drawn in Arizona for Elk in a while, neither has Dad. Something had to be done. So Dad and I started looking out of state. We settled on Utah as the most promising and the least expensive for us. I was able to get licenses and tags for me and my Dad when they went on sale this morning. We both now have tags for any Bull in the General Season rifle (ALW) Oct 5-17.

We were thinking of going around Panguitch, Utah. But we decided when we got back home we might as well put in for Bull, so now we have different areas to look at.
We've only scouted once so far, as I said earlier, around Panguitch, but that's a spike area... is there any areas anyone on here would recommend for Bull?

Thanks in advance!

Note: Had to edit and add for clarity and accuracy. Was super busy when I posted and left half the info out.

Click to expand...

Not sure where to hunt in Utah, but you should check Colorado next time your in a bind. Many over the counter (out of state) tags available with multiple units available on over the counter. Not excessively expensive. Oregon is another great choice for OTC elk tags

jshepherd61 said:

Not sure where to hunt in Utah, but you should check Colorado next time your in a bind. Many over the counter (out of state) tags available with multiple units available on over the counter. Not excessively expensive. Oregon is another great choice for OTC elk tags

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Colorado costs more, has more CWD, and not really crazy about their politics... Besides, we've hunted Colorado off and on over the years, (like, going back 30-35 years or more) and since this is most likely Dad's last elk hunt out of state anyway,we wanted to try something new.
I thank you for your comments!

I just came through flaming gorge to vernal on hwy 191 today and it looked great even twords sheep creek overlook nice tall green grass all over and looked like real good hunting area might look into that place

Be careful in the NE corner, Diamond Mtn is a limited entry area no any bull gen elk hunting.

There are very few elk on the Pine Valley unit probably like 30. I've never seen or heard of any killed and I've lived here for 20 yrs. I don't know why they even have a hunt for elk there.

Zion would be better for you but lots of private to Navigate. I'd start there south of 14 from the 148 junction to 89. Might get lucky and find a good bull on the wrong side of 14.

The better areas for gen any bull are the north and south slope of the Uintah mtns. I grew up hunting many areas on the south slope. That's a long drive do you and me so I haven't been there in a long time. PM if you want more info.

Most if not all gen any bull areas are very low success areas. I try not to hunt them unless I don't have any other choice.

Yeaaaa, i got my tag!

Where you going to hunt, @davewilson?
Ill be heading up to Vernal August 10-13 to scout around a bit. For me, it'll either be up there in the north slope/south slope, or down in Zion.
Wanted to check Zion closer to the actual hunt, but still with plenty of time to decide which way to go.

I'll be in the Uintas somewhere, probably north slope. I'm losing some weight, putting the miles in, checking my gear! Lol

Good luck to you @davewilson!!

I sure hope you have a wonderful trip with your dad. This is basically a scouting trip and maybe shoot an elk if i stumble across one. Hope to bring my son next year and I'll be a little familiar with the land.