Rifle elk hunt kicks off Saturday

Utah's 2008 general rifle bull elk hunt kicks off Saturday.

Based on surveys this past winter, DWR biologists estimate the state has more than 66,000 elk. That's only 2,600 animals shy of a statewide goal of 68,600 elk.

Aoude said some of the largest elk herds are found on the Manti and Wasatch mountain units in central Utah; the South Slope, Yellowstone unit in northeastern Utah; and the Plateau, Fish Lake/Thousand Lakes unit in south-central Utah.

He said there's also plenty of elk on the Morgan, South Rich unit in northern Utah. This unit is almost entirely private land, however. Hunters must obtain written permission from a landowner before hunting on it.

Most of Utah's elk hunting takes place on units that are called spike-only units. Hunters may take only a spike bull on these units. Plenty of spike bulls are available on these units, but once the hunt starts, the animals can be tough to find.

"The success rate on spike-only units averages about 18 percent," Aoude said. "Fortunately, there are several things you can do to increase the chance that you take an elk."

Unless it gets cold and snowy before the hunt, Aoude said elk will be scattered at higher elevations when the season opens. The key to finding them is to get off the roads and into the backcountry.

"Elk are smart and wary, and they're sensitive to hunting pressure," he said. "As soon as the shooting starts, they head into the thickest cover they can find. To find success, you've got to head into the backcountry and find them."

The breeding period, which occurs right before the general rifle hunt starts, can also make it challenging to find spike bulls.

During the rut, mature bulls gather groups of cow elk to breed. If one of these large bulls sees a spike bull, he'll chase the spike bull off.

Being chased into the cover by the bigger bulls makes the already nervous spike bulls more apt to head back into the cover once the bullets start flying.

"The larger bulls probably scare the spike bulls as much as the hunters do," Aoude said. "Unless you get into the backcountry areas where the spikes are hiding, you're probably not going to see many.

"The good news is, if you do get into the backcountry, there's a good chance you'll be among the 18 percent who take a spike bull this year."