Not much has changed in recent years with Utah's elk herds. Legislative laws dictate that Utah's elk herds remain at or close to established elk-management levels, which were hit a few years back in most units.
So, weather cooperating, look for hunt success similar to last year, which simply means that about one in eight hunters will end up with elk steaks on the dining table.Mike Welch, big game manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, says hunters need to make sure they're buying the right permit for the right hunt this year.
There are two: Spike and any bull.
A spike permit is good only in those units designated as "spike only" hunting. The any bull permit is good only on those units designated as "any bull" hunting. One will not work in the other.
"What hunters need to do is either decide where they want to hunt and then buy a permit, or buy a permit for what it is they want to hunt and then head for one of those units," he adds.
The reason for the two is that some hunters want the opportunity to hunt for a large bull, where others are looking for greater success and better tasting meat.
Last year overall success was 13 percent statewide. Success on the Fish Lake unit, which is open to spike bull only, was 23 percent.
"It was one of the most successful hunts. One reason is that a lot of hunters simply didn't hunt the unit. They didn't want to hunt spike, although that's what most of them took off the unit the year before," he says.
The way herd size is controlled is by harvesting antlerless animals. This year there were enough cow tags issued to control herd size.
While this was a dry summer in many parts of the state, elk are usually not bothered as deer are by dry conditions. Also, there was very limited loss from winter kill.
Welch also warns hunters that they will need written permission to hunt on private land. Permission is required beforehand.
The hunt will run through Oct. 17. As of Thursday, there were permits available for both spike (12,000) and any bull (3,000).