A Utah Deer Hunt

[Matthew1969]

I was awarded a deer tag for the muzzleloader deer season in the Cache unit of northern Utah. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Utah allows the use of a .40 caliber gun. This is my first trip to the area and I will have my new .40 for company. Nothing stirs the hunting blood like the arrival of a tag. You good folks back east must be amused by this, for that I envy you. Anyway, the hunt begins!
Matthew

[nosrettap1958]

Well? Where's the pic of your 40 caliber rifle?

[Matthew1969]

[hanshi]

I DO like your rifle.  Good luck on that deer.

[Hungry Horse]

 Is that part of the state mostly sage brush, or timber, and quakies. I hunted in central Utah, and had some of both. But, the aspens were so close together in places a longrifle would have been hard to maneuver through them. Another buckskinner from out here on the left coast, went to the same area two weeks later, and killed a monster out in the scrub brush. Oh well, great place to camp, and enjoy.

  Hungry Horse

[Matthew1969]

I Was looking at the area around Bear lake. Open sage and stands of aspen, pinion, etc. Should be ok to maneuver the gun. Have hunted north of the Hardware ranch years ago. Thick pines were hiding all the deer. Utah definitely CAN produce the monsters, but I will be ecstatic with a representing 4pointer and a close shot.
Matthew

[Hungry Horse]

Matt;

  We were up in the Fish lake area just out of Richfield. I took my trade gun,and killed enough big snowshoe rabbits to feed our camp, and the one next to us. The people up there really know how to make hunters feel welcome.

  Hungry Horse
 

[nosrettap1958]

Thanks Matt, beautiful rifle.

[Matthew1969]

Thanks for the tip! Will check it out. Appreciate the comments
.Matthew

[Herb]

Utah's Rules and Regulations R657-5 "Taking Big Game":  R657-5-10 Muzzleloaders:  "A lead or expanding bullet or projectile of at least .40 caliber must be used to hunt big game.  A bullet 130 grains or heavier or a sabot 170 grains or heavier must be used for taking deer and pronghorn.  A 210 grain or heavier bullet must be used for taking elk, moose, bison, bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat..."

Your .40 caliber roundball weighs about 93 grains and to be legal for deer with .40 caliber, one must use a conical projectile or else double balls.  Our local game warder here in Vernal recommended the double ball load to me when a friend wanted to use a .40 for deer.  I worked up the load and she killed a buck mulie with it. The same applies for a .50 caliber for elk, etc.  A .50 roundball is not legal weight, but a .54 is.

[Daryl]

Interesting game laws for bullet/ball and game, thanks Herb.

[Matthew1969]

Thank you Herb! Man I need to REALLY Read those regs. It looks like the .54 will be up to it and the .40 is the camp gun. Bummer.
   On a side note, my oldest is leaving the Marines after four years of pure joy and returning to college. Heading to Prescott, Arizona. We were thinking of giving the Javelina a try this season and with any luck the .40 will be legal down there. Other than that I think its cottontails and coyotes here, a trip east chasing the bounty they have that this old desert doesn't!
Best to all,
Matthew

[OldMtnMan]

Colorado is a bit different. We can use from a .40 up for deer, but bullet/ball must be 170gr min. Which means only a .50 PRB can be used for deer, bear etc.

The difference is we can also use the .50 PRB for elk. So, I guess Colorado thinks if you're going to use a PRB for deer it has to be what they think is an elk load.

Makes no sense.