Fishlake Elk

cjg_beef

Active Member
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644
My dad just found out he drew an early rifle LE tag for Fish Lake. We've hunted down there for spikes and cows for several years now but have only hunted a small area. If any of you guys have info that you could share with us that would be great! My uncle shot a 330 bull in Fish Lake in 2002. I'd like to put my dad on a decent 350ish or bigger bull. Thanks ahead of time.

Cortney
cjg_beef@yahooDOTcom
 
I saw the bull the Michael Chappell's son shot last year. Does anyone know how I can get ahold of Michael Chappell?
 
i dont know him, but you may want to check out daniels canyon right by korsherem resevior. we spike hunt up in there and we have seen some bulls up in there that are pretty nice. they are around 360ish but thats really about the biggest i have seen.

I AM THE ULTIMATESHEDFREAK!!!!
 
>i dont know him, but you
>may want to check out
>daniels canyon right by korsherem
>resevior. we spike hunt up
>in there and we have
>seen some bulls up in
>there that are pretty nice.
>they are around 360ish but
>thats really about the biggest
>i have seen.
>
>I AM THE ULTIMATESHEDFREAK!!!!


Yeah, I know we won't be getting a "huge" elk I just want to see my dad get a nice one for his wall. He's been waiting a long time to shoot a decent bull. Thanks for the info. We'll scout that area out when we go down this summer. Anyone else?
 
LAST EDITED ON May-02-08 AT 03:36PM (MST)[p]cjg,

Congrats to your dad for waiting it out. Good things happen for those who wait. I personally do not hunt Fish Lake, but from what I can gather 350 is very reasonable goal with some work, scouting, and learning to judge on the hoof. I think Fish Lake has become one of the better elk units as of late. He should have a great hunt. Learn to score, scout, get good optics, and look at them closely for busted antlers.

Someone here will help you. Be patient and keep working it.

If the best you can do is 360ish that is a shame.;-) Geesh. That is pretty huge, and there are bigger. There is also smaller.
 
I think 360 is a HUGE bull!! I personally would give my left nut for a 360 bull! I used to get into a lot of elk up by Johnsons Ranch up Salina Canyone. I saw some good bulls. Even killed a spike up by some beaver ponds and we actually saw a really nice bull back up there under some ledges. I am sure with 4-5 scouting trips you should be able to locate a 350ish bull.
 
ultimate,

Dude I am not trying to be rude, but since when is 360ish pretty nice and not huge? That is like saying a 140 moose is not huge, a 180 muley not huge, and a 80" speed goat "pretty nice."

I know some guys like pro have lofty goals, but anyone who passes a legit 360 bull needs some psychological help. That is only my opinion though. If I had a specific bull scouted I really wanted that would be different, but still.....
 
There are only 2 bulls over 375 that have ever roamed the Fishlake and I know where both of them are!!!! LOL...(in my house)...

Send me a PM if you are really interested!
Rick
 
LAST EDITED ON May-02-08 AT 03:51PM (MST)[p]cjg,

There you go. I can promise you if you pass up this offer from ar then you need psychological help as well.;-)

Hey Rick,

Those two little puppies are not a penny over 360!;-) That is as good as it gets on Fish Lake. Those two bulls are not "huge" only "pretty nice." Ha! Honestly, it does not get much better than what the "Rick Girls" have done. Seems to me you have 3 bulls over 350 and 2 of them over 375. I would sure hate to settle for such a poor unit!;-)
 
Thanks ktc...
they make me keep my little puppy out in the garage....
They are ashamed even having mine in the same room!!! LOL...

But it is pretty cool when you can say you had a little something to do with them...
 
Fish lake is getting better and better each year. Grazing pasture cwmu has produced three bulls over 380 in the last two years. So I think 360 is a very obtainable goal.
 
There is no way I would settle for anything under 350, that is just a dinky bull not worthy of mounting. 351 yeah that is big enough to mount.
Also if his 5ths are not 10 inches long, PASS.

ok I am kidding, good luck!
 
No kidding bowhunt! What have we learned since the draw, since no scouting has happened, and people are talking based on internet chatter?

350 bulls are tiny punk-ass bulls.
360 bulls are just a bull not worth talking about.
If the fifths are not 18" long the bull sucks.
379 7/8 should not be recognized by B&C.

I read closely each day trying to learn as much as I can. One day I hope to be a decent elk hunter.

peak is right. I think Fishlake is getting better and better and with some dedication to your pappy's hunt, 360 is doable.
 
I dont know how to get a hold of Micheal Chappell, but I might get in trouble for saying this but if you want to hunt where that bull was killed go to Johnson Res. I dont know how well your Dad can get around but the only way in there is on foot or by boat. That is a motorless area. If you look to South of Johnsons there is a flat the elk will be in there if there is some pressure. If it was me I would be up Seven Mile canyon get around the beaver ponds early in the hunt and the elk will be there. As soon as they get bumped to much they head south. Watch out for GAY bulls just in case you haven't heard the bull to cow ratio is so messed up the bulls are breed each other so you may want to leave the kids home!!! If I can help let me know I probably wont draw a tag before the unit gets over hunted, so I might as well live thru others tags. Best of luck.
 
I am sure glad that when I had my permit 5 years ago that a 350 was still a respectable bull!
Nowdays, they'd kick me off MMs for shooting a pisscutter like that....LOL

Hey TAY... Sounds like you are a local?
 
Those that pass 360 type bulls on any given unit must have a wall full of larger bulls.
Just seems more and more every year those that have drawn and that have also shot a couple spikes or raghorn bulls seem to think they will just park the truck opening morning and several bulls per day will be passed because they wont go over 360 plus.Wrong count how many tags are given and add up how many bulls get taken that will even make 320 in Utah.When you do draw I wish you the best of luck on a new state record but get real also.
The 380 plus club is very hard to get into and I dont care what unit you have a tag for.Make that the 360 club as far as that goes and I dont care what weapon or season you have.
Who Agrees with me that has drawn elk tags in Utah?
It sure would be nice if everyone could take a 360 plus bull just because you have drawn the permit but do not count on it thats a fact.
 
I agree 100% birdum.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
I would work my way up to the 380 club, right now I'm in the 300 club. LOL this year we are shooting for a 330 club bull or higher.
 
Amen to that.

I have to admit I thought it was going to be pretty easy first year out on an LE. Things must go right, work at it, and be a little lucky. The units are big and finding one of a handful of 380 bulls, then putting him down, can be a chore.

Look at Moss. They go FULL TIME and do well, but there is a big difference between full-time and a few weekends. Plus they go year after year after year. When you draw you may have a chance to help on the unit a bit, but you got one chance.

One big problem with hitting 380 is actually looking and judging enough bulls that you know what one is. Hell, I see a 360 and as far as I am concerned he is 380 and going down.

If I had a wall of less than 380 bulls and had a permit, maybe I could pass and go for that one special bull? Maybe?

I wish those waiting to draw and those that did draw would take a dose of reality. You have about a .01% chance at a new record and less than a .5% chance at 400. I would guess you have a 3% chance at 380? Maybe 10-20% of 350+? Set a goal of 350 and go have a great hunt........
 
Keep in mind I can't hunt, scout, spot,stalk, or even talk about elk as good as most...but I spent over 20 days on a great elk unit last year. During that time I saw a total of 3 elk in 380 range. One of those I could have shot at with a rifle. So in my mind a good 6x6 that you have looked at a few times, hunted hard for, and then had the very good fortune of harvesting, is about as good as it gets, and what you should plan on.
A 350+ bull is just flat out rare! A 380 bull is almost impossible, and takes a combination of time, skill, and luck. Usually more luck, than time and skill.
Jmho.
 
I agree with a lot that everyone has said so far!!! Not everyone can be as lucky as Antlerrick, KTC, and some of the others. I am not saying it was ALL luck, but you have to have SOME luck to get those monster bulls! Rick and KTC just did it better than most!

I had a Fishlake Muzzy tag last year and most on here know my story! The PRESSURE of finally getting the tag of a lifetime really got to me!!!!! I screwed up and missed and lots of other missteps before finally shooting my bull! He is only about 310 but it was a GREAT HUNT!!! I think 350 is attainable on the Fishlake, I had my chances!!

The good thing is, is my cousin has a Fishlake Muzzy tag this year and his Dad (my uncle) has a Monroe Muzzy tag. So we get to kill TWO bulls in 8 days. I can not wait!!!!
 
FLEH,

Dude, I am as lucky as it gets. I have no skills, just lucky from time to time. Hopefully you can get back on the mountain and correct the unfortunate mishaps. You did get a nice mature bull in the end and you learned some stuff.

bowhunt,

That is what I like about you. I don't hear any whining about dates, the rut, lower success rates, and rifle hunters. You like bow hunting and you just went out and hunted with your weapon of choice. You killed a 380+ monster and you appreciate the opportunity and feel fortunate your hard work paid off. Bulls like yours are no gimme with a rifle and certainly not with a muzz or a bow. I love it when guys like you do real well. No bragging or BS, you don't find it necessary to impress anyone, just appreciate how it all panned out with some hard work. You did damn good!
 
Come on Jason,
You know it wasn't all luck! LOL....

Someone told me the other day the luck is when preparation and opportunity come together at the right time...

I thought that was very true..

Yes there is a lot of luck involved with any hunt, but when you do it over and over enough times, you have to wonder if maybe a little knowledge and skill are not coming into play somewhere along the line.

I know for a fact that ktc done his homework on his hunt and that in turn helped with mrs ktc's hunt. You can't tell me that was all luck. Tell me that the way he felt after hunting hard every day and having to deal with the pain and burning was because he was lucky....I don't think so... There was a lot of hard work that created his "luck". For you that don't know what people like him go through for a hunt, feel lucky you have your health. Most of you don't know that he and my wife have basically the same condition and that they pay a price for any activity they try to enjoy. If it was luck, he would have shot a big stinky on the road and been able to move on but I know for a fact that on both of his hunts he worked his butt off and paid the price..
sorry to ramble but been doing a lot of thinking about health lately.... and how it can effect even the little things you do every day that a lot of us take for granted..
Now go out there and get lucky and kill some monsters this year!
 
I know it is not all luck, I was exagerating a great deal. I think hard work, time, and skill are vital and make a difference. But it all has to come together to get any bull. I am really speaking for myself. I was lucky!
The rest of you that have killed good bulls, I honestly attribute to work and knowledge. The more work and time you put in the luckier you get that is for sure.
But man it aint easy is it?

KTC,
You are way to nice. If I ever hunt Elk again, I am calling you. You seem to have it figured out pretty dang well.
 
You can call it luck or what ever you think it is.If thats the case all those that harvest bulls I guess get lucky.It takes more than just luck getting in on those bulls hey Ty even called her bull in from a long way sounds like he made the correct calls and it worked out great after a very hard hunt guiding his wife.That unit will beat the hell out of ya no matter what day you kill your bull.I know ktc does not care if you think it was all luck or not if you were not on that hunt I would not say much.I was there for the opening and it was no way a gimme bull type hunt thats for sure.The bottom line is she made a great shot on her bull and worked so hard for her bull those long horse rides in steep terrain,getting up early each day and sticking to it.Guess that makes the luck it takes to have the oppurtunity to harvest those big bulls.If hunting hard everyday and knowing the country real well going for a certain bull and coming across another big bull and putting him down is called luck guess we must all be lucky when we have success.
 
LAST EDITED ON May-04-08 AT 11:12AM (MST)[p]War,
Man I am not calling any of these Lucky! that is for sure. The point I am trying to make is this:
It takes a LOT to kill a big Bull Elk.
You guys: Antlerick, KTC, Mrs. KTC, 2 for War, and Pro when he shoots one, were all, and will be more about Skill, Time and Hardwork than luck. You all knew what was up and got it done.
On the other hand, I was just lucky...lol

I would never assume or accuse you all of being just lucky. That is just not true, and I know KTC believes me when I say that.

Again, my point is, the stars have to line up, and you have to work hard at it. Big Bulls are very hard in any unit, with any weapon, on any date. JMHO
 
WAR got up on the wrong side of the bed today. Hell, he was telling me last night on the phone how much he likes you bowhunt. You are the real deal, not some chest pounding whiny bow hunter.;-) You know the deal with the bowhunt going in, you draw, work at it and get it done!

Now don't be calling me nice bowhunt. That really hurts. I have not been called nice in about 25 years. I am an ornery cantancorous(sp) old man!
 
Oh, and by the way bowhunt, the Dutton took out your heart, literally, and you came back and you are doing well.

The Dutton usually takes out a guy's heart, figuratively speaking, and cannot get it done. Seen that a time or two in my days down there.
 
Rick....you know that you are FREAKING lucky..hahahahaha

IN NOW WAY was I saying that it was all luck!!! I know how hard you guys work up there!!!! We have spent enough time on the mountain that there is no way I would say it was all luck!!!!! Now...a guy like me......I need all the luck I can get!

This year, I will get to hunt elk on the Fishlake (friend with Archery, cuz with Muzzy) Monroe (uncle with Muzzy) and Dutton (friend with Late Tag). I feel that I am VERY VERY lucky to live where I do and get to chase these elk all year long!!! I am already excited to get up there and start looking, taking pictures and video and just spending time on the Mountain with Friends and Family!!!!!

I LOVE WHERE I LIVE!!!!!!!!
 
I bet you do. You are selling your house? Ha!

Sounds like you have a full fall ahead FLEH. That is the great thing about Utard's management system, you get to kill monster bulls when you draw, and when you don't, you get to help family and buddies get it done. I can honsetly say that helping is almost as fun as being the trigger man.

Maybe I am wrong, but when I help and my buds do well, I almost feel like a part of it.
 
KTC...I am only moving 6 miles.....So I still love where I live!! haha

I agree about the helping thing.......When I had the tag.....I got psycho and fell apart...

Helping guys is LOTS more fun in my books..and you get to do all the good stuff but pull the trigger!!!
 
FLEH,
Where are you moving to? Are you moving into town where we have plumbing and electicity?
You and the better half will probably enjoy that...
I know it was mostly luck. Those big stinkys just seem to look me up and stand around for us.
I'm not going to argue that.
And I also agree on the helping thing..it is a lot more exciting and fun when you don't have all the pressure on...
Talked to a guy the other night who told me that they growth on the bulls so far this spring was not as good as usual, and that this will be a tough year to find big bulls....I sure hope he is wrong!!!!!!
 
I would shoot a 360 elk without any hesitation!!! and I did get lucky and got the big one.

434 1/8
 

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