Beaver or Zion Plus Fishing

Looking into hunting one of these areas in the next few years. Leaning a little more towards Beaver because of the terrain is more to my liking. I would like to do a couple scouting trips the next few summers to get a good feel for the area. Would like to stay away from the crowds as much as possible and don't mind putting a pack on and roughing it for a week. Hoping for to see lots of deer with a good chance at a 150ish type deer.

Anyone have a good creek, river, or high country lake to check out. I am hoping to fish the green river for the 1st time this summer and if I am there might as well check out some other areas.

Thanks

LAST EDITED ON Feb-16-17 AT 02:57PM (MST)[p]You might want to rethink your choices! You jumped right over one of the best and most scenic General Deer Units in the state. The Panguitch Lake Unit (851sq mi) has everything you're looking for and then some. Panguitch Lake, Yankee Meadow Res., Red Creek Res. with their tributaries, Duck Creek, Mammoth Creek, Ashdown Wilderness, camping spots everywhere (developed, undeveloped, roadside and backcountry), 97% deer habitat, 78.5% public, mountaintop to valley deer, elk and antelope, sufficient roads and trails, flat terrain (and steep if you want it). And LOTS of beautiful scenery with wind sculptured red rocks, extinct volcanos, pine forests, quaking aspen groves, sagebrush flats and flowered meadows.

The deer? The unit is above the population objective AND above the buck to doe ratio and those excess bucks there get pretty big. Like all big bucks, it'll take some work to find them, but you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a 150".

In any case, you ought to check it out while you're here.

Good luck in your search.

Thanks for the heads up. I have a lot of time in the summer and don't plan on hunting Utah for the next few years. I am sure it will take 2-4 years to draw a tag but in the meantime I want to get to know the areas. I enjoy the outdoors and spending a week in southern Utah seems a good way to enjoy the summer.

Thanks

for those of you who have fished the Green River is it worth it if I don't fly fish. I love rivers but have spent most of time with spin tackle and lures. Not opposed to fly fishing just really enjoy spin tackle

Thanks

LAST EDITED ON Feb-16-17 AT 09:16PM (MST)[p]Can't speak to the spin tackle fishing on the Green below Flaming Gorge Dam, but the fly fishing is all it's said to be. Like most waters, learning how to fish any given water takes some effort.

Regarding the Beaver hunt and where to start. There are numerous roads up the mountain from all sides. From the town of Beaver, take the paved road up to Mount Holly Ski resort, there are numerous trail heads that leave from that road as well as many more that leave the road above the resort (on gravel) that continues on up to 11,000 feet and then down the east side, to Marysvale or other access points in Highway 89. There are trail heads, into back country along the entire road, bottom to top, on both sides. Get a trails map from the Forest Service Office in Beaver, it will show them all to you.

Deer summer at all elevations, from the hay fields in and around Beaver, up through the cedars and then the pines, and eventually the meadows, and well above the timber line.

A scoping scope, at first light and just before black dark, used at various locations along the road will reveal deer.

The more days you look, the more deer you will find, especially if you are there at the right time of day. The Beaver has deer the size your are seeking. It is steep and there is a great deal of county where you can get a long way from maintained roads. It is hunted by a lot of folks that hunt it's back country.

The Beaver unit has mining leases and private property in some areas, so be sure to bring a GPS with a good lands application on it.

DC

Lumpy summed up the higher eastern half of the Beaver unit pretty well.

Although the high country is very beautiful he did not let you know about the lower country on the western half of the unit.

You might have a fair shot at a 150 buck there as well ,,and the fishing is much better.

I-15 splits the unit east from west so to speak.

We haven't done it for quite a few years but we used to have fun floating the Green and catching fish on spin tackle. The only problem I had was forgetting I was suppose to paddle and guide us through the rocks!

LAST EDITED ON Feb-20-17 AT 09:35PM (MST)[p]+1 Green River, with spin tackle and a lure ...try a jakes spin a lure after dark with a full moon......BLAST Now thats a long way from Zion/Beaver.... Try Panguitch unit red creek res
(Paragonah Res) can be great also.

Zion will not fit your needs or desires. Lots of people and little land and not any really good fishing unless you want to bass fish from a boat.

For fishing, I would look panguitch, Boulder, and fish lake if you are looking southern. All have high elevation and great trout fishing opportunities. All have plentful deer and the 150" goal will be what you put into it.