Oh I don’t have the tag this year, I just usually try to make a trip down in September every year to see how there doing and I was only able to make it down in June and July so I couldn’t see how the growth did. But thanks for the kind words!If you have a late season tag, you still have time to get down there... I haven't seen anyone report on Fishlake at all this year on MM.
Good luck to ya.!
Sounds about right, I’m getting real sick of Pumpkin spice Twátés and their Subarus being all over the place.Lots of people and lots tree folks driving around and UTV tours for fall colors.. the elk numbers are there but they were chased hard in the 5 day hunt window, followed by the muzzy.. I ran into bulls in areas that only antelope hang out as to chill away from pressure. But the fall colors was nice with great weather
Yeah sounds about what I’ve been seeing the last little bit. Damn, I was really hoping for something better this year with all the water we got this last year and was hoping to hear about and see some bigger bulls.Spent around 20 days scouting July, Aug, and Sept. Was able to make it down during the archery, early rifle, and muzzy. Rolled in the Weds before the Mid Season opener and spent 13 straight days. The number of people this year was unreal to say the least.
Elk report: Actually a few more cows than I expected to see during the summer. Not anywhere close to the Fishlake glory days when the Blue Light special took place, but I did see more than I expected going into this year. Looked at somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 different bulls this year. Age class seemed way down. I saw 2 bulls all summer that I thought would break 350. Some 320-330 bulls but most where in the 260-300 range. The rut was pretty slow and seemed to really hold the elk on the CWMUs this year. Hunted the first nine days of the Mid Season and saw 39 bulls total. Saw 9 bulls I thought would break 300 and 3 I thought would in the 330-340 range. We covered sage and cedars up to 11K.
I don't like what the Division has done with this unit and I think its sad. With proper management you could easily triple the amount of big bull permits and keep or improve the quality. Fishlake is the place I have grown up hunting elk and I have watched the ups and downs, I would say its fairly level and below potential on quantity and quality...but I think its exactly where and what the Division wants it to be.
I know there were a couple bigger bulls on the unit, I just never saw them. I thought the antler growth would be up too but it really was not from what I saw. I also think that age class is just down over all. The bull my wife killed I believe is 10-12 years old but he was an anomaly from what I saw this year.Yeah sounds about what I’ve been seeing the last little bit. Damn, I was really hoping for something better this year with all the water we got this last year and was hoping to hear about and see some bigger bulls.
Nice bull! I really hope it’s up and the size is getting better when I finally draw the tag, been scouting this unit for way too long.I know there were a couple bigger bulls on the unit, I just never saw them. I thought the antler growth would be up too but it really was not from what I saw. I also think that age class is just down over all. The bull my wife killed I believe is 10-12 years old but he was an anomaly from what I saw this year.
Good luck on the draw! Hope you turn up a giant !Nice bull! I really hope it’s up and the size is getting better when I finally draw the tag, been scouting this unit for way too long.
This unit is very Tough to hunt, if you don't know the country.
And What Did Most Do?
Just What They Always Do!
They Don't Find What They Were Hoping For And The Last Day Or Two Something's Going Down!
I've eaten plenty of tags, but after 25 years of applying I wasn't going to pass a good 6x6 the last day so someone in the next couple seasons could take him.
In my opinion this isn't a trophy unit, so if that's what you're holding out for either redefine trophy or get a tag soup cookbook.
We save the spikes……. so we can kill rag horns. Makes perfect sense.I was afraid of that happening with so many tags. I'm telling you I think this new elk plan is a big mistake.
And how did you do ?Me too. but if you were a NR you'd understand. there was only 1 NR preference tag in the unit this year and I got it by 1 point.
Assuming I lived to be 113 I could have possibly drawn one of the units I applied for the last 25 years.
I spent 3 of the 5 days down there…I’m glad we had the 13 day Mid Season for sure!!!300 type 6x6. I saw 1 a little better before season but nothing better during. 5 day season just isn't enough I wish I'd had more time.
Bro, we all love field pics.!! Let's see some...300 type 6x6. I saw 1 a little better before season but nothing better during. 5 day season just isn't enough I wish I'd had more time.
I am curious to get the tooth data back this year as well. My wifes bull was wore down to the gum line . Here is a pic of the Ivories next to last years AZ bull that was aged at 5.I think the same issues occurred in the Manti this year.
I had a mid season tag and even packed in 4 miles, there were lots of hunters. Opening day I heard 8-10 bulls and saw 5. The 2 of interest were a 6x6 and a 5x6. The 5x6 was much heavier and I took him. I love mass. Even so the fronts on this bull were incredible. He scored in the 310 range and I am very happy with him.
That said, this was by far the biggest bodied bull I have ever killed. I hunted with Apex outfitters and would highly recommend them. They put no pressure on me to shoot this bull. I made the call and am very happy with it.
It makes sense to me that antler development this year happened this way: the heavy snow up high delayed the access to upper elevation forage and lush growth by about 3 weeks this year. When they did finally get there, their fronts grew great, but they ran out of time on the back end to finish well in the back. I have no doubt on a regular year my bull would have finished out at least 20” better. I am sending in a tooth and suspect he is an older bull. They were worn but not enough that he was ancient.
It makes sense to me that antler development this year happened this way: the heavy snow up high delayed the access to upper elevation forage and lush growth by about 3 weeks this year. When they did finally get there, their fronts grew great, but they ran out of time on the back end to finish well in the back. I have no doubt on a regular year my bull would have finished out at least 20” better. I am sending in a tooth and suspect he is an older bull. They were worn but not enough that he was ancient.
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