Fishlake Early Rifle

KMZ

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6
Hi guys, I'm new to the forum but have been reading these forums for quite a few years and really enjoy listening to what people have to say and the things I have learned. I am a avid elk hunter, and for years been putting in for units up north that I know best. This year I had 14 bonus points going into the draw, and with the early rifle tag starting on Sept 17th this year I decided it would be a good year to use them. Knowing that I probably wouldn't draw the Wasatch tag I decided to put in for Fishlake. I ended up drawing the early rifle tag and now the pressure is on! I have never been to this unit. I have been looking at maps and started making a list of areas to scout. Could you guys give me some insight on areas that the elk down there use for rutting areas? I'm not looking for honey holes, just names of areas that would be a good place to start then I will put the boot leather to the ground. Also What can I expect for bull quality down there. Through my research a lot of 300-320 bulls are down there. My goal is in the 330-350 range. Thanks guys!!
 
Well some on this forum may not take this post to serious . If you go to the general forum and read the Seasonal post you may see why.
As for your question. They have been dumping tons of tags on the Fish lake unit the last few years. I think I counted over 170 plus tags last year. My daughter drew the tag last year. We saw a lot of the guys shooting little five points. They said they where having a hard time finding good bulls. With the extra trophy bull hunt they added this year during the spike hike. I am a little nervous to see how many tags they gave out this year. I dont think any unit can handle this much pressure. We all ready know they, the DWR are not managing the FL as a trophy unit. Like other units like the Beaver unit. Good luck on your hunt. See you on the mountain.
 
Thank you for your reply! I had read the seasonal post on the general forum prior to posting this and figured I wouldn't get much of a response and I completely understand why. I'm a good guy and willing to help out with what ever I can, I have helped on a few youth elk hunts that the young kids were successful on. I guess I'm the type of guy that likes to help in person and has a hard time explaining things online but I will work on that. After reading your post I'm nervous to be using my points on this unit and am wondering if I should turn the tag back in. How did your daughter do?
 
Congrats on the tag. My wife drew the tag in 14 and on day 5 killed a 318 bull. Not as big as she was hoping but it was a tough hunt. We saw more people on that hunt than the archery or general season rifle hunts. Your goal is doable I think, but Fishlake definitely does not have the quality it use to. But aside from that it is a fun hunt and I wish you good luck.
 
The early FL tag is certainly not a slam dunk hunt. As John said they give a ton of tags, which is really the reason the hunt is tough. With all the pressure the animals stay quiet and hidden. Morning and nights are about your only opportunities to see anything. Last year was the worst I saw in quality in the past 3 years up there, but I also probably spent the least amount of time as well. Don't get me wrong there will be bulls to be had within your goals. Don't let any of the negativity get you down. I have absolutely no chance in killing a 350" bull since I don't have the tag. However, you do. Go tread your boot leather and make the most of it!
 
My daughter lived on the unit 2014 and 2015 . She did great but kept passing on Bulls. She finally took a bull the last couple days of the hunt 2015. My son , her big brother had the tag in 2014 and took a nice 6 x 6. But his sister took the bigger bull. My other son drew the Archery tag a couple of years before and ate tag soup. But he drew the archery expo tag this year and hopes to make it right this year. It's a beautiful unit to hunt on and we love the country. If we wanted to keep gaining points we could still be putting in for Dutton or Beaver. We decided to hunt the elk we enjoy hunting rather then collecting points. We are happy with the elk we have taken off that mountain. Even more so with the hunting experiences and great times with the family.
 
I've spent quite a bit of time this spring on FL,
Boulder, Beaver.......

Watching bulls grow antlers on all 3 units...
Looking VERY GOOD for 2016.

Saw one on Fish Lake going to make 'extra large' size!


4aec49a65c565954.jpg
 
Boobe & Johnson cwmu's are major rutting area's, but that won't do you much good. The bigger Bulls will be lower, way lower. East side of the unit in the cedars won't hold as many Elk, but during the rut there is less pressure and some better Bulls if you can locate them. There bugles will help.
 
Thank you guys for all your comments! I really appreciate it. I have decided that instead of counting inches I'm going to go down and have a great time with family and friends doing what I love. In the end that is the most important thing!. I will keep everyone posted on scouting trips and what the season brings. Thanks again.
 
BIGJOHNT is being modest. His daughter killed a great bull. It's been posted here on MM if you search for it.

I've never hunted FL, but my guess with how they manage it and from what I've been told there are a lot of 290-320 bulls running around, with some bigger killed each year as well.

There will absolutely be multiple 330-350 bulls killed on FL this year. Definitely go hunt. Enjoy it. Kill the bill you want and be happy with it. Who knows, there just might be another 395-ish bull waiting for you this year.
 
Thank you bullelk97! That picture gets me very excited for the hunt and a great start to a Wednesday morning at work!. That bull has a great front end and with time still to grow if he finishes out his back end as strong as his front he will be a good one!. Now all can think about is elk, and that is a good thing. Thanks again!
 
With the dates of the hunt being a few days later it should give some rutting action. I really doubt the pressure will be that bad. Maybe in the popular areas but u can prob find some good places with less pressure. I'd say kill a bull that makes ur heart pound and have fun
 
Thanks GLEDEASY! I have actually been watching your videos on youtube since the first of the year when I started my research. I have a lot of respect for you and the effort you put into your hunts. It shows that your hard work pays off. I have started taking notes on anything that I think may help out, and after reading your story it made me think of a few more things to add to them. That is a great bull, and I would be very happy with a bull of a lifetime like that. I have a image in my head of what I'm after and a bull like that is it! Congrats to your wife also on a great bull on her late hunt.
 
There were some good bulls the year Spence killed that bull...and there will be some good bulls this year. May take a little bit of work, but there will be some good bulls come off of there...
 

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