Realistic Expectations for Fishlake Elk

Shedhead03 · Jun 6, 2022

What does everybody think i should be expecting to see on the fishlake unit this year? Average unit i know, but just trying to guage what people are seeing the last few years

rraney · Jun 6, 2022

What tag you draw? Will be up there with my dad on the muzzy

shootem · Jun 6, 2022

May wanna shoot the first spike/raghorn you see ? In all seriousness, a 280-320 inch bull should be expected if you do you’re part.

Tikka · Jun 6, 2022

shootem said:
May wanna shoot the first spike/raghorn you see ? In all seriousness, a 280-320 inch bull should be expected if you do you’re part.

That truly is a shame…

Shedhead03 · Jun 6, 2022

rraney said:
What tag you draw? Will be up there with my dad on the muzzy

Archery.

Shedhead03 · Jun 6, 2022

Tikka said:
That truly is a shame…

Thanks for the reply. Yes that is what i was thinking. I won't pass up the first spike?

Tikka · Jun 6, 2022

Shedhead03 said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes that is what i was thinking. I won't pass up the first spike?

That wasn’t the point of my post

BullElk07 · Jun 6, 2022

Shedhead03 said:
What does everybody think i should be expecting to see on the fishlake unit this year? Average unit i know, but just trying to guage what people are seeing the last few years

I had the LE Archery tag last year. Spent the first 10 days of the season there and never got a shot opportunity. Very few cows to be found, saw only a couple of rag horns and no spikes. Most bulls I encountered were like shootem mentioned, 280-320 The bulls were somewhat vocal the first day or two, but would not respond to any calling. I returned the last ten days of the season, which is better if you have a LE tag, due to the last week being dedicated to the those tag holders only. So no spike and cow hunters to contend with. Bulls were more vocal and did respond to calling. I had a close encounter with a 350” bull during the last week, but was unable to get a shot at him. On the next to last day I was able to harvest this bull. All in all it was a great trip and experience. I met a lot of great people willing to help and share information. Be persistent and don’t give up.

Shedhead03 · Jun 6, 2022

I know. Sorry i replied on the wrong post. I know the quality is a shame. But at least there are a lot of elk and it should be fun

BrowningRage · Jun 7, 2022

My cousin Archery deer hunted there a few different years recently. He would see lots of raghorn and younger 5 and 6 point bulls in the velvet... The last year he was there, not too long ago, they found a deadhead (they reported it and were awarded it later)... It scored 305", but its 3rds were only 6 inches each. If they would have been like the other tines, he would have gone 325" minimum... Its a great Euro mount now.

Id recommend being there at the end of the Archery as thats when u are more likely to catch some rutting action... Good luck. Keep us updated as we love hearing follow ups.

Shedhead03 · Jun 9, 2022

That is the plan. I am hunting from labor day through the end

tracker12 · Jun 10, 2022

BullElk07 said:
I had the LE Archery tag last year. Spent the first 10 days of the season there and never got a shot opportunity. Very few cows to be found, saw only a couple of rag horns and no spikes. Most bulls I encountered were like shootem mentioned, 280-320 The bulls were somewhat vocal the first day or two, but would not respond to any calling. I returned the last ten days of the season, which is better if you have a LE tag, due to the last week being dedicated to the those tag holders only. So no spike and cow hunters to contend with. Bulls were more vocal and did respond to calling. I had a close encounter with a 350” bull during the last week, but was unable to get a shot at him. On the next to last day I was able to harvest this bull. All in all it was a great trip and experience. I met a lot of great people willing to help and share information. Be persistent and don’t give up. View attachment 78240

Thats a great bull and sounds like a great hunt. I am so over all this it has to be a 350+ bull to be a great hunt.

Hawkeye · Jun 10, 2022

There is nothing wrong with taking a 300 inch bull with a bow. I have done it twice and had a great hunt both times.

Hawkeye

Shedhead03 · Jun 12, 2022

Guys this is my first elk hunt for a bull. I am not looking to only kill a monster. I am in the hunt for quality of the hunt and good time with family and friends. A good bull is only a bonus. I already love just being in the outdoors with a chance to get something off it presents itself. Went down this weekend and it is beautiful country. We saw a herd of about 20 bulls.

Stubaby · Jun 12, 2022

Where you see bulls now is not where they will be after sept 5th. Once they get love sick they move a ton. Is sit water the first few days. Anything over 300” I would definitely at least knock an arrow for.

Shedhead03 · Jun 12, 2022

Stubaby said:
Where you see bulls now is not where they will be after sept 5th. Once they get love sick they move a ton. Is sit water the first few days. Anything over 300” I would definitely at least knock an arrow for.

Ya. I won't be there till labor day. I know they will move a lot. Just went to see the unit and learn some areas. Pretty stoked it should be fun

Ihuntemall · Jul 30, 2022

Forget about numbers, go have fun and shoot one! All elk are great, but some have big horns.

SS! · Jul 31, 2022

400 or nothing!!!

Ihuntemall · Jul 31, 2022

SS! said:
400 or nothing!!!

LMAO, good luck on that!

BLooDTRaCKeR · Jul 31, 2022

There’s plenty of 420 bulls up there. Make sure you pull the trigger at 4:20 to claim your prize.

GLEDEASY · Jul 31, 2022

I've been a part of 7 bulls being harvested off that mountain. Some early season, some late, and then archery. They have ranged from 280 to 360 and everywhere between. Averaging just over 320.

You'll know what's right for you when opportunity presents itself.

Edit: and I'll say this.... the smallest bull wasn't any less special/memorable than the biggest.

SS! · Jul 31, 2022

You can’t kill a 4 hundo if you shoot a raghorn 300”

Ihuntemall · Jul 31, 2022

Having goals is good

Ihuntemall · Jul 31, 2022

You might want to look at B&C. No 400 bull in Utah since 2017.

BLooDTRaCKeR · Jul 31, 2022

Ihuntemall said:
You might want to look at B&C. No 400 bull in Utah since 2017.

But not all enter their 4 Hundo’s in the books. If I were ever lucky enough to kill something that big, it would never see the record books, nor a tape measure. Not my style. I admire the experience over the size any day….and I’ll add, “that’s what she said” because I know y’all are thinking it.?

Ihuntemall · Jul 31, 2022

BLooDTRaCKeR said:
But not all enter their 4 Hundo’s in the books. If I were ever lucky enough to kill something that big, it would never see the record books, nor a tape measure. Not my style. I admire the experience over the size any day….and I’ll add, “that’s what she said” because I know y’all are thinking it.?

True