Fishlake Archery Elk Scouting On Budget

bigfoot llamas · Jul 15, 2005

I am looking for any scouting information on the Fishlake. I have put in for this tag for years and finally drew. I have high hopes of taking a 380-390 bull.

The irony of this year being the year I drew is that I was laid off in January. Since then I have started doing real estate and my own sign business. That being said I obviously don't have the vacation days or the funds right now to make numerous trips it takes to locate the type of animal I have my mind set on.

If anyone has information that would narrow my search I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,

Thad Okerlund
[email protected]
meatinthepot

magnus · Jul 15, 2005

Thad: That would be a VERY good bull, in any unit. I don't know what the biggest archery bull to ever come out of Fishlake is, but I'll bet it wasn't as big as you have your sights set. Just enjoy yourself and try to kill a nice bull.

Blanding_Boy · Jul 16, 2005

Thad--

Far be it from me to tell a guy what to set his standards/goals at--yours are admirable and maybe achievable if you are very lucky. Personally, I think it will be a big ticket to fill.

I can say this...having spent a fair amount of time on the Fishlake, having seen many of the big bulls that come off Johnson Mountain Ranch and having my ear to the listening post I would say you would be crazy not to shoot a 330 bull or better if given the opportunity especially with a bow. As far as where to look, I would spend most of my time hunting the boarder of the Johnson Mtn. Ranch on the forest side.

Good luck--be sure to share pictures with us this fall.

Todd Black
BTO

fin little · Jul 16, 2005

Check poison hole and the beaver ponds on the Johnson ranch border. Havnt hunted up thier in years but we used to do alright in that area. Poison Hole , Tommy Hollow , Red creek, Clear Creek, Hilgaurd all worth looking at. Good luck.

utah450 · Jul 18, 2005

I would say that there is a lot more to that unit than just the area around Johnson Ranch.

Blanding_Boy · Jul 18, 2005

Terry--there is way more to that unit than the area around JMR but what you need to realize is if you are a bull and there are 600+ cows on 15000 acres where would you go to have the most fun? Even the UDWR estimates that 1/3--1/2 of the fishlake herd is between Johnson's and Gooseberry

Todd Black
BTO

bigfoot llamas · Jul 19, 2005

Thanks for the feedback, I guess I am going in with some high expectations. I am thinking of trying to get off the beaten path a little bit. I know with all of the freakin 4 wheeler trails now that this is difficult but I wanted to look in some areas that may not be as hammered as the Johnsons ranch area. Anyone with information that is not the standard stomping grounds?

thad
[email protected]

30inchbucks · Jul 19, 2005

Thad,
Haven't hunted the mountain much since it went to spike only but we had good luck in many different areas. Daniels canyon was always good especially if you get off the beaten path and get your hiking shoes on. Who knows maybe you can drive your 4 wheeler all over it now. Also I would try over around UM creek and Sawtooth area. The areas I mentioned used to be really rugged areas and should have some good bulls in them. We used to get into them on top of Boobe Hole mountain in an area called the Big Opening every year but it's all CWMU now. All the shooting would start early down off in the Rose Meadows area and all the elk would run over the top of us. Those were the days. Are you related to the Okerlunds in Monroe?

bigfoot llamas · Jul 30, 2005

Anyone been out doing some scouting on Fishlake that does not have a big bull tag that would be willing to share some current locations. I did some scouting over the last week and did some some decent bulls one in the range that I am looking for. Unfortunately my time schedule is not going to allow for me to get down and do anymore scouting until the opening of the archery deer hunt. My scouting is going to have to be done online from here on in.

Thanks in advance,

meatinthepot
[email protected]

cabinfever · Aug 9, 2005

Having hunted the Fishlake unit for years, I'd have to agree with most of whats been said. I would focus between the west side of sheep valley over to the east side of seven mile and down into daniels canyon. They did kill a few 370 bulls and one 380 that I know of last year on the Fishlake, however, I assure you this is not the norm. I know if I had the tag, I'd kill anything 330 or bigger with an archery tag. The rifle hunt may be a different story. Good luck and be sure to post your sucess story and pics.

Mike

lone_hunter · Aug 12, 2005

You likely have more information than I can provide from scouting, but. I also have not hunted the area very much the last few years, but you may check out an area called Tidwell slopes. About 5 years ago that area had alot of elk and always carried good bulls. There was an area of prescribed burn and the elk loved it. I hunted the same area two years ago without much success. One area that always had bulls was west tidwell canyon. One area seemed to be the summer hiding spot for bulls. One evening there at least 15 different bulls bugling. I snuck up on a 350+ bull, and he fed within about 10' of me. The hunt was spike only. I also saw the largest bull I have ever seen in this canyon about 7 years ago. He was 400+. A huge 7X7. If you like, contact me and I will send you a map to get to this location. Good luck!

bigfoot llamas · Aug 13, 2005

I just wanted to thank everyone for their information. I have received a number of emails and phone conversations that have me feeling very good on my chances of taking a great bull.

I was reading on the elk forum about how much everyone would charge to take someone to a large bull. The posts that are on there are exactly opposite of what I have experienced. If anything I have felt a need to give to those that are offering information to me. None of them have asked for compensation.

Thanks to all of you that have helped me out. I cant wait to post my bull and tribute it, to a group effort.

Thad

antlerrick · Aug 29, 2005

The bulls are starting to bugle now and you can do well if you will just drive thru different areas and stop and listen. One you locate the bugles, be there early in the morning and glass. My daughter took a 382 bull from the Fishlake last year with a rifle, but they are few and far between. You have better listen to the advice above and if you get a crack at a 330 or better bull, you better be shooting. There are some good bulls up there, but hunting with archery equipment is a whole different game..
Good Luck..

bigfoot llamas · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks for the advice.

I was able to go out on the first few opening days and got within about 20 yds of a decent 6x6 probably around 320. I could of taken a rushed shot, but decided to wait and see how the last two weeks would play out. I was able to call in a couple of spikes for my brother in law that he just plain and simply screwed up on. On both all he had to do is pull back and step out from behind a tree and did just the opposite. Both were at about 30 yards.

I have been out of the area for a week now. Has anyone been getting into them? Are the bulls beginning to light it up. When I was down there were a couple of bulls testing their lungs but not lookin for fight yet.

Good Luck to everyone with a tag.

Thad