Fort peck reservoir mule deer

[JDE]

Looking for any information to help plan a hunt using a boat to access
Have been hunting from road access only to date


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MTSasquatch]

Get a big(ger) boat and keep an eye on the wind. The chop out there when the winds are >15-20 mph could keel over a navy destroyer haha! Any of the launches can get you into good deer country, but you may have to do some cruising around to find a sheltered bay that doesn’t have boats and camps already doing what you are wanting to do. Bring your fishing tackle too. It’s time well spent at the end of your day or if you get weather that isn’t conducive to looking for deer. Good luck!

 

[JDE]

Thanks for the info
Do you need to anchor up to keep waves from beating up the boat? Curious how the shoreline is
One guy told me it can be very shallow quite a ways from shore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtblackdog]

The days of good bucks are gone. Until the droves of NR namely WA state stop killinh all the 2 and 3 points. Do more research, better places than Peck.

 

[OpenCountry]

Thanks for the info
Do you need to anchor up to keep waves from beating up the boat? Curious how the shoreline is
One guy told me it can be very shallow quite a ways from shore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You better find a good bay to get out of the big water or expect a rodeo. Theres a lot less logistics and more mobility hunting from the dirt roads. You'd be amazed how many guys do the same hunt you're talking about both for archery elk and mule deer. It can be interesting finding a good place to get tucked away that doesn't already have a tent set up.

 

[MTSasquatch]

Thanks for the info
Do you need to anchor up to keep waves from beating up the boat? Curious how the shoreline is
One guy told me it can be very shallow quite a ways from shore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes you’ll need an anchor. I attach a drift boat anchor to a 50’ piece of rope for my setup and anchor it way up on land at shore. Yes some shorelines are shallower than others but most can get by with a prop style v hull fishing boat. Like previously mentioned, peck gets piss pounded by hunters, so don’t expect miles of shore to yourself or empty wind protected bays. They’ll mostly already be hunted out.

 

[JDE]

Sounds like it gets a lot of pressure
We were thinking to hike in to get away from the day hunters
Might have to spike camp
Definitely will have to do some more research


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dtrkyman]

I elk hunted there a few years ago, saw some deer and actually could have arrowed a decent buck. Not familiar coming in from the water but if it is low it may be challenging getting to the bank, sure looked that way from shore when I was there.

I did not see a ton of pressure elk hunting but definitely some guys around.

 

[JDE]

Were you able to get away from the crowds by putting some miles on?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapiti1]

Fort Peck has more shoreline than California. You can get a way from the crowds depending on which units your tag is good in. Funny thing about hunters. Many don't leave the road if they can't see it from the truck. Think it's different from a boat? Not so much. Check the maps and look for areas that are hard to spot from the water. Keep in mind that the units are hunted from the top and bottom.

The prevailing winds are west/southwest, so 3-4 footers aren't unusual. I used to run a 17 foot boat on it and didn't have issues, but I knew when to call it quits. I run a 20 footer now on Lake Michigan. It's very comparable.

Lake level matters for where you can beach. Some areas get really shallow, and others will be 30 feet deep up to the bank. Be prepared to beach in a cove a ways from your target.

Pay attention to what is in between you and the deer. You might not be able to get to it. It might be too steep, or you might have to hike 4 miles to get on top, then hike to the deer. It's very different country.

One positive. If the hunting sucks, the fishing is always good somewhere.

Jeremy

 

[JDE]

Appreciate the information
I’ve heard the chinook fishing can be pretty good that time of year


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jagermiester]

I have done the boat a few times. Largest 3 point i have ever seen was there. First year was fun. Second year we got lucky we got out before the lake froze completely over. People have had to hike out and get farmers assistance on boat retrieval. On a sunny day in November the water could be calm and your wearing a t-shirt. Two days later is looks like the ocean and you'd think you were on king crab trip in Alaska. Also if you anchor your boat next to the shore and can't find it, its there just under the water lol.