Ok... so I found some very, well lets call it interesting Elk stuff nosin' around there lately.

However, it seems to me that these two places would generate a lot of hunting pressure.

I was wondering if some of you who have hunted these areas could fill me in on what to expect should I consider trying to punch a tag there.

I appreciate the opinions.

What unit?

I've found interesting stuff in 301, 310, 311 and 360.

Just let me know what drainages you're talking about, and we can compare notes..

You bet. We are headed back in next week for a few day trips. Then hopefully 1-2 a week after that. Then we're gonna do a 3-4 day in Aug.

My gut tells me to push the limits of the "magical lines" of the management area's but from the info I got form a neat older gentleman whilst fishing, he said there's no need to leave the road but a mile or less.

I'm just wondering how "crowded" it'll get.

This kind of seems like the exact opposite of what you should do when you find a honey hole...

I once published an article titled "Secret Spots." A lot of it was about not telling anybody else about 'em, because then they're not secret anymore.

I know guys who'll fog out the landscape in hero shots to maintain secrecy..

I think identifying honey holes would be OK if somebody repeatedly busted your balls on the www and you found out where they hunted. Give or take...

A step further is not posting hero shots to maintain secrecy...

+1

Asking for hot spots on the internet, is shameless. Cocadori, you find me a goat yet? I'm looking to cut my scouting time in half.

Would you be so kind as to tell all of us some good, quiet places?

hehe..

Half the fun is a whole not half..eh.

well...

hehe ..I'm not asking for a hot spot. I've found hints for what I am after.
I've often shared many "spots" with many people.
I've never got the whole keep things secret. I guess in my mind we are all after the same thing, we all want to be successful afield whether it's hunting, fishing etc. but we can't always do it at once. I'd never step on anyone's toes and in turn I'd expect the same respect.What I don't know is the amount of pressure or what to expect during the season. As I've not yet hunted these areas.

I was simply asking those who've hunted these areas as to an idea of what to expect hunter wise. Not game wise.

You can't run your gliders hard enough in a month to scout what I've already scouted for goats, nor would you find half of what I've already found.

The OpSec involved in certain surfing spots in California and Baja make what we go through in hunting look like patty cake.

Think the ponies could hang?

Goats sure get fat eating those camper's donuts!

Wicked pics!

And you have that cliffhanger chit, I don't wanna know where that is....laughin'

I've occasionally fell off the wagon and given an undeserving "handout".. but I choose my hunting buddies carefully these days.

Correct as I've only been in Big Sky for a year.

Ponies are a tool to carry one past the road hunters and ahead of the hikers. When the trees stop sometimes ponies do too.

Peaks aren't all that "big". "Brothers from another mother" probably don't help much but often I imagine.

Ranch life often doesn't afford the leisure others enjoy. Gotta make hay when ya can.

I'll get what I can when I can. If anything I'll have fun.

You should be required to have a guide in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness..

It would be safer that way.

Just messing with you Cocadori. I remember when you were a big backcountry guide in Wyoming, defending the WY wilderness hunting law, and saying that non-residents were foolish to hunt without an outfitter. And now here you are...

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting an elk in all 4 directions of your house.

I stole that quote from one of my favorite Missoula treehugger buddies... who's now a WY resident.

Is that a PBR in the backpack?

Have always found places where game ends up by hunting where others don't. Greenhorn's method is quite effetive, but being 20 years older I've also found a few pockets that most people pass by, though quite so far back.

In the past few years I've occasionally been startled to find a few other folks in my "secret" places. But I keep finding more, so it all balances out--as long as I don't tell anybody....

Greenhorn is now cool since he drinks PBR cans...grin...

The place we hunt in 360 has had ever-increasing wolf sign over the past 11 years since I started going, but it still holds a good resident elk herd.

I'm no expert...just 4 elk for me, 12 total for my group (average group size of 2.5)in the last 6 times drawn (drop camp, non-guided).

One of my buddies has been doing the MT thing for 25 years, and we've been befriended by a now retired senior USFWS game warden, an outfitter friend, former guides, a part time Hawaii/Montna rancher friend, etc.

All of this has greatly helped us extremely out-of-place non-residents from Hawaii.

Cacadori,

If I recall correctly, didn't Greenhorn shot his elk in your backyard when you were in Cody?

Now can shoot his goat in you backyard in Montana.

What are the odds?

Miss typed should have typed in the Big Sky state.

But I'm only less than 45 min. from all 4 units.

Old n slow.... If they was my back yards my last name would be Turner. Technically I'm in GH's back yard. He'd have to drive west to be in mine.

I think it was more like non-residents shouldn't go it alone in the wilderness Kurt. Besides back then it was advantageous for me to recommend NR's to hire a guide.
The Wilderness areas I'm talking about where I pounded around in are over 5 X's the size of the one you're familiar with.
In fairness Kurt, I think you know I was mostly referring to people who aren't familiar with hunting the west.

jus' sayin'

Too funny...advocate a silly rule because it's good for your pocket, but think nothing of doing exactly what makes that rule silly(NR can't hunt but can do anything else in a wilderness area). Well, at least you are straight forward about it. Good luck this year.

While I can understand GH's stance coming from NM and MT regarding the silliness. Maybe there is a reasoning behind it though. I'm guessing the majority of the NR's are not as versed in the back country stuff as individuals who live out west.

I'm not the only one who see's these as a negative. I have a few ways I generated income to support the family back then. I enjoyed guiding which was one. So of course I would advocate NR's using a guide to hunt with.

I'm guessing most guides in WY would advocate this as well.

FYI, I'm not doing anything illegal. I am a resident of MT and have a couple hours here and there of experience in a wilderness already... after next week I'll have a few more... that seems to be enough, right so I'll give it a go this year. Seems to suit me.

Good luck Ric!