My ideal terrain: slightly downhill, both ways.
JK. My ideal terrain is first and foremost roadless with no motorized access. Ideally with few trails and the trails that are there are down low along streams. This makes it easier to hike up ridges and lose the crowds, nothing like a steep climb for that.
Beetle kill is a function of elevation and moisture, the more moisture the less stressed and susceptible the trees are. So if you can hunt higher elevations on the shady slopes you'll be better off. That's easier to do in the early seasons.
As far as horse traffic, the only thing I can suggest is to hunt an area, figure out where outfitters and others tend to set up, and avoid those areas. It's somewhat trial and error and changes from year to year.
Hope this helps.
Edited to add, there is no place on the NF that bans horses or outfitters that I know of. Outfitters are licensed to work certain areas though.
Last edited by smokepole; 06/29/18.
