Getting ready to head to the Bitterroot in about 10 days. Weather reports look warm. How’s the snow?
It is there, but not enough to be more than a minor inconvenience to the elk. Certainly not enough to get them to migrate. I think Lost Trail Pass has about 5 inches on top. St. Mary's trailhead has about the same.
With both Idaho and Montana rifle seasons now open, I suspect the elk are ping ponging back and forth across the border.
T Inman: I recently came down from our traditional high country/back country Elk camp here in SW Montana.
Our camp is at 8,025' elevation and I have Hunted there for many years.
About 3 weeks ago we had a significant snow storm hereabouts, 8" at my home (5,200') and an estimated 20" up at our Elk'in area!
There were NO Elk left in the high country during our Hunt (October 23rd - the opener) and two days prior during our (4 of us) scouting and until we departed on October 28th.
Traditionally this area is rather well populated by Elk until the snows come.
They came and even began melting off at that altitude but the Elk left - I mean left completely.
According to my observations and reports from fellow Hunters "the Elk are down".
Looking out my window today the snowline appears to be at 7.500 or a little higher - it is raining hard here at 5,200' - I would guess the snow would be falling again at 8,000' now.
Best of luck to you - but I would NOT Hunt high for Elk there in the Bitterroots next week.
Let us know how you do.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
Southern Idaho is highly variable so far this year. The snow courses are ranging from over 200% of normal down to under 50%.
Unbelievably warm here for November! However, this can change virtually overnight......and hopefully it will! memtb
I miss the elk hunts and all the good times, I do not miss pulling camp in November in single digit temps and 20 " of snow with some horses that have been working their asses off for 3.5 months!