I recently talked to a resident sportsman who saw a bull elk on the side of the road with the head cut off. He called MT FWP reporting it as a poached bull. The FWP responded saying they shot the bull because it was too skinny. Sounds like every bull in the state of MT post rut. Has anyone else...
Hey guys, I’m not looking for any info on where to hunt but am curious about your opinion on the roads in GMU 54 in November? I’ve been in the unit during the summer but not mid-November. Would you bring a 4 Wheeler, or do you reckon a Tacoma with chains would do to access some of the secondary...
The age data in FWP harvest reports for sheep specifically is not always accurate. I don't believe this is intentional and there are several biologists that are very good at aging sheep, but there are many that are inexperienced. Without a doubt, some sheep can be hard to age by anyone...
I would save yourself time and money and skip the chains. Unless it melts out, there will be too much snow for you to go anywhere worthwhile chains or no chains. Park in Cooke, or at the Daisy Pass turn (On the county maintained highway), and take a sled or quad up from there. Just my .2.
I would check the road status before you leave Billings. The road between Crandall and Cooke will likely be snowed in by then. You'll probably need to go around to Livingston, down to Gardiner, and across Lamar Valley. The Beartooth Highway will certainly be closed.
@LopeHunter congratulations! You will have a great hunt and I anticipate the success is better than 60% for those that can dedicate a little time. There are goats in the far reaches of the unit, and in more accessible areas as well. Soak it up. I will PM you if I see anything worth noting...
Have realistic expectations. After 8+ years of shed hunting 313, I would shoot the first 340+ bull I saw...unless I knew for a fact something bigger had moved out of the Park. There is always great potential next to YNP, but to be honest the tag is not worth the points needed to draw. It used...
@MooseMama, your best bet will be the first day of rifle after scouting for 3-4 days during the lull week, followed by 5-10 days on good access or when the cold weather hits. Just my opinion.
900-20 Elk tags are no longer 100% for 1st choice residents. They weren't last year either but I suspect the draw odds this year are lower, despite increasing the tag allocation.
At the end of the day, I reckon state management decisions should be determined by science, and not politics and special interests. Seems pretty black and white to me. Non-native goats, native sheep. Goats go, sheep stay. End of story.
What will prevent someone from drawing a premium tag...printing it at home, making a copy, and then having two premium tags? Genuinely curious..has the FWP considered how to manage this and do they have any verification system in place? Or, will permits still be mailed and general tags printed...