Oh, and I did find a herd, but they were 3.5 miles away across private ground (not one of the ranches). It was either cross a creek of unimagineable depth, or walk 10 miles over several ridges just to get a shot.
There were about 75 cows, but they knew where to hang out, basically untouchable.
That's wild.
I just got back from there and once again, could've filled bull tags!!
I did find out that the main herd in the bighorns that comes to those units decided to towards Buffalo, instead of to this side. That's why it was so thin.
Beaglegun; could you have paid the trespass fee and gone after them? I think Orchard was 200 and Clear Creek was 150.
Spratt has a bunch of HMA ground, too.
It was really warm. Only saw a small group of elk in ONE area only, lots of outfitters and people running around in SxS's or sitting in camp in the middle of the morning/day/afternoon. 2 gun shots opening morning, 1 gun shot Thursday morning, nothing else. Winds can be a factor, too, since...
Wife and I have the exact same 48-6 tag. You must be referring to the Orchard ranch? I scouted the unit in August on my motorcycle. The road around the northern boundary wasn't fun due to loose silt, kwad would be okay.
Side note is that I didn't see any elk at all. Met a really nice lady...