anybody hunt unit 249. looking to discuss

[nw_bowhunter]

I have been checking out the alpine unit 249 for any elk. Looks like mostly wilderness hunt with low number of hunters and based on stats mostly bulls taken. I'm looking to chat with anyone on here who has hunted the unit. if prefered we can pm.

[colockumelk]

People are pretty tight lipped about this hunt.  It has very low densities of elk.  Elk only inhabit certain parts of that GMU.  That being said don't expect to be alone in those concentrated areas.  Guys who are successful in that unit also were willing to eat tag soup multiple years in a row until they learned the area well enough to connect. 

My suggestion is bust out some topo maps, use the search function on this website and read every post on this subject.  Then this summer drive over and do weekend back packing trips as much as possible learning the area.  Bear season starts Aug 1 and there is plenty of them up there so its a good excuse to hint/scout.  Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

[danderson]

Make sure you have horses 

[spur_ride]

We ride in on horses into the alpine. Lots of big deer and elk up there. Its just a matter of getting to them. And if you connect, getting it out. We typically ride in about 16 miles to our camp and depending on weather, temp., ect.ect. Determines how much hiking after that.

I'd start looking at maps and learning the area. There's a lot of ground there. Good luck

[nw_bowhunter]

Ok guys thanks. I have already been checking this area for sometime with the above suggestions. I actually have a bunch of time invested in my research. although the search feature on the site hasn't worked to well for me.  Additionally I was leaning on doing a drop camp. I was hoping to understand is this hunt critical to have horses or can it really be a backpack hunt?  I know there is potential and understand why people are right lipped.

[colockumelk]

You can definately do it as a backpack hunt.  solo would he tough but with two or more it is very doable.

[fishngamereaper]

LIke was stated earlier, start with a summer pack trip...Its big country. Ive killed some good mulies up there, but the pack out is tough when your solo. On average I would only go in about 6-8 miles for deer. Always saw some big bulls, and alot of bear, just decided I never wanted to pack them out by myself.

[MtnMuley]

Personally, there are too many other backpack style hunt areas in this state that offer a better chances at success with less effort involved for me to go back into the ALW.  What these guys are saying is true and good info though.

[nw_bowhunter]

I will have a hunting partner with me. Thanks for the additional info guys. I'm looking for the challenge, chance at bull without having to draw.

[colockumelk]

I will have a hunting partner with me. Thanks for the additional info guys. I'm looking for the challenge, chance at bull without having to draw.

Having a partner is definately doable.  Bring some black industrial strength garbage bags so that you can put quarters of meat in a creek to help cool the meat while your making your first trip out and the meat will be good to go for a long time.

[buglebuster]

I will have a hunting partner with me. Thanks for the additional info guys. I'm looking for the challenge, chance at bull without having to draw.

Having a partner is definately doable.  Bring some black industrial strength garbage bags so that you can put quarters of meat in a creek to help cool the meat while your making your first trip out and the meat will be good to go for a long time.

ive always heard to not put them in garbage bags 

[colockumelk]

Yes you are not supposed to put meat in garbage bags because it will hold the heat in and the meat will spoil.  But..... If you put them in garbage bags and then dunk them in an ice cold creek or in a glacier.  The water will cool the meat off quite rapidly and the garbage bag will prevent the meat from getting water logged.   

[nw_bowhunter]

good tip. Will remember. hate to work so hard and have the meat spoil.