249 Alpine

[BenC567]

Hello all,

I plan on solo bowhunting for deer and elk in 249 Alpine out of the northern side. I was wondering if anyone had any helpful information/tips, wanted to scout together, or coordinate hunting plans so we can work together or not see each other at all.  I'll be up there either mid next week or mid August for the first time (I'm going on vacation soon).

Thank you in advance,

Ben

[Skyvalhunter]

Few and far between are the elk. The outfitters take a few clients in every year but most are lucky to even see an elk.

[BenC567]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a hard hunt so all of that is good for me.  Thanks again!

[cvandervort]

PM sent

[luvmystang67]

Was up there 2x last year.  Not much room to park at the trailhead due to everyone with horse trailers.  Prepare to hike up high.  Not many animals, would be tough with a bow.  I went up for high hunting mule deer with a rifle and didn't see anything alive except grouse and horse camps.  PM me if you have specific questions, did see some occasional elk sign, but I'm not sure how you'd find them or ever get close enough to them with a bow, it is some rugged country.

Best of luck, I want to see pics.

[acorn]

Scouted and hunted up White Pine last year. After three scouting trips and a week of hunting I didn't find any fresh elk and heard no vocals. Didn't see as many deer as I would have guessed though lots of sign. Only saw two bucks one down low next to a swampy area and one up high across the canyon. Made an effort at him but never saw him again once I was over there. Good luck. I've heard that there are elk up there but I couldn't find that needle in the hay stack. Needless to say I'm looking elsewhere this year.

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea you might want to reconsider the North side and go to the south side but in the end its your choice. Might be best to set your goal on deer also. Theres your partner go with Trapp

[Jimmy33]

There some elk in there. I grew up hunting 249 and we would see elk quite often. The elk are definetely holed up n just a few places. Here are a fouple of hints: know who the oufitters are in the area...they will be usually where the elk are. Know the elk rooutes out of the mountains into lower country during their migration and draw a straight line through the valleys into the high country from there. Next. Looka at googl earth and look for the nastiest, darkets hole you find along that line. You will find elk or at least some sign.

[pd]

Ben, I spent last week there climbing.  PM me if you like.  The locals will have better information than I do--I was only in the southern portion, up very high.  I did not see any sign of elk, and I would not hunt the southern portion for elk (but, the northern portion might be quite different).

By the way, there are lots and lots of goats there.  Dozens.

[BenC567]

Hello All,

Sorry for the lack of communication on my part - I've been fishing Montana the past few weeks. Thanks for all of the hints and tips. Hopefully I'll be getting up there this weekend and taking a poke around.  I will keep you all informed on what I found and what I decide.

Thank you again.

[JM]

I was in 249 Friday-Sunday and saw 7 cows and cut a nice bull track. Found a few bucks as well.

When does the archery elk season start and end for that unit? I'm in Michigan right now and don't want to load the game regs onto my phone.

[Skyvalhunter]

Expect to have alot of company on that portion of the unit. Elk far far few on northern portion

[BenC567]

Archery elk is Sept 3 - 15.

I've been scouting the area but not as much as I would like too.  My dog had surgery and can't be left alone. I scouted 3 different parts of the unit and have made my selection based on what I saw and google maps.  I'll be on the south side of the unit.  I'll be in the back country alone for the majority of the season.  If anyone else plans on hunting this area, let me know so we can make sure not to cross paths or be able to help pack out elk and deer for each other.