Bridger mountains..... Tail between my legs

[kenzmad]

This year, dad and I decided to do an out of state hunt. We chose the bridger canyon as we could secure permission for 1280 acres of private land that backs up to national forest. Blindly into this we go. Day one went by without seeing an elk while hunting some gorgeous country.

   Day two, goose eggs again on our private land. Head over to a couple of national forest access points. Looked like a friggin pumpkin patch. Every turnout had at least one rig parked in it. After about 3 miles we turned around. Temps were approaching 60 degrees at 6500'. Not good for getting elk to move downslope from the high country.

   Day 3 brought more of the same. 57 degrees and no elk. We decide to take a drive and see if we can find other access in from a landowner. No dice. These areas are locked up tight. After a little more driving we head up towards Fairy lake. This is where we find a young couple hiking down the snow covered road. Seems they got stuck and asked for help. After an hour of digging and yanking, their rig is free and we are on our way. We head back to our high viewing area and look over the private ground. ELK!!! Finally, 11 of them headed our way. We beat feet up the hill and get into position. One 5x5 bull and his girls are headed our way. At 5:25 pm, they are 800 yards away. We put them to bed and head out.

  Today, head up the hill to where we think the herd should be. Drop down in the draw and find their beds. Next to the beds is a torn up track of them headed out of our area. 50yards uphill is a FRESH deer kill. Just the right front leg but the whole leg, shoulder and all, stripped clean of any meat. Elk booked out of the area.

  So here i am, sitting in a motel in Ritzville, having a drink and pondering what to do next. I cant believe how little area Montana has to offer for public hunting. I don't think I will bash Wa again on that point. Montana is beautiful and all, but we only  laid eyes on one group of elk in 4 1/2 days hunting. The weather was horrible, 55-60 everyday. The elk weren't moving. The landowners dont allow anyone on their property so once the herd finds a field, no one there to push them off. Here is a pic of the area, looks elky dont it?

[uplandhunter870]

Unfortunately you are spot on about the Bridgers lots of private land little permission given out an most of the public stuff is up high. Lived in Bozeman for almost three years, went elk hunting a few times and we always went south of town into hyalite area or a couple other well know spots around town or down into Gallatin canyon.

Sorry your hunt was a bust.

Sounds like warm weather was an issue everywhere this year. Usually by this time in Bozeman we were hanging out around 25 and had few snow storms low in the valley

[JLS]

There are places in Montana you could hunt for two week straight and never touch the same canyon.  All on public land. 

Sorry your trip didn't turn out.  The Bridgers wouldn't be my first choice for elk, even with a private access.  I've had plenty of "fool proof" plans turn to crap over the years.  Are you going back or is this it?

Lots of variables in elk hunting that can make it tough.  It still beats a good day at work

I'm still carrying a 2013 elk tag, so you're not alone.

[kenzmad]

There are places in Montana you could hunt for two week straight and never touch the same canyon.  All on public land. 

Sorry your trip didn't turn out.  The Bridgers wouldn't be my first choice for elk, even with a private access.  I've had plenty of "fool proof" plans turn to crap over the years.  Are you going back or is this it?

Lots of variables in elk hunting that can make it tough.  It still beats a good day at work

I'm still carrying a 2013 elk tag, so you're not alone.

We arent going to make it back. What suprised us is the lack of elk anywhere. We didnt see an elk on any private property. Lots of mulie does but thats it.

It was a good trip though. Dads 70 and looking to retire in Montana so i got at least one last hunt with him, not sure how many more i will get.

[RG]

Bridger Canyon is too close to civilization for the early part of the hunt.  Wait till it snows a fair amount, then go back.  The elk don't move till it snows.  You will find a few people around the first weekend after snow then the crowd will diminish, especially when the temperature drops.  The hunting will be way better then.  I worked as a hunting guide south of there in the Gallatin Range for 6 years.  Snow is your key to success.....

[kenzmad]

Bridger Canyon is too close to civilization for the early part of the hunt.  Wait till it snows a fair amount, then go back.  The elk don't move till it snows.  You will find a few people around the first weekend after snow then the crowd will diminish, especially when the temperature drops.  The hunting will be way better then.  I worked as a hunting guide south of there in the Gallatin Range for 6 years.  Snow is your key to success.....

Ya, and no serious snow forecast as far out as 11/28 as near as i can tell

[RG]

It was 24 below zero there the 3rd week of October in 1987 or 88 when I worked there 

[RileyH]

Live in Bozeman, the hunting season was extremely warm this year...sorry it didn't work out!

I've only "heard of" one food animal taken out the Bridgers in my 3.5 years here, and it was an Archery Mulie. I know this topic died off a while back but just to give my two cents, I'd not recommend hunting the Bridgers for much of anything, head east if you come back!

On the plus side it is some pretty, pretty country!