Early Muzzleloader Elk - Blue Mtns

[O. hemionus]

My best friend from Montana is meeting me halfway for a bear hunt in the Blues, Oct. 4-7. I realize this is during the opening weekend of early muzzleloader season for elk down there and it will probably be packed, but it was the only weekend we could both get away. As I haven't had time to break off for work for a scouting trip, and since I have never hunted the Blues before, I'm not sure which GMU we will hit (I'll update as we get closer to the date). In any case, we have no interest in going after elk down there, and if we see any (especially spikes), I'd be happy to share any info with folks on here who plan on hunting that muzzleloader hunt. Don't know what type of cell coverage I'll have out there, but if we end up in the same GMU and you aren't having any luck, shoot me a PM and I might be able to provide an update.

[elkchaser54]

You will have great cell phone coverage, there is a cell tower on top of the ski hill so don't worry about that.  There wont be that many people there, lots of people setting camps for rifle season elk and deer but very few muzzleloaders going off.

[MHWASH]

I’ve bear hunted down there during that time in the past. It’s not as busy as you would assume, definitely not like rifle season. Depending on which units you hunt, cell service can be spotty. I elk hunt 166 & 175 and if you don’t know where the good service is it can be frustrating.