Post by: vandeman17 on March 09, 2017, 07:43:20 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 09, 2017, 07:45:45 AM
Post by: Reidus on March 09, 2017, 08:03:27 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on March 09, 2017, 08:06:33 AM
Very tough draw, always on my application but never drawn. 10 pts
Do you apply for rifle or archery?
Post by: The scout on March 09, 2017, 08:58:35 AM
Post by: Dan-o on March 09, 2017, 10:08:44 AM
If you walk, you end up with 15 pounds of m$ud clinging to each boot.
When dry it is awesome place to roam..... and some m$onsters do roam there.... like most places, they are hard to kill or they would be dead.
Post by: JDHasty on March 09, 2017, 10:18:13 AM
My cousin's wife drew a Slippery Ann rifle elk tag this last year.
Weather was tough, gumbo mud will stop any vehicle short of a Sherman tank, they got a call from a friend/shirttail relative and could have shot a real monster bull... basically from their front yard. She is from Winnett and they know everybody.
They turned down the offer, they wanted to make it a hunt, they went home and came back later and hunted hard and got a really nice bull, maybe not quite as big as the one they turned down, but really a very nice bull.
Post by: vandeman17 on March 09, 2017, 11:03:48 AM
It's about 70% chance to draw. I have never done the hunt, but my cousin lives in billings and he has. It sounds like a fun hunt, but September, October can be a bad month to be there, last year there were a number of archery camps stranded for over a week because they got something like 6" of rain in 2 days.
I heard the same about the roads but will just have to hope for good weather. My old man is retired and my job has flexibility so we could have a time we want to go but adjust based on the forecast. Plan would be to drag our trailer there but also bring backpacking tent and gear to spike camp if necessary.
Post by: JDHasty on March 09, 2017, 11:27:05 AM
It's about 70% chance to draw. I have never done the hunt, but my cousin lives in billings and he has. It sounds like a fun hunt, but September, October can be a bad month to be there, last year there were a number of archery camps stranded for over a week because they got something like 6" of rain in 2 days.
I heard the same about the roads but will just have to hope for good weather. My old man is retired and my job has flexibility so we could have a time we want to go but adjust based on the forecast. Plan would be to drag our trailer there but also bring backpacking tent and gear to spike camp if necessary.
You can't walk in it either. It builds up twenty pound balls of mud on your boots. Be flexible and pray for decent weather.
Post by: vandeman17 on March 09, 2017, 11:29:47 AM
It's about 70% chance to draw. I have never done the hunt, but my cousin lives in billings and he has. It sounds like a fun hunt, but September, October can be a bad month to be there, last year there were a number of archery camps stranded for over a week because they got something like 6" of rain in 2 days.
I heard the same about the roads but will just have to hope for good weather. My old man is retired and my job has flexibility so we could have a time we want to go but adjust based on the forecast. Plan would be to drag our trailer there but also bring backpacking tent and gear to spike camp if necessary.
You can't walk in it either. It builds up twenty pound balls of mud on your boots. Be flexible and pray for decent weather.
Ya I meant that is our plan based on good weather. I have been in gnarly mud before and it was terrible.
Post by: DaleVR on March 09, 2017, 12:37:35 PM
Post by: dune on March 14, 2017, 07:53:20 AM
Post by: mp.hunter on March 14, 2017, 08:09:16 AM
Adam-sounds like its more of a spot n stalk than a call-a-thon, good luck.
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Post by: vandeman17 on March 14, 2017, 08:28:59 AM
http://stitcher.com/s?eid=49387980&autoplay=1
Adam-sounds like its more of a spot n stalk than a call-a-thon, good luck.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Awesome thanks mike. Spot and stalk is good with me. Fun challenge
Post by: JLS on March 14, 2017, 09:15:54 AM
It's about 70% chance to draw. I have never done the hunt, but my cousin lives in billings and he has. It sounds like a fun hunt, but September, October can be a bad month to be there, last year there were a number of archery camps stranded for over a week because they got something like 6" of rain in 2 days.
I heard the same about the roads but will just have to hope for good weather. My old man is retired and my job has flexibility so we could have a time we want to go but adjust based on the forecast. Plan would be to drag our trailer there but also bring backpacking tent and gear to spike camp if necessary.
Depending on which unit you are referring to, there is little use in spike camping.
Post by: jae on March 18, 2017, 03:25:06 PM
The dirt roads become literally undrivable when soaked.I could not have said it better!
If you walk, you end up with 15 pounds of m$ud clinging to each boot.
When dry it is awesome place to roam..... and some m$onsters do roam there.... like most places, they are hard to kill or they would be dead.
Drew in 2008? (+/-1or 2) Wettest September in years they said.
We had to relocate.
Some monsters do hit the ground though.
Post by: Thenewguy on March 18, 2017, 03:58:04 PM
Post by: dscubame on March 18, 2017, 04:13:41 PM
Post by: HighCountryHunter88 on March 18, 2017, 05:34:47 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on March 18, 2017, 08:14:06 PM
I am in for that area, archery with 70 percent odds and will be taking the boat.
How many points do you have?
Post by: dscubame on March 18, 2017, 08:23:55 PM
I am in for that area, archery with 70 percent odds and will be taking the boat.
How many points do you have?
I believe a few.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on March 18, 2017, 08:35:32 PM
Post by: SideHillBill on March 18, 2017, 09:51:13 PM
Post by: JDHasty on March 18, 2017, 10:15:13 PM
Drew the rifle bull tag in 1996. I put in for a November hunt so we were able to drive into the unit. Toughest hunt I have ever been on. So cold it froze all our food and water the first night. We camped up on the ridge because it was even colder down on the river. Killed my first bull on that hunt. A modest 6x6. I can remember being worried the pickup wouldnt start in the am, had to thaw out cookies on the dash lol The river was frozen sold. The first day we drove all day without seeing a single fresh track. Let alone a bird or anything alive at all. The second morning we found the herd feeding on a grassy flat about two miles back in a cooley. So we went in after them in a foot of snow knowing this would be our only chance crossing half a dozen draws we crested the last ridge we were in them. Muleys to our left elk below us. Took a 300 yard shot. Down he went. We hiked out for the pickup after field dressing and tagging. On the way out we had 13 bulls in a group at 200 yards. A couple dandys lol. The main herd moved closer to the road and a nice lady filled her cow tag and thanked us for our effort and happily gave us some unfrozen bottled water. Goodness we were thirsty. Some how we managed to drive that old pickup up the main cooley all the way to my elk and got him out. COLD FROZEN HUNT
Like I said above: My cousin's wife is born and raised on a ranch in Winnett. Their ranch HQ is in Augusta, right up against the Sun River Game Range, and they spend winters keeping water open for the cattle on winter range.
Augusta is just a bit south of Cut Bank, which is frequently the coldest spot in the lower 48, and they live this life. They were being extra careful about not getting themselves in a bind.
She had a Slippery Ann Rifle Tag this last year and they were fighting the weather every time I talked to them. It can "get ya," so be prepared and don't get caught having to spend the night out. It is entirely possible to get your vehicle stuck and walking out isn't an option until the gumbo mud freezes late at night.
That is BIG and unforgiving country and it can bite ya'. Have a good hunt, but be careful out there.
Post by: vandeman17 on March 19, 2017, 06:34:52 AM
Post by: Muleyslyr on March 29, 2017, 08:54:48 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on March 30, 2017, 05:28:07 PM
vande... I hunted this area last year but for deer. Saw some good Bulls. Get the tag and worry about the weather and roads and everything else later. It'll be a great hunt no matter what.
Hoping we get our results in a few weeks so we can make the rest of our other plans accordingly.
Post by: JDHasty on March 30, 2017, 06:29:03 PM
vande... I hunted this area last year but for deer. Saw some good Bulls. Get the tag and worry about the weather and roads and everything else later. It'll be a great hunt no matter what.
Absolutely. My point is enjoy it and good luck, just please be very careful. That is unforgiving country and weather comes up fast and especially when it comes off the Canadian prairies it is a mean Mother Nature you are dealing with.
Post by: vandeman17 on March 30, 2017, 07:27:52 PM
vande... I hunted this area last year but for deer. Saw some good Bulls. Get the tag and worry about the weather and roads and everything else later. It'll be a great hunt no matter what.
Absolutely. My point is enjoy it and good luck, just please be very careful. That is unforgiving country and weather comes up fast and especially when it comes off the Canadian prairies it is a mean Mother Nature you are dealing with.
Roger that!