Montana Unlimited Units

[Taco John]

The tags you want, you can't get.

The tags you can get, you don't want.



You're witnessing the Tipping Point where there are more outdoorsmen, than outdoors.

 

[HRM Johnny]

and to drive there you have to go to the end of the earth and then keep going

 

[MT-JONAS]

I'm told by locals here who are working on this that Montana has laws in place which limit the amount of nonresident hunters allowed in each year. This gentleman said these laws have been disregarded by the governors and fish and game for 12+ years now and the result has been more than 100% increase in nonresident hunters receiving licenses. The benefits to the state are financially significant. However, it is discouraging when 1/2 the vehicles you see in the mountains are from out of state.

Another issue is the amount of rich folk from elsewhere who have purchased huge ranches and now deny hunting access to other hunters, even Montana residents. Some of these people own 6-8 ranches equaling a 100,000 acres or more. Attitudes tend to be different between "John, the 5th generation rancher" and "Ted Turner the tv man."

 

[Philward]

This thread is depressing for someone that's never hunted Montana, but had aspirations to at some point in my life . Then again, at least I'd still see some beautiful country.

That's pretty much my view on it anymore.

 

[HRM Johnny]

Attitudes tend to be different between "John, the 5th generation rancher" and "Ted Turner the tv man."

Amen, yeah verily. For example John marries a local woman that everyone loves and respecs. Ted, Marries Hanoi Jane.

 

[southpa]

....back in '84 I could throw a pig skin a quarter mile....

 

[redchinviking]

And back to sheep hunting…Me and a close friend went on an unlimited hunt two seasons ago and spent 8 days backpacking some of the most gorgeous country I have yet seen in my life. Spent a little under a week before the opener, and three days after. Found three rams, but none were legal. One right on the line. Could/should have spent an additional 5 days before the opener. Looking forward to getting back in there next year. Depending on the unit, access is limited and you had better know how to navigate very steep country and trudge off trail for a majority of the hunt if you want any chance at finding rams. Cover serious miles and glass till your eyes bleed. Comb the country. We saw only two groups of hunters with two guys the whole time we were in there. The trailhead parking lot was full. Turns out hundreds of square miles of rugged open country spreads people out pretty well, unless you insist on hunting the Hollywood spots close to access. This is usually the case in my experience. With a decent amount of E-scouting and research you can tell where the concentration of people will be. If a guy is that turned off by other hunters, go hunt in the other 99 square miles, or even just a few more miles off the trail. The unlimited hunts are worth your time if your looking for adventure but I can see why it can and will probably take many years of dedicated time in there to be successful. I agree it is one of, if not THE most challenging hunt in North America. Right up there with the frank sheep hunts. Your looking for needles in a huge haystack. Do it, but be prepared for a wild ride and lots of bears!

 

[dfanonymous]

....back in '84 I could throw a pig skin a quarter mile....

"How much you wanna bet I could throw a football over em mountains?"

 

[southpa]

And back to sheep hunting…Me and a close friend went on an unlimited hunt two seasons ago and spent 8 days backpacking some of the most gorgeous country I have yet seen in my life. Spent a little under a week before the opener, and three days after. Found three rams, but none were legal. One right on the line. Could/should have spent an additional 5 days before the opener. Looking forward to getting back in there next year. Depending on the unit, access is limited and you had better know how to navigate very steep country and trudge off trail for a majority of the hunt if you want any chance at finding rams. Cover serious miles and glass till your eyes bleed. Comb the country. We saw only two groups of hunters with two guys the whole time we were in there. The trailhead parking lot was full. Turns out hundreds of square miles of rugged open country spreads people out pretty well, unless you insist on hunting the Hollywood spots close to access. This is usually the case in my experience. With a decent amount of E-scouting and research you can tell where the concentration of people will be. If a guy is that turned off by other hunters, go hunt in the other 99 square miles, or even just a few more miles off the trail. The unlimited hunts are worth your time if your looking for adventure but I can see why it can and will probably take many years of dedicated time in there to be successful. I agree it is one of, if not THE most challenging hunt in North America. Right up there with the frank sheep hunts. Your looking for needles in a huge haystack. Do it, but be prepared for a wild ride and lots of bears!

100%.